Yaris camper

[Idahotom]

I am taking a very quick trip to Las Vegas (about 600 miles one way) and back this week. Just a business thing to go to a convention all about heavy construction equipment (my day job). So... today, I spent about 45 minutes and pulled the front seat, (the back seat and spare etc. is long gone), and for a little over 16 bucks the local Lowes cut me some 5/8" OSB (I could have drove my pickup the 40 miles round trip to get it, and cut it myself, but I got 44.5 MPG in the Yaris and the Ford 3/4 ton gets 12, and they cut it for free!) and with a few random supports underneath (comprised of the right sized wooden blocks, secured by a few grabbers through the 5/8" OSB) I now have a 24" wide by 80" long flat level deck to crash on.

This, along with my duffle bag camp kitchen (to heat water, to take a Navy type shower) will make the trip safer and cheaper. I don't mind paying for a motel, but just for 3 or 4 hours of sleeping?? I have tried sleeping in the Yaris on the standard seats, folded down, NOT RECOMMENDED! Super uncomfortable, good enough normally but reclined....no way, the only thing I have to say about it bad. I'll report on my return on how it worked out, nothing like a high 30's/low 40's mini motorhome!

[Altitude]

Pics!

[DebbyM46227]

As cheap as rooms are off the Strip (for example, The Orleans), I don't think I'd want to sleep in my Yaris.

[Idahotom]

Good point, but I wasn't planning on parking in downtown Las Vegas! More like make my required trade show appearance, smooz and take care of business, and then right at show closing time get the heck back out of town. Probably somewhere in southern Utah, in the middle of nowhere, I'll grab a few z's. The big advantage of being able to comfortably sleep in any type of rig while on a road trip is you avoid getting the nods, you just pull over and even 2 or 3 hours makes a huge difference. I am much more focused on getting back to Idaho as I hate to miss the spring snow we are currently enjoying at the local ski area! Deep fresh powder, great views, and the last few days the area is open holds way more attraction for me then anything Vegas can offer! Pics coming.

[DebbyM46227]

Downtown Vegas gives me the creeps, even during the day! I wouldn't park any car there but a rental car! Anyway, I don't get the creeps west of the Strip in the Orleans' location. Heck, I even went there once alone as I couldn't get any of my friends to make the trip out West with me and I wanted to go. So I went and staying at the Orleans I never once felt unsafe.

Anyway, have a fun safe trip. :)

[Idahotom]

Been there and back. 1174 miles at 75 to 80 plus speeds (in a hurry). 37+ mpg!

Two pics of the bunk setup: 24" wide and 80" long. You have 36" of headroom. This is with NO seats (well, except drivers) and with the bracket that normally holds the spare drilled out/removed.

Today I re-converted back to a two front seat ride (no back or spare ever), counting cleaning it out (empty coffee cups etc.) it took about 30 minutes.

It was also handy to have a nice flat area to my right while driving, though anything there would slide around once off the interstate. I kept the material used, in my shop, next to the other Yaris stuff, and the next long road trip will use it again.http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu213/simkot/DSC_0752.jpg[IMG]http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu213/simkot/DSC_0753-1.jpg

[DebbyM46227]

Ummm....I still think I'd stay at a hotel. :biggrin: My decision is probably just a girl thing, though. Thanks for posting your pics.

[DMZ]

My work called for a good deal of travel, usually the forest of the west. I had a company Chevy Tahoe 2 Dr, so I folded the rear seats down and set up a place to sleep. I definitely liked the idea of being somewhat self-contained. I could pull off the road, most anywhere and nap or sleep over night if need be.

I like the way you have set up your LB as a kinda' micro camper, both to save money, but also, if you start to get the nods on a long haul, you can pull-off and grab a few. Makes you a safer driver. It dovetails nicely with the yang of owning a Yaris. :thumbsup:

[Yaristeve]

Errrmmmm... That bottle with the yellowish fluid in it resting against the door sill wasn't used to skip a rest stop was it... ?

[nemelek]

I used to have a 77 Celica HB that I take cheap vacations with.

[tk1971]

I used to have a 77 Celica HB that I take cheap vacations with.

Same here with an 81 Datsun 210. Saved me a bundle from having to rent an apartment while I was in college.

It's not for everyone... especially eating directly out of cans, etc (the hobo life).

[toad]

i had to spend one very uncomfortable night in my car and would have KILLED for a set-up like that! :thumbsup:

[Idahotom]

My '90 Subaru had comfortable seats, but what I found out on a trip to the mid west and return was, laid pretty much flat they were STILL comfortable, very comfortable to sleep in. Driving my HB back across country after buying it, I noted the comfortable seats on the first 10 hour leg back, and stupidly assumed it'd be good to sleep in, NOT SO! Totally different deal, something to do with the lumbar support and hinge points I guess, and the older Soob probably just accidentally got it right.

As to the entire concept, the long haul truckers got it right: drive until you want to crash, (best term, lets use rest), then just pull over and rest. Over and beyond the dollar saving of a motel, it saves a lot of time. I don't mind spending the dough on a room, but not so much for just 2 or 3 hours of shut eye, I'd rather buy more gas.

[BIGTAZ351]

I know all the towing not recommended blah blah blah, but I was thinking of a Motorcycle camper trailer? I don't want to put too much stress on my Auto, but they pull them with a BIKE!
And your sg2 is mounted in the same place (VELCRO) as mine!

[Flipper_1938]

Errrmmmm... That bottle with the yellowish fluid in it resting against the door sill wasn't used to skip a rest stop was it... ?

it's a "trucker bomb"

[Idahotom]

I know all the towing not recommended blah blah blah, but I was thinking of a Motorcycle camper trailer? I don't want to put too much stress on my Auto, but they pull them with a BIKE!
And your sg2 is mounted in the same place (VELCRO) as mine!

Something like this would look pretty cool behind a Yaris!http://tearsojoy.com/sport.html

And, for hauling stuff behind the Yaris:http://tearsojoy.com/sport.html

[BIGTAZ351]

Idahotom,
That's exactly like I was thinking...after I made that post I found this...Perfect for one person or 2 small people (I'm not small)
www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/

I wonder how much we'd drop on MPG's or if we'd still be able to use O/D....one could dream! A Joey or Rascal would hardly slow you down!

[jambo101]

Are motels that expensive out there?