Camping in a TJ

[Bensjeeptj]

I’ve been doing some more camping recently, and I would love to figure out a way to sleep in my TJ. Any ideas?
It’s pretty uncomfortable right now because the seats don’t recline flat, as they run into the fender bumps. I’m 6’1”. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rickyd]

I’ve been doing some more camping recently, and I would love to figure out a way to sleep in my TJ. Any ideas?
It’s pretty uncomfortable right now because the seats don’t recline flat, as they run into the fender bumps. I’m 6’1”. Thanks in advance!

Get a tent hammock. Or remove your passenger seat and make a plywood platform?

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Get a tent hammock. Or remove your passenger seat and make a plywood platform?

Removing the passenger seat is a good idea. It’s unfortunate that the tj is such a small vehicle, but I think it’s a worthy tradeoff for how well it does off-road

 

[Squatch]

Removing the passenger seat is a good idea. It’s unfortunate that the tj is such a small vehicle, but I think it’s a worthy tradeoff for how well it does off-road

I bought an Inofia tri-fold mattress for a micro-van camper I built out, and it is far more comfortable than any mattress I've had in the house in years (decades, even). I bought it off Amazon. You may want to consider one of those, as the tri-fold aspect makes it easier to transport and deal with, in general. And I agree with @Rickyd about removing the passenger seat and building a wooden platform. I did both in the van.

 

[NDSpeed]

ask @lBasket

he has some tj camping history

 

[macleanflood]

 

[AWayne]

Rear seat out, both seats folded forward. Tri-fold mattress. Swap the console to a mini-console from an SE or delete it entirely. I'm 5'11" and sleep fine in mine.. but I like to be snug.

I've also considered doing a flip down (CJ style) tailgate and building a small foldable enclosure for feet coverage.

I'm envious of the LJ folk for all their room for activities.

 

[lBasket]

ask @lBasket

he has some tj camping history

It sucks every time

Remove the passenger seat and build a platform works. You're kinda pinched between the console and the wheel well though. It's really not that fun of a time. And hopefully you don't have a dog

 

[Link]

I camp with my 2005 all the time but I wouldn’t want to think of sleeping IN it. Bring a cot and a cot tent….or just a tarp. If you want to be warmer in cool/cold weather, add a 12 volt heater blanket.

I’m a fan of hammock camping too but the only negative for me is a few nights of sleeping in a hammock really hurts my shoulders.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

I camp with my 2005 all the time but I wouldn’t want to think of sleeping IN it. Bring a cot and a cot tent….or just a tarp. If you want to be warmer in cool/cold weather, add a 12 volt heater blanket.

I’m a fan of hammock camping too but the only negative for me is a few nights of sleeping in a hammock really hurts my shoulders.

I’ve always just set up a tent outside, it just a bit unfortunate because it gets annoying over time. All my buddies have rooftop tents and it just makes me jealous

 

[Link]

I’ve always just set up a tent outside, it just a bit unfortunate because it gets annoying over time. All my buddies have rooftop tents and it just makes me jealous

I’m all for doing what makes you happy. That said, I KNOW sleeping IN my Jeep would make me very unhappy!!

 

[YonderNorthwest]

I’ve always just set up a tent outside, it just a bit unfortunate because it gets annoying over time. All my buddies have rooftop tents and it just makes me jealous

Is the speed with which your buddies are able to make and break camp what makes you envious? If that's the case, I would look at a cot tent or similar if you don't want to spend the money on a rooftop tent. You're not going to achieve quick setup and tear down sleeping inside a TJ since your cargo hold is doubling as your sleeping space. Everything inside the jeep needs to be outside before you can start making your bed.

Something like this is good for one person - maybe a small dog could fit around your legs: https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp...-series-tent-cot-lppb1168.html?piid=109509776

The Aussies use something similar called a swag. I believe these pack down smaller than cot tents, but are generally pretty expensive. First thing that came up on google: https://kodiakcanvas.com/collections/swagtent/products/swag-1-person-canvas-camping-tent
I ultimately went with a GFC RTT on a trailer. My envy was aimed at a buddy sleeping in the bed of his truck. It got old repeatedly putting away wet and muddy tents during week long trips.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

I’m all for doing what makes you happy. That said, I KNOW sleeping IN my Jeep would make me very unhappy!!

I agree, I’ve slept in it a few times, unhappy experience

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Is the speed with which your buddies are able to make and break camp what makes you envious? If that's the case, I would look at a cot tent or similar if you don't want to spend the money on a rooftop tent. You're not going to achieve quick setup and tear down sleeping inside a TJ since your cargo hold is doubling as your sleeping space. Everything inside the jeep needs to be outside before you can start making your bed.

Something like this is good for one person - maybe a small dog could fit around your legs: https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp...-series-tent-cot-lppb1168.html?piid=109509776

The Aussies use something similar called a swag. I believe these pack down smaller than cot tents, but are generally pretty expensive. First thing that came up on google: https://kodiakcanvas.com/collections/swagtent/products/swag-1-person-canvas-camping-tent
I ultimately went with a GFC RTT on a trailer. My envy was aimed at a buddy sleeping in the bed of his truck. It got old repeatedly putting away wet and muddy tents during week long trips.

Essentially what I’ve learned, is that, whether you chose the jeep life, or the jeep life chose you, suck it up. You get to sleep
In a tent on the ground and get muddy and wet. I can pretty confidently say that none of us chose a TJ for the practicality.

 

[YonderNorthwest]

Essentially what I’ve learned, is that, whether you chose the jeep life, or the jeep life chose you, suck it up. You get to sleep
In a tent on the ground and get muddy and wet. I can pretty confidently say that none of us chose a TJ for the practicality.

So why are you asking about sleeping in your Jeep again? Suck it up and sleep in the mud.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

So why are you asking about sleeping in your Jeep again? Suck it up and sleep in the mud.

🫩

 

[NskLJ]

I’ve always just set up a tent outside, it just a bit unfortunate because it gets annoying over time. All my buddies have rooftop tents and it just makes me jealous

Buy a 4 or 6 man Colman instant up tent. Makes setting up a breeze. The 6 man you can stand up in, not sure about the 4 man. The 6 man is a lot larger folded up than the four man. The 6 man does fit crossways in the Jeep but just barley.
https://www.coleman.com/camp-sports...ping-tent-with-instant-setup/SAP_2206916.html

 

[bucky]

Get something like this. I set it up and the TJ is free to use without breaking down camp.

 

[Moglocker]

Get something like this. I set it up and the TJ is free to use without breaking down camp.

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That’s cool,we do this but it takes 3/4 of a day to install rack and tent.how do you make sure it’s still there when you return?

 

[bucky]

I not too worried that it will go missing. I just lock it. More worried that my generator is going to go missing so I cable it to the trailer.
40+ years of camping and the only things that went missing were beers from my cooler once or twice.
It takes me maybe 20 minutes to set everything up. Most of my camping stuff goes in plastic totes which fit under the trailer. Clothes , chairs, popup canopy, trashcan, pan for grey water, collapsible table and cooler travel in the trailer. 10 gal of gas on the front. Tools, recovery gear, generator, water and miscellaneous gear travel in the back of my LJ. I’ve been on enough trips the last 2 yrs I’ve had it that I have everything dialed in. Only upgrade will be a portable commode though it has not been an issue so far.