losing my camping cherry

don simon · 19-04-2015, 15:37

First time in more years than I can remember I spent a night in the wild under canvas.
I bought the Terrano with the view of using it to travel with a bike and spend a few weekends out in the open. The time arrived this weekend to get out and give the set up its initial run to see how it was and what was missing.
The first attempt at erecting the tent wasn't very successful and there were no instructions.

20150418_204125 by don_simon66, on Flickr

Inside the Terrano was quite cosy and I had a good night's sleep, but the bed does need redesigning slightly as it's a bit hard.

20150418_222051 by don_simon66, on Flickr
Homemade blinds made from silver backed sleeping mats did a good job of keeping the light out and I wasn't woken up at dawn.
it's amazing what a good night's sleep can do for you. I took a look at the tent to try and sort out the sag. One cup of coffee and a quick bike ride later and ta daa!

20150419_073412 by don_simon66, on Flickr
I like the set up sleeping in the car is stable and the tent gives extra walking around space and a bit of privacy. I also have an awning extension for the tent. I'm not sure how useful the awning is going to be though.

20150418_180840 by don_simon66, on Flickr
The whole thing can be erected in a matter of minutes and I love it. I'm looking to plenty of weekend trips from hereon in.

jims-terrano · 19-04-2015, 16:27

Brilliant, is that some kind of purpose built tent thing for the car?

I've camped in the back of the terrano before with my son several years ago but the suffered badly with condensation. Did yours suffer condensation?

Thinking about trying the Roomster this year, all the rear seats come out and it leaves it like a van.

don simon · 19-04-2015, 19:51

The tent is designed to hang off the awning and has the bonus of giving you direct access to the car.
Condensation was a bit of a problem, but it cleared quite quickly. i think the solution is some of those wind deflectors and leave the windows open a crack.
On official sites I'll probably sleep in the tent, but for the odd bit of stealth camping I'll suffer the condensation.
If the seats come out of the roomster, then it'll be a doddle. I've got all three rows in still. Next purchase is some aluminium drawers (got a mate who makes them) for cooking and a rear mounted awning to keep the chef dry...... And then maybe a roof tent.

jims-terrano · 19-04-2015, 20:56

When me and the youngun slept in the terrano he unbolted the second row whilst I was getting the third row stored in the house. We got a sheet of ply and stuck some concrete blocks in the rear footwells to support the ply. Then stuck a double airbed on top. We got some blackout material and lined the windows and made a divider between the front seats and the rear area.
Outside we had a tarp tie wrapped to the roof rails and then a couple of tent poles and some guy ropes job done.

Fancy using the Roomster as a camper when Im supervising D of E Expeds this year, far easier than having to dry a tent out when I get home.

I do like your solution

AlexD333 · 19-04-2015, 22:06

How spacious is the Terrano with rear seats down? Anyone know what size mattress can fit in?

Paff · 20-04-2015, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

How spacious is the Terrano with rear seats down? Anyone know what size mattress can fit in?

I'd have thought that you would have already tried that out Alex

Fez_uk · 20-04-2015, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

How spacious is the Terrano with rear seats down? Anyone know what size mattress can fit in?

Why not just measure it

rustic · 20-04-2015, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

How spacious is the Terrano with rear seats down? Anyone know what size mattress can fit in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paff

I'd have thought that you would have already tried that out Alex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fez_uk

Why not just measure it

What you need to do Alex, is find someone with a LWB Terrano, or Maverick, and take a tape measure to it, then compare this to standard airbeds eg from Argos, and see if it will fit.
Oh...

just forgot... you have a LWB Terrano Alex...:

I could drop my rear seats and measure it for you Alex, but I don't want to strain my shoulder, as those seats are heavy.
If you are stuck, PM me in about three months after which I might be on light duties after my Physio.
Alternatively, buy yourself a tape measure...

don simon · 20-04-2015, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexD333

How spacious is the Terrano with rear seats down? Anyone know what size mattress can fit in?

The bed base I used is a 1900x600 piece of chipboard from B&Q, two of those would fit without a problem.
Headroom might be a bit of a problem as would access. You won't be able to sit upright and I used the open footwell as a comfortable way of getting in and out of the truck and bed.

jims-terrano · 20-04-2015, 23:36

Argh yes, that's the downside to the later tailgates. The earlier ones have a release handle on inside of the tailgate.

19-04-2015, 15:37	#1
don simon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Gone. Vehicle: Terrano ii Posts: 2,215	losing my camping cherry First time in more years than I can remember I spent a night in the wild under canvas. I bought the Terrano with the view of using it to travel with a bike and spend a few weekends out in the open. The time arrived this weekend to get out and give the set up its initial run to see how it was and what was missing. The first attempt at erecting the tent wasn't very successful and there were no instructions. 20150418_204125 by don_simon66, on Flickr Inside the Terrano was quite cosy and I had a good night's sleep, but the bed does need redesigning slightly as it's a bit hard. 20150418_222051 by don_simon66, on Flickr Homemade blinds made from silver backed sleeping mats did a good job of keeping the light out and I wasn't woken up at dawn. it's amazing what a good night's sleep can do for you. I took a look at the tent to try and sort out the sag. One cup of coffee and a quick bike ride later and ta daa! 20150419_073412 by don_simon66, on Flickr I like the set up sleeping in the car is stable and the tent gives extra walking around space and a bit of privacy. I also have an awning extension for the tent. I'm not sure how useful the awning is going to be though. 20150418_180840 by don_simon66, on Flickr The whole thing can be erected in a matter of minutes and I love it. I'm looking to plenty of weekend trips from hereon in.

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19-04-2015, 16:27	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Brilliant, is that some kind of purpose built tent thing for the car? I've camped in the back of the terrano before with my son several years ago but the suffered badly with condensation. Did yours suffer condensation? Thinking about trying the Roomster this year, all the rear seats come out and it leaves it like a van.

19-04-2015, 19:51	#3
don simon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Gone. Vehicle: Terrano ii Posts: 2,215	The tent is designed to hang off the awning and has the bonus of giving you direct access to the car. Condensation was a bit of a problem, but it cleared quite quickly. i think the solution is some of those wind deflectors and leave the windows open a crack. On official sites I'll probably sleep in the tent, but for the odd bit of stealth camping I'll suffer the condensation. If the seats come out of the roomster, then it'll be a doddle. I've got all three rows in still. Next purchase is some aluminium drawers (got a mate who makes them) for cooking and a rear mounted awning to keep the chef dry...... And then maybe a roof tent.

19-04-2015, 20:56	#4
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	When me and the youngun slept in the terrano he unbolted the second row whilst I was getting the third row stored in the house. We got a sheet of ply and stuck some concrete blocks in the rear footwells to support the ply. Then stuck a double airbed on top. We got some blackout material and lined the windows and made a divider between the front seats and the rear area. Outside we had a tarp tie wrapped to the roof rails and then a couple of tent poles and some guy ropes job done. Fancy using the Roomster as a camper when Im supervising D of E Expeds this year, far easier than having to dry a tent out when I get home. I do like your solution

19-04-2015, 22:06	#5
AlexD333 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Uk Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 2.7 TDI Posts: 7,847	How spacious is the Terrano with rear seats down? Anyone know what size mattress can fit in?

20-04-2015, 23:36	#10
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Argh yes, that's the downside to the later tailgates. The earlier ones have a release handle on inside of the tailgate.