Earlier this year, I was awarded a National Geographic Young Explorers Grant to spend four months driving around the United States documenting nocturnal culture with my partner and collaborator, Kevin Weidner (who helped me write this piece), and our two dogs (check out my piece on late-night Vegas). Because the grant mostly covered fuel and food, and because we needed to cover a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time, one of our first tasks was to figure out a reliable sleeping situation that would be both efficient and cost-effective. Finding a place to camp, for free, or nearly free, every day seemed a daunting task that was bound to set us off course. And since we’d be driving and working at night and sleeping mostly during daylight hours, campground and hotel checkout times wouldn’t work for us. We researched our options. Staying with friends would work in some cases, but would require advance planning. We couldn’t afford to rent an RV, so we had to make the most of the vehicle we had.
Towing a trailer would be ideal, but what if we needed to go on a rough road or up a steep mountain? And what about the gas mileage we’d be sacrificing for the extra comfort? Then we found a solution that seemed perfect: we would turn our 2008 Honda CR-V into a camper. The simplest way to explain the process is that we built a table. An ugly table, made of plywood and two-by-fours, that fit in the back of the car. A table under which we could store all our stuff, and on top of which we could sleep, for free, almost anywhere. After three months, 15,000 miles, 31 states, and sleeping through about 60 summer mornings in the car-bed we built ourselves, we can tell you this: it was pretty great. Challenging, yes, and sometimes frustrating, but worth it. We could park the car — at once bedroom, office, tripod, living room, and kitchen — set up the bed, and be asleep within 10 minutes. We woke in parking lots and trailheads and tiny rest areas, atop a mountain in New Mexico, beside a blue lake in California, and about 100 meters from a Dunkin’ Donuts in Maine.
If you’re interested in following suit by turning your own SUV into a camper, here are the basics:We first removed the back seats. For our car, we removed a total of eight bolts and the seats were free, but you may consider having a professional help you out. After removing the seats, we cleaned the inside of the car and cut a tarp to spread under where the sleeping platform would sit. Traveling with two big dogs, we knew the ability to remove the tarp and shake it out without having to move the whole platform would be a big plus.We began by looking around online (search “SUV + sleeping platform” and see what you find) and cobbled together a design based on our particular needs and wants. Because we wanted to maximize our gas mileage (and because our carpentry skills are pretty basic), we were looking for a simple, lightweight design that would be easy to set up, and outfitted with compartments to help us stay organized on the road.Our final design required sheets of ¾-inch plywood, two-by-fours, hinges, screws, cabinet-lid stays, carpet, staples, D rings — all of which cost us about $150 at the hardware store.
We had some tools and borrowed the rest from kind friends: a drill, table and miter saws, and a staple gun.It took us about six hours to complete our project. Knowing what you’ll need and being prepared pays off. That, and having a couple good friends who happen to be woodworking geniuses there to help guide you through the process (okay, we were really lucky that way). Here’s what we came up with: Our design featured a main storage compartment (accessible from the back of the vehicle), a top-loading hatch compartment, and a bed extension that flipped up when the front seats were pushed forward. The total storage area under the platform was 40” wide, 58” long, and 14” tall. The sleeping space, with the extension, was a little over 40” wide and 74” long.We attached D-rings to the underside of the platform and used a ratcheted tie-down to secure it to the cargo area of the CR-V.We had a futon mattress that happened to fit perfectly. It was thick enough to be comfortable, yet thin enough to fold in half so we could access the hatch compartment.
Other options include inflatable or foam camping pads, or a foam mattress from a military surplus store. The best place to sleep in your car camper really depends on your own needs, what you’re comfortable with, and where you’re traveling. Each of these locations offer unique benefits and drawbacks: In addition to documenting what Americans do when most everyone else is asleep, National Geographic Young Explorer Annie Agnone is pursuing an MFA in creative writing at the University of Alabama. Follow her story on Instagram @annieagnone.Travel beds and accessories Sweet dreams wherever you are. hauck offers a range of easy-to-assemble, lightweight travel cots. Travel cots are the perfect solution for holidays, trips to grandparents or for home use. travel bed, second bed, baby cot Thanks wheels it can be easily slide into any room. The bed folds up fast and small and transported in a practical carrying bag. Optional available: additionally mattress and fitted sheet.
Comfortable travel or second bed with extensive accessories - ideal even for newborns. also on tour: sleep like at home optional: foam mattress Sleeper + Fitted Sheets Practical travel or second bed. comfortable lieing position for your child usable as comfortable secondary mattress retractable side part and mobile with musical clock Sleeper zu Dream'n Care Bed Me 120x60 cm breathable and temperature regulating moisture regulating for a pleasant sleep accurately fitting and crease-free also available as Bed Me 80 x 50 cm Bed Me 80x50 cm also available as Bed Me 120 x 60 cm mounting with suction cups ideal for holiday travelPhil & Ted's Traveller Full-Size Travel Crib It only weighs 7 lbs.--compare that with other play yards! Add to that its terrific versatility and its hard to find a better travel bed. Use it from birth on up through three years (or more), indoors and out. Breathable mesh panels let you take this to the park and beach just as easily as Grandma's house (where rubber feet will protect her floors).
The self-inflating air mattress works much like a Therm-a-Rest (or backpacker's mattress), providing good insulation from the cold ground as well as padding from hard floors. An optional UV-protective cover fits over the top to offer protection outdoors (though you'll have to throw a beach towel or something over the sides for sun protection now that they are 100% mesh (please let me know when you've finished thinking that one through, Phil&Ted). The Traveler also has a zipping side panel to allow in and out access for playtime on the beach, and for older children who are ready to come and go on their own from their "travel bed." It stands 51" x 24.8" x 31" when open, and folds to 24.8" x 8.6" square packed in its carrying case. At 11 lbs. it weighs a little more than Phil & Ted's full-size travel crib, costs around $100 more, does not include a zipping cover, and you probably won't be able to use it as long (it also doesn't offer the unzipped side self-access for older children).
That said, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is worth it to some parents for the 1-minute (or less) set-up time, space savings when folded and set-up, and eco-certified softer fabrics--every bit of which can be gently washed in the machine. In theory, the BabyBjorn Travel Light can be used for newborns up to around 3 years old (older children may be happier with the longer mattress of the Phil & Ted or Peapod Plus, both of which they can freely come and go from when they're ready). Measures 32” x 44” x 24” set up, and is 19" X 24" X 6" packed in its travel case. Brica Fold 'n Go Travel Bassinet This bassinet sets up in 10 seconds (okay it took us 20 the first time, but...) and features a rigid frame that locks into place, providing a sturdier alternative to some baby travel beds with soft sides. Mesh side panels also allow for better air circulation. Includes a foam mattress and cotton mattress cover. Folds to 22" at its widest point x 16" x 2" thick and weighs less than 3 lbs. Unfolds to 30.5"L x 22"W x 10"H with a 29" x 18" mattress.
For more photos and details, see my complete review here. Helps create your "tent within a tent" safely on cold camping trips, and gives a clean, safe place for baby to snooze bug-free, whether indoors or out. Folds into its own carrying case at 16.5" diameter and 3" thick, then pops up when needed to 46"L x 28"W x 18"H. Weighs less than 3 lbs. Although this is recommended for 1 to 3 years, you may prefer the slightly larger Peapod Plus, which can be used on through the preschool years (see below). The Peapod Plus can be used from infancy well through preschool, and includes a lightweight sleeping bag. In addition to the UV mesh found in the smaller Peapod, the Plus also has roll-down nylon sides for added wind protection. Other differences: The poles used in the Plus are thinner and more lightweight than the very heavy-duty ones used in the original above, keeping its weight down, but at the cost of some stability (if you have rowdy rompers in the house, you may prefer the original Peapod).
Travels at 19" diameter and 6.5" thick in its carrying case. Unfolds to 52.5" x 34" x 25". The very popular Snuggle Nest has been improved with new safety features, including ventilation through breathable sidewalls and an optional 1.5" incline wedge to help elevate baby's head--very helpful should a little nose get stuffy during your travels. Plays soft music or womb-like sounds and includes a convenient night light you'll be glad to have when checking on baby in an unfamiliar hotel room. Cover can be removed and washed. What I don't like about the new model is that the wrap-around bumper means it won't last as longer for taller/longer babies, and the new "vented" side walls actually look less breathable than the earlier mesh used. Still, for travel with a swaddled infant, this may be just what you need. Open dimensions are 17.5 x 6.5" x 18". Folds in half for travel. First Years Close and Secure Sleeper For an extra measure of protection, this co-sleeper buffers your baby from head to toe, making it a suitable sleeping spot for infants both in the "family bed" and out.
It also features a built-in night light, which can be helpful for late-night checks, especially when staying in new and unfamiliar places. Machine washable cover and sheet included. Overall dimensions are 26" x 16" x 6" (24"L within bumpers). Folds to 19" x 17" x 7 1/2" with carrying handle. Summer Infant Travel Bed with Shoulder Strap Great for the airport and possibly even on the airplane. It starts out folded into a travel bag with a shoulder strap and bottle pockets on each end. Then, when you need a clean, safe spot for baby to stretch out while you await your flight, just unfold and the toy bar is already in place. There's NOT a changing table in the lavatory on your flight? This will give you a clean, workable surface with no-roll sidewalls to use either on the airplane seat, floor, or--if the toilet design suits--in the lavatory over the closed lid. And when you get to the hotel, you'll also have a handy travel bed. The Shrunks Inflatable Travel Bed for Toddlers/Preschoolers
Great solution for occasional visits to Grandma's house, car trips, and camping (but at 6 lbs. and still bulky when deflated, you probably don't want to pack it on the plane). The mattress insert is the same size as a standard crib mattress, and you can use it with your own crib/toddler bed sheet sets. (If your child is already pushing the limits of the toddler bed, take a look at the kid-size inflatable travel bed that fits a twin-size sheet.) The inflated bumper with side rails allows you to tuck blankets deeply to help them stay put. Inflates in just 30 seconds using the included electric (plug in) pump. Phthalate-Safe, BpA-Safe and Lead-Safe. Find it online at: Amazon The Shrunks Inflatable Portable Bed Rails Make the most of extra beds where you find them by easily adding these safety bumpers to hotel beds, guest beds, cruise ship berths, and then some. Inflate with the included foot pump and slip under the side of the bed's fitted sheet to prevent roll-off.