SLEEPING IN YOUR CAR like a Campervan – Is there a reason more people don’t do this?

[Guest]

I’ve got the chance next year to take my kids away on a holiday abroad for the first time.

I’d love to drive through some of France, but am trying to think about how to keep costs down as much as possible. It wouldn’t be financially possible to buy a camper or stay in places each night).

How come more people don’t sleep in their car like a Campervan?

My car is small ish (Kia Rio) but I can’t see how bad it would be for us to flatten the seats and make some sort of bed in the back and stay on a campsite?

Can anyone show me pics if you’ve done it?

I’ve got my rose tinted glasses on and can’t think of any issues (it would be me and 3 children, they’d be about 10, 7 and 7 next year)

[Louisa]

For those saying about condensation- just crack the window open an inch or so. Insulated/reflective “blinds” for the windows to keep light out and warmth in. This is how people with campervans do it! There are other issues (like where to store stuff when you are putting the seats flat to sleep) but condensation isn’t one of them, nor warmth.

OP do it! Even if it is a bit uncomfortable and you are squished, it sounds like an amazing adventure for you all. I saw an insta post once about a woman who had converted her fiat 500 to be able to sleep in it. Just need to be creative!

[Guest]

We do it! My daughter and I sleep in our car and have a tent to keep all of our stuff in. We made window blinds out of that reflective radiator stuff and put battery fairy lights on the ceiling.

We LOVE it!

Not been abroad with it but spent lots of time in Cornwall in pop up sites. Try it at least once! Regret what you do not what you don't do!

Good luck!

[Katy]

Roof top tent or tear drop Trailor might work?

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[Natalie]

Where do you brush your teeth or have a wee in the night what about the next day when you wake up and want a tea? Won’t it be cold? Where would you feel safe to park up and sleep? I’m confused how you’d all sleep in a car.

That sounds very stressful to me.

[Sam]

Try a couple of nights sleeping parked on your drive can’t see anyone lasting very long

[Ali]

Why would you go camping and not take a tent?
1, Cars are cramped and not properly flat, so nobody gets a proper bed.
2, camper vans are insulated, cars are not - so they get cold.
3, campsites will charge you to camp, whether you have a tent or not.
4, where do you put all your stuff?
5, cooking in the rain is a nightmare, never mind with 3 kids sat in a car.

You’ll need the same amount of sleeping bags etc if you sleep in the car or the tent!

Have a look on marketplace and get a second hand one.

I run DofE expeditions - my boss, a non camper came with me, and insisted she slept in the car because she didn’t ‘do camping’ she did one night and it was awful - the next time she came camping, she used a tent!

[Lisa]

1 adult plus 3 kids in a Kia Rio? Not to mention all your holiday stuff Just nope

You can get a 4 person tent in Argos for about £35!

[Jenny]

What you have got to think about is if you are going yo sleep in the car where will you put all your stuff? I often sleep in our car when we go camping as a family because I hate being in a tent even it’s windy. We have a big car and it’s just me but we have to empty everything out.

I once managed to fit my young daughter on too but I cannot imagine you will all fit comfortably in your small car. But very easy to try before you go.

I would get a tent though.

[Lauren]

Take a blow up bed and chuck it up over the folded seats, some little fairy lights hooked up somewhere and a laptop for a movie night!

It'd be an awesome adventure.