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So I'm considering camping in a SUV. Wondering the best way to do it?
I figured have a EZ UP set up at the tail gate, and the tarps covering it like this
/CAR\
as well as putting a reflector in the front windshield. I have the bug window screens so I'll be able to leave the windows down all the time for air flow and I have a few battery fans. Any problems with this? How can I maximize air flow into the car and keep it as protected from heat as possible?
Post by Dave Maynar on May 7, 2012 12:48:25 GMT -5
Haha. Got to love it when your stuff gets lost in the mix.
As far as your questions goes: 1) The Ez-Up over the bed is a good idea. I would make sure that there is some air flow between the EZ-Up and the roof of the truck. 2) What about the portion of the truck that is not covered by the EZ-Up? 3) Make sure you swing wide when you park. I can see there being a potential issue with the footprint of your EZ-Up if you have one that has slanted legs. 4) Make sure you bring extra batteries for the fans. 5) Will your windows be okay to be down if it rains?
Haha yeah I was entertained... I'll from now on be eating anything I dislike to build immunity. Maybe it will work with the Tennessee heat and humidity.
But anyway, I plan on keeping the windows up when I'm not there so no worry about rain. The biggest concern was actually how to keep the cab cool, I'll keep windows down and a reflector in the front but is there anything else to do to keep it under control?
So basically the EZ Up will cover the back of the SUV (if possible) with tarps and sheets creating as much shade as I can come up with.
I guess I should add this will be my 4th Bonnaroo so I fully know what to expect, I've just always camped in a tent. This year I though sleeping in the back of an SUV would be a little more comfortable and hassle free. I'll still bring a tent just in case though.
Post by Dave Maynar on May 7, 2012 14:14:33 GMT -5
Yeah, I have never tried sleeping in a vehicle, so I am just throwing out questions I thought of. I think keeping the cab cool would follow a lot of the same principles as keeping a tent cool. With what you described, it sounds like you will have shade and airflow, so it is probably going to be as nice as it can get.
This will be my 6th, and we always do a one in the SUV and one in a tent. I have not slept in the SUV, but as long as you have a decent air matress and either leave the back or leave the windows open, you should be set. Tents heat up much faster than a car, especially when you are taking the steps you mentioned.
Post by stratocasted on May 7, 2012 16:18:42 GMT -5
Hey inforoosters! I was just wondering if anyone knows if you need an rv to buy/use an rv pass? My friend and I were chatting about sleeping in our cars. When he brought up running the a/c while we sleep, I mentioned that it's been said on here that people get pissed at running your car for long. (wich doesn't make much sense to me, because it's not much different then sitting in traffic for a few hours to get home, or walking in the city, you breath exhaust fumes the whole time during those) but he then mentioned the rv area. He pointed out that there are a ton of gas gens running non stop. So what do you guys think? If I can get in with my little hatch and a pass, I don't mind dropping the 150 so I don't hurt anyone or their feelings.
Post by Dave Maynar on May 7, 2012 16:42:02 GMT -5
They won't let you in the RV area without you driving an RV regardless of whether you have a pass or not.
As far as the fumes go, it is all about the concentration of the exhaust fumes. Yes, there are tons of cars expelling fumes in traffic, but they have an opportunity to become more diffuse before reaching you in your car. In the camping situation at Roo, you are potentially sleeping right next to where the exhaust is coming out of the car. This makes for a higher concentration of CO and a lower concentration of breathable air causing suffocation in the sleeping person.
Post by stratocasted on May 7, 2012 19:06:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the RV info. But i still disagree with this theory. People run their a/c no matter what. So we're talking how long. If you put your tent right next to an exhaust pipe, you're going to be in danger no matter what. But the distance from tent to exhaust is the same distance as a stream of traffic from the sidewalk in any city. These streets have hundreds of thousands of cars running day and night. Semis too. There's just no way that 1 car running, is going to produce the same effect, unless we were in an enclosed space. You see what I mean? It just sounds silly, and I think it's just something for people to complain about in the wicked heat. Just my opinion though. Unless someone has some data on the matter.
Post by Dave Maynar on May 7, 2012 19:19:18 GMT -5
What you said about how long is one of the larger points. Yes, there are many cars producing exhaust while driving down congested roads within large cities. The difference comes down to two things. One, I highly doubt that you are going to sitting on the curb of a busy road for hours at a time. Two, if you are walking, you are several feet above where the exhaust is coming out when you are walking. If you are sleeping, you are directly in line with where the exhaust is coming out.
As far as evidence, I will refrain from trying to use the anecdotal evidence that has been on here of people who have gotten sickened from a car running near them while they are sleeping in favor of some links to science.
Thanks for the RV info. But i still disagree with this theory. People run their a/c no matter what. So we're talking how long. If you put your tent right next to an exhaust pipe, you're going to be in danger no matter what. But the distance from tent to exhaust is the same distance as a stream of traffic from the sidewalk in any city. These streets have hundreds of thousands of cars running day and night. Semis too. There's just no way that 1 car running, is going to produce the same effect, unless we were in an enclosed space. You see what I mean? It just sounds silly, and I think it's just something for people to complain about in the wicked heat. Just my opinion though. Unless someone has some data on the matter.
You answered your own question. A lot of exhausts go out sideways and everyone has an ez up so it gets trapped in an enclosed space. That is my biggest issue
Post by stratocasted on May 7, 2012 19:58:55 GMT -5
There is no "direct path" unless you're camped right by the car. Exhaust is not like a laser or a jet stream. It trickles out of the muffler (or under the car and the muffler depending on how rusty your exhaust is) and then dissipates as the wind, and chemistry/physics see fit. As for sitting on the curb? You do not have to be low for the fumes, they do not "hug" the ground, if anything they rise into the atmosphere, after filling every inch of airspace on the way. You know how many people walk for at least an hour every day in the city, let alone stand out there all day?(construction, vendors, ect) That's 5 days a week, every year. Also, an ez up is not an enclosed space, if it were it would be a tent and have the same "oven effect" of one, and no one would be chilling under them all day. Oh and about the evidence, you posted, that goes in my favor. These are the people I'm speaking of, cyclists are included. That is a constant dose over a long period of time, and that dose is MUCH more than 3 to 4 hours, 10-20 feet away from 1 running car in an outdoor environment for 3-4 days. If a car is backed into the parking spot, that gives a car length in either direction, plus however many feet your ez up and tent are from the hood/trunk of both cars. I honestly can not see it being worse or even close to everyday living.
For Bonnaroo this year I've decided to let my inner beast out. I'm going to wear this Wolverine costume for at least one entire day of the festival. My goal is to have at least one complete stranger at Bonnaroo approach me and say that they saw this video. Who Knows?????? That person could be one of your friends on Facebook. Do me a favor and re-post this video.
You sound like you are set on doing it either way, so I do not know why you are still posting about it. Just don't expect your neighbors to be too friendly to you after you do so.
The fact that you are even asking the question should have answered it for you. You will find very few supporters of running the car in camp on this board or at Roo.
But as I said, you sound set on doing it, so it is probably best to just move on.
Post by stratocasted on May 7, 2012 20:31:37 GMT -5
I'm still posting, to reply to others who have replied to me. See that is called a conversation, since you are so confused. And what question are you referring to? I did not ask if I could or should run my car. I stated that I was going to, and that people are silly for worrying about it, so to be curtious, I was willing to move to rv. However since that is not an option, I will have to do it in GA.
"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." ~William James
"I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?" ~Zhuangzi
I'm still posting, to reply to others who have replied to me. See that is called a conversation, since you are so confused. And what question are you referring to? I did not ask if I could or should run my car. I stated that I was going to, and that people are silly for worrying about it, so to be curtious, I was willing to move to rv. However since that is not an option, I will have to do it in GA.
Have you been to Roo or have you seen how close the cars are to the tents? You will be lucky if someone doesn't beat your ass if you run your car all night.
I came back to my campsite once to find someone in my car sleeping. I was at the camp for a good 20 minutes before I realized there was someone in there. I must have accidentally left it unlocked (never make that mistake again). I opened the car and told him: "Dude, you're in my car, you need to leave." Then he tried to say it was his car. He seemed shitfaced so he probably did think it was his car. Finally I had to raise my voice and make him leave.
It was pretty funny to have someone argue that he wasn't in my car as he was actually sitting in it.
Last Edit: May 8, 2012 22:36:32 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
I'm still posting, to reply to others who have replied to me. See that is called a conversation, since you are so confused. And what question are you referring to? I did not ask if I could or should run my car. I stated that I was going to, and that people are silly for worrying about it, so to be curtious, I was willing to move to rv. However since that is not an option, I will have to do it in GA.
Have you been to Roo or have you seen how close the cars are to the tents? You will be lucky if someone doesn't beat your ass if you run your car all night.
If you want, we can meet up before roo and go in together. This way you can have the first attempt. PM me and I'll give you my email. We can arrange this
^ oh you're a girl. Bring male friends. They can try on your behalf
Shawn, you are such a meathead. Maybe talking to women like you just talked to Abra is why you felt so... alone in 2010.
People would have been ok if you just sat there and kept hitting the lose Karma button on me, but Abra was probably not the best person on the board to mess with. Good luck and watch out. She will cut you.
Have you been to Roo or have you seen how close the cars are to the tents? You will be lucky if someone doesn't beat your ass if you run your car all night.
If you want, we can meet up before roo and go in together. This way you can have the first attempt. PM me and I'll give you my email. We can arrange this
I will give you the benefit of the doubt only because of the wink smiley at the end of the asinine post. She never said she was going to, or wants to beat anyone up. Enough.
Post by stratocasted on May 9, 2012 0:00:41 GMT -5
That is the first thing you have been right about so far. I shouldn't have spoken to a women like that. I came back here (it's been 10 mins or so) to say exactly that, but you apparently beat me to it. You are still way off base with everything else you've written on here (as far as this convo goes I mean, unlike you I haven't creeped your posts) So I do apologize to the lady....but not cause I'm scared she'll cut meh ;D give it up already though. I'm not having a fight on the internet, because I don't care that much. I'll be sleeping in my car while it runs, hate me for it, that's you're right.
Post by stratocasted on May 9, 2012 0:42:07 GMT -5
Ok, maybe I do care a tiny tiny bit because I'm already thinking of solutions Does anyone see any tech problems with a 7-10 foot PVC exhaust "vent" if you will/flagpole? It would be sealed against my muffler air tight. My whole exhaust system is brand new, a week old so no leaking. BTW we're only talking a few hours here, from like 8 am to 11 tops. I only get about 5-6 hours of sleep there but I crash about 5-6 am.
Ok, maybe I do care a tiny tiny bit because I'm already thinking of solutions Does anyone see any tech problems with a 7-10 foot PVC exhaust "vent" if you will/flagpole? It would be sealed against my muffler air tight. My whole exhaust system is brand new, a week old so no leaking. BTW we're only talking a few hours here, from like 8 am to 11 tops. I only get about 5-6 hours of sleep there but I crash about 5-6 am.
I know there are systems such as that that are made for RVs to help with the generator exhaust, such as www.amazon.com/Camco-44461-Gen-Turi-Generator-Exhaust/dp/B000BUU5XG. Not that I am suggesting buy you one (looks pricey), but it may help with designing yours if you decide to go that route.
Just saying you might find someone pretty pissed if you were so inconsiderate as to run your car all night. Oh and girl or not, I can't imagine you'd be that hard to take if you can't sleep w/o AC for a couple nights.
Running your car is still noisy and your neighbors wont appreciate it regardless of any type of exhaust issue. My neighbors did that last year (would go turn their car on around 6 am every morning) and it would always either wake us up or prevent us from sleeping since it was right by our head. I'm sure you'll survive if you just go without a/c. Most everyone else will be doing okay that way.
Last Edit: May 9, 2012 16:55:55 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
