I've not been able to actually see an Element yet.

From pictures, though, it appears that to actually sleep in the vehicle, you need to consume all the space from the steering wheel to the rear door. It this true?

OR, if the front seats are pushed forward, is there enough room to sleep in the back? (assuming the read seats are removed or folded up)

Sleeping on a camping mattress in the back seems more comfortable than a lumpy bed made from the front and back seats.

Scott

My one requirement in any car I wanted was that I had to be able to sleep in it. I see this working one of 3 ways.

1. All seats folded down make a bed. This looks uncomfortable to me but my husband wants to try it one night.

2. Front seats pushed all the way forward and back seats up or out. Our Element gives us a little over 6 feet for this. Doable with an air mattress. Somewhere there was a post of a couple who slept in the desert in their Element. They put up pictures.

3. Open up the tail gate to extend the floor and sleep. Cold and bugs are an issue, although if you don't have the Cabana, even a tarp would work. Personally we are looking at a Tail Gate Tent like the one shown here. http://www.bigtackstore.com/products/ranch/nen/sportz-suv.htm

Hope this helps
Joan
http://www.eburg.com/~jneslund/matt/Honda_Element/

I tested this out the first night I had mine. With the seats all down and the back seats not down all the way, it sort of feels like a recliner if you sit in the back seat. Only seemed to be comfortable on your back though. But it's perfect for star gazing out the moon roof. I can allmost lay straight out on the floor with the seats out of the way and the back doors shut (I'm 5'8"). I think a small air matress in the back and the cabana would be perfect.
Craig

Thanks for posting the link for the tent -- that is so great and I think a much better investment then the honda cabana. I like that it's actually a tent that joins onto the car. Wow!

I have always wanted to go camping -- and that looks great! THanks again!

That tent is really wicked, let me know if it works out. That is nice cause you can leave it there and take the vehicle to run around the area!

I only saw the Honda Odyssey listed not the CRV, Pilot or Passport, so I am curious if it will work with the Element. Please keep us posted that sounds awesome, and is a nice tent too!

Since I am an avid camper, has anyone measured the floor area available (length and width)? My present vehicle (91 Ford conversion van) lets me put in my queen size mattress to sleep on when I travel or go camping. :?:

Cause given the price it seems like a much better choice and I for one would be very interested.

My first weekend with my element I went to the country to see friends. I told them I was going to sleep in my car and thye looked at me as if I had 2 heads. I tried the seat option. While not totally comfortable, if tired enuff the seats will be OK. I still put a thermarest on it and kept all headrests in. I think it may be better to sleep on the drivers side since you can raise that seat up a little. Was OK on passenger side, just better with foam matresses to even it out a bit.

2 nights ago I did the floor option. MUCH better with an air mattress. It was 25 degrees outside and I woke to snow on the car and ground. Back seats up and the front seats pushed all the forward. I am 6'4" and had plenty off room. A bit cold but you would be colder in a tent anyway, just make sure you have a good winter bag if camping in cold weather. An extra blanket on the mattress could help, my butt was a bit cold from lack of warm air in the mattress. I run the car on with the heater too just before bed to heat the place up a bit.

Another thread in accessories says an Aero bed FULL should fit. I had a campmor single. If you go this route, find a bed with an inflator that has a 12 volt cord or a pump with a 12 volt cord. I think Coleman makes one and you can plug it into the back outlet on the EX models.

Great news, that's exactly what I'm looking for! I'm 6'3" and have difficulty getting enough length to just stretch out and sleep. Thanks for the input, I'll be trying mine out next weekend.

yesterday I slept in the car on the way home stretched out - thermarest and sleeping bag underneath it was pretty comfortable. Maybe not hurt to put padding on the front seat to even out your back

3. Open up the tail gate to extend the floor and sleep. Cold and bugs are an issue, although if you don't have the Cabana, even a tarp would work. Personally we are looking at a Tail Gate Tent like the one shown here. http://www.bigtackstore.com/products/ranch/nen/sportz-suv.htm

Hope this helps
Joan
http://www.eburg.com/~jneslund/matt/Honda_Element/

I checked this tailgate tent out after seeing your link and we decided to order one. Thanks. Hopefully it is of decent quality. I figured it was a better buy because of the obvious size advantage over just the Cabana. We are probably going to sleep in the Element on an air mattress and have this tent as added changing/out-of-the-rain space. Thanks for the link!

I slept in mine the first night I had it. I am 6'2" and it was not that bad. It didnt come close to my own bed, but it was bearable. I think I might try a air matress in the back in a couple weeks. Hope I have enough space??

I wouldn't be sleeping in my Element as I have a great tent which is way too spacious to not too sleep in. Cudos to those of you who sleep in their Elements! All power to ya.

Anyway I found an item called a "Power Cat" which is a heating element (no pun intended) with a built in fan that runs off a standard propane bottle. The best thing about this gizmo is that it doesn't utilize a flame to put out heat. It's safe, and cranks out a trmendous amount of warmth. Coleman makes it and it's safe to use in any type of tent or enclosure. We've used it in the mountains as well as winter desert camping. They cost about $100 and you will love it! I highly recommend it.

We went backpacking this past week, and I had to get off the trail for a few days due to blisters. My husband continued on the trip, and I opted to camp out for two nights in the Element, rather than get a hotel. No, no comparison to my own bed, but comfortable enough. I put the front seat all the way down, taking the headrest off, and moved it back to join with the back seat. I had plenty of room for myself. Would like to get an attachable tent, too.

As an aside note, this vehicle was awesome to take on a trip such as we did--no complaints!

The powercat looks pretty cool. Have you used this in your Element? are you sure it doesn't get hot enough to melt any of the plastic?



For anyone that wants to check it out http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-coleman-electric-ignition-powercat-portable-catalytic-heater--pi-736999.html

Instructions for one Coleman catalytic heater (1000 btu) tell you to keep flamables at least 2 ft away. It is hard to imagine having a large enough clear space in the Element to use one. At the very least watch if carefully the first time you use it, noting how hot the heater and surroundings get. They also warn not to use it at night.

paulj

If my measurements are right this cot should fit and allow storage under but not sure if it is wide enough for two???

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=69382

If my measurements are right this cot should fit and allow storage under but not sure if it is wide enough for two???

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=69382
I went and took a look at this cot because it sounded like the way to go for an easy set up. They say it is 40" X 84". However, I do not think it will work inside the Element. I went out to measure, and I found that I only have 72' in floor length inside with the tailgate closed and the front seats all the way forward. This would be the configuration I would want for closed up or cold weather sleeping. If you left open the tailgate, it may work Ok, however the 40" width could be a problem projecting out since the opening is less than that. Good idea though.
PS. The 40" width should accomodate two average size adults, and that is almost as wide as the Elements side by side seating, so that dimension should be Ok. Heck, on our honeymoon my bride and I slept in a twin size bed, and I think they are only 36 inchers.

I have slept in the Element recently. Its great. there are many threads on this subject if you do a search.

On the Do it yourself forum look for bed frame and you will see some great information.

You also need screens on the front windows and back hatch. Search for DIY Skreenz and you will find out about those too.

I'm 6' and was very comfy.

B

I suspect that by dawn, the inside of the Element will get equally cold whether you sleep with the tailgate closed or with a tenting enclosure. By then the car has cooled down to ambient temperature, so any extra warmth inside comes from the occupants. In my experience, the inside in the morning tends to be about 10 deg (F) warmer than outside, with or without the tent.

If you are going to sleep on the floor, an open enclosed tailgate is desirable, unless you can fit easily in the 72" length. If you use the reclined seats, you should have enough length without opening the tailgate. However an open enclosed tailgate does add inside storage space.

paulj

If you are going to sleep on the floor, an open enclosed tailgate is desirable, unless you can fit easily in the 72" length. If you use the reclined seats, you should have enough length without opening the tailgate. However an open enclosed tailgate does add inside storage space.paulj
I'm 75" and was considering this configuration for sleeping: With the front seats adjusted all the way forward and the seat backs leaned all the way forward towards the dash I have 72" of flat sleeping space. If I have my head towards the front rather than the rear of the vehicle I can use the sloping seat back as a headrest or a place for my pillow and gain a few extra inches of inside length.

For storage I was thinking about an open box to "tent" over my feet at the rear of the vehicle and I could set the cargo boxes up there at night, leaving the entire interior floor for sleeping.

I need to do a dry run to see if I can reach around to the front door handle from behind the front seat, perhaps tilt the seat back to reach the handle.

Comments?

This will solve your problem

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=67995

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=67995
The 'midsize' model was discussed earlier in this thread. However it is designed for a pickup with a wider and lower opening. I added an extension to the bottom that allows the upper tailgate to open all the way.

paulj

Inquiring minds would like to know if any of you slept in the E instead of the dog house?

I have slept in the Element at home while testing various sleeping arrangments and tarps, but haven't had to sleep in it because of bad relationships.

paulj

I slept in mine on the last shutdown I worked

We did an 8k road trip Aug 27 - Sept 25 this year - wife, myself and black Lab. We slept 19 of those nights in the E. The rest of the nights were at homes of relatives.

Wife is just under 5 ft, so the Lab had the right front passenger seat. We folded front and rear seats and put our backpacking sleeping pads and bags on top. The E is just right for our needs - 5 nights on a road trip this past winter were comfortable, even when we were in snow.

Hal
.

We did an 8k road trip Aug 27 - Sept 25 this year - wife, myself and black Lab. We slept 19 of those nights in the E. The rest of the nights were at homes of relatives.

Wife is just under 5 ft, so the Lab had the right front passenger seat. We folded front and rear seats and put our backpacking sleeping pads and bags on top. The E is just right for our needs - 5 nights on a road trip this past winter were comfortable, even when we were in snow.

Hal
.
Hold on to that wife! 25 years ago my wife's idea of camping was a cabin in Northern Maine. Today, it's Red Roof Inn. :)

Hold on to that wife! 25 years ago my wife's idea of camping was a cabin in Northern Maine. Today, it's Red Roof Inn.

No sweat! We're both over 60, married for 40+yrs. She chose the E, partly for its camping potential. The Lab and I have both been subjected to obedience training and go along for the ride :grin:

She was satisfied with my relatives' "Red Roof Inns": on Frenchman Bay across from Bar Harbor, ME; a brother's camp in PA; a sister's guesthouse near Lancaster, PA; an uncle's home bordering on Shenandoah Nat'l Park; a sister's farm in Shenandoah Valley; and another sister's botanical garden in Indiana... But more than satisfied with sneaking the E into off-road sites to camp where people weren't.

Obviously not the typical wife ...

Hal

Concerning winter camping-
I took the back seats out completely and threw in a full-sized futon matress (cheap foam type. Not bad for weight.) with a featherbed topper on top. Fits perfectly, comfortable as heck, and much warmer (and more dog-proof!) than any air-matress for winter camping. Tried it out in Fairbanks, AK this week, with a good down bag and a big lab-husky mix to help keep me warm.
A coleman catalytic heater was a nice option also, takes the chill off in the morning and it's no carbon monoxide threat ( it puts off CO2, so it can still get stuffy). You do need to crack the sunroof a little, but that is a good idea anyway to cut down on the condensation.
I also bought a soft cloth curtain on ebay for about half of honda's price, (a seller there has it as a regular item, w/ choice of colors, for about $78 w/ shipping) and put it up for added insulation around the windows. Ended up taking the front half of the curtain back down to watch the northern lights, but the idea was still a good one, I think. The windows are the spots that loose the most heat, and the curtains and the vented sunroof did cut down on the inside frost build-up in the back.

Concerning winter camping-
I took the back seats out completely and threw in a full-sized futon matress (cheap foam type. Not bad for weight.) with a featherbed topper on top. Fits perfectly, comfortable as heck, and much warmer (and more dog-proof!) than any air-matress for winter camping. Tried it out in Fairbanks, AK this week, with a good down bag and a big lab-husky mix to help keep me warm.
A coleman catalytic heater was a nice option also, takes the chill off in the morning and it's no carbon monoxide threat ( it puts off CO2, so it can still get stuffy). You do need to crack the sunroof a little, but that is a good idea anyway to cut down on the condensation.
I also bought a soft cloth curtain on ebay for about half of honda's price, (a seller there has it as a regular item, w/ choice of colors, for about $78 w/ shipping) and put it up for added insulation around the windows. Ended up taking the front half of the curtain back down to watch the northern lights, but the idea was still a good one, I think. The windows are the spots that loose the most heat, and the curtains and the vented sunroof did cut down on the inside frost build-up in the back.
I know it's a balmy 24 degrees there right now and sleeping out can be a lot of fun......what the what? You don't have a house? ...Least the bugs won't get you.:)

Get your northern lights while you can. A few weeks back on the bbc, I read that in 50 years they might shift over to Siberia!

Just went north again. Glutton for punishment, I guess.
-30 F! O-mi-gosh c-c-c-cold!
I stayed in a forest service rental-cabin this time, just outside Chena Hotsprings, fire roaring to keep the cold out when I wasn't out soakin' in the springs. Chena is a very cool place, with steam rolling so thick from the water you can almost cut it with a knife, while your hair freezes just a couple inches from the waterline. Cheezy red and green floodlamps light the fog at night... Totally surreal.
The Element performed like a champ. The heater kicked in great, hot enough after about 5 min. of warm-up and 10 min. of driving to strip down to a T-shirt. The engine started up first try every time with the stock battery, without using the block-heater.
Made a nice discovery while I was on the road. I plugged my laptop into the i-pod port with a double-ended sound wire, and watched part of a movie with 'surround-sound', while kicked back in the backseat having lunch.
Also had the pleasure of being approached at nearly every re-fueling stop by people curious about my "E", wanting a peek inside. There is a lot of curiosity about them up here, and I noticed quite a few already driving around while I was putting around town in Fairbanks.
I did have one hairy moment when a moose and her 2 mostly grown calves ran out in front of me on the road. I ended up having to plow through a snowbank and down into a ditch to avoid them, but managed to climb out of it again without a tow. I was most impressed... and being able to clean 20 oz. of hot coffee off of my seat and the floor, and the dog-pee from my terrified canine off of the back seat with just a towel and some handi-wipes... priceless!

Woodchick,

I am going to be a little less wussy tomorrow morning when walking Gidget and it's 30-degrees -- above zero.

Love hearing about the E in Alaska -- please keep your accounts coming.

:)

Hiker Chick

Woodchick, Love hearing about the E in Alaska -- please keep your accounts coming.

:)

Hiker Chick

Ditto, Please keep them coming. Love to read them.

Remove the headrest on either front seat and then recline it all the way. Then recline the back seat all the way and you have a twin bed.

Here's what I slept on during an 8 week trip last summer. The passenger seat folds down even with the rest of the platform to give me roon to stretch out my 6'2" frame. When not used for sleeping, both seats still retain the ability to move back, it's just that the driver's seat can't recline. There's plenty of room for storage underneath and you're not too high to feel exposed to car lights. I know this is a big jump from just putting an air mattress on the seats, but I thought I'd share an alternative. There are several varieties of sleeping platforms or frames available on this board. I sleep in a tent if I'm somewhere for a few days, but otherwise, I'm happy camping in my E also.

Chena is a very cool place, with steam rolling so thick from the water you can almost cut it with a knife, while your hair freezes just a couple inches from the waterline. Cheezy red and green floodlamps light the fog at night... Totally surreal.

Hey, I went up there a few years back! I agree, it's a neat spot. I stayed in one of the cabins there.

I've got some pictures here (http://www.jeffjetton.com/photos/) (pix 3-12 were taken up at Chena Hot Springs).

- Jeff

Another thought, 'cause I may be living out of my 'E' next summer while I am doing my Archeology thing up north... Anybody tried one of these part-collapsible, part inflatable gadgets? I am thinking a twin-size might be comfy, yet give me some floor space and some storage. Any comments?

http://www.wards.com/wards/prod_display1.asp?Product=79120&partner=94&CMB=&CP=00&pp=yes&afsrc=1

Oops... or, a better / cheaper option, this bed here. Too interesting to pass up, so I ordered one. I will let you know how it turns out.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4016676

I think that mattress on legs would be too high, leaving you with too little headroom. Look up some of the frames made with pipe that take an air mattress to see something similar (pookster or something like that). My frame is more like the one shown a few posts above - a height which neatly matches the lowered front seats.

For one person, I think the best arrangement is some sort of platform that only takes up half of the width, leaving the other half free for gear. 20" is plenty of width for most individuals.

If you have a platform with mattress on top, the easiest way to get at gear is from the back. So a platform that lets you slide stuff in and out is best. Lifting the mattress to get at stuff under it will get old pretty quick.

One thing that would concern me if I had to live in my Element in Alaska during the summer is keeping bugs out. While there are various means of putting screens on the side windows and over the open tailgate, in my experience, it is harder to keep bugs out the Element than it is to keep them out of a good tent. If you have to stand in the open door way to get stuff in and out, or to arrange gear, the bugs will enter.

paulj

Yeah, if you take the headrests off and push the front two seats forward, as far as they will go; then lay the backseats down it all "meets up" nicely...with the exception of the minimal gap between the front seats...I've slept on that configuration a handful of times and it is the most comfortable car I have ever slept inside of...then again I can sleep on a hard floor!!!

For a matress I use 2 RidgeRest-ThermaRest foam pads designed for camping...20" wide; one 4 ft long; one 6 ft...each pad is 1/2" thick, about $15 ea., retail. [I'm 5/8, about 140 lbs.] I sometimes need a cotton blanket or sheet or something similar for perspiration since the pads are plastic foam. The pads can be rolled up very compactly, and are easily wiped down/washed, and are very light.

If I push the front passenger's seat all the way forward, I just fit in the area behind it. I dont have an E yet...I tried this at the dealer.

My fiance and I have slept in the E a few times, all with just sleeping bags on the "flat" seats folded down and we both think it's more than comfortable. This past August we parked the E at the bottom of Camel's Hump here in VT, slept until about 6am and hiked up to the top bright and early. She just didn't understand why I wanted to be the first ones to the top until we actually got there.......

I'm sneaky with the camera!

wow, that must have taken good timing!

congratz!

My fiance and I have slept in the E a few times, all with just sleeping bags on the "flat" seats folded down and we both think it's more than comfortable. This past August we parked the E at the bottom of Camel's Hump here in VT, slept until about 6am and hiked up to the top bright and early. She just didn't understand why I wanted to be the first ones to the top until we actually got there.......

I'm sneaky with the camera!

Congratz.. What a great way to do it......:grin:

Well, I got the walmart folding bed in the mail. I like it!
With the matress in it, it sits about 19" high, down to 17" if you replace it with a thermarest. The cot has a slide-in matress-pocket, so the matress is replaceable if it starts to leak.
Not that I'm much into "Fashion-camping", but it was a nice surprise that the bed came to me in a dark blue that matched my interior beautifully, with brushed aluminum legs and black plastic accents. The wally-world pic really didn't do it justice. The cage formed by the legs makes 3 equal 22" x 22" x 16" compartments for stowing gear, and a nice long, 72" protected space in the upper cross-pieces to slide in my paddles or fishing-rods.
The whole assembly fits (barely!) with the passenger seat all the way forward, being exactly 72" long, and 26" wide. One of the front feet of the cot sits snugly in the tray between the front seats. The cot is just narrow and flexable enough to put down one of the rear seats, and folds down to stow in a small duffel in a few seconds if all 4 seats are needed.
That last bit is what has been keeping me away from putting in a platform. I want to keep the flexability of the interior, and accomodate passengers during the day (Think: group float-trip), but still be comfortable at night. Being able to stand up inside the "E" enough to change out of wet gear is a pretty big thing for me, too. This set-up leaves me plenty of room for that.
Lastly, the cage set-up under the matress means that I can slide out my gear easily from the inside, without having to open a door for access like I would for a platform, a big consideration with the 'skeeters up here.

My fiance and I have slept in the E a few times, all with just sleeping bags on the "flat" seats folded down and we both think it's more than comfortable. This past August we parked the E at the bottom of Camel's Hump here in VT, slept until about 6am and hiked up to the top bright and early. She just didn't understand why I wanted to be the first ones to the top until we actually got there.......

I'm sneaky with the camera!


WOW.. how cool.. how did you get that picture timed. What a way to do that.

WOW.. how cool.. how did you get that picture timed. What a way to do that.

Yeah whenever we hike to the top of a mountain we always set up the camera and use the timer to snap a photo of ourselves. This time I just had a little something extra in mind :D

Yeah whenever we hike to the top of a mountain we always set up the camera and use the timer to snap a photo of ourselves. This time I just had a little something extra in mind :D

That is just over the top romantic!!!! YAY I love stuff like that. Was it a total surprise to her?

That is just over the top romantic!!!! YAY I love stuff like that. Was it a total surprise to her?

It was, she started crying and just couldn't get any words out. I had to remind her that she hadn't yet offically said yes.....

We're getting married in August on this covered bridge:

http://www.superstork.com/RT3/images/10-12%2010-13%20Bethel%20web/pa120114%20covered%20bridge%203.jpg

and our reception is in this restaraunt at the end of the Jordan Grand hotel at Sunday River in Maine:

http://www.hotels.com/hotelimages/s/057000/057715A.jpg

Oh yeah, honeymoon is here: Aventura resort in Playa del Carmen Mexico.....

http://www.aventura-palace.com/images/aventura-spa-palace.jpg

It was, she started crying and just couldn't get any words out. I had to remind her that she hadn't yet offically said yes.....

We're getting married in August under this covered bridge:

http://www.superstork.com/RT3/images/10-12%2010-13%20Bethel%20web/pa120114%20covered%20bridge%203.jpg

and our reception is in this restaraunt at the end of the Jordan Grand hotel at Sunday River in Maine:

http://www.hotels.com/hotelimages/s/057000/057715A.jpg

Oh yeah, honeymoon is here: Aventura resort in Playa del Carmen Mexico.....

http://www.aventura-palace.com/images/aventura-spa-palace.jpg


Really really nice, all of it

Just waking this forum up to see any long term results of people's purchases. It got quiet in this forum after 2/26 but I was watching to see if anyone had any positives or negatives about their accessorizing.

Congrats to Funktional, by the way.

Still haven't bought mine yet, but I'm going to try putting a futon on the folded down seats and then using pillows to sort of level it out.

I didn't look through this entire thread, so someone may have already mentioned this. There is a plan for a bed platform in the "how to" forum.

I actually built the PVC bedframe and it worked fantastically. The bed, PVD cutters (these are essential and will cut building time in half...do not use a saw!), and PVC glue all cost about 36 bucks at Lowes. After the bed was constructed I just threw my Aerobed in there with a built in pump, brought my voltage convertor and went camping.

The only drawback is that I had to glue every piece of PVC together, which made for a large thing sitting in my apartment. I am 6'4", 200 lbs, my buddy is 6'1" 200 pounds. We both slept on the PVC bed camping and I was afraid if I didnt have it firmly glued on all joints it might pop apart.

I am glad to report that it was way more sturdy than I had thought it would be and I plan on building another one that is take-apart-able.

Three or four times a year I take driving trips where I conserve vacation time by working a regular 8-5 day and then driving from around 7 pm to midnight, shortening the trip by 350 miles or so. Even if I stay at a cheap motel that first night it really annoys me to spend 50 bucks for just a few hours. Now that I have the Element, I’m hoping to sleep in it in this situation. What I’m unclear on is where is a good place to spend the night; not specific places, just ideas on what kind of locations people consider safe and legal? In my younger days with less sleepable vehicles, I napped at regular highway rest stops but didn’t really feel safe doing so. In some places I’ve seen “no overnight camping” signs and some towns have “no sleeping in vehicles” ordinances apparently directed at homeless people. Any tips on this? One acquaintance suggested pulling into a busy motel lot and just crawling in back instead of checking in….

Three or four times a year I take driving trips where I conserve vacation time by working a regular 8-5 day and then driving from around 7 pm to midnight, shortening the trip by 350 miles or so. Even if I stay at a cheap motel that first night it really annoys me to spend 50 bucks for just a few hours. Now that I have the Element, I’m hoping to sleep in it in this situation. What I’m unclear on is where is a good place to spend the night; not specific places, just ideas on what kind of locations people consider safe and legal? In my younger days with less sleepable vehicles, I napped at regular highway rest stops but didn’t really feel safe doing so. In some places I’ve seen “no overnight camping” signs and some towns have “no sleeping in vehicles” ordinances apparently directed at homeless people. Any tips on this? One acquaintance suggested pulling into a busy motel lot and just crawling in back instead of checking in….

Great question. That motel scheme should work, but be discreet...Don't just put one of the front seats back and sleep in plain view. Sleep in the back and cover the side-rear and hatch windows so you can't be seen. Some desk clerks are very vigilant on this, so try to watch them as you pull in and see if they're watching you.

Unfortunately the E stands out as a likely recreational vehicle used by vacationers. A plain white work van would be less obvious.

Some say in hotel parking lots. Bigger hotels are better. Out-of-state tags arent red flags there... "Security through obscurity." Some hotels give guests ID tags to put on their vehicles, so drive around and see if other vehicles there have these tags.

Some use parking garages.

Or big 24-hr shopping areas...fit in w/ the parked cars...usually it's best not to park in a far-away corner...arouses suspicion, but not too close to others.

Or small strip-malls where there're scattered vehicles parking late at night. Or on the street in commercial areas if there're other vehicles parked there.

I've never been challenged sleeping in my passenger vehicles in truck stops. Try for an out-of-the way, up-wind area for quietness and less pollution...a hundred big diesel rigs idling all night create poisonous air. Showers have gotten expensive tho: $10. I was hassled once over access to showers because they questioned if I were a trucker...I wasn't but I finally found an acceptable excuse: I wasn't a trucker, but I was with a trucker. Then they asked me which truck...phew. Oil Co's put out maps showing nation-wide truck stops on the Interstate.

I've slept at rest-stops on the Interstate and never felt unsafe. Some say No Overnight Parking but I hear the enforcement isn't vigorous. Even so have an excuse ready, say illness.

Some towns have really made it onerous for people living in cars...In the Sunday Nytimes of April 02, '06 there's a long story on it mentioning a town that has a penalty of 90 days in jail or $1,000 fine for people living in vehicles. The car-livers give ways to avoid detection.

On the other hand I slept at a park for weeks, 50 ft. from a busy beach in a small Fla town and the cops and park workers said nothing.

Try the Search function because this issue has come up before here with some good suggestions.

Good luck. Let us kno how it works out.