[Scott]

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

 

[jnes]

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/

 

[chuey]

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

 

[DJKristinKorpos]

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!

 

[GYPSYTDA]

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!

 

[flyndutchman]

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. :?:

 

[paulrubin]

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

 

[SpcCwby30]

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.

 

[mmathews]

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.

 

[SpcCwby30]

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

 

[Borhays]

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!

 

[nickoel]

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??

 

[Pizmo Clam]

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.

 

[fliggie]

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!

 

[cai88]

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/s...cat-portable-catalytic-heater--pi-736999.html

 

[paulj]

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

 

[rmcclarty]

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

 

[Mr.Sandman]

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.

 

[blutch]

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

 

[paulj]

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