Do you know if all models of the Forester seats fold all the way down for sleeping? Looking at getting a new(er) car and the Forester seems like a great all around car for up here in Maine and for car camping as well
I'm 99% sure they do. How flat they are when folded down may vary between models if anything, but I doubt there's much variation in that even. They're pretty amazing cars and you can definitely set them up as a camper much more efficiently that I did for that month.
I have been working on my Subaru Forester '03. Looks like yours. About to tackle the curtains and not sure how to fasten the rods. I didn't want to drill holes and figured the plastic wasn't thick enough anyway but since you did it, I guess I'll try that. I took out the back seats, built into the area so the whole back is flat, and put drawers where the seats were. I also put a sort of toilet on one side using a crock pot with plastic bag liner, kitty litter, and even got a nice lid. Still have a lot to do. Just got a 12 volt cooler. Should be totally able to live in it. wondering how/ where to shower
Woah that sounds awesome! I think I may look into using some strong magnets (Neodymium magnets) to fasten the curtains. They're strong enough to work through the plastic in most places I believe. Ideally I'd love to figure out how to build-in curtains without drilling any holes what-so-ever.
I read something about using rivets to hang stuff on RV walls. I wonder if they would be good in my car. I have some that I used on my gutters on the house, including the rivet gun thing. They should work but they would still make a hole. I need to look at an RV and compare the walls. (I'm a perfectionist.) For curtains, I got a room darkening drape at the food bank for free and I'm going to cut it into smaller curtains.
+CM D the issue I had/found was that while in the car it's easy to pull down hard on the curtains with a knee or an elbow unexpectedly. This is why I wanted them attached at securely as possible and used the snaps.
I feel like I could come up with something even better if I sat down and thought it out a bit more. This worked well, but I don't like that it was somewhat of a permanent fixture.
ArbitraryLifestyle Would roller blinds cut to the size of your windows be an option? that's what I'd like to try and do to mine at some point if it's possible.
You'd have to have some way to attach them to the roof/wall just above the window and that seems like it would be a pretty invasive job. One thing to note on the Forester is that the window doesn't roll up into part of the door frame like most cars. It simply rolls up and there is no B pillar surrounding the window, so anything you mount for the rear windows will actually be mounted inside near the roof rather than above the window on the door.
Hey, I just found your channel and watched the tour of your awesome VW Westfalia. Did you sell it? Please direct me to the video that explained why you got rid of it. If that's the case. Thanks.
Are you currently doing this in Boulder? I spied a Naropa sticker (I think). I have the same vehicle and intend to have a similar set up in the summer... have you been bothered by the police at all? Any particularly good places to park or things you've learned on your adventure?
No, I'm currently living in a house with 2 housemates. I do have a good place to sleep, email me and I'll let you know where. Also, I've considered creating a whole new more-legitimate curtain system for my car some time soon. ArbitraryLifestyle@gmail.com
ArbitraryLifestyle can a 6ft person and a 5'3 person fit in there if the front seats are all the way slide up and tilted? what is the length and width of space with that setup?
Yeah, that's a lot of screws into the interior too. I am thinking of suction cups on the window for a well fitting cover up for each window. I'll try it with the suction cups and maybe post when I finish.
So after I watched this I went back outside and played around with configurations in a completely empty Forester and figured out if I got the front seats 100% forward I could sleep with my head at the hatch and feet up front and totally had enough room to stretch out. Thanks for the video btw, good inspiration to try it out again. I'm going to go with neodymium magnets attached with automotive Goop (dries flexible) and sew my own curtains with metal strips inside to stick to the magnets. Now that I know how to sleep in this thing I'm going to take it on some adventures.
They're just not known to be reliable and they're really expensive to fix. Moving to a place with snow I wanted something all-wheel-drive, good on gas, and low enough I could get to the cargo box easily.
ArbitraryLifestyle I just saw it on another video and it looked like it really worked. As soon as I get my mini suv I am going to buy some and try it. Have a good one!
Anyone else try to squish the bug?
Edwin Yep.
Ha. Yeah
Lol wow, I JUST saw what you're talking about.
theres nothing like a subaru :) people bitch and complain about them, but they are great all around vehicles.
You seem like a very thoughtful dude. I've seen a few of your videos, and like the way you work things out.
Thank ya. I'm pretty detail oriented and I'm also refining little projects like this.
Do you know if all models of the Forester seats fold all the way down for sleeping? Looking at getting a new(er) car and the Forester seems like a great all around car for up here in Maine and for car camping as well
I'm 99% sure they do. How flat they are when folded down may vary between models if anything, but I doubt there's much variation in that even. They're pretty amazing cars and you can definitely set them up as a camper much more efficiently that I did for that month.
I have been working on my Subaru Forester '03. Looks like yours. About to tackle the curtains and not sure how to fasten the rods. I didn't want to drill holes and figured the plastic wasn't thick enough anyway but since you did it, I guess I'll try that. I took out the back seats, built into the area so the whole back is flat, and put drawers where the seats were. I also put a sort of toilet on one side using a crock pot with plastic bag liner, kitty litter, and even got a nice lid. Still have a lot to do. Just got a 12 volt cooler. Should be totally able to live in it. wondering how/ where to shower
Woah that sounds awesome! I think I may look into using some strong magnets (Neodymium magnets) to fasten the curtains. They're strong enough to work through the plastic in most places I believe. Ideally I'd love to figure out how to build-in curtains without drilling any holes what-so-ever.
I read something about using rivets to hang stuff on RV walls. I wonder if they would be good in my car. I have some that I used on my gutters on the house, including the rivet gun thing. They should work but they would still make a hole. I need to look at an RV and compare the walls. (I'm a perfectionist.) For curtains, I got a room darkening drape at the food bank for free and I'm going to cut it into smaller curtains.
Rainwood Grace Fancy making a video of your Subaru Forester design? Would be great to see it!
Aweome! Now I'm ready to car camp in my subidoo too!:)
Velcro is easy and self stick. Stick the plastic side to the plastic walls of your car, and then sew the fabric side to your curtains.
+CM D the issue I had/found was that while in the car it's easy to pull down hard on the curtains with a knee or an elbow unexpectedly. This is why I wanted them attached at securely as possible and used the snaps.
I used e6000 to glue them instead of just using the adhesive that was already on it. Never had them fall down
Button clips were a good idea! I escape a lot in my car. Would love to be able to sleep in it.
I feel like I could come up with something even better if I sat down and thought it out a bit more. This worked well, but I don't like that it was somewhat of a permanent fixture.
ArbitraryLifestyle Would roller blinds cut to the size of your windows be an option? that's what I'd like to try and do to mine at some point if it's possible.
You'd have to have some way to attach them to the roof/wall just above the window and that seems like it would be a pretty invasive job. One thing to note on the Forester is that the window doesn't roll up into part of the door frame like most cars. It simply rolls up and there is no B pillar surrounding the window, so anything you mount for the rear windows will actually be mounted inside near the roof rather than above the window on the door.
Hey, I just found your channel and watched the tour of your awesome VW Westfalia. Did you sell it? Please direct me to the video that explained why you got rid of it. If that's the case. Thanks.
I did sell it. I began renting an apartment and need a more reliable vehicle so I bought this Forester :)
Yay DONT you close the curtains completely just to see how well it will block the light??
Are you currently doing this in Boulder? I spied a Naropa sticker (I think). I have the same vehicle and intend to have a similar set up in the summer... have you been bothered by the police at all? Any particularly good places to park or things you've learned on your adventure?
No, I'm currently living in a house with 2 housemates. I do have a good place to sleep, email me and I'll let you know where. Also, I've considered creating a whole new more-legitimate curtain system for my car some time soon. ArbitraryLifestyle@gmail.com
like the idea , how tall are you , not sure if i would fit in my subaru , thank you for sharing ( :
I'm 5'5" :p
ArbitraryLifestyle can a 6ft person and a 5'3 person fit in there if the front seats are all the way slide up and tilted? what is the length and width of space with that setup?
No way. I almost have to sleep diagonally to fit. It would take a lot of design-changes to fit someone 6'0".
Yeah, that's a lot of screws into the interior too. I am thinking of suction cups on the window for a well fitting cover up for each window. I'll try it with the suction cups and maybe post when I finish.
I'd be glad to hear how that works. I've been brainstorming on ideas lately and may try some / put up a new video soon.
What would you say the maximum height would be for someone to sleep in one of the foresters? Im 6'6" and looking into one. thanks!
I would say around 5'6". I'm 5'5" and had to sleep diagonally so consider that. If you slept curled up a bit you may be comfortable at 5'8" or so.
How do you sleep in the forester>? I have a 2009 and am wondering what to do with the back seats.
I'm not sure how the 2009 version is, but I just laid the seats down and eventually put a 2" foam pad in there (cut to size).
Wow these are really good ideas! I'll bet they're comfy too. Thick towels are good insulation aren't they?
Use a tarp to cover the entire Vehicle. Simple
Super obvious in residential areas like where I've always slept.
Best idea on the internet.
How tall are you? I've only tried once to sleep in the back of my 2004 and I feel like I'm 1" too tall at 6'1".
I'm 5'5' and have to sleep diagonally, lol. There's no way you're making this work, unfortunately.
So after I watched this I went back outside and played around with configurations in a completely empty Forester and figured out if I got the front seats 100% forward I could sleep with my head at the hatch and feet up front and totally had enough room to stretch out. Thanks for the video btw, good inspiration to try it out again.
I'm going to go with neodymium magnets attached with automotive Goop (dries flexible) and sew my own curtains with metal strips inside to stick to the magnets. Now that I know how to sleep in this thing I'm going to take it on some adventures.
Was you having lots of problems with the Westy or did it use too much gas ?
They're just not known to be reliable and they're really expensive to fix. Moving to a place with snow I wanted something all-wheel-drive, good on gas, and low enough I could get to the cargo box easily.
Buy some sugra and stick some loops to it. Sugra is like a sticky clay blob and works great!
Think it'll stick to this type of smooth plastic? If so... great idea!
ArbitraryLifestyle I just saw it on another video and it looked like it really worked. As soon as I get my mini suv I am going to buy some and try it. Have a good one!
Very cool. Great way to do some urban camping.