You got things well sorted in there. A good nights sleep is key to everything,if you get sleep you can handle anything. My car has a large opening sun roof so can fall asleep staring at the stars. One modification I made,was quite a bit of work, was to make a switch panel that allows me to operate all the locks,windows and lights from the rear. I have a second battery too so that I don't risk my starting battery. If anybody is snooping around outside I just turn on the lights. This let's them know the car is occupied and they loose interest in it.
Thank you for the video. I have a 2017 Outback and I figured a 3 inch memory foam would be enough to sleep well and I was wrong. So it's great to learn from someone who has created a sleep solution that works. Thanks!
I have a 2018 Regal TourX that I will also use for camping trips. I was set to build custom furniture with slide-outs and compartments for storage on one side and a bed on the other. I finally concluded I could accomplish the same function cheaper and with more flexability using storage bins along one side and a bed on the other side. Your video confirms my conclusions. Thanks.
I've been watching a lot of vids about full-time RV'ers, but don't want a big rig. I'm a devoted Subie gal and stumbled upon your video. Good to see that it can be done -- I'm hoping to go full time in about four years. Can't wait to get out west and leave the Michigan winters behind! Best wishes on your travels!
Ha! I bought a 2016 Outback last year in Canada to do the exact same thing! I'm in Central America, car stored with only 1200 miles on it..awaiting my return..good stuff!
"At 6'3" and 58 years young, I sleep very well in my Subaru Outback while traveling full-time as a photographer." That's exactly why I am researching this. Traveling photography. I'm 6-1 and 59 years old. Fantastic!
I have Forester and put 5/8 plywood with a horizontal 2/4 in back to level its out!! Now I'm look for suitable foam for comfort and the mattress top sounds like a good idea!! Thanks.......... I'll experiment probably along the way, it a bicycle trip!!
thank you for sharing as I'm doing alittle research on platform / mattress, I'm looking to do a similar thing but maybe in a module form so it can be place in storage when not in use and easy to setup when needed, I'm looking for ideas especially best mattress to use. Very surprising how many people of all walks of life camp like this, we've camped in the back of our vehicle afew times when we thought it was unsafe to sleep in our tent, wild life etc... Looked at trailers, teardrop, van, RV... until my wife said why not our suv I thought well not very lady like sleeping in the car. we do a lot of road trips while on vacation, travel state to state doing photography. We normally don't stay in the same area / location more then a day, just sleep and on the move again. Didn't want the thought of something major or huge to breaking down e.g .. trailer, RV etc... Plus we have been in areas where there was no reservations left or in the middle of nowhere where the next town was hundreds of miles away and it was late at night.
Can you drive through a car wash with weather tech window deflectors??💕💕 Thank you so much for the video there’s not that many Subaru car camp or living videos out there?💕💕
We are looking to go full time in our forester. And so far our extended trips we are making it work.! Can not beat the mpg. And off road in is a super plus.. I will be seeing how you set up so we can get more information on what will work.
William Simonson Almost 7 months and my trip and the outback is doing very well. I've since added a tent and cot to my setup, but I actually prefer to sleep in the outback - is that comfortable for me. I'm now making tweaks to my solar set up. I need to carry a solar panel up top full-time to keep my Drammatic refrigerator running. For traveling/living in a car, I think I really have a good set up and it's working out very well for me. Look for videos soon. And I think you'll enjoy your Forester as long as you're able to sleep comfortably in the back stretched out.
One of my friends recently asked me when I was coming back to Ohio. After 10 seconds of silence I said that I didn't know if I would be. I certainly miss the friends, but with the weather and scenic 'meh' compared to the western states, why would I? I won't say never but have no timetable to do so.
mlov1805 Thanks for the comment. In low 20s would be the coldest I’ve slept in. I’m used to sleeping in a hammock in those temps so I have the gear that allows me to sleep toasty warm in the car. I crack two windows to give me a bit of cross ventilation so they aren’t frozen on the inside come morning. Now throwing that cozy down comforter off of my body so I can get dressed in the morning is another story! And getting out of the car isn’t all that much fun either. But here’s what I’ve come to realize - I’m cold, and then I warm up once I get moving. It’s really not that big of a deal for me. I do have the option of using heated seats and/or my heater after presetting it the night before; all I have to do is hit the remote button to start the car, but I’ve never used it.
I was going to ask: why not remove the rear seat back and rear seat bottoms somewhere safe to get a lot more cargo volume? Then I got to the part where you mentioned you still sit in the back seat sometimes. Might be worth considering as it will free up quite a bit of additional space.
ZexGX Plus, there's a piece of carpet that extends from the top of the backseats all the way to the end of the cargo area that is one piece. My solution has been to go more minimalistic rather than try and make more Space for all my junk. LOL. Thanks for commenting.
I have a 2016 Outback Limited 2.5i with Eyesight. It's the family car for us (4 members + dog) so, as you can imagine I don't have the vehicle setup like you do. In the future, I would like to setup the vehicle similar to how you have it for a road trip or two. I had a 2" hitch installed for a bike rack and a cargo rack which has been extremely nice. Plus an 18 cubic foot Skybox for the roof. The new models have the automatic hatch door and can be used from the key fob. If I had the bikes, we would have to go through the side door but with the cargo carrier with minimal stuff we could use the hatch. So I would probably be using the hatch to access the 'bedroom' which would have a full size (or queen) air mattress for my wife and I. I am curious to know what some of the contents you have in the totes and your setup for the front seats. Don't mean to be nosey, thought it would be nice to have insight on what I should take on an extended road trip living in the vehicle (3-5 days). It would be a trip for my wife and I to get away together without the kids. Which we are shorter people 5'8 and 4'11, and are not heavyset so I don't think the arrangement in mind will be a problem. Most of our stuff would be in the Skybox on the roof, stuff that isn't needed frequently. With the hitch cargo carrier, probably a gas generator with extra fuel and other odds and ends that I would have during transportation. Wear do you normally park to sleep? That is my biggest problem, I don't want to be contacted for trespassing or being 'suspicious' in a Walmart parking lot like the drug addicts/homeless people I see. Do you travel in all weather conditions? I would suggest getting some foam insulation or bubble insulation to place in the exact cut out of all your windows to maximize warmth/cool air retension as well as privacy and blocking out sunlight. Another comment suggest window screens or something to allow air flow. Our vehicle has a sunroof that can tilt or slide all the way which is something I would probably do for a little ventilation. Amazon has window socks, they are sleeves that go over your window to allow air flow but maintain privacy and keep out bugs/leaves/etc. Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed the video.
Forgot to add, in theory with my gas generator can be used at night for electronics or heaters when camping or such. Run an extension cable through the sunroof or back hatch and hook up a small personal heater called Vornado (check on Amazon/Target). Small, safety switch bottom, it works great and your solar panel could easily run that. Therefore you wouldn't have to run your vehicle or anything during cooler nights. You may have a different process.
billy yong No, not even close to sitting up. The Outbacks are more of a station wagon design with a fairly low roofline. I do cook in the car when needed. I normally keep The front passenger seat cleared off so no one can look in the window and see a lot of gear. I place my single burner cookstove on towels in the seat to keep it level, crack the window and the sunroof and cook. Actually, cook is a misnomer; I heat water, whether it be for coffee or for dehydrated meals.
debz722 yes I do, both sides. And I normally try to park in an orientation to catch Crossbreeze is if I can. I also have a small fan that clamps onto the drivers headrest post which allows me to blow cool air over top of me at night if needed.
so I have my screens and am using magnets and also have a battery fan and will do screen for sunroof so air flows up and out if it's too cold to have both side windows open..great to see you are living such an adventurous existence. cheers
Bernard Williams wow! So sorry I missed this comment. I do try to respond. I use General Delivery via USPS. Many post offices will accept general delivery sent to them to my attention. I simply have to show them my ID to pick it up. In fact, I'm picking up an eBay delivery tomorrow at a local post office.
again if you receive mail we're do you have your mail sent out to What family or the post office because I was thanking about getting me a custom conversion van to live in. So i would be able to travel the world.
Bernard Williams there are two resources I use for mail. One, I have a mail forwarding service here in Arizona that I can use the street address for billing and mail, etc. Once they receivemy mail they scan the envelope and email me the scan. If it's something I want forwarded to me I give them an address of where I am and they send it. That leads me to my second resource - General delivery to the local USPS. Most post offices have general delivery mail. I simply put my name and general delivery along with the city state and zip and the package/mail gets delivered to the main post office for that town. I go in and show my ID and pick up my mail. I've also been able to order from Amazon using that same method; i'll create an address that says PO Box general delivery along with the street address and city State zip of the post office I want them to ship too. The items can't be shipped prime that way, and some items (heavier items) can't be shipped to a post office at all. For those I find a local UPS pack and ship center and have the item sent there. The downside is they charge five dollars a box when I go to pick up my delivery. Hope this helps
freakmessiah a slight angle. It angles up toward the head end but I don't notice when sleeping. Perhaps b/c of the amount of padding I use.. Early on, I tried to flatten the angle by folding towels, but found it didn't matter. I slept very comfortably without them. Better to have my head raised just a slight amount anyways - less chance of headaches vs a head down position.
UNACAMPER thanks. I went to the UNACAMPER channel to find out how to do it right... but wait... there isn’t one. Get out there and give it a go rather than sitting at home watching/knocking other ppl actually doing it. Removing the seats in an outback is about the dumbest idea I’ve heard - you no nothing of what you’re talking about. And why do you care about how much crap I have in/on my home??? Obviously a poser...
You got things well sorted in there. A good nights sleep is key to everything,if you get sleep you can handle anything. My car has a large opening sun roof so can fall asleep staring at the stars. One modification I made,was quite a bit of work, was to make a switch panel that allows me to operate all the locks,windows and lights from the rear. I have a second battery too so that I don't risk my starting battery. If anybody is snooping around outside I just turn on the lights. This let's them know the car is occupied and they loose interest in it.
Pretty incredible that your 6’3” and fit comfortably. Giving me ideas for my own outback. Great job!
Thank you for the video. I have a 2017 Outback and I figured a 3 inch memory foam would be enough to sleep well and I was wrong. So it's great to learn from someone who has created a sleep solution that works. Thanks!
too cold? uncomfortable? What's your setup like?
I have a 2018 Regal TourX that I will also use for camping trips. I was set to build custom furniture with slide-outs and compartments for storage on one side and a bed on the other. I finally concluded I could accomplish the same function cheaper and with more flexability using storage bins along one side and a bed on the other side. Your video confirms my conclusions. Thanks.
Best simple method I’ve seen! Worked great for me!
I've been watching a lot of vids about full-time RV'ers, but don't want a big rig. I'm a devoted Subie gal and stumbled upon your video. Good to see that it can be done -- I'm hoping to go full time in about four years. Can't wait to get out west and leave the Michigan winters behind! Best wishes on your travels!
3 years to go
How did it go?
Ha! I bought a 2016 Outback last year in Canada to do the exact same thing! I'm in Central America, car stored with only 1200 miles on it..awaiting my return..good stuff!
R.P. A Thank you. I'm a little slower at this video stuff then I am at photography, but more is coming. Appreciate your feedback.
"At 6'3" and 58 years young, I sleep very well in my Subaru Outback while traveling full-time as a photographer." That's exactly why I am researching this. Traveling photography. I'm 6-1 and 59 years old. Fantastic!
This is the best I’ve seen
My 06 outback xt has release on the fob for the back. Thanks for the good ideas
I have Forester and put 5/8 plywood with a horizontal 2/4 in back to level its out!! Now I'm look for suitable foam for comfort and the mattress top sounds like a good idea!! Thanks.......... I'll experiment probably along the way, it a bicycle trip!!
thank you for sharing as I'm doing alittle research on platform / mattress, I'm looking to do a similar thing but maybe in a module form so it can be place in storage when not in use and easy to setup when needed, I'm looking for ideas especially best mattress to use.
Very surprising how many people of all walks of life camp like this, we've camped in the back of our vehicle afew times when we thought it was unsafe to sleep in our tent, wild life etc...
Looked at trailers, teardrop, van, RV... until my wife said why not our suv I thought well not very lady like sleeping in the car.
we do a lot of road trips while on vacation, travel state to state doing photography.
We normally don't stay in the same area / location more then a day, just sleep and on the move again.
Didn't want the thought of something major or huge to breaking down e.g .. trailer, RV etc...
Plus we have been in areas where there was no reservations left or in the middle of nowhere where the next town was hundreds of miles away and it was late at night.
Very helpful. Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.
Can you drive through a car wash with weather tech window deflectors??💕💕
Thank you so much for the video there’s not that many Subaru car camp or living videos out there?💕💕
We are looking to go full time in our forester. And so far our extended trips we are making it work.! Can not beat the mpg. And off road in is a super plus.. I will be seeing how you set up so we can get more information on what will work.
William Simonson Almost 7 months and my trip and the outback is doing very well. I've since added a tent and cot to my setup, but I actually prefer to sleep in the outback - is that comfortable for me. I'm now making tweaks to my solar set up. I need to carry a solar panel up top full-time to keep my Drammatic refrigerator running. For traveling/living in a car, I think I really have a good set up and it's working out very well for me. Look for videos soon. And I think you'll enjoy your Forester as long as you're able to sleep comfortably in the back stretched out.
And by the way, we came down to Tucson from Cleveland a out four years ago. And are chomping at the bit to take off! Safe travels!
One of my friends recently asked me when I was coming back to Ohio. After 10 seconds of silence I said that I didn't know if I would be. I certainly miss the friends, but with the weather and scenic 'meh' compared to the western states, why would I? I won't say never but have no timetable to do so.
Randy R Please make a video about your set up
Great video. I was wondering if you could do a video sometime showing you getting in and out of the backdoor configuration to settle in for the night.
Thank you, very informative!
Awesome setup!
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
WesOfX thank you for watching.
Nice video. I've modeled my Forester sleep setup after yours. I'd like to know where you fond your cargo netting?
Found not fond
Backroads Vegan Thank you. Those are the factory Subaru nets.
thank you, great help!
Great video
Hi Randy! Great video! What’s the lowest temperature you’ve ever slept in and have you required using the heat?
mlov1805 Thanks for the comment. In low 20s would be the coldest I’ve slept in. I’m used to sleeping in a hammock in those temps so I have the gear that allows me to sleep toasty warm in the car.
I crack two windows to give me a bit of cross ventilation so they aren’t frozen on the inside come morning.
Now throwing that cozy down comforter off of my body so I can get dressed in the morning is another story! And getting out of the car isn’t all that much fun either. But here’s what I’ve come to realize - I’m cold, and then I warm up once I get moving. It’s really not that big of a deal for me.
I do have the option of using heated seats and/or my heater after presetting it the night before; all I have to do is hit the remote button to start the car, but I’ve never used it.
Well done. Thank you.
I was going to ask: why not remove the rear seat back and rear seat bottoms somewhere safe to get a lot more cargo volume? Then I got to the part where you mentioned you still sit in the back seat sometimes. Might be worth considering as it will free up quite a bit of additional space.
ZexGX Plus, there's a piece of carpet that extends from the top of the backseats all the way to the end of the cargo area that is one piece. My solution has been to go more minimalistic rather than try and make more Space for all my junk. LOL. Thanks for commenting.
I have a 2016 Outback Limited 2.5i with Eyesight. It's the family car for us (4 members + dog) so, as you can imagine I don't have the vehicle setup like you do. In the future, I would like to setup the vehicle similar to how you have it for a road trip or two. I had a 2" hitch installed for a bike rack and a cargo rack which has been extremely nice. Plus an 18 cubic foot Skybox for the roof. The new models have the automatic hatch door and can be used from the key fob. If I had the bikes, we would have to go through the side door but with the cargo carrier with minimal stuff we could use the hatch. So I would probably be using the hatch to access the 'bedroom' which would have a full size (or queen) air mattress for my wife and I. I am curious to know what some of the contents you have in the totes and your setup for the front seats. Don't mean to be nosey, thought it would be nice to have insight on what I should take on an extended road trip living in the vehicle (3-5 days). It would be a trip for my wife and I to get away together without the kids. Which we are shorter people 5'8 and 4'11, and are not heavyset so I don't think the arrangement in mind will be a problem. Most of our stuff would be in the Skybox on the roof, stuff that isn't needed frequently. With the hitch cargo carrier, probably a gas generator with extra fuel and other odds and ends that I would have during transportation. Wear do you normally park to sleep? That is my biggest problem, I don't want to be contacted for trespassing or being 'suspicious' in a Walmart parking lot like the drug addicts/homeless people I see. Do you travel in all weather conditions? I would suggest getting some foam insulation or bubble insulation to place in the exact cut out of all your windows to maximize warmth/cool air retension as well as privacy and blocking out sunlight. Another comment suggest window screens or something to allow air flow. Our vehicle has a sunroof that can tilt or slide all the way which is something I would probably do for a little ventilation. Amazon has window socks, they are sleeves that go over your window to allow air flow but maintain privacy and keep out bugs/leaves/etc. Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed the video.
Forgot to add, in theory with my gas generator can be used at night for electronics or heaters when camping or such. Run an extension cable through the sunroof or back hatch and hook up a small personal heater called Vornado (check on Amazon/Target). Small, safety switch bottom, it works great and your solar panel could easily run that. Therefore you wouldn't have to run your vehicle or anything during cooler nights. You may have a different process.
way to go.
should have set up your camera on a tripod and got in
A pads rating is NOT its thickness. A sleeping pad has an r value rating. Yours is between 4 and 5 from what I can see.
l have a question, can you seat on your bed.....is it enough head room? Do you ever cook coffee inside your Subaru?
billy yong No, not even close to sitting up. The Outbacks are more of a station wagon design with a fairly low roofline. I do cook in the car when needed. I normally keep The front passenger seat cleared off so no one can look in the window and see a lot of gear. I place my single burner cookstove on towels in the seat to keep it level, crack the window and the sunroof and cook. Actually, cook is a misnomer; I heat water, whether it be for coffee or for dehydrated meals.
Thanks for the quick response, I am going to buy a base model outback and I am a photographer also!!
thank you sir!
driver3gt No problem. Hope it helps. I'll be doing one on my interior curtains soon.
Where can I see your photographs?
Super helpful. Do you know anyone your height (I'm 5-11) to make it work in a Crosstrek? I'm trying to decide what to buy. Thanks!
air flow Do you have a screens for both windows to let cool air in summer?
debz722 yes I do, both sides. And I normally try to park in an orientation to catch Crossbreeze is if I can. I also have a small fan that clamps onto the drivers headrest post which allows me to blow cool air over top of me at night if needed.
so I have my screens and am using magnets and also have a battery fan and will do screen for sunroof so air flows up and out if it's too cold to have both side windows open..great to see you are living such an adventurous existence. cheers
question. If you get mail we're do you have mail go to.
Bernard Williams wow! So sorry I missed this comment. I do try to respond. I use General Delivery via USPS. Many post offices will accept general delivery sent to them to my attention. I simply have to show them my ID to pick it up. In fact, I'm picking up an eBay delivery tomorrow at a local post office.
Whydocowsmoo. They Moo to keep the cream from separating in their milk.
🤔
again if you receive mail we're do you have your mail sent out to What family or the post office because I was thanking about getting me a custom conversion van to live in. So i would be able to travel the world.
Bernard Williams there are two resources I use for mail. One, I have a mail forwarding service here in Arizona that I can use the street address for billing and mail, etc. Once they receivemy mail they scan the envelope and email me the scan. If it's something I want forwarded to me I give them an address of where I am and they send it. That leads me to my second resource - General delivery to the local USPS. Most post offices have general delivery mail. I simply put my name and general delivery along with the city state and zip and the package/mail gets delivered to the main post office for that town. I go in and show my ID and pick up my mail. I've also been able to order from Amazon using that same method; i'll create an address that says PO Box general delivery along with the street address and city State zip of the post office I want them to ship too. The items can't be shipped prime that way, and some items (heavier items) can't be shipped to a post office at all. For those I find a local UPS pack and ship center and have the item sent there. The downside is they charge five dollars a box when I go to pick up my delivery. Hope this helps
Does your rear seat fold completely flat or is there a slight angle?
freakmessiah a slight angle. It angles up toward the head end but I don't notice when sleeping. Perhaps b/c of the amount of padding I use.. Early on, I tried to flatten the angle by folding towels, but found it didn't matter. I slept very comfortably without them. Better to have my head raised just a slight amount anyways - less chance of headaches vs a head down position.
here is how to open rear hatch from inside.
www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-2014/38140-open-rear-hatch-inside.html
So where do you shower on the road ? Did not see one in your car !!
Many truck stops (like Love's or TA) will have pay showers
Foolish people having to much bullshit to shuffle in their day. Simple is effective and efficient makes life enjoyable.
Same old same old.....Take out the seats......and btw... you have way too much crap.
UNACAMPER thanks. I went to the UNACAMPER channel to find out how to do it right... but wait... there isn’t one. Get out there and give it a go rather than sitting at home watching/knocking other ppl actually doing it. Removing the seats in an outback is about the dumbest idea I’ve heard - you no nothing of what you’re talking about. And why do you care about how much crap I have in/on my home??? Obviously a poser...
No comment on the amount of things you have, but i have an 18 outback and sleep in it part time. I use the same REI mattress and I love it too.