We are thinking of using our Skoda Yeti as the base for car camping. Sleep in the car with a driveaway awning attached to the vehicle. However we have been told that not all campsites would allow the car to be parked next to the tent/awning, is it worth buying a driveaway awning if so? is that advice wrong and do the majority of campsites allow cars to be parked next to the tent/awning? If this idea is a possibility does anyone have experience of using their vehicle, if anyone has experience of using a Yeti that would be very helpful.
Thanks
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I would say in general, formal camp sites do not allow sleeping in a car under their T and C's, but what you can get away with is another matter
With a drive away awning, you may argue your point. A pitch is to pitch a tent, NOT park a car!
Car parking arrangements vary, mostly I'd say you get to park by your tent, BUT some insist you park elsewhere (car parking area), and others only if the weather is bad, to protect their pitches from tyre ruts/mud, so you may find rules change between a fine day and a wet day!
No absolutes, depends on the individual camp site (or maybe club rules if club site)
As to sleeping in a car, I've done it a few times through circumstance rather than choice and I found condensation to be a real problem, inside of car was literally dripping wet come the morning. It wasn't very nice and I would imagine a few days of that your car would be sodden. Everything in the car, sleeping bags, clothing etc. was all rather too damp feeling for comfort. Camping in a tent is enough of a challenge to keep damp at bay, but most tents have a good system of ventilation, far better than a car. If you could leave a car door or tailgate open to your drive away awning it may be better (ensure that any interior lights don't remain on, or you risk a flat battery by morning!).
Some have an issue with people sleeping overnight in a vehicle that has not been converted into one with "proper beds".
Your Yeti would be classified as a car.
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If you are going to the trouble and expense of buying and pitching an awning, why not just get a tent?
Would you go to the trouble and expense of fitting curtains / window coverings on the car? It will be very light in the mornings and you may have curious children peering in at you at 7am.
Condensation will be a massive issue in a yeti - especially if you use an awning which will further restrict airflow. By the end of a week you'll have seriously manky set up and things like the overhead coverings will dampen up which could show problems at a later date. Better get a tent - much, much more flexibility and a yeti has a lot of cargo space to carry a decent one. If you have a towhook you might prefer the higher sleeping and less set-up for a bed with a trailer tent - can always get one on ebay for less than £500.
As previously pointed out, why bother with a drive away awning when a tent would be so much more comfortable. A small inflatable like the Outwell Rock Lake 3 would probably be quicker to erect as well. I have a VW T25 minibus with a rock and roll bed in it. I use it to sleep in when I go away touring on my own but if I`m staying in a place for more than one night, I pitch an old 4 man ridge tent as it`s more comfortable than the van. Condensation is an issue too despite having window vents, thermal blinds in the cab area and blackout curtains in the back. I must admit that I am unfamiliar with "car camping", sounds like another word for dossing in the car to me. Even my van is cluttered with all the equipment I need when I`m away so how two adults would manage in a family estate car is beyond me. Good luck with it though.
Oddly enough the Tesla’s along with some other BEV’s actually have a “Camp Mode” setting.
Back in the day, when we used to travel all the way down to Frejus (1,100 miles) we would just do the one overnight stop, often we would arrive that late at the campsite we would just drive on a vacant pitch, and sort out payment the next morning, often was the case that there was no one around when we left early in the morning so we would just leave a few Francs ! on a table near the reception.
One time I remember we woke in the morning, and were just in a field, obviously it had been so dark when we arrived, having tried to follow the campings signs, but had taken a wrong turn to ended up in a field, no wonder we thought the facilities were basic, as we could only find a water tap on a post to get wash in the morning.
Also check out the new a Honda E, it even comes with it’s own built in EHU, but only 6.5 amp and only just enough room in the car for your sleeping bags and not much else.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Car camping
via mobile 30/6/2020 at 4:37pm
