Jeep TJ camping setup without mods

notgavinfox

notgavinfox

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Apr 12, 2024
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Navarre, Florida
I am planning on camping soon in my TJ, but don’t want to mod it for a single night. I plan on flipping the backseat down, and the front seat forward and laying a cot pad down and stuffing the gap with bags and other things. Is there a better way to do this? I’m not really wanting to take a tent or hammock, because it has been rainy and humid here in Florida. Thanks!

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Well I'm a hammock camper in all sorts of weather...and I'm 5'10 not 4' 3" and prefer not sleeping in the fetal position.

Jeeps make hammock camping easy because you've got a roll bar to tie up one end.

Millions of people live in cars these days...if it works for you awesome!

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-Mac
 
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One person had a sheet of plywood that they pulled out of the back and it had a support.

I think the rear seat was removed.

It effectively doubled the length of the rear compartment.

I think if you’ll do a little looking you’ll see a lot of creative ideas.

Certainly don’t discount the guy above he gets out and goes. I’m pretty energetic and I don’t think I would stand a chance trying to keep up with him.
 
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I would remove the backseat altogether if you can, and even then I think you will struggle to fit in, unless you are very small! I'm 6ft and no chance I will get into the back comfortably, unless you fully removed the passenger seat as well, but I doubt it would be a very comfortable sleep. And then there's the gear you take with to keep somewhere, depending on what you're doing...

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Plumber1 said:
This is my wife's idea of one night camping. To her a hotel w/o room service is roughing it. 🤣

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Exactly.

My wife ain’t going for none of my ideas of fun. When we kiss she closes her eyes because she can’t stand to see me have a good time.
 
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AndyG said:
One person had a sheet of plywood that they pulled out of the back and it had a support.

I think the rear seat was removed.

It effectively doubled the length of the rear compartment.

I think if you’ll do a little looking you’ll see a lot of creative ideas.

Certainly don’t discount the guy above he gets out and goes. I’m pretty energetic and I don’t think I would stand a chance trying to keep up with him.
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I think that is @Fluxor that you are referring to. (y)
 
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I tried it once in my LJ. 😞
2 things come to mind.
Removing all the gear and leaving it out for the night (and repacking it).
Climbing in and out through the passenger door.
I don't plan to do it again, but I am working on a solution for opening and locking the tailgate from the inside.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
I am working on a solution for opening and locking the tailgate from the inside.
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Two thoughts...one, just leave the cover off. Easy to manipulate the rods.

Second thought...I removed my cover and installed power locks. Don't touch them in the summer but they're handy in fall and winter mode. Planning on cutting the cover in half and adding 2-3 inches to cover the actuator.

-Mac
 
notgavinfox said:
I am planning on camping soon in my TJ, but don’t want to mod it for a single night. I plan on flipping the backseat down, and the front seat forward and laying a cot pad down and stuffing the gap with bags and other things. Is there a better way to do this? I’m not really wanting to take a tent or hammock, because it has been rainy and humid here in Florida. Thanks!

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Sounds like a really uncomfortable night. I'm with @macleanflood, get a hammock.
 
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I use my TJ for camping a lot, honestly I don't think what you're wanting to do is possible. The rear storage area is 3x3ft with the seat removed. Unless you plan on curling up in a ball at night, you won't fit.

There was a guy on YouTube who had removed his passenger seat and rear seat and had a sleeping platform that was over the cargo area and passenger area. That was a cool setup.
 
basedbb69 said:
I use my TJ for camping a lot, honestly I don't think what you're wanting to do is possible. The rear storage area is 3x3ft with the seat removed. Unless you plan on curling up in a ball at night, you won't fit.

There was a guy on YouTube who had removed his passenger seat and rear seat and had a sleeping platform that was over the cargo area and passenger area. That was a cool setup.
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Oh it's possible. I've slept in a regular cab ford ranger, manual with bucket seats. The trick is to be really fucking drunk. Not recommended.

Only way I'm sleeping in the jeep is if it's cold and I have no other option, and then it'd be in the seat like I'm on an airplane. I'd rather sleep under it. Park somewhere water won't puddle and throw down a pad if a hammock is too much.
 
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I asked this same question a while back. I did do exactly what you’re asking. I cut plywood to fit over the wheel wells and tipped the passenger seat forward. I’m 5 foot 9 the length wasn’t bad. If I were taller it would start getting cramped, but it was only one night. I still use the ply wood deck for easier access to all my camping gear.
 
I love camping.

But camping in Florida in the summer is a stupid idea. Wait for cooler weather and pack a tent.

If you must go in the summer, there are quite a few state campgrounds that have tiny bungalows to rent. No mosquitoes.

I am a hard no way until mid November.
 
++ on pulling out the passenger seat and the back seat. It's still not great since you have several detents and ridges, but with pillows and a mattress pad, it works out good enough.
 
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