[nakona1]

All the original image links are dead, and I can't edit, so I'm adding those images here...
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[eq1]

When I went to the Danville meet I ended up sleeping on my hatch bed the first night, in the museum parking lot. All-in-all it worked fine, but I find that it can be a little sketchy sometimes, especially in hoity-toity places like where the meet was at, to just whip out the hatch camp bed and go for a snooze... Plus, I like to be ready at all times for a road trip, which means keeping the bed back there, but it's kind of heavy and I don't like carrying that extra weight, nor taking it out, putting back in, etc...

On the way back I slept at a rest stop, in the front seats. I realized it's almost not that bad: I'm 5' 11" and I can sort of stretch out diagonally across the front seats. The only real problem was the seat belt attachment points - they don't fold down all the way. The brake lever and console thing aren't great, but I was shoving an extra jacket and stuff to pad around that and it was OK, it was just the seat belt attachments that I couldn't 'pad' and they kept jabbing at my side...

So, I took a look at those today and it was really easy to just bend a metal tab (which broke off) and then they fold down all the way. The plastic covers probably need to be modified, but even if you didn't you could still just remove the metal tab and when folding down the belt attachment it'd just hit the plastic cover but the plastic would probably just flex and bend... I cut a slit in the plastic cover. Works great. At some point I might explore making a lower, flatter console, maybe make a new rear brake mechanism/handle that sits lower. But just being able to bend the seat belt latch things down should go a long way when I need to sleep in the car again.

Here's a couple picts, not much to see. Once you take a look it's obvious what needs to be done, the tab to break off...

 

[eq1]

^ Then where would all my hitchhikers go?

 

[Willie Williford]

zalanreilly:
Please include your Location in your Profile.

 

[eq1]

Posting a couple more picts of one of my hatch camp setups:

 

[jeffffej]

@eq1 Thanks for this thread I found it through your reply to my other thread on camping. So I'm 6'3" and not fitting in the Insight to sleep, forget it. My camping will be in a tent but the Insight will be my way out to nowhere so packing things up will be different than when I used larger cars.

 

[Ecky]

@eq1 Thanks for this thread I found it through your reply to my other thread on camping. So I'm 6'3" and not fitting in the Insight to sleep, forget it. My camping will be in a tent but the Insight will be my way out to nowhere so packing things up will be different than when I used larger cars.

If you ever decide to pull the IMA, there's a lot of space to reclaim.

There's also the option of a trailer. I've successfully (though inadvisably) pulled a full ton behind mine. A small motorcycle trailer would be no issue.

 

[eq1]

I like the small trailer idea - like KLR3CYL's (Scott's) trailer. As I recall, seeing a pic, that was way cool...

My camping will be in a tent but the Insight will be my way out to nowhere so packing things up will be different than when I used larger cars.

I think there should be plenty of room for most typical camping equipment and stuff. On the other hand, if there's two people, two peoples' gear... Maybe there's a good roof case, like one of those Thule or maybe Yakima things?, that'd work on the insight. Might be worth looking into, I think I've seen a thread or two around here over the years.

Here's a link to some pics of one of Scott's trailers, I don't think this is what I was thinking of, though this one's pretty cool: How would I be able to pull a ~350 pound trailer behind...

Just searched a little for the 'roof case' idea, and it doesn't sound like there's any options. Here's a link to one seemingly well thought-out conclusion: Thule- or Yakima-style roof rack?

I've posted some of the text below, too:

"There is no secure (therefore safe) clip mounting system for a roof rack for the G1 Insight. The possible attachment areas for clips are plastic trim pieces on the Insight and therefore will not hold a QClip (discontinued system from Yakima) BaseClip (new system from Yakima), FitKit (Thule) or other similar attachments..."

 

[jeffffej]

I think there should be plenty of room for most typical camping equipment and stuff. On the other hand, if there's two people, two peoples' gear... Maybe there's a good roof case, like one of those Thule or maybe Yakima things?, that'd work on the insight. Might be worth looking into, I think I've seen a thread or two around here over the years.

Yeah for any camping I do the Insight will fit all my stuff, especially if I have the passenger seat to fill with stuff. I do pioneer camping so no power or water and BYOE but I have a simple setup for food/cooking/sleeping/survival. It's just about using every nook and cranny in the Insight and having to think it through when prepping and packing whereas before I never thought of that. That's where I was going when I brought it up. I had no idea some of you folks were sleeping in the car - truly amazing!

 

[eq1]

^ I see. If it's only you then I don't think there should be any special concerns, there's plenty of room.

 

[IamIan]

I don't think this is what I was thinking of, though this one's pretty cool:

Something like the attached little motorcycle trailer pic ?

Or Velemobile Trailer

Or just a little motor cycle cargo trailer

 

[eq1]

^ It could have been the top one, it had that oval-ish shape.

 

[jime]

I really like this motorcycle trailer - only 630 lbs. Hard sides, A/C, entertainment, 12/110V. It looks like it has aluminum frame and that saves tons of weight.

Xtreme Outdoors

 

[eq1]

^ Pretty snazzy, posh... Didn't see any price, probably $$$S... I read 760 lbs at the website...

 

[eq1]

Being reminded of this thread, I'm now itching to get out there, somewhere... I actually drove down the Oregon Coast on 101 like just a few weeks ago, but it was like, drive down, sleep uncomfortably in front seats, drive back. I think I need some forest and that can of Rainier...

 

[jime]

I read 760 lbs at the website...

The weight given varies with different sources. May depend on which options are ordered - isn't exactly clear.

It does look expensive. I'm investigating

 

[jeffffej]

Being reminded of this thread, I'm now itching to get out there, somewhere... I actually drove down the Oregon Coast on 101 like just a few weeks ago, but it was like, drive down, sleep uncomfortably in front seats, drive back. I think I need some forest and that can of Rainier...

Sleeping in the front seats would kill the joy of camping for me. Especially in an Insight front seat that doesn't recline...

I'll at least get a few pics of the trip with the Insight. I'm heading out to a lake/pioneer campground with some friends for a couple days. Great times, bonfire, everyone shares food, camping under the stars on the edge of the water.

 

[eq1]

^ Yeah, I can't say I was 'camping'. It's usually just - 'I'm hittin' the road' - gone.

It does look expensive. I'm investigating.

Report back if you find anything. I briefly looked for a dealer and price but didn't find one - in the minute I devoted to the task. Not that'd I'd buy one, but it's good to know these things...

 

[jime]

I put in an inquiry to the factory. The MSRP is $14,500 fully loaded. It is a lot of money, but is a posh setup. RVs normally are highly negotiable, with discounts running up to 22%. They offered a 10% coupon without even asking.

I've RVed extensively with a diesel pusher(saw every state in lower 48). If you are gonna live in the rig for extensive time, you do need good accommodations. I'm tempted.

 

[EricTheWood]

I’m 5’ 8” so a half inch slab laid across the Tom bar with the p seat gone and an X Ped inflatable pad works fine for me now. Seems like there are lots of new,light, small ‘pod’ type trailers coming on the market daily because road tripping is exploding during COVID. I’ve seen two or three cottage startups converting vans to campers just in my neighborhood, in just the last few months.