Sleeping in back of the JKU
JK Freak
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: North East MD
While lots of Jeepers have spent a night or two in their Jeep in varying degrees of comfort, thought I'd offer what I worked out.
I cut out a platform from 1/4" plywood that covers the area just behind the rear seats and the cargo area when the seats are down, and covered that with indoor/outdoor carpet (picture, left side).
I purchased an air mattress made by Coleman that is specifically made for SUVs: Coleman Packable SUV Quickbed. It has 2 chambers; the main chamber is exactly 5' long, and the second forms a pillow of not quite 1'.
As you can see from the picture (right side), the main chamber fits the back of the JKU perfectly. If you move the front seats foward, the pillow section fills in a bit more length.
I'm just under 6' tall, and I can sleep on a slight diagonal across the mattress very nicely. I just got back from an 11 day 3300 mile trip across Nevada, Idaho, Montana and back to California, and slept in the back every night. This was particularly appreciated in the north, where man is considered food by some of the indigenous bear population.
The down-side is that you have to drag everything out of the JKU to set up your bed, but I prefer the quiet, bug-free sleeping environment of my JKU compared to a tent.
Attachment 349751
I cut out a platform from 1/4" plywood that covers the area just behind the rear seats and the cargo area when the seats are down, and covered that with indoor/outdoor carpet (picture, left side).
I purchased an air mattress made by Coleman that is specifically made for SUVs: Coleman Packable SUV Quickbed. It has 2 chambers; the main chamber is exactly 5' long, and the second forms a pillow of not quite 1'.
As you can see from the picture (right side), the main chamber fits the back of the JKU perfectly. If you move the front seats foward, the pillow section fills in a bit more length.
I'm just under 6' tall, and I can sleep on a slight diagonal across the mattress very nicely. I just got back from an 11 day 3300 mile trip across Nevada, Idaho, Montana and back to California, and slept in the back every night. This was particularly appreciated in the north, where man is considered food by some of the indigenous bear population.
The down-side is that you have to drag everything out of the JKU to set up your bed, but I prefer the quiet, bug-free sleeping environment of my JKU compared to a tent.
Attachment 349751
I just read your review on Amazon and added this to my wish list. Ill add it to my next order. Thanx for the heads up.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix
add me to the club! My setup may look a little cramped, but it works perfectly for me on solo adventures. love not having to fold up a tent every morning nor worry about heavy wind, rain, etc.
Last edited by karls10jk; Apr 17, 2021 at 05:12 AM. Reason: link removed
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 509
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
We did a 3 day 2 nighter and I slept in the back. Trouble is the mattress was a little thin and I found myself drifting downhill towards the back door on my feet. Ended up waking up with feet pushing on the door. Would work fine with a mattress setup like Tyco in post #9
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New York
I just completed a cross country trip and slept in the jeep about 80% of the time on a 4" memory foam futon mattress a bit heavier than a blowup or lounge chair cushions but comfy as hell. I cut some screen material and wedged it in between the window rails on the rear windows when i needed air and no mosquitoes. I'm only 5'-'8" and i have had a lady friend stay with me from time to time. To be honest i sleep better in the jeep than i do most places
Last edited by Regina Lewis; May 9, 2021 at 02:48 AM.