Rear space to sleep in?...

0311vn

There are times when I am traveling and think dropping $80. to $100. just to sleep while en route is silly. Years ago I had a three-quarter ton Chevy van that was wide open behind the front seats and great for sleeping in.
I've looked at Element interiors and figure one person could sleep in it with the back seats removed. Two might be tight.
Any experiences of sleeping in the Element?

ragets

I have gone camping in my 2007 Honda Element EX 4WD numerous times. I leave the seats in the back though and form the bed with all the seats down in the reclining position. It is not the most comfortable bed in the world but it is great for camping. I have taken several friends with me at different times and they loved sleeping in it. That is also one of the reasons I bought an Element. I'm 17 and do all kinds of things and the camping versatility is great. Hope that may have helped.

no_clutter

I slepted in my 2003 Element at least 4 times. I didn't remove the back seats at all. The most comfortable sleeping configuration in my opintion is to recline the front seat to about 2/3 way down and then push it all the way back. Then you can sleep in the back seat with your leg resting on the back support of the front seat in any angle you want. I found it most comfortable for overnight sleep with the front seat 2/3 way down and the back seat about 1/2 down. Of course, you will need to get used to seeing the sky out the moonroof in the back. The first night I slepted in my element was at an overnight fishing. It was raining and small hails were coming down hard. It was great. The second time was during a warmer season. I had the rear window pop out, but felt safe since it doesn't open all the way and there is no way the door can be unlocked through the rear pop-out windows. It's great.

elementman

I'm now an expert on sleeping in an Element. I just completed a 6000 mile road trip from Phoenix to NJ and back and must have saved close to $1000 by sleeping in my E when I could. I discovered in Pennsylvania that the service areas on the turnpikes have excellent and secure overnight parking accommodations and free private showers. The showers were about the cleanest I have ever used!!!! Once I left the turnpikes I discovered that most truck stops have clean showers for $6 to $10. Parking is a little less convenient - I was told to park in the Subway parking lot, around back, by the road, under the light, and next door. Also discovered I could park in any roadside rest area and sleep. I picked ones close to truck stops and slept better away from the lights and idling trucks. In the morning I'd drive to the truck stop and get showered. Each night I'd pull in and set up bed. I traveled with the two rear seats removed, and slept on the floor with lots of padding and pillows. Front seats pushed forward. I'm 6 foot tall and slept straight, not hunched. The only issue I had anywhere was the heat. There is nothing you can do once the heat climbs above 90 or so. Humidity was another limiting factor. But in nice weather, it was great!! I traveled with an icebox and had milk on cereal each morning. Milk and cookies at night. :-) By the way, it was a great way to travel!! No worry about making reservations or finding vacancies. I just drove until I was tired and then parked. Steve

stever

I don't know if this trick still works, what with more security guards rousting people, but occasionally in the old days I'd park in a hospital parking lot. If someone asked you what you were doing, why your old Aunt Ethel was in for surgery and you were keeping vigil.

Until the shifts got tweaked, you'd go to sleep around 11 as the shift change and the next shift would wake you up at 7. Then you'd go in to the clean bathrooms and enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria. No idling trucks but a busier hospital will have more lights and sirens, so the medium size ones were better. And if you got sick, well, there you were.

For showers we'd find a college, but now all the dorms are locked up.

Usually we're hauling too much gear to find room to sleep in the back of our van though.

Milk and cereal is a must.