Camping out in your Z

[TomoHawk]

Is there any feasibility to camping out or sleeping in your Z? I mean as an alternative to renting a cabin- unless you know a friendly lady Z-owner:) I once spent a night fireworks-watching an a hatchback in high school.

I think you'd need a way to recline the front seat(s) forward, and put in some kind of board so you could relax without getting a sore back (BTDT in a folding hospital bed- my back was ACHING from sleeping bent! :mad:)

Another option would be one of those car-tent things (do they still make those?) that goes on the hatch, or just a plain old tent; the modern lightweight type, which fold up nice & small. And a sleeping bag or blanket maybe.

The only thing left after that is your food & cooking, which could be done with a small pump-stove, which only requires a little unleaded gasoline (siphoned from your Z's gas tank!), unless you plan on drinking only beer (Guiness- it's better at room temp or slightly less) and bathing. Ever wash yourself head-to-toe with GoJo? (it's waterless...) But as long as you keep the windows down, and the speed up, who'll notice?:beard:

Peace.

[BRE-240Z]

Why would you want to sleep in your car? I've been car camping many times, but a sleeping bag and a tent, properly folded, don't take up much room. They could easily be carried in the back of a Z.

Add a foam pad to put under your sleeping bag (they also fold up), and a tarp for beneath the tent. If it's dry you could cut or buy firewood close to your camp site....small cooler with some food and you're all set.

Many of the camping areas off the Blue Ridge Parkway in this area are specially set up for car camping. A parking spot, a pad for your tent, a picnic table and barbecue grill...some of the nicer Park Service campgrounds even have bathrooms with showers.

And don't tell me 'well, if it rains...'. Only idiots or people who don't know what they're doing get wet in a tent, no matter how hard it rains.

[TomoHawk]

Don't forget about all the other stuff you'll have to carry with you (helmet, cleaning supplies, food) so anything else you carry should be as eliminated or as small as possible. Sleeping in the car could be comfortable, if you figure out how, so you'll eliminate the need for a tent. It'll also be a little safer from the local wildlife. I've spent over 600 days & nights in theback woods while in Scouting, so I have a very good idea on how to camp with little or no stuff. Using a groundcloth is the best idea besides a tent with a fly top. Otherwise, you get wet if it rains.

Also, firewood is getting very scarce, and in most places I've been, it's use is prohibited or at least very controlled. So you're better off using a fueled-stove for heating water. A fire might be pretty or you can warm your hands, but it's the most in-efficient thing for heating anything- unless you've got some of that new self-heating food.

thx

[BRE-240Z]

unless you've got some of that new self-heating food.

Taco Bell?

Seriously, though....there are plenty of vehicles that you can sleep in, and you're right that it would eliminate the need for a tent. I just don't really think that a first-gen Z is one of those vehicles that a grown man could comfortably sleep in.

[hls30.com]

In 2001 or 2002, I had a business meeting in Columbia, SC at 8am so I felt the house at 4:30 to go. I headed back home at noon, and at 9pm when I got close to home, found that At 11am Savannah was placed on manditory evacuation, and the Georgia State patrol blocked all incoming traffic. I drove around Savannah on US 1 looking for a way in. The highway patrol also blocked all sothbound traffic on US 1 at I-16, so I spent two days camping in my '73Z at the corner of US1 and I16. Luckily there was a gas station and though they lost power, the toilets were working. I was one of many stranded there, the station was sold out of everything edible, most things drinkable, and actually not only left their prices alone, but also took care of the people who ran out of money.

With the seats all the way back and a leather jacket and super thick sheet-sized towel, sleeping was possable though not exactly comfortable.

Very early in my Z exposure and on a bet, I cooked a steak and baked a potatoe under the hood of my '76 2+2 on a three hour trip-it was a very good meal and watching the other guy eat crow was even better.

Will

[Arne]

The early 240Zs ('70s and '71s for sure, '72s too, I believe) did not have fully reclining seat mechanisms. They don't flip forward either, only adjust about 10-15 degrees. Not very conducive to sleeping in the car.

[deadflo]

When I first got my 79 ZX , I took her camping a couple of times. This was me and my wife. We could fit a tent, bags, food, cooking equipment and fold up chairs. I was bummed at the time cause I could not fit my telescope to look at the stars.

Later I got a VW bus for camping.

I know the S30 has a smaller hatch area but I'm sure you could do some camping, especially if it's just one person.

I always phantasized about taking a big 2 plus 2 ZX and cutting off the back hatch and extending it out another foot or two to make a sleeping area, then put a big roof rack on it. The camping Z(X)!

[TomoHawk]

NO tie-dye paint job with peace signs and beads strung around the roof?

OH- surf board.

[Grim]

I have slept in my 280z. It was uncomfortable and it took a day to be able to stand up. I would advise against it. maybe a small camp trailer like the ones used for motorcycles?

[moonpup]

Tomo...Just get something like this.

http://houston.craigslist.org/car/249596430.html

[geezer]

Looks Something Like A Halfmoon Pup

[ddezso]

If you do decide to camp in your car dont forget your lifesize child crying doll.