[Closed] Sleeping in your car

Being an S-max owner, and knowing how humungous they are, I'd be tempted to sleep in the car too - but bear in mind that having a few beers then sleeping in your car can lead to a drunk-in-charge situation.

Afaik, provided your keys are not in the ignition and you're not in the front seats of the vehicle, a charge of 'driving under the influence' is not something the Police are able to make stick. If you think about motorhomes and camper vans, they have the same issue and don't seem to be a problem. Also, presumably the OP would be in a campsite and NOT on the public highway? good point of caution to keep in mid tho.

I think some of your are approaching car sleeping in the same way as tent sleeping, this will be your mistake. I did this when I got my first camper van. Forget nylon sleeping bags, thermarest and all that. A foam mattress, proper duvet, sheet and pillow is what you need (Decent size wide neck bottle doesn't go amiss either).

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I don't see how it could be significantly colder than a tent. You're supposed to insulate the heat inside the duvet/sleeping bag, not heat the whole area.

Obviously the above relies on you having a decent length estate car and not a saxo...

^^^^ thats what i was thinking...im going to empty the car tonight and see if it all drops level etc
[img] [/img]

edit - looks like a built in pillow!

Campsite is still a public place in the eyes of the law.
I'm sure many of us have had a drink and slept in the car at events etc, I know many people who have.
On a cold night even started the engine for heat.
No thought whatsoever of actually going for a drive, just trying to keep warm and getting some kip before the big event the next day.
We used to do it all the time.
Keeps accommodation costs down doesn't it?
I don't know what the difference is between sleeping in a car or campervan.
I would strongly recommend sleeping in a tent if you are thinking of having a drink, or chucking the keys in a bag and putting them outside of the car/ van?

As above, don't think of it like a tent, i use the old mattress of my daughters first proper bed, only 5ft in length but only bottom half of legs over it, proper pillow and thick old winter duvet!

Shouldn't the standard response be car and save your money on the campsite and then spend it on coke and hookers instead?

Weirdly as far as I understand the Drink and Drive laws are slightly different for campervans than they are for cars, in that if a campervan is parked in a lay-by it is a "temporary domicile" whereas a car is not.

If drunk in a car, even in back, Police presumption is that you were looking to drive it.

In a campervan it is that you are staying in a temporary residence, BUT if you been drinking you shouldn't have keys in engine or sit in the driver seat with it pointing forwards.

(this is from memory so might not be 100% accurate, driving to remember a case we defended ages ago)

My wife, 8 year old son, 6 year old daughter and I all slept in the back of our Smax on the way down to the alps in February this year.

I had sleeping mats and bags, plus pillows and duvets all positioned in the boot so as when we stopped at 2am in the aire, we just had to drop the back seats and pull out the sleeping stuff. luggage was in the roof box. Not sure we'll manage in many more times as the kids get bigger though...

We've also done it in camp sites but with 2 of us in the car and 2 in a small tent.

Privacy glass FTW!

Shouldn't the standard response be car and save your money on the campsite and then spend it on coke and hookers instead?

How many hookers can you get in the back of a VW...? Spose it depends how much coke you've had...

Sleeping in the back of my old Astravan on Honister pass back in the late 90's cost me a new sleeping bag. Friday night was that bloody cold I got so little sleep while my girlfriend was sleeping soundly in her 4 season bag. I went straight in to Keswick in the morning and bought a lovely (and reduced) Snugpak Softie. Saturday night I was snug as a bug. Still use the bag now 20 years later so it has been good value even if at the time a B&B would have been a cheaper option.

Scud, until recently I thought as long as one is not actually driving and just using vehicle to sleep in was fine.
No intention to drive at all.
This, it seems, is not fine.
Intention to drive crops up, even though obviously no intention to drive.
Camper vans I'd be interested in if it is a different law?

Get one of these and put the bike in the boot
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112208133825?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=412437060695&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I have slept in various vehicles, tents etc.

A tent is way more comfortable and warm. Cars / uninsulated vans are cold, noisy tin boxes. Some campsites won't allow vans let alone car camping. If you are parked up in a layby or carpark, the cops will ask you what the hell you are doing especially if ruralish. They are checking you are not dodgy or trying to top yourself. Happened to me a couple of times. They went away after a chat and checking out the car.

Decent cushioned pad, pillow, blindfold and heaphones are a must. A warmish sleeping bag is required. It is like sleeping outside but out of wind & rain. Actually sleeping outside is more comfortable sometimes.

Went on holiday with a mate years ago in an old 205. Plan A was b&b but couldn't find any. Hotels were twice the price so alternated between hotel and sleeping rough in the car. It was chilly but sleeping bag and keeping clothes on helped. I reckon most people can put up with a couple of nights discomfort for a bit of an adventure.

Dad and I used to sleep in the back of a ZX estate at silverstone when we went to watch the F1.

Disposable BBQ and plenty of beers. Wrapped up in a duvet each and watching the fireworks out of the sunroof.

In the morning we could get straight up and head to claim our space with no messing 😀

I lived in a 309 for a few years coupled with working away where I got the luxury of b+bs.

It was fine and a lot of people around the world live in much worse conditions.

I'm sure you'll be fine for a weekend.

Worked as a site engineer for a while and lived out the back of an astra van, you wouldn't believe how many people are living in the back of vans on a week night...
Was fine, leave windor ajar and wrap up warm

if you leave the bike on the car, attach fishing line to it and then to your big toe, you will definetly know if someone is making away with it.

Dammit, this isn't a Roxette revival thread...

Afaik, provided your keys are not in the ignition and you're not in the front seats of the vehicle, a charge of 'driving under the influence' is not something the Police are able to make stick. If you think about motorhomes and camper vans, they have the same issue and don't seem to be a problem.

Before we went down the Kombi/camper van route we use to kip in all sorts of cars when going to events/parties etc all year around - as long as you have enough bedding you'll be fine. My favourite was an old Saab 900 Turbo we use to go to Talybont on Usk in every New Year for the pubs and riding, great car to dive there and 6' and a bit in the back with seats down when time for the land of nod.

perchypanther - Member
Erect a pop up tent inside the car before you go and sleep in that.

😀

If drunk in a car, even in back, Police presumption is that you were looking to drive it.

Depends (I think) - my mate got done for drunk driving whilst he was asleep in the back of his car but the keys were in the ignition. He was told that if the keys were in the back of the car (alongside him), he wouldn't have been charged.

I suspect as long as you aren't in the driver's seat and the keys are nowhere near the ignition then you should be 'ok'...probably depends on what mood the police are in when they tap the window though.

Saying all that though, I've never been drunk and in my car, so never had to find out. Spent a few night sleeping in it - it is much colder than a tent - probably more space in the car to try and 'heat', I haven't had any issues with condensation (but I've only ever done this during the warmer months).

Never slept in the back of the car though as the bike has always been there - Mitsu Legnum VR4, Fiat Bravo, Suzuki Swift and Ford Fiesta have all been slept in - all in the passenger seat in the front - have slept but it hasn't been comfy (although I have slept the whole night through). Have also slept in the driver seat of the Fiesta - not a great sleep as my feet kept getting caught in the pedals. It is a problem with smaller cars and being 6' 1" - never enough room in the back for bike and body.

Got a bigger vehicle now (Puggy Partner Tepee) so looking forward to kipping in the back with the seat reclined and front seat folded flat for my legs - leaves plenty room for the bike and other kit as well...however, that probably won't be as comfy as lying flat, which I'll be able to do if I removed all the rear seats.

Have done loads of car camping over the years, Scotland in winter, France in summer, Astra Estates, Volvo V70 estate, Nissan Prairie, Sprinter & Transit vans, Landrover Defender in the back and a roof tent.

One thing they all share is that as above they are all colder than a normal tent (apart from the rooftent ) and condensation in normal goods vans is particularly bad.

I always take a piece of foam for a mattress and a 4season mummy bag or a duvet if with Mrs RNP.
Head under load cover if you have one and happy land of nod.

I'm 6'5"

Remember to take a comfy warm hat. Helps loads.

OP needs a Tesla: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-tesla-camper-mode/

Depends (I think) - my mate got done for drunk driving whilst he was asleep in the back of his car but the keys were in the ignition. He was told that if the keys were in the back of the car (alongside him), he wouldn't have been charged.

What if you have keyless go? Doesnt matter where the keys are in the car then?

Dunno...

Spent two weeks driving a Golf Kombi/estate around the alps, bike in there with wheels off and bags of gear stuffed alongside it, a fold down chair and cooking stove, thick Thermarest and decent sleeping bag.
Wasn't too bad.

Spent over a month in a VW Sharan with all the rear seats removed. That was better.

Spent many weeks/months in empty panel vans bumming around the alps. Cheap folding sun lounger, Thermarest and sleeping bag, doors slightly ajar.
Easy.

So logic is your body heat just needs to heat the sleeping bag and a woolly hat to keep you snug on a thick mattress.

Bit of wild swimming for a shower 😯 ...Pub for food... sleeping under the stars...this is sounding much better!

As an aside - Someone mentioned earlier get a transporter...so whats the actual difference between a transporter and a car, aside from the converted kitchen type ones surely its just as insulated as a modern car?

EDIT - READ THE TESLA ARTICLE - BRILLIANT!

Someone mentioned earlier get a transporter...so whats the actual difference between a transporter and a car

Space.....and a big comfy bed.

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In terms of insulation, a bare van will be far worse than a car, a properly lined and insulated van will be far better, especially if there isn't too much glass.

Interesting reading about being drunk in charge:

http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/service/road-traffic-offences/drunk-charge-motor-vehicle

Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states:

“The defendant must prove that it was more likely than not that he had no intention of driving whilst the level of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine remained above the prescribed limit in which case, he is not considered to be in charge”.

So if you're worried, a bit of prep before you go the pub or crack open the hip flask could be well worth it - having your sleeping stuff already laid out - a text exchange in your phone with someone saying you're sleeping in the car, confirming the plan to meet them there at 8am to ride the next day, etc.

The onus seems to be on you, not them, so if they catch you wobbling towards the car and bibbing it open straight from the pub, with none of that^, and no evidence of any other plan, you might find it tricky to do any proving.

It's summer, even though it doesn't look it. I've slept in the back seats of my van loads of times, in all seasons. If it has been a sunny day your issue will be how to keep cool enough when going to sleep. Winter it does become an issue keeping warm but nothing a hat and two sleeping bags can't sort out.

Have slept in the back of a Volvo 850 T5-R estate up at Fort William and Golspie for a couple of nights, bike alongside me with the wheels off. I'd pick that over a hostel any night of the week. Tent was in the car for the Orkney leg where I left the car behind but wasn't even tempted once I set the car up. That definitely wasn't winter and was a great trip. Was riding on my own, think I may have got a shower at FW but the Golspie leg was just a bottle of water/shower gel/wet wipes post ride.