Sleeping in the car?

[Robert Edmonds]

I am currently driving something too small which would be even remotely possible to sleep in, however this may change next season. I was wondering how many of you sleep in or have slept in your vehicle while storm chasing for several days? If you can sleep in your vehicle and you do or you don’t why or why not? The main reason why I would likely not do this, besides the comfort of being able to take a shower, is my concerns for safety. Therefore what precautions would you take to try and keep sleeping in your vehicle as safe as possible?


Side note; I hope this is in the appropriate discussion area...

 

[Tony Laubach]

I'm one who sleeps out of the vehicle at least a few times a year. I bought a minivan for chasing with one of the big reasons behind it to camp out of it every now and then.

Never have I had any issues with safety. Typically, I bunk down in a hotel parking lot (wifi), interstate rest stop, or a truck stop. I have a sleeping bag on top of a foam pad which fits perfectly in the back behind my front seats. I don't do it as often as I did in earlier seasons, but when chasing solo, its certainly an option I give serious consideration.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Used to do it all the time when I was by myself my first few years on the Plains. Saved a ton of money. Now that I usually chase with a larger group, sharing hotel rooms is much more practical.

Back in 2002, I made cardboard cutouts for all the windows in my truck for privacy and to shut out lights. I got to the point where I could get a good, full night's sleep in there most of the time. Rest areas were my camping spot of choice, but occasionally I'd find a secluded spot that worked just as well. Without a rest area, it's hard for me to to find a good spot as I'm very picky. I want a spot where I am invisible to passersby and somewhere that police will not knock on my window in the middle of the night. I basically do not want to be seen or bothered while I'm asleep. Dead-ends of frontage roads (common in Missouri), access roads along abandoned railroad tracks, and access roads to remote TV/cell towers were always good spots where no one would ever see me or bother me. Got a quick shower at a truck stop in the morning, and I was good to go. Ahh, those were the days.

 

[Mikey Gribble]

I don't make a habit out of sleeping in the car while chasing. I usually try to make it home, but if I get tired I will pull over and sleep in my car. I plan on doing it a lot more this year because I have a new Xterra with plenty of room to sleep in back. Before I had a Jeep Wrangler and it was very uncomfortable sleeping in there.
When I chased hurricane Rita I lived out of the car for a few days. Its not exactly legal, but I would keep a pistol in the car and that made me feel a lot safer. Without it I would have been a little nervous sleeping in my car (in a disaster area) with thousands of dollars worth of equipment in there.

 

[bvassmer]

I have slept in my car before while chasing. I was chasing in the plains and our target for the next day was South Dakota, and that was a fair drive from where we were. Along the way we stopped at a rest area and grabbed a few much needed hours of sleep.

I think sleeping in the car is much better than being too tired behind the wheel.

 

[Robbie Cox]

Rule of thumb!
STAY AWAT FROM ROADSIDE PARKS. How can I be PC here ? (It depends what side of the fence your on.)

As Dan pointed out you can grab a shower at a truck stop for under ten
bucks.

Myself I plan my trips so I can be back at home or a motel every night.

 

[John Erwin]

I've almost always slept in my vehicle when chasing away from my area. I've found truck stops to be the best; easy access to showers, food and other necessities, often including wifi these days. The only problem I've found in those is that you may sometimes get a bit of noise from other vehicles. Other than that some Wal-Marts are also vehicle/RV friendly for overnights, especially if you buy something from them. I tend not to trust Rest Stops, I've heard of too many problems with them.

I've learned to set up my "sleep" area pretty efficently, with all the stuff I'll need quick at hand and not rattling around all over the place. The cardboard trick mentioned by Dan is a good one; I painted mine black and they're just about invisible on the outside at night; I also included a screen on two of them so that I can lower a couple windows a bit at night for some air. I also carry a small tent and have stayed in a campground a few times instead of elsewhere.

As far as safety goes I ensure that I can make a hasty exit from the area if required; the keys are in the ignition and the vehicle positioned to leave without having to back out or anything. I keep a trusty tire iron, hatchet and knife at hand, all of which are perfectly legitmate items to have in your vehicle. One year I chased with one of my dogs which was great for keeping the car safe when i wasn't in it (nobody would want to mess with him if you saw him) but not so great at night since he snores!

A great way to save money if you travel alone and don't mind "roughing it" a bit.

 

[fplowman]

We sleep at rest areas some times.. Im worried about the "weirdo's" there.. I want to put up a sheet across the windows and my chase partner / fiance' she doesnt mind and thinks Im paranoid... But I know the weirdos lurk.

I feel vulnerable at rest areas.. but hey thats part of the adventure...

I am getting old so my bones are sore sleeping in an economy SUV car seat. A hotel is nice when I have the extra cash.

Fortunaty most chases are a days drive and I make it home by 1 or 2 am so it isnt an issue except for long hauls.

 

[Shane Adams]

I've never done it while chasing but I have done it on regular road trips. I use rest stops and I always park at the first spot on entry....this way all other vehicles will pass you to get something closer to the bathrooms, and any would-be trouble can't sneak up on you, because you're parked in a spot where incoming vehicles are still doing 45-50mph on entry. It's nothing I'd recommend as a common practice, but it will do in a pinch if there is no other option.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I spent two nights in my van chasing March 28. One night getting there and one night getting back. It certainly was a marathon chase. Both times I stopped at rest areas, and I agree, its better to park further away from the building as there is a little less commotion there. There are a lot of people at rest stops at all hours, with emergency phones available (usually), and state troopers active in the area, so I don't feel at risk at all when I stop there.

I also slept out in the middle of nowhere last year and I feel more at risk when I do that as help is further away, and I feel that, although its more sparsely populated, the safety in numbers factor is gone. The spot I found that night was great, a babbling creek nearby, thousands of fireflies and a distant storm.

I'm chasing in a minivan that I've taken the back bench seats out of. I have an air mattress with an egg crate and blankets and covers. Its a regular bed back there, and its just as good as my one at home. Although its nice having a shower, I find it more convenient than stopping at a hotel. I don't have to find one, check in and out, pay, and I can be back on the road in a couple minutes.

 

[Doug Raflik]

I actually look forward to sleeping in my van. Not only do I do it while chasing, but on road trips I take for my photography job, doing concerts across the midwest. I used to camp 7 to 10 times a year when I was younger, so I have no problems sleeping with the crickets chirping. In fact I sleep better in the back of my van than I do at home. It doesnt hurt that I put a full size bad back there. If I am just tired and need a hour or two of rest, I will find a hotel parking lot. If I am spending the night, I will find a truck stop so I have access to bathrooms, food and showers. I park where the employees park. Its still well lit for safety, but there is less comotion throughout the night.

Doug Raflik

 

[Paul Stofer]

Its not exactly legal, but I would keep a pistol in the car and that made me feel a lot safer.

I don't blame you at all. I've been considering carrying a Glock 17 with me just incase. If you have your conceal carry it's legal. There are only a few states that won't let you conceal carry unless your a police officer, Kansas being one of them....

 

[Jay Cazel]

I don't blame you at all. I've been considering carrying a Glock 17 with me just incase. If you have your conceal carry it's legal. There are only a few states that won't let you conceal carry unless your a police officer, Kansas being one of them....

Kansas does have Conceal Carry now....and from what I can see MO, OK, TX and CO will let you carry in these states as long as you have a vaid KS CCH and follow there laws and conceal carry.

 

[Shane Reichert]

I'm pretty sure this is correct but in Missouri you don't have to have a concealed carry permit to have a pistol in your car. You just have to legally own it.

 

[Paul Stofer]

Hm.. thats really cool.. glad to know that!