Sleeping in my Jeep..Qs...

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:23 pm

I have an interesting question...

On two occasions now, I have gone to off-road parks here in the state to do some weekend fourwheeling. After dark, the rules say you cannot be out on the trails. SO, what I have done is I lay the rear seats down flat, spread out a blanket, and get some sleep back there at night.

Problem is, both times I have done this the temperature has dropped to 50 degrees outside and when I wake up the next morning there is thick condensation on all of my inside windows. First time was with the side window open just a tad to let fresh air in. Second time was with the windows all up and closed. Doesn't seem to matter. I always get thick condensation on the inside of my glass.

My climate controls are set to "face and feet" position, so while I'm in there sleeping at night the cabin of the Jeep should be vented to the outside. Obviously my body heat inside the Jeep and the 50 degree air outside are mixing to form the condensation inside the windows.

Anybody know if there is a way to stop this? Should I turn the climate controls to "OFF" position to seal off the outside air? Would that help any?

adamkrz · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:40 pm

As an avid camper there really is no way to prevent condensation without venting,even my high tech tents have the same problem,you may want to open 2 windows to get a little cross ventalation wich may help slightly.

QuietOutdoorsman · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:47 pm

As an avid backpacker and mountain climber I end up in a tent on the weekends relatively often. It is a fact that as you breathe you loose fluids. The condensation you see is almost entirely coming from you. As a rule of thumb, an average person will loose about 1/2 liter of fluid as water vapor while sleeping 6-8 hours.

Open the windows nearest your head on either side of the jeep an inch or two, and that should help. There is no real way to prevent the condensation except to stop breathing, which might have other consequences! Enjoy...

Dirk

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:22 pm

You might not like it, there is a cure.

Sleep outside or roll the windows half down with a cotton "hospital" blanket over your face.

Your seats fold flat???

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:42 pm

the1jferg wrote:

Your seats fold flat???

Mine do.

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:59 pm

yea on the 05's they're almost level when folded down

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:05 pm

Not to completly kill this thread, could someone post pics of their seats? Top and under?

If it was me, i would buy me some vent visors and roll all the windows down alittle. Even if it rains then your good to go with these. Do not buy the crappy ones that stick on, get the drawtite ones that are in-channel and will not fly off. Be sure to follow the directions b/c the glue must set up before you roll the window down. Its also best to put something between them and the window while they set up to put pressure on the tape. I love mine.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:37 pm

Buy a cheap tent, I recommend Eureka! tents, I've sold them for years and have had good luck with them myself. Set it up in your yard and waterproof it before you use it. Time how long it takes you to set it up so you can get it up before dark. Get an LED head lamp, they're easy on the eyes, small and lightweight, and produce a lot of light while keeping your hands free. Get a decent sleeping bag, a good rule of thumb is to get one rated 10 degrees colder than the coldest temperature you will be using it in. And if you don't find the ground as comfortable as I do, get a sleeping pad. I had to get one for my lady (not that I'm calling you a lady) and it doubles as a portable chair, pretty nice.

Rolling the windows down is the easy solution but it creates an entirely new problem, BUGS. Maybe the Jeep tent that attaches to the rear or the Jeep would solve your problems. Anybody used it? Do you use it with the tailgate or glass open? That'd provide enough ventilation and if it was a good seal keep most of the bugs out (You can never keep them all out).

Another thought, open the rear glass and rig up some type of screen for the opening. The open glass should provide a roof and prevent rain from entering, you'd have to put something solid across the gap between the open glass and the roof. You'd probably have to tire the glass down a little so that it slopes away from the interior. Cut a piece of screen to fit, sew an elastic cord or pull cord around the edge and I bet it would slip on around the weather seal for the glass. Maybe that's a little too constructive...I may try it one day.

x3rdxStrikex · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:57 pm

back when i mudded around in my scottsdale, i used to keep a Pop-tent behind the bench along with a sleeping bag. if i broke down, got stuck, or were camping for the weekend.....i'd just park the truck, throw the tent in the bed, lay out my sleeping bag inside of the tent, and have a great nights rest! No setup time needed! If it's just you, that would be fine for sleepin on the ground. If you were camping with someone else, it could get crampy....cozy if your with the opposite sex!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:42 pm

What would it take to get our older KJ's back seats to lay down flat? I remember when we were on the old website, someone had mentioned it.

Back to topic: Your breath and body create the condensation so you will create a layer of moisture on your windows. Look at it this way, nobody can look into your KJ and see you clearly. Sleep in your tighty whiteys and not worry about people seeing you. Always crack open the window for fresh air (especially if you leave the vehicle running- which isn't a good idea in the first place).

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:06 am

Or sleep naked, get arrested and then sleep in jail for the night..No need to worry about it then.. :shock:

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:12 am

Quote:

What would it take to get our older KJ's back seats to lay down flat? I remember when we were on the old website, someone had mentioned it.

Yeah, tell us!

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

QuietOutdoorsman wrote:

It is a fact that as you breathe you loose fluids. The condensation you see is almost entirely coming from you. As a rule of thumb, an average person will loose about 1/2 liter of fluid as water vapor while sleeping 6-8 hours.

What Dirk said... your breathing creates most of the moisture condensation build up and also compounded your perspiration too.

brpn#1 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:35 am

i agree.. window vent visors.. crack window.. zzz.. we have slept in the KJ a few times.. although not very comfortable (im 6'4") but we would travel to get here and arrive about 2-3am.. no reason to get hotel room for 3 hrs so zz in KJ.. one time it got below 20 degrees.. even with blanket and snugglin it was cold cold cold heh.. no foggy windows though

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:35 am

Sounds like a good idea. I'll try that next time. Thanks for all the advice everybody!

Liberty & Justice 4x4 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:09 am

This is what I use for the problem. http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanC ... d=830A350T

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:35 pm

There is a product I think it is called Fog-X that you treat the inside of the window with. Rain-X might even have a product like this also. Just check in your local Autozone / Advanced etc...

dog_party · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:14 pm

Give this a try. It was designed to keep your interior cooler in the summer, but it should work for pulling moisture out too.

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:05 pm

Rain-x fog treatment I don't know if this would work but it is cheaper than a fan and at least you won't have to open your window.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:38 pm

I just roll out my cheap coleman sleeping bag (if it's above 50) and use my goose down bag (if it's under 50). If you are worried about cold weather, these down bags can't be beat. I have camped in -30 degree weather in these bags-worth the money if you sleep where it's cold.

Sleeping in my Jeep..Qs...

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