Sleeping in the car
Sleeping in the car: A new trend
More and more people sleep in car during trips and holidays. Sometimes to rest for a few hours, but increasingly as an alternative to a hotel, tent or B&B. In recent years, there has been a trend towards using the car for daily use during holidays convertible into a minicamper. The popularity of MPVs or small vans like the Citroën Berlingo and the larger VW Transporters has certainly contributed to this.
Sleeping in a minicamper!
Converting your car into a minicamper using a camper box, such as the camper-in-a-box, is a popular choice among adventurers who like to travel flexibly and independently. One of the most important aspects of a successful camping experience is a comfortable sleeping environment. In this article, we discuss how to achieve this and give practical tips to ensure you can sleep well in your car.
Sleeping in the car: Blackout and sunshades
A good night's sleep starts with blackout. A good choice is to use sunshades for that. Sunshades are important not only to keep the temperature in your car bearable, but also to keep your sleeping area dark. Not everyone likes waking up at first light in the morning. A well-darkened sleeping area will allow you to sleep longer and better in car.
Privacy and protection
Car sun screens also give you privacy and protection. The screens ensure that you are not overlooked. This is nice if you have valuables in your car. But the sunshades also ensure that what happens in the car is not visible to people outside the car. Nice when you are sleeping in the car!
Sleeping in the car: Choosing the right sunshades
When choosing the right sunshades, make sure they completely cover the windows. There are many cheap universal sunshades for sale. These screens often cover only part of the windows and thus help keep out the sun and view only to a limited extent. It is better to choose screens specially made for the windows of the specific make and model of your car.
Full sun blocking
In addition, it is best to choose screens that completely block out the sun. Many cheap screens are made of a kind of mesh. This seems nice, but is unsuitable if you want to sleep in the car. This mesh ensures that if you turn on a light, you will be completely visible from outside the car. Not to mention the sunlight peeping in early in the morning.
Sleeping in the car: attaching sunshades
Awnings also need to be attached. Attaching and removing them again is something you will do often during use. If this is awkward, you'll soon be done with it! Choose a solid system with suction cups or magnets.
Quality of awnings
Finally, it's best to also look at the quality of sunshades. Many cheap sets, especially made in China, are made of ditto materials. These kinds of sets are just cheap for a reason. We tried many sets, and many of them could be tossed straight into the bin after a single use.
Sleeping in the car: Awnings by carblinds.be
Sunshades from carblinds.be are an excellent choice for their quality and ease of use. They are handmade to measure for your car, in the workshop in Spain. Toni and his team assemble the screens from 9 layers of the best materials.
Carblinds screens insulate and keep the greatest heat out in summer and heat in during the colder seasons. The screens do not let any light through at all. So inside the car is really dark.
Carblinds also guarantees longevity, allowing you to enjoy the protection the screens provide for years to come.
The screens are easily attached to the windows, either with solid suction cups or, depending on the make and model of car, with magnets. Fast attachment and removal is therefore no problem here.
Other accessories for sleeping comfort
Besides awnings, there are other accessories that can improve your sleeping comfort. Consider, for example, a good mattress or sleeping mat. A camper box such as the camper-in-a-box often offers an integrated bed, but you can also opt for an inflatable mattress or a self-inflating sleeping mat for extra comfort. Make sure your bedding is of good quality and that you have a good sleeping bag or duvet to stay warm during cold nights.
Sleeping in the car: ventilation
Another important aspect is ventilation. Ensure adequate air circulation in your car to avoid condensation and stuffiness. This can easily be achieved by leaving a small window ajar or, in places where it is safe to do so, opening a sliding door or tailgate. A constant airflow will help to ensure a comfortable sleeping environment.
Organising your sleeping space
Finally, don't forget to keep your sleeping space well organised. Keep your belongings neat and tidy so that you have enough space to lie comfortably. Use storage boxes or bags to organise your clothes and other essentials. A well-organised sleeping space contributes to a relaxed and restful environment.
Sleeping in the car: Definitely do it!
With these tips, you can enjoy a comfortable night's sleep in your car, no matter where your adventure takes you. Whether you choose awnings from carblinds.be or come up with your own creative solutions, good preparation is the key to a successful camping experience. Have fun and sleep well in your car!