Actually that's a very clever idea for the available space you've got and it's already made. Looks like it was custom made for the van. Just need to tweak it here and there to bring it up to date, like add a sink and micowave. What type of vehicle did you use to put it in, a regular cargo style van..?
For backpacking that makes for a great solution with less to carry. It's got everything you'd need in one small bag without having to lug a tent along. Maybe pack a tarp for a shelter should you encounter some rain. I've thought about giving it a go but just haven't found the opportunity yet..
Not a van, just a Honda Element! I love that rig as it is so versatile and has a lot of room for its size.
All hammockers who sleep in their hammock (vs lounge) pack a tarp and usually a bug net. Even if it is not going to rain, I set up one or the other as it isn’t fun getting woken up by a falling pine cone, small stick or even a leaf landing on you in the middle of the night. I have a super light hammock, bug net (and some with the bug net built in) and tarp but truthfully, my entire hammock sleep system (hammock, bug net, tarp, quilts, etc. ) isn’t any smaller and lighter than my super ultralight tent sleep system (tent, pad, sleeping bag/quilt). However, it is infinitely more comfortable!!! I have and back and two bad shoulder and all my aches and pains disappear in a hammock.
A Honda Element..? Wow from the pic shown with the doors open, it looks a lot bigger then that. So when you got everything in there, you've still got room to move around or I assume you'd need to rearrange things as needed..? I can see where a hammock would come in handy for you with that setup. Do you use a car topper for extra storage when traveling or is this used for just a one niter trip so less to pack..?
In my usual set up, I maintain about a 2’ x 4’ isle space to move around. I set the potty (or bucket) here at night and still have room. I sometimes set up a side table in that space as an extra workspace for the counter or even for tying, and I still have open space. When I am cooking in the rig, I ALWAYS leave a clear path to the side door and leave it ajar so I can get out in a hurry. (I also crack a window, have a CO monitor and a fire extinguisher.)
I was lucky. Mine came with all the basics, including the rainfly. Built in bug net that can be zipped away. The bug net came in really handy last summer on the Yak. Between hatches and mosquitoes I was left alone inside my hammock.
Great setup and easily doable, luv it..
So you used a regular sleeping bag for sleeping as opposed to a hammock quilt and bedding..?
I use a hammock quilt. I call it a sleeping bag since mine pretty much is without a zipper. Has a couple velcro points to seal up. I do have a self inflating hammock pad and a military woobie. I've found, even in the cold, I usually peal away the woobie and with under quilt and over quilt, with pad, and perfectly warm.
Gear whores anonymous, right there witcha!
One can use a sleeping bag but they will probably freeze in a hammock without any other insulation under you. The reason is that you will compress all the insulation and it won’t keep you warm. So, you need a quilt under the hammock (called an underquilt) or a pad in the hammock. There are other options but these are the two most common ones. Most people prefer an underquilt but a few people use pads in case they have to “go to ground” if there aren’t appropriate trees available.
It’s why I love you!
We're just family from different parents.It’s why I love you!
Yup, why I have both under quilt and pad. Like clothes layering. I add as temp lowers.
Yes, there are lots of hammock campers who use CPAP’s. Some people, however, find that they don’t need them in the hammock but that is between them and their Dr. (I assume it is only people with mild to moderate sleep apnea)
@Cdnred use a CPAP religiously. I use mine in my hammock. I don't have pics unfortunately but have a net I clip in near my head that my CPAP rests in. I run a deep cycle battery that sits outside hammock with a 12V plug that hooks into CPAP over the 110 plug. No converter needed, which extends battery life and cheaper than a CPAP battery. Though when I start hiking again I'll be buying an Airsense mini with small battery and solar recharger.
I have sleep apnea and require a machine nightly. I bought a travel machine, cigarette plug adapter, and a battery pack with a cigarette outlet. The CPAP setup I have can get me 5 full night's of sleep (~35 hours) plus 5 days of cell phone charging with one battery pack and it comes in at about 5.5 pounds. The battery is the heavy part of that setup. All in, it was ~$700 out of pocket for the setup. Insurance doesn't cover a 2nd machine...