Rear space to sleep in?...

5 messages, Last post on Sep 02, 2009 at 10:02 PM

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#4 of 5 Re: Rear space to sleep in?... [0311vn] by elementman Sep 02, 2009 (7:18 pm)
Replying to: 0311vn (Feb 13, 2008 10:34 pm) I'm now an expert on sleeping in an Element. I just completed a 6000 mile road trip from Phoenix to NJ and back and must have saved close to $1000 by sleeping in my E when I could. I discovered in Pennsylvania that the service areas on the turnpikes have excellent and secure overnight parking accommodations and free private showers. The showers were about the cleanest I have ever used!!!! Once I left the turnpikes I discovered that most truck stops have clean showers for $6 to $10. Parking is a little less convenient - I was told to park in the Subway parking lot, around back, by the road, under the light, and next door. Also discovered I could park in any roadside rest area and sleep. I picked ones close to truck stops and slept better away from the lights and idling trucks. In the morning I'd drive to the truck stop and get showered. Each night I'd pull in and set up bed. I traveled with the two rear seats removed, and slept on the floor with lots of padding and pillows. Front seats pushed forward. I'm 6 foot tall and slept straight, not hunched. The only issue I had anywhere was the heat. There is nothing you can do once the heat climbs above 90 or so. Humidity was another limiting factor. But in nice weather, it was great!! I traveled with an icebox and had milk on cereal each morning. Milk and cookies at night. By the way, it was a great way to travel!! No worry about making reservations or finding vacancies. I just drove until I was tired and then parked. Steve Replies to this message: steve_ (Sep 02, 2009 10:02 pm)
#5 of 5 Re: Rear space to sleep in?... [elementman] by steve_ HOST Sep 02, 2009 (10:02 pm)
Replying to: elementman (Sep 02, 2009 7:18 pm) I don't know if this trick still works, what with more security guards rousting people, but occasionally in the old days I'd park in a hospital parking lot. If someone asked you what you were doing, why your old Aunt Ethel was in for surgery and you were keeping vigil. Until the shifts got tweaked, you'd go to sleep around 11 as the shift change and the next shift would wake you up at 7. Then you'd go in to the clean bathrooms and enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria. No idling trucks but a busier hospital will have more lights and sirens, so the medium size ones were better. And if you got sick, well, there you were. For showers we'd find a college, but now all the dorms are locked up. Usually we're hauling too much gear to find room to sleep in the back of our van though. Milk and cereal is a must.

#4 of 5: Re: Rear space to sleep in?... [0311vn] by elementman; Sep 02, 2009 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: 0311vn (Feb 13, 2008 10:34 pm)

I'm now an expert on sleeping in an Element. I just completed a 6000 mile road trip from Phoenix to NJ and back and must have saved close to $1000 by sleeping in my E when I could. I discovered in Pennsylvania that the service areas on the turnpikes have excellent and secure overnight parking accommodations and free private showers. The showers were about the cleanest I have ever used!!!! Once I left the turnpikes I discovered that most truck stops have clean showers for $6 to $10. Parking is a little less convenient - I was told to park in the Subway parking lot, around back, by the road, under the light, and next door. Also discovered I could park in any roadside rest area and sleep. I picked ones close to truck stops and slept better away from the lights and idling trucks. In the morning I'd drive to the truck stop and get showered. Each night I'd pull in and set up bed. I traveled with the two rear seats removed, and slept on the floor with lots of padding and pillows. Front seats pushed forward. I'm 6 foot tall and slept straight, not hunched. The only issue I had anywhere was the heat. There is nothing you can do once the heat climbs above 90 or so. Humidity was another limiting factor. But in nice weather, it was great!! I traveled with an icebox and had milk on cereal each morning. Milk and cookies at night.

By the way, it was a great way to travel!! No worry about making reservations or finding vacancies. I just drove until I was tired and then parked. Steve

steve_ (Sep 02, 2009 10:02 pm)

#5 of 5: Re: Rear space to sleep in?... [elementman] by steve_ HOST; Sep 02, 2009 (10:02 pm)

Replying to: elementman (Sep 02, 2009 7:18 pm)

I don't know if this trick still works, what with more security guards rousting people, but occasionally in the old days I'd park in a hospital parking lot. If someone asked you what you were doing, why your old Aunt Ethel was in for surgery and you were keeping vigil.

Until the shifts got tweaked, you'd go to sleep around 11 as the shift change and the next shift would wake you up at 7. Then you'd go in to the clean bathrooms and enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria. No idling trucks but a busier hospital will have more lights and sirens, so the medium size ones were better. And if you got sick, well, there you were.

For showers we'd find a college, but now all the dorms are locked up.

Usually we're hauling too much gear to find room to sleep in the back of our van though.

Milk and cereal is a must.