A recent marriage often brings well-meaning advice – but when it involves sleeping in your car for fun, even friends and family might express concern. “No,” I assured them, “this is for fun!” They wouldn’t believe me until they saw the setup in my Dacia Duster. Forget Glastonbury glamping tents with their price tags rivalling a small mortgage; this rugged little SUV boasted a fold-out bed, a double(ish) mattress, and even a tent – all tucked discreetly inside.
Could this be the future of camping? A budget-friendly alternative to the increasingly expensive campervan craze? To find out, I planned an overnight adventure in a New Forest field.
My first hurdle arrived before the engine even turned over: the boot was non-existent. Fitting the “Sleep Pack” had failed to factor in how much storage space it would devour. The Duster’s generous 517-litre cargo area suddenly felt minuscule, swallowed whole by the sleeping system. A sliver of space remained beneath the bed frame for the tent itself, but my overnight bag, food, and essential camping gear were relegated to the back seats – not ideal, especially since it was just me on this trip (my wife politely declined).
With a car full of impromptu baggage, I set off. Surprisingly, the extra weight didn’t affect the Duster’s performance; acceleration remained brisk, and my usual 56mpg fuel economy held steady. After a 45-minute drive, I arrived at what felt like a camping site that had forgotten to factor in sun protection. My chosen spot lacked even a single shady tree, and the car thermometer already screamed 38 degrees Celsius – ideal timing for setting up camp, then…
It might be worth noting here the growing popularity of compact SUVs fitted with “sleeper” conversion kits, catering to travelers seeking affordability and practicality over full-blown campervans.
