[bwar]

Originally Posted by smekad

Not a good idea to have such structures built in back of vehicle. It would do you major harm if anyone rear ends you- the whole structure will become a projectile for front passenger/driver!! I think you should buy a good tent and a proper sleeping bag that can help bear the natural elements.. A much safer option i feel.

Thanks smekad for the advice. In view of the safety issues and me being not being to keen on pitching a tent I am probably headed to get a mattress/ getting a folding bean bag bed stitched to dimensions, unless of course someone comes up with a better idea.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

I recollect one episode of Topgear with such ingenious ideas but was not very successful ,

Mattress suggested by " BBR" seems to be a good option , maybe after folding rear seats or buying even two such mattress . I am using couple of pillows presently to sleep on rear seats in my Cars occasionally and will surely try this..

Thanks Turbanator. Do you have a link to their youtube video ?

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Don't do that. Forget any impact, even in case of a sudden evasive maneuver, they could be thrown about and get hurt. Keep them belted up in the rear seats.

Thanks Dry Ice. You are right. Safety comes first.

[adisag]

Originally Posted by bwar

Another thing that comes to mind could then just get a mattress/foam/bean bag cut to this size/stitched to this size and use it as the bed . This could also be rolled up when not in use as and when extra space is required.

The safety issue would be then be addressed. The disadvantage will be that we loose out on the space below the bed.

You could consider a hammock arrangement (made out of a tensile grade fabric) stretched taut across the full width and all the way till the front seats. You'll need to identify possible spots for anchoring (the grab handles above the door come to mind) or maybe weld in a couple of hooks in the corners. This can be stretched at maybe 6-8" below the window cill level, your stuff can stay below this level. The whole contraption can be removed and rolled up fairly quickly.

[bwar]

Originally Posted by adisag

You could consider a hammock arrangement (made out of a tensile grade fabric) stretched taut across the full width and all the way till the front seats. You'll need to identify possible spots for anchoring (the grab handles above the door come to mind) or maybe weld in a couple of hooks in the corners. This can be stretched at maybe 6-8" below the window cill level, your stuff can stay below this level. The whole contraption can be removed and rolled up fairly quickly.

Will look for places for anchor points tomorrow and update. Thanks.

[gypsyFreak]

Even i was thinking of sleeping in my Scorpio, all this stemming from plans of long drives up North and beyond.
I don't want to make drastic modifications, it should be more of just plug and play, where one person should be able to get it ready in 5-10 mins and remove in the same.
My idea is simple, remove the second and third row seats keep them home. When touring, want to sleep, then just move the first row seats as forward as possible and use foldable slim mattress.
Found this in Mall while shopping groceries costing Rs 827/-. Do check this out.
BTW, I still have to remove the seats and see how much room i get and then plan what to use.
I will definitely watch this thread.

[bwar]

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak

Even i was thinking of sleeping in my Scorpio, all this stemming from plans of long drives up North and beyond.
I don't want to make drastic modifications, it should be more of just plug and play, where one person should be able to get it ready in 5-10 mins and remove in the same.
My idea is simple, remove the second and third row seats keep them home. When touring, want to sleep, then just move the first row seats as forward as possible and use foldable slim mattress.
Found this in Mall while shopping groceries costing Rs 827/-. Do check this out.
BTW, I still have to remove the seats and see how much room i get and then plan what to use.
I will definitely watch this thread.

Haven't received the link/image. There's only 5 feet of space after pushing the front seats forward so if you don't remove the front seat, you would perforce have to lie in a foetal position / curled up on one of your sides. This is fine for a couple of days but for a long ladakh trip spanning approximately 2 weeks. It may not be the most comfortable option.

[manipal]

There are some online stores which provide something like the one shown in the pic

[bwar]

Originally Posted by BBR_SHR

Maybe you can try looking for something like this
http://www.ebay.in/itm/XElectron-Fol...item3ce586a330

Originally Posted by manipal

There are some online stores which provide something like the one shown in the pic

Thanks manipal. I think this is the same as bbr_shr has provided the link to above.

[COUGAR]

After a thorough checking out of the scorpio belonging to my very amused neighbour, heres my 2 cents. Rather than going for a full fledged mod, i would suggest trying out a QC (Quick Change) option- .

Keep it regular with 2 bucket seats in the center (most comfortable option IMO) and a bench seat at the rear. Weld/fit 2 foldable metal brackets onto the body behind the rear captain seats and on the b-pillar. Also cut a ply to size that will fit onto the brackets and lock in place. This ply will be the platform for putting the mattress. It will run from behind the front seats upto the rear bench seat.

Before a camping trip, pull out the mid-row captain seats (10 min job i am told), fold down the hinged brackets and mount the platform and mattress and u should be good to go in 30 mins. Reverse the procedure after returning from the trip and you are back to a stock city-runabout Scorpio.

PS: In attached image the RED boxes indicate where the brackets may be fitted. The ply-platform will sit on these brackets. One more option is to just fit the brackets to the rear, and fit a foldable leg contraption (like those see in charpoys) to the platform you will get made. These can be extended in to down position after fitting.

The rear bench seat which stays fixed forms the rear part of the platform. The effective mattress length that can sit on this is around 6ft.

[Thilak29]

This appears to be very hazardous, that too without strong barricade between passenger cabin and rear part. I strongly feel you need to ensure safety measures are in place before going ahead with it.

[noidea]

This question of mine is probably going a little off topic but will it be too much trouble to get yourself an Isuzu D-Max and fabricate a small custom built room on the bay area?

Though the vehicle does not have a 4X4, but from the review it seems to be a competent enough vehicle to take to Ladakh.

[bwar]

Originally Posted by COUGAR

After a thorough checking out of the scorpio belonging to my very amused neighbour, heres my 2 cents. Rather than going for a full fledged mod, i would suggest trying out a QC (Quick Change) option- .

Keep it regular with 2 bucket seats in the center (most comfortable option IMO) and a bench seat at the rear. Weld/fit 2 foldable metal brackets onto the body behind the rear captain seats and on the b-pillar. Also cut a ply to size that will fit onto the brackets and lock in place. This ply will be the platform for putting the mattress. It will run from behind the front seats upto the rear bench seat.

Before a camping trip, pull out the mid-row captain seats (10 min job i am told), fold down the hinged brackets and mount the platform and mattress and u should be good to go in 30 mins. Reverse the procedure after returning from the trip and you are back to a stock city-runabout Scorpio.

PS: In attached image the RED boxes indicate where the brackets may be fitted. The ply-platform will sit on these brackets. One more option is to just fit the brackets to the rear, and fit a foldable leg contraption (like those see in charpoys) to the platform you will get made. These can be extended in to down position after fitting.

The rear bench seat which stays fixed forms the rear part of the platform. The effective mattress length that can sit on this is around 6ft.

I love your enthusiasm and think that you make a very strong case for this setup. My Scorpio has a typical 7 seat setup which means the bench seat is in the middle and the two jump seats are in the back. I will have to check how this will fit in with this configuration. When you say six feet of bed area were you covering the front seats or were you getting six feet with the seats all way forward ?

Originally Posted by Thilak29

This appears to be very hazardous, that too without strong barricade between passenger cabin and rear part. I strongly feel you need to ensure safety measures are in place before going ahead with it.

Yes a lot of people have spoken about safety issues which is currently what is holding me back from implementing this kind of a setup with a wooden plywood board. Thanks for your concern.

Originally Posted by noidea

This question of mine is probably going a little off topic but will it be too much trouble to get yourself an Isuzu D-Max and fabricate a small custom built room on the bay area?

Though the vehicle does not have a 4X4, but from the review it seems to be a competent enough vehicle to take to Ladakh.

The d-max is a vehicle that I have been looking at picking for recreational purposes as and when they launch with a 4x4. My original intention was to carry my thunderbird 500 in the cargo area, but thinking about it, it also make excellent base for a tent. The biggest problem that I currently see with the d-max is the commercial registration which comes with its own set of problems.

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by noidea

get yourself an Isuzu D-Max and fabricate a small custom built room on the bay area?

Similar thought crossed my mind while going through this thread.

Do such modfications of the open loading bay area in the Isuzu D-Max require any specific approvals given that the model is available for commercial purposes only whereas such modfications would clearly indicate purely private use.

[ramkya1]

Great idea and ground breaking thoughts. Nice to see so many ideas pouring in. My two cents, been discussing with a friend about camping out in India.

• Our vehicles are too small excluding the front seat, need to be at least 6 feet long and about 5 feet wide with head room of at least 3 feets. (If centre seats can be folded down fully, its a possibility)
• Musquitos, vector brone problems and thieves, safety issues. ( Nets and repellants would work here)
• Camping not allowed in many areas including Ladakh. Have done 2 trips there, not seen many camping out. (There are enough lonely places to take a chance)
• Toilet issues, abroad camp sites are pretty well organized on this. (Stags can manage well)
• Ladakh single occupancy rooms can be as low as 400-600 at the right places (2 weeks camping can save about 10 K, which is something)
• Luggage to be taken for a 2 week trip to Ladakh needs space, if more than 2-3 people. Solo Ladakh trips on cars are few, cost, safety of the group, need for company etc., (If car camping possibilities increase, more solo will happen)

Please don't think I'm saying why it cannot be done, these are hurdles to be overcome. Watching this closely as I have a Scorpio and would like to see some camping / sleeping options.


--Ramky
======

[bwar]

Originally Posted by ramkya1

Great idea and ground breaking thoughts. Nice to see so many ideas pouring in. My two cents, been discussing with a friend about camping out in India.

• Our vehicles are too small excluding the front seat, need to be at least 6 feet long and about 5 feet wide with head room of at least 3 feets. (If centre seats can be folded down fully, its a possibility)
• Musquitos, vector brone problems and thieves, safety issues. ( Nets and repellants would work here)
• Camping not allowed in many areas including Ladakh. Have done 2 trips there, not seen many camping out. (There are enough lonely places to take a chance)
• Toilet issues, abroad camp sites are pretty well organized on this. (Stags can manage well)
• Ladakh single occupancy rooms can be as low as 400-600 at the right places (2 weeks camping can save about 10 K, which is something)
• Luggage to be taken for a 2 week trip to Ladakh needs space, if more than 2-3 people. Solo Ladakh trips on cars are few, cost, safety of the group, need for company etc., (If car camping possibilities increase, more solo will happen)

Please don't think I'm saying why it cannot be done, these are hurdles to be overcome. Watching this closely as I have a Scorpio and would like to see some camping / sleeping options.


--Ramky
======

Thanks for contributing. I think you are bang on with your observations. I cannot understand why they don't have completely flat foldable seats in the Scorpio which would broaden its appeal for a lot of touring enthusiasts. All the higher end suv's have it, also the rexton has the same. Even if mahindra were to offer a setup like this at a slightly higher price point it would definitely increase its appeal to enthusiasts like us.

I think with this kind of setup you have to travel solo as it would difficult for two beds to fit in with the smaller size suv's that we have in India keeping some space for the luggage inside. In case a couple need to travel together, then the luggage needs to go up the roof carrier.

[manjubp]

If your intention is to camp during leh ladakh circuit, I would suggest you to go for carrying a camping material. Adventure 18 has many camping accessories, including, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, AIr cusion, etc.,

Having proper sleep and rest is very important part of Preventing Acute Mountain Sickness, which causes difficulty in sleeping. You need good sleep to acclimatise to high altitude. So I would recommend a hotel or home stay or a camp, rather than sleeping in your vehicle.