944 “Car Tent” Camping and Canoe Trip

[OK-944]

(Also posted in 944 section…posting here for general interest)

A canoe camping trip, with one night on the mainland plus two on an island, finally provided the perfect excuse to finally give my “944 car-camp tent” idea a try.

First - the canoe…a 16 foot Kevlar “Ranger,” mounted on Yakima racks and guyed by threading polypropylene rope through existing holes on bottoms of front and rear bumpers. Works like a charm and rides smoothly and solidly, completely without vibration or excess noise:


For sleeping arrangements - I first removed the passenger seat, “replacing” this with the large (65qt) Yeti (on a pad), atop which I placed another pad plus custom made, 3/4” ply topper. Note the curved recess cut out to allow for comfortable shifting:


View from front, with “feet” position in foreground - providing plenty of room for my 6’1” frame (additional yoga mat and Therma rest pad not shown):


On the outside, the rain fly from a large Sierra Designs tent, thrown over the car (with hatch open) and guy-lined to the ground. Rear zips on either side provide great access, plus the narrow plastic window (one in front also) perfectly positioned to see outside:


Front view - not perfect, but workable. The coverage was more than enough to allow windows to remain open to provide good ventilation while still keeping bugs out:


Finally, the reward: two nights on a perfect island campsite on Flagstaff Lake in central Maine. Fourth largest lake in Maine at over 20,000 acres…we had this lake (or at least all that we could see and explore over two days) completely to ourselves. Here’s an evening view from our campsite:


Postscript: My ‘87NA, with canoe attached and loaded with gear plus 65qt. Yeti cooler full of ice, still achieved just over 27mpg over 320 miles of mostly empty northern NH/Maine roads (lots of twist and sweepers - nice!).

[GH85Carrera]

The 944 or 924 can carry a lot of stuff. It is likely a great vehicle for that if you like camping.

Personally, I consider a motel room with no WiFi and no TV, and a view of some tress to be camping.

My brother has the camping gene in my family. Enjoy!

[cockerpunk]

camped out of the back of both a 951, and an NB miata. both work well, just gotta pack accordingly.

[Eric Hahl]

Looks like a great idea. I have a Subaru Outback I camp in the back of. I recently bought a tentbox roof tent for it though. They say it takes one minute to setup, we'll see. Should be here tomorrow.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I did that a time or two, until ....

late one night I woke up with an animal walking around right outside the car, it had been raining, so the windows were all fogged up, and things were so tight, I couldn't sit up to really get a look around. I could wipe the fog off the windows, but my light would just reflect back in my face, lighting myself up in the car.

It was such a contortion act, I couldn't get access to get out of the door quick even if I wanted to. I was all shoehorned up in that thing.

Fun and done. I stay in hotels now.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

I did that a time or two, until ....

late one night I woke up with an animal walking around right outside the car, it had been raining, so the windows were all fogged up, and things were so tight, I couldn't sit up to really get a look around. I could wipe the fog off the windows, but my light would just reflect back in my face, lighting myself up in the car.

It was such a contortion act, I couldn't get access to get out of the door quick even if I wanted to. I was all shoehorned up in that thing.

Fun and done. I stay in hotels now.

So what you are saying is that you nearly saw a Bigfoot and sleep in hotels now, just to be safe…

[Bill Douglas]

Nice Canoe. Kevlar

I also do the front tiedown thing with my Canadian canoe. Gotta avoid that luft especially in der Porsche.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

So what you are saying is that you nearly saw a Bigfoot and sleep in hotels now, just to be safe…

All that stood between me and squatch was a 944 rear glass hatch!!!!!

I think Ok-944's setup is way better than mine though. Much better space and ventilation. Squatches usually don't mess with tents either.

[Chocaholic]

Too bad it’s not a 968. You could have brought a hot tub too!

[2.7RS]

Reminds me of a Top Gear episode where Jeremy turns a 944 into an ambulance

[Hads930]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Looks like a great idea. I have a Subaru Outback I camp in the back of. I recently bought a tentbox roof tent for it though. They say it takes one minute to setup, we'll see. Should be here tomorrow.

Eric would you mind posting a few pics once you get that set up? We just bought our daughter an Outback.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by Hads930

Eric would you mind posting a few pics once you get that set up? We just bought our daughter an Outback.

Will do. It should arrive today. Probably have it installed by tomorrow. In the meantime, it is the Tentbox Classic 2.0

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Will do. It should arrive today. Probably have it installed by tomorrow. In the meantime, it is the Tentbox Classic 2.0

Wow $2,795 for a tent. I wonder if their clients ask where do you plug in the espresso machine.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Wow $2,795 for a tent. I wonder if their clients ask where do you plug in the espresso machine.

I didn't.

[Eric Hahl]

It arrived.

[SCadaddle]

Man, you guys roughing it!
I've got a singing Pterodactyl and a night stand in my VW Microbus living large remodeling the living room based on what's in front of a neighborhood home on the morning of garbage day!

[SCadaddle]

[Eric Hahl]

Installed in less than 30 minutes.

[Seahawk]

Very nice.

Is there storage available when stowed.

My son is getting married in a year and this would be a great gift for at least one of them

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Very nice.

Is there storage available when stowed.

My son is getting married in a year and this would be a great gift for at least one of them

That would be much more comfortable than sleeping "in the dog house".