I have a 2019 Passport that I built a bed platform for. I originally planned to use inflatable backpacking mattresses but then decided to just try putting in a full size memory foam topper. And it fits very well! I didn’t even trim the sides, just stuffed the extra around the wheel wells down. Compressible memory foam is awesome haha.
Honda Pilot is a fabulous auto. Two people can sleep back there with seats folded down. Plenty of room. You dont need a mattress ya big weenie. Comforter & pillows work fine. Sure beats $200 - $300 hotel rooms on fun trips. The money we saved on a longgggggg trip up along the west coast top to bottom.....great great time.
I lived in my Pilot for almost 5 months last year. One great advantage of being short (4'11") I can totally fit on the middle row of seats to sleep. 😁 Ps... no mattress, just cushy blankets for padding were comfy. ☺
Just back from a two nighter in our 2018 Honda Pilot, using self inflating foam mattress with a factory shaped cutout for the wheel wells.. Plugged the holes between the seats with gear, so sleeping flat wasn't a problem. I highly recommend that you get some slip on bug nets that fit over the window frames, to sandwich the window between two layers of netting. This lets you have your windows down for welcome ventilation. There's also a netting that has a magnetic surround, it folds up to be spread out over the front roof top window - again for more ventilation - so long as it's not raining. Some use those plastic window rain guards over their window tops in case of rainy weather while your windows are down any amount for ventilation. Plenty roomy for myself and my wife to sleep in any position without disturbing the other. Even able to get in and out of the car via the passenger doors instead of out the rear door that might be blocked with gear. Yes, it's a bummer that we can't sit up fully due to the low ceiling height ... but it's still a welcome space after a day of activity, not wanting to deal with a tent etc. Another possible configuration, is to build a rear platform for your cooler and gear such that your sleeping area is on the floor, with space for your legs and feet under the platform, that way you don't give up any precious ceiling height. Most DIY installs show a sleeping platform with storage below, and sleeping surface above. With the spaces between the folded seats, up front, such a rear platform should offer plenty of utilization for a weekend type adventure, and you don't end up with a plywood platform that prevents you from using your second row seats when not in Sleep Mode. This is the self inflating mattress we used, of course, available on Amazon. Do a search for Heyoh-Automatic-Inflating-Self-Inflatable and "mosquito car window net" for the window and roof hatch products.
I totally agree about the rear window bug nets - I have some and they are awesome. I also have, but have not yet installed, the window flare thingies that allow the window to be cracked even during rain. I've been looking for a bug net that I can magnet to my front sunroof that I am able to open - if anyone has a link, please share it below. My back moonroof does not open to the fresh air....it's a window and is totally awesome for viewing stars at night. I'm a morning person so I don't mind that the sunrise wakes me early (I'm usually already awake anyways). I also recommend weather tech window coverings (shiny on one side, black on the other) which perfectly fit every single window. I have been considering building some sort of rear hatch kitchen that goes across the drivers side to the passenger side at the rear hatch.....allowing me to sleep with my feet underneath. But, then I get lazy and just pack everything in. Thanks for sharing ideas!!
Much appreciated, especially the measurements which very few people ever do. As someone who is like 6'2" it isn't always easy to get a sense of how much cargo space a lot of these vehicles have. I saw an older Honda Pilot I may look at. Was surprised at how much space it appeared to have. Just wish they got a little bit better gas mileage.
I agree, it makes me crazy that manufacturers insist on giving every thing in square footage, like we care LOL 30 sq ft could be 30 x1 x 1.. Totally useless information.
I am planning on camping in my Honda Passport this summer, so I am now searching for quick set up and take down tent that can connect to SUV as extension of living space and I can close the hatch for the safe night sleep and keep the bears away. Tent would be kept in roof box so it would not take extra space inside the car. Passport floor hidden storage is deeper and I think narrower so by pushing foam against the front seats I should have enough room in a back to be able to lift the storage lid and have easy access to camping essentials.
I have a 2019 Pilot that my wife and I use for overlanding. It's a bit tight for 2 people to sleep in. It worked better when we tent camped. The biggest problem with using it as an RV is that we had to move all of our stuff around to make room for sleeping. Which was a real pain. I think the roof carrier and hitch carrier would definitely help with that problem. The biggest drawbacks to overlanding in a 2019 Pilot are the following: 1. no full size spare 2. no good tow points. The tow point on the front is attached to the subframe and not very sturdy. If you don't have a tow hitch no tow point in rear. 3. low ground clearance and lack of bash plates. Fuel tank also hangs really low. Otherwise the AWD system is one of the best and with AT tires makes the vehicle quite capable. For the reasons stated above the Pilot makes an excellent road trip car but not a good overlander. With no roof rack or tow hitch carrier and the car packed full of gear we average about 23 mpg on a road trip. Having said that we actually did Schafer trail and Potash in Moab UT with the Pilot. It got pretty hairy in sections but we did the entire trail. That's about the limit for this vehicle.
I agree with those points. I added some Wildpeak tires last year to make it a little better, but I recently parked next to a Jeep realized how big the difference was with clearance.
If you lean the back against something it can be used as a chair. Also, if you’re light, then a 4” might work just as well and give you some more headroom.
Thanks for the link. If you get credit for it, I will order it from your link. Let me know as soon as you can as I would like to order today. Thanks. P.S. Is it memory foam?
Exactly the type of videos I’m looking for! Thank you for posting. Did you do anything to compensate for the angle of decline from the folded middle row towards the back of the Pilot? I would imagine that if you slept with your head towards the back, blood would eventually rush to your head, making for a rough night’s sleep.
Nice video 🙌🏻 I thought the Toyota Sienna was also available in AWD? I am looking into the new Trailsport Honda Pilot but would definitely take out seats to gain headroom. It’s just me and the dog.
You might check with this outfit. Copy and drop into UA-cam to see how they do conversions. "Quigley Motors 4x4 Van Convertion Factory Tour With VP Of Engineering Tod Quigley"
Thanks for the video. I bought an self nflating mattress and too thin, not comfy. What brand is your mattress? Where did you purchase and what size? Camping soon. Thx
Thank you so much!!! Thanks for showing detailed space and measurements when sleeping. I just sold my Honda CR-V and was deciding which car to get. What other cars do you recommend checking out? I have slept in my Honda CR-V (even 2 people). I am 5’10” and I can straighten my legs when lying diagonally. It’s pretty flat. I could use a little more room.
I have a 2014 Dodge Journey. With the seats flattened I can comfortably stretch out straight down the passenger side and I'm 5'6". That's without moving the front-row passenger seat forward (from a comfortable passenger position). If I did, I could probably get another 10 in. I love this vehicle. I was debating for the last couple of years of switching to a minivan, but I've had a hard time parting with this vehicle.
Looking to get a Pilot instead of a Sequoia (gas hog). You didn’t mention the model year of this Pilot (or I missed it). Do later model years have removable seats , hopefully ?
I just went out and measured, and am surprised that it is 30 inches above the 2nd and 31 above the 3rd. I thought the back would be lower because of the slope, but it’s not.
@@OffGridAdventure That is surprising since I figured it would be sloped. I'm on the fence about buying a Pilot or an Odyssey so that information will help me with my decision. Thank you so much!
I bought one of these magnetic mesh screens to fit on the forward moon roof of my 2018 Honda Pilot. It works very well - to be used only when parked. This lets me have my moon roof open for ventilation, while keeping insects out of my car. It folds up into a small package by using strips of magnetic bars that are in the hem of the netting. I just open my driver and passenger front doors to be able to stand on the edge of the floor and lay this screen over the roof opening… move the magnetic edges into place for a clean fit. Amazon product search: B07Q55Y9WC
Where did you get your fitted sheet for your tri fold mattress? Thanks
Hi, the sheet is here: amzn.to/3i2rAMz thanks for asking.
@@OffGridAdventure Thank you!
I have looked every where for the mattress you have where can I find one and what do I look for
@@danielcostner In the description, it has the mattress link where to purchase it.
I have a 2019 Passport that I built a bed platform for. I originally planned to use inflatable backpacking mattresses but then decided to just try putting in a full size memory foam topper. And it fits very well! I didn’t even trim the sides, just stuffed the extra around the wheel wells down. Compressible memory foam is awesome haha.
Thanks for the tip! Glad it works well.
Honda Pilot is a fabulous auto. Two people can sleep back there with seats folded down. Plenty of room. You dont need a mattress ya big weenie. Comforter & pillows work fine. Sure beats $200 - $300 hotel rooms on fun trips. The money we saved on a longgggggg trip up along the west coast top to bottom.....great great time.
I typically use that mattress in my minivan and mostly use an camping mat in the Pilot. There is quite a bit of space back there.
I lived in my Pilot for almost 5 months last year. One great advantage of being short (4'11") I can totally fit on the middle row of seats to sleep. 😁
Ps... no mattress, just cushy blankets for padding were comfy. ☺
Nice! I'm glad that it worked out for you!
Just back from a two nighter in our 2018 Honda Pilot, using self inflating foam mattress with a factory shaped cutout for the wheel wells.. Plugged the holes between the seats with gear, so sleeping flat wasn't a problem. I highly recommend that you get some slip on bug nets that fit over the window frames, to sandwich the window between two layers of netting. This lets you have your windows down for welcome ventilation. There's also a netting that has a magnetic surround, it folds up to be spread out over the front roof top window - again for more ventilation - so long as it's not raining. Some use those plastic window rain guards over their window tops in case of rainy weather while your windows are down any amount for ventilation. Plenty roomy for myself and my wife to sleep in any position without disturbing the other. Even able to get in and out of the car via the passenger doors instead of out the rear door that might be blocked with gear. Yes, it's a bummer that we can't sit up fully due to the low ceiling height ... but it's still a welcome space after a day of activity, not wanting to deal with a tent etc. Another possible configuration, is to build a rear platform for your cooler and gear such that your sleeping area is on the floor, with space for your legs and feet under the platform, that way you don't give up any precious ceiling height. Most DIY installs show a sleeping platform with storage below, and sleeping surface above. With the spaces between the folded seats, up front, such a rear platform should offer plenty of utilization for a weekend type adventure, and you don't end up with a plywood platform that prevents you from using your second row seats when not in Sleep Mode.
This is the self inflating mattress we used, of course, available on Amazon. Do a search for Heyoh-Automatic-Inflating-Self-Inflatable and "mosquito car window net" for the window and roof hatch products.
Thanks for the idea. I’ve been thinking about the slip in big nets and I’ll look into which ones fit the Pilot the best.
I totally agree about the rear window bug nets - I have some and they are awesome. I also have, but have not yet installed, the window flare thingies that allow the window to be cracked even during rain. I've been looking for a bug net that I can magnet to my front sunroof that I am able to open - if anyone has a link, please share it below. My back moonroof does not open to the fresh air....it's a window and is totally awesome for viewing stars at night. I'm a morning person so I don't mind that the sunrise wakes me early (I'm usually already awake anyways). I also recommend weather tech window coverings (shiny on one side, black on the other) which perfectly fit every single window. I have been considering building some sort of rear hatch kitchen that goes across the drivers side to the passenger side at the rear hatch.....allowing me to sleep with my feet underneath. But, then I get lazy and just pack everything in. Thanks for sharing ideas!!
Thanks bro good stuff, just one thing on your next one try to include level of the flatness. That would be pretty neat.
Great video I’m so torn from buying a pilot or a Honda odyssey. Big difference in money too.
Awesome video and great info on exactly how much room is available inside, exactly the kind of info I was looking for!
Glad it was helpful!
Much appreciated, especially the measurements which very few people ever do. As someone who is like 6'2" it isn't always easy to get a sense of how much cargo space a lot of these vehicles have. I saw an older Honda Pilot I may look at. Was surprised at how much space it appeared to have. Just wish they got a little bit better gas mileage.
I agree, it makes me crazy that manufacturers insist on giving every thing in square footage, like we care LOL 30 sq ft could be 30 x1 x 1.. Totally useless information.
It has a lot of space, but it’ll be hard to sit up in the back at your height.
@@OffGridAdventure The sitting up part looks like it'll be an even bigger issue. Any SUV recommendations there?
I am planning on camping in my Honda Passport this summer, so I am now searching for quick set up and take down tent that can connect to SUV as extension of living space and I can close the hatch for the safe night sleep and keep the bears away. Tent would be kept in roof box so it would not take extra space inside the car. Passport floor hidden storage is deeper and I think narrower so by pushing foam against the front seats I should have enough room in a back to be able to lift the storage lid and have easy access to camping essentials.
I have a 2019 Pilot that my wife and I use for overlanding. It's a bit tight for 2 people to sleep in. It worked better when we tent camped. The biggest problem with using it as an RV is that we had to move all of our stuff around to make room for sleeping. Which was a real pain. I think the roof carrier and hitch carrier would definitely help with that problem.
The biggest drawbacks to overlanding in a 2019 Pilot are the following:
1. no full size spare
2. no good tow points. The tow point on the front is attached to the subframe and not very sturdy. If you don't have a tow hitch no tow point in rear.
3. low ground clearance and lack of bash plates. Fuel tank also hangs really low.
Otherwise the AWD system is one of the best and with AT tires makes the vehicle quite capable. For the reasons stated above the Pilot makes an excellent road trip car but not a good overlander. With no roof rack or tow hitch carrier and the car packed full of gear we average about 23 mpg on a road trip.
Having said that we actually did Schafer trail and Potash in Moab UT with the Pilot. It got pretty hairy in sections but we did the entire trail. That's about the limit for this vehicle.
I agree with those points. I added some Wildpeak tires last year to make it a little better, but I recently parked next to a Jeep realized how big the difference was with clearance.
@@OffGridAdventure Same tires as me. Love the Wildpeaks. MPG down slightly but much better traction.
Thanks for making video cuz i may have to be making one my home.
Very helpful thank you. Going the tri-fold mattress way myself. Figure that way it can also be a chair, right? 2013 Pilot
If you lean the back against something it can be used as a chair. Also, if you’re light, then a 4” might work just as well and give you some more headroom.
Great Great video. Thank you 👍✌
Thank you!
Another great video!
Thank you!
very helpful, thank you
You're welcome!
Thanks for the link. If you get credit for it, I will order it from your link. Let me know as soon as you can as I would like to order today. Thanks. P.S. Is it memory foam?
It’s 3.5% thanks
Love it, would be great for a track day, pull my sport bike and save money on hotel by sleeping in the pilot at the track, problems solved
Exactly the type of videos I’m looking for! Thank you for posting. Did you do anything to compensate for the angle of decline from the folded middle row towards the back of the Pilot? I would imagine that if you slept with your head towards the back, blood would eventually rush to your head, making for a rough night’s sleep.
It’s not very noticeable in this Pilot. I sleep with my head on the high side. No problems.
thanks for actually measuring the interior length with seats folded down, that is hard to find from the manufacturer or dealer.
No problem. Thanks for stopping by!
4 in Millard trifold memory matress will do the job.
I agree. I have the 6 inch from using in my Sienna Camper. I would even try a 2 inch because the Pilot has a flat soft platform.
What type are the roof basket?
Nice video 🙌🏻
I thought the Toyota Sienna was also available in AWD?
I am looking into the new Trailsport Honda Pilot but would definitely take out seats to gain headroom. It’s just me and the dog.
It is. I would love to get one, but don’t want to make any vehicle changes.
awesome info thanks
Thank you!
Mini van all the time. Can you convert mv to 4 wheel drive???
Some of the Siennas are AWD, but the ground clearance is not as good.
Dodge & Toyota already have all - wheel drive Vans
You might check with this outfit. Copy and drop into UA-cam to see how they do conversions.
"Quigley Motors 4x4 Van Convertion Factory Tour With VP Of Engineering Tod Quigley"
Thanks for the video. I bought an self nflating mattress and too thin, not comfy. What brand is your mattress? Where did you purchase and what size? Camping soon. Thx
That’s a Zinus mattress from Amazon. The link is in the video description.
Thank you so much!!! Thanks for showing detailed space and measurements when sleeping. I just sold my Honda CR-V and was deciding which car to get. What other cars do you recommend checking out?
I have slept in my Honda CR-V (even 2 people). I am 5’10” and I can straighten my legs when lying diagonally. It’s pretty flat. I could use a little more room.
Great to hear! I like the Toyota Sienna for reliability and versatility.
I have a 2014 Dodge Journey. With the seats flattened I can comfortably stretch out straight down the passenger side and I'm 5'6". That's without moving the front-row passenger seat forward (from a comfortable passenger position). If I did, I could probably get another 10 in.
I love this vehicle. I was debating for the last couple of years of switching to a minivan, but I've had a hard time parting with this vehicle.
Looking to get a Pilot instead of a Sequoia (gas hog). You didn’t mention the model year of this Pilot (or I missed it). Do later model years have removable seats , hopefully ?
No Pilots have removable seats, unless you unbolt them. This is a 19 model which has the same trunk for years 2016-2022.
Sienna comes in AWD
what year pilot, awd, do the seats fold flat, etc?
It’s a 2019 and the seats fold flat.
How many inches is the headroom when the 2nd and 3rd rows are folded flat (no mattress)? Thank you!
I just went out and measured, and am surprised that it is 30 inches above the 2nd and 31 above the 3rd. I thought the back would be lower because of the slope, but it’s not.
@@OffGridAdventure That is surprising since I figured it would be sloped. I'm on the fence about buying a Pilot or an Odyssey so that information will help me with my decision. Thank you so much!
Get a minivan
I mostly use a minivan. Love the extra headroom.
I wish I can trade my small car for these cars
There are some good videos out there with small car camper setups. Good luck!
I bought one of these magnetic mesh screens to fit on the forward moon roof of my 2018 Honda Pilot. It works very well - to be used only when parked. This lets me have my moon roof open for ventilation, while keeping insects out of my car. It folds up into a small package by using strips of magnetic bars that are in the hem of the netting. I just open my driver and passenger front doors to be able to stand on the edge of the floor and lay this screen over the roof opening… move the magnetic edges into place for a clean fit.
Amazon product search:
B07Q55Y9WC
Thanks for the tip!