Vault vent for sleeping

[Cybergirl]

I'm going off-roading in the Tonto National Forest next week with three overnight camping stays planned. Since flies and mosquitoes are likely to be a problem with water nearby (Roosevelt and Apache lakes), I needed a way to ventilate the vault when sleeping to keep the CO2 level down. I made this device to allow air in and keep the bugs out. I made it using two 3/8" thick pine boards, hinged in the middle so it can be inserted into the tonneau tracks on both sides. Common screened soffit/gable vents cover cutouts in the boards. I borrowed the aluminum angle irons from my A/C Lexan insert to add strength to the vent panels. Here it is installed.

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[Cyber_Skerple]

design looks cool. how do you gauge the level of CO2?

 

[Crissa]

That looks way overkill, I'd have just used some window screen.

-Crissa

 

[davidktdave]

So cool!

 

[Carlos Thomas]

Sleep inside and call it a day.

 

[Cybergirl]

design looks cool. how do you gauge the level of CO2?

I have an Aranet meter that gives the CO2 concentration in parts per million. Fresh air is 420 ppm, healthy indoor air is <1500 ppm, and OSHA allows up to 5000 ppm. Without supplemental ventilation I measured ~2500 ppm in the vault with one person lying still in less than an hour. Opening the tonneau cover just an inch or two reduced the CO2 to near 500 ppm (with a slight wind blowing outside).

 

[Cybergirl]

Sleep inside and call it a day.

I haven't tried sleeping in the cab. It's an option for one person, but not for two. It has advantages over sleeping in the vault. You can use Camp Mode, watch a movie, get to the driver's seat, and avoid feelings of claustrophobia if that's an issue for you.

However, after sleeping in the vault on three occasions, I like it a lot, especially being able to stretch out (I'm 5' 9"). It's a very secure place to spend the night at a rest area, and it's stealthy (I've been chased out of a parking lot by security for sleeping in my car). An electric blanket is an excellent way to stay warm while breathing cool air, and it consumes less energy if you put a regular blanket over it to hold in the heat.

 

[Cybergirl]

Okay, show us a design that's practical and effective.

 

[Cyber_Skerple]

I have an Aranet meter that gives the CO2 concentration in parts per million. Fresh air is 420 ppm, healthy indoor air is <1500 ppm, and OSHA allows up to 5000 ppm. Without supplemental ventilation I measured ~2500 ppm in the vault with one person lying still in less than an hour. Opening the tonneau cover just an inch or two reduced the CO2 to near 500 ppm (with a slight wind blowing outside).

wow! that's interesting as heck. gotta look into this.

 

[Carlos Thomas]

Correct, sleeping inside the cabin is only room for 1 person. For reference, I am 6'1 and a side sleeper.

 

[FarAway]

I'm going off-roading in the Tonto National Forest next week with three overnight camping stays planned. Since flies and mosquitoes are likely to be a problem with water nearby (Roosevelt and Apache lakes), I needed a way to ventilate the vault when sleeping to keep the CO2 level down. I made this device to allow air in and keep the bugs out. I made it using two 3/8" thick pine boards, hinged in the middle so it can be inserted into the tonneau tracks on both sides. Common screened soffit/gable vents cover cutouts in the boards. I borrowed the aluminum angle irons from my A/C Lexan insert to add strength to the vent panels. Here it is installed.

Nice engineering!
Some black paint and a small usb powered fan and you are done!

 

[Cybergirl]

Nice engineering!
Some black paint and a small usb powered fan and you are done!

on the black paint. I'll be testing it without a fan next week while camping. Hopefully no fan is needed.

 

[rjbonds]

Sleep inside and call it a day.

Sleep inside and call it a day.

Cool accessory! looks like a great fit. Is this made specifically for the cybertruck? could you please post a link for this product?

 

[puchanix]

I'm going off-roading in the Tonto National Forest next week with three overnight camping stays planned. Since flies and mosquitoes are likely to be a problem with water nearby (Roosevelt and Apache lakes), I needed a way to ventilate the vault when sleeping to keep the CO2 level down. I made this device to allow air in and keep the bugs out. I made it using two 3/8" thick pine boards, hinged in the middle so it can be inserted into the tonneau tracks on both sides. Common screened soffit/gable vents cover cutouts in the boards. I borrowed the aluminum angle irons from my A/C Lexan insert to add strength to the vent panels. Here it is installed.

Very cool! I am curious about which mattress you are using. Seems like the more comfortable ones are thicker so could be an issue as far as headroom?

Thanks for sharing!

A.

 

[Cybergirl]

Very cool! I am curious about which mattress you are using. Seems like the more comfortable ones are thicker so could be an issue as far as headroom?

Thanks for sharing!

A.

I use two ExPed 3" thick air mattresses that fit nicely in the vault.

Headroom is not reduced much. After setting up for the night with the tonneau cover fully open, we settle into bed and close the tonneau over us. There's enough room inside to prop up a pillow and read with the bed lights turned way up.

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