I can't sleep! Feel trapped

[Arne]

In no. 1, I had windows only in the door.... I sleep head to back. On no. 2, I put 4 windows in, in door and by my head, so I can easily look out. It wasn't completely necessary, as I find a t/d 'cozy', but it does give me instant visualization to the out of doors. which I like.

pictures are in link.

[Reddiver]

I was a Navy hard hat diver. If you are bothered by claustrophobia that is not the job for you. That said I have started having asthma as an adult. Often in the mountains around different trees and plants I get a stuffed nose and asthma that makes it difficult to breath and very scary and feeling just not getting enough air Just thought I would throw that it is kind of weird. Probably not your problem good luck

[eveningprimrose]

Another consideration: Maybe it's not the "smallness", but the "furnishings". Maybe it's because it's not the type of bed you're used to sleeping on. What is your mattress/bedding in the camper?

When we first got the Little Guy, we laid down inside, on the little fold-up mattress that came with it. I felt terribly claustrophobic. I was very concerned. Then, we put in the air mattress with memory foam topper and the sheets, comforter and pillows from the house, and I felt just fine. I think it was the comfort of having my own bed linens. After a while, I bought a quilt and sheets, just to keep in the teardrop. I bought pillows exactly like the ones in the house. Even though we have the roof vent fan, I have a small fan that I keep in the cabinet, and leave the cabinet door open so it can blow down on me (I cannot sleep without a fan). I feel totally "at home" in it, now.

[Isalvus]

I made very simple screen doors that are as big as my door opening. I just took screen and bought some heavy duty (denim) fabric at walmart and finished the edge of the screen off with the denim using a hot glue gun and added Velcro to that edge and the insides of the door opening. Both doors can be wide open without any bugs getting in (bears might be another story) I can send pics if you're interested[/url]

[jdarkoregon]

Lady, You've proved you can be in the tear, you can take a nap and you haven't said you freak out, just that you are uncomfortable.

I'm all for big, or even giant windows, right next to my head when I sleep. But, what does the inside of your tear look like? Does it look like a box? If the answer is yes, why not decorate it some, kinda like HikerChick's Her's is a very cool, also comfortable, looking tear.

I guess I'm saying, take the box out of the teardrop and give it some personality, depth, texture, family pictures, make it a place that is interesting to be in and not just a box

good luck, I'd hate to be dealing with the issues you are

John

[emiller]

Fiber optic star ceiling like Duane's tear will make you think the skies the limit.

[rileydog]

Isalvus, yes, would love to see a pic please. That sounds great!

I did find the place that would make custom tent doors but they're 160.00 a door... and being they're custom and all, I'm sure not refundable. :-) Not sure if I want to spend that much on something that may not make a difference.

Again, thanks for all of the ideas. They're all great, and I've tried so many.. I will take pics of the inside. I think it's really cute. Have my little tiki mask in it, a nice tiki photo by a local artist, sassy little red carpet on the shelf in it.. It's a foam matress, but it's 6 inches thick.. pretty soft, I use 400 count sheets and a nice fluffy comforter. I think it's just my insomnia but worse with the small stuffy space, so I'm going to try the screen idea Isalvus if you'll send those pics, and if it really helps, maybe I'll go ahead and spring for the tent doors so I can use them all the time, rain, cold, whatever.

Great ideas everyone!

Ps... my one long term thought is to build something that can be attached by the door like a pop out of sorts for the dog (he takes up a lot of space). I know I saw something like that on here once, (it was blue), but I can't find the post. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

[eveningprimrose]

Ps... my one long term thought is to build something that can be attached by the door like a pop out of sorts for the dog (he takes up a lot of space).

The beauty of having a very small dog...she's got her own bunk-bed.

[hiker chick]

Someone does have a slideout for their dog and someone with a great memory for that stuff will no doubt be posting on that.

There was another discussion recently about housing the dog outside of the teardrop.

A side tent (an SUV Tent might well envelope your tear) could help two-fold: 1) providing a space in which to crate your pup at night (using a collapsible metal crate), and; 2) allowing you to keep a door open and perhaps mitigating the stuffiness problem.

Would your pup be happy, and quiet, sleeping in your SUV?

[BillandMarijo]

Our first gathering we were at a State park, everyone had fires burning of course late into the nite. Well it was quite humid and no breeze what so ever so of course being claustrophobic, I had to open doors through the nite because campfire smoke was lying low. And it was quite hard to breathe. So I do like the idea of some tye of screen doors. That would make it feel more open. We did purchase a 10x20 King Canopy which we are now waiting for the sidewalls to come in stock. That should help alot. I like to figure out some type of screen door so I can leave doors open to sleep.
Marijo and Bill.

[BillandMarijo]

Ps... my one long term thought is to build something that can be attached by the door like a pop out of sorts for the dog (he takes up a lot of space).

The beauty of having a very small dog...she's got her own bunk-bed.

Our Yorkie Roxsy didnt like sleeping in the Teardrop, she loves her collaspable metal crate. We tried to put her in the tear between us. No way she wouldnt have it. Cried and shook for about 3 hours till we finally put her in the back of the SUV, crate and all. With all the windows down. She slept like a baby and finally so did we..
Marijo

[Isalvus]

Chris,
I email pics to your hotmail account, Kevin

[Todah Tear]

I would be careful about using sweet-smelling scents in the teardrop. The scents may attract some undesired bees.

Todah

[aggie79]

Someone does have a slideout for their dog and someone with a great memory for that stuff will no doubt be posting on that.

I believe the "doggy door pod" you are speaking of is the one greasywheat built for his Camp-Inn.

[McBrew]

I do have a ceiling fan which I keep open but don't run unless it's hot out because it's a bit much actually.

You probably have one of the "standard" RV roof vents. They are noisy, yet don't move much air. Some folks have suggested a Fantastic vent fan, and I'm going to agree with them. I have had two RVs... the first one came with a junky/noisy fan. I replaced it with a Fantastic and it was quiet and MUCH more powerful. My second RV (the current one) came with two vents... one was a Fantastic and the other was a standard junky/noisy one. I quickly replaced that one with a Fantastic and I'm happy as can be.

I am still working on my teardrop, but I am certainly going to put a Fantastic vent fan in it. I've already got the hole cut out for it!

You'll find better deals for them online than in regular RV stores. You can find the model 4000 for around $129... maybe cheaper if you keep your eyes open.