Gokul

Hey guys,

Was just wondering if anybody here has tried car camping in the ML320 W163? The rear seats fold down flat and seems pretty spacious.
Any tips or advice on this front? Also, what did you do for ventilation? Kept the rear quarter windows open?

Maj. Dundee

MLs are ventilated via the rear bumper.

Gokul

Great! Thanks for that info Major.
Is there any way to ensure that they are properly functioning?
Also, do I need to set something up to ensure that they work on the days of the camping?

chassis

I have car camped in several vehicles, and have not kept windows open, or done anything else related to ventilation. Vehicles are not airtight.

Maj. Dundee

Remove the rear bumper and check the vents.

Gokul

I did a couple of car camping trips with the ML. Slept a total of about 4 days in the back of the car.
Extremely comfortable!

As suggested by you guys, didn't have to keep the windows down and the car vented itself. Just that during the summer it can be a little uncomfortable and my portable fans had to work overtime to keep me cool.

Thoroughly enjoyed it...

mihir_d

The camping use case of the w163 was in fact factored into the design of the M-class...as per this design video....

khomer2

Very cool

chassis

Gokul, thanks for the update. What was the sleeping surface? Did you use a foam pad or inflatable mattress? Or something else?

Gokul

I used an inflatable mattress. The first night it wasn't comfortable because it hadn't inflated properly. So, do ensure proper inflation before you sleep on it.
It was an inflatable mattress + a sleeping bag...