3 Yo How to Get in Bed, and Where to Buy Car Bed.

Christy,
I agree that a good place to look is on Craig's List, but I don't think a new bed is going to magically transform your son. My son refused his toddler bed for QUITE a while (not 9 months though) and it drove me crazy to see him sleeping on the floor of his bedroom. (Or as my mother liked to say: "On the floor...like a DOG!" LOL) But he did eventually get used to his toddler bed. Although, looking back I should have just skipped the toddler bed and went right to a twin.
As for the pee smell issue, all I can think of is to limit his liquids after dinner and use a very absorbent diaper. Have you looked into a diaper-doubler or liner? Once this issue is resolved you can have the carpet professionally cleaned.
Good luck.

I don't really know what to tell you about this one, but I know it must be frustrating. Maybe if you took the door off of his room and he couldn't sleep against it it would help. He may choose to sleep in the same spot, but you could see him or anyone staying over and maybe the openness would have him moving. He may feel more secure and closed in because with sleeping against the door he knows no one can enter the room and scare him? Good luck. This too shall pass.

My son loves his car bed, and it has transitioned very nicely for him because it has three levels. The first level leaves the box spring and mattress on the floor so the sides "cocoon" him, just like a crib. Your son might like this because you could show him how he is essentially sleeping on the floor, just with a comfy mattress set underneath him. The second level places the wood slats in the first lower opening so that the mattress lies flush with the top of the sides of the car -- much easier for him to hop out to go to the bathroom (though we still need a pullup even for this 4-year old -- boys take a lot longer to become night-trained!). Eventually, he'll move up to the highest setting where the boxspring is flush with the sides of the car, but the mattress actually rests higher than that. BTW, this is for a Little Tikes single car bed, NOT a toddler bed. They are not worth it for a 3-year old. The child would be too big for it in a matter of months, if not already.

As others have posted, save your money by checking out Craigslist. They are always on there. We purchased ours for $100 on craigslist, including boxspring, mattress, wood slats to change the levels, and hardware (though I chose to get a new mattress for my son). Make sure it is the bigger one, though, as you will see plenty of toddler car beds for $50 or so. The twin-size car beds would sell new for about $350. They are indestructible so you can probably resell yours again on craigslist. Good luck!

The toysrus in Owings Mills has a lightning mcqueen (from Cars) Car bed on display. I would gather most toysrus 's or Babiesrus's but call your local store if you have one near you.

I know that if I was going to buy a car bed, I would buy it from craigslist... people are ALWAYS selling them for less than $100, sometimes as low as $50.

also, don't underestimate the power of a sticker chart!!!!!!

I think the car bed is a bad idea. I don't think you should buy him ANOTHER bed. Instead I think you should find some reward for him sleeping in his bed. Yes, I read your post, I understand nothing else is working. There has to be SOMETHING he wants...like dinner at his favorite restaurant?

I agree that at least he's sleeping. So that's a huge plus. I think you may just have to deal with the smelly carpet and get it cleaned twice a year professionally.