Truck Camping

[Chrisj CMA]

We camp overnight at our hunting property but its a little un-nerving to camp on the ground in a flimsy tent and hear critters walking around all night.  So I found this and its really awesome.  We also got the air mattress that is shaped to fit around the wheel wells, but that's not in the pictures.

Its pretty easy to set up and the best part is there is a window at the cab so we can use the slide window of the truck to run power cords and get to food and stuff without having to get outside.  its really a neat invention

We cant wait to try it out.

[Valkorado]

You'll love it.  I've got the same setup, only Ranger sized.  I think the brand of the tent is Sportz III and the bed is Truck Bedz.  Bed inflates or deflates in two minutes with the included 12v blower.  Poor man's RV!

[john]

     years ago ...                    I had one of those ...
                enjoyed it every time .... good set up
         ???              sleeping on the ground and being awake'in  by something sniff'in me is for crap
if available ... park between the trees and stretch a big blue tarp over the whole area ...
                no more sleeping on the ground for me ...  ever        

[Jess from VA]

Nice setup Jeff.  I am not a fan of sleeping on the ground anymore myself.  Spent many nights under my El Camino cap.  Warmer than the ground too.  

You know, Walmart (and others) sell fairly cheap battery operated IR motion sensor night lights (I use them in my stairwells).  The light is not very bright, but at night with all your night vision, with a couple facing out each way on your cab top, anything moving around out there by the truck would be illuminated. Of course they are not a substitute for a big powerful spot or flashlight, but a nice little addition.

This is what I have (led wide dispersal, not a beam).  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Portable-White-LED-4M-Auto-Motion-Detector-PIR-Infrared-Sensor-Night-Light-Lamp-/190966933261

I'm sure there are brighter ones.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Motion-Activated-Detector-Auto-Sensor-LED-Light-Lamp-Battery-Powered-/331250715946

[Hooter]

Got one just like it myself. A good air mattress is the key, and this will give you some added security.  I can't sleep on the ground anymore either. Too damp and I wake up "broken" if I sleep at all. As for the critters, by the end of the third day of huntin we stink so bad we don't worry bout critters gettin close.

[Momz]

Used to use one of those when I went to Daytona Bike Week. It leaked in hard rain, it was uncomfortable in FL's somewhat changeable March weather.
But it was well worth it, considering the alternative (regular tent camping).

Being an older biker I needed to save money (hotels were out) and still get me to rallies and field meets.
Now I have a Toy Hauler, and have heat, air, a shower, and can also haul two motorcycles in comfort.

[dreamaker]

I had one for my Ranger and modified  for camping on the bike, got it at Summit Racing.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/truck-tents?SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending&tw=tent&sw=Truck%20Tents

[Big Rig]

That is the reason I got the cap on the back of my truck. I can also velrco a screen on the rear window opening to keep the bugs out and have fresh air...

Enjoy.

[Chrisj CMA]

That is the reason I got the cap on the back of my truck. I can also velrco a screen on the rear window opening to keep the bugs out and have fresh air...

Enjoy.

I use my open bed of my truck too much to be removing caps all the time.  Plus we can stand up inside this.  Im absolutely sure this thing will leak during heavy rain.  Every tent I ever used did.  We don't go camping when the weather is sure to be bad, so a passing unsuspecting shower may hit us, but that shouldn't be too bad

[Big Rig]

 

It is like being in a cabin...enjoy and Happy Camping.

[Gavin_Sons]

Buy you some spray on revivex watter proofing.  I used. The wash in stuff on a couple jackets and I can hold my arm under the faucet and it just rolls off.

[dreamaker]

Tenting is the way to go, love the smell of the out of doors, just that overall feeling, it feels like your alive, aching joints or not.  Motels and hotels, just creep me out, bed bugs and other peoples body fluids are creepy to me. Get a handheld UV LED light and you will love the truck tent.

[Mr Whiskey]

Cool set up! Hadn't seen one before.
We're eventually planning on a Time Out Deluxe with the screen room & awning.
Like the versatility, can pull with bike, truck, car, quad, etc.
Have looked at a lot of pull behind campers, Bunkhouse, Aspen, Roll A Home, Leesure Lite.
Chose Time Out because they're the only ones completely off the ground.
Doesn't hurt that you can add room or awning, a/c, has table that can be used inside or out, easy cooler access, & 16 cft of cargo space.
We like to take the bike, set up base camp, & go exploring. New rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, not to mention new twisties, haha!
Camp On.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap5NZP3U45U

[cookiedough]

I've seen these truck beds before, wondering how the side rope attachments clip onto the truck and if they scratch or rub against the paint of the truck causing any chapping or scratches?  I would think if windy out, the ropes/straps would rub and scratch the truck paint?

As far as waterproofing, do these truck beds also come with a top storm flap just like most regular tents have on top for more weatherproofing from rain?

Also, a bottle of seam sealer rubbed on the stitching works wonders along the sewn seams to prevent rain from coming in, at least it works very well on our normal tents. 

You can find the truck bed campers sometimes on craigslist for a reasonable price vs. buying new. I like the idea as long as you have a foam mat or inflatable 6' bed to lay down on in the bed of the truck. 

[Jess from VA]

The original pic already shows a storm fly.

[Robert]

I like the idea, I have never seen this before and for the waterproof problem couldnt you just get a tarp and throw it over it with bungees?

[Chrisj CMA]

I like the idea, I have never seen this before and for the waterproof problem couldnt you just get a tarp and throw it over it with bungees?

It has a rain fly already installed (in the picture)  Im sure a normal unexpected rain would be just fine.  Its just the torrential dounpour like at Cheaha that I would fear.  Hopefully we will be warm and dry at home during those.  Also it comes with strap protectors to save the paint on the truck....mine haven't arrived yet, they were out temporarily

[dreamaker]

I checked this stuff out a while back, its is for real, I think they call it Nano-Technology, they have the hard surface coating you can buy any where. I have seen on line, the fabric spray , it is known as, "Hydrophobic or Super Hydrophobic fabric spray", I have seen it on sale, just got to find it.


http://imgur.com/gallery/HUHSCwS

[Gavin_Sons]

I checked this stuff out a while back, its is for real, I think they call it Nano-Technology, they have the hard surface coating you can buy any where. I have seen on line, the fabric spray , it is known as, "Hydrophobic or Super Hydrophobic fabric spray", I have seen it on sale, just got to find it.


http://imgur.com/gallery/HUHSCwS

I tried that stuff, dosent work like they say. Works great the first time out but does not hold up. The best I have found is the reviveX. They have several different products for camping too. Have the seem paste to seal up your tents seems. Great product, I have confidence in this stuff, im going to do my riding clothes and I bet I wont even have to stop to put my rain suit on.

[cookiedough]

I still don't see in the pic what I call a top storm fly/flap/cover that is usually on top of the main tent and is bungee corded down.  I know most tents have a separate storm flap that covers about 80% of the main top and is a separate layer hardly touching the main tent on top.  I suppose though a small tarp on top will do the same thing for waterproofing in heavier rains.

I suppose a light towel over the straps or the included paint protectors would work in lighter winds.  Only reason I ask is I have a newer truck worth over 26K and don't want in 3 different places on each side of the bed all kinds of scratches in the paint.  The paint they put on these vehicles I swear are water based and paper thin that if you look at it the wrong way,  the paint will scratch and look like crap. 

I just got done putting my first thru the paint 7" long scratch in the paint on front bed of truck lifting something into the bed, not too happy.  I barely touched the bed with the object and looks like someone took a key and keyed it all up right thru the paper thin paint.   Spent 2 hours trying to buff it out, but did help some, but not much still able to see the scratch thru the paint.

[dreamaker]

I checked this stuff out a while back, its is for real, I think they call it Nano-Technology, they have the hard surface coating you can buy any where. I have seen on line, the fabric spray , it is known as, "Hydrophobic or Super Hydrophobic fabric spray", I have seen it on sale, just got to find it.


http://imgur.com/gallery/HUHSCwS

I tried that stuff, dosent work like they say. Works great the first time out but does not hold up. The best I have found is the reviveX. They have several different products for camping too. Have the seem paste to seal up your tents seems. Great product, I have confidence in this stuff, im going to do my riding clothes and I bet I wont even have to stop to put my rain suit on.

I am curious, the stuff you used, was it for fabric, or did you use the other one for hard surface. They have is specifically for fabric.

[Gavin_Sons]

I did use the fabric specific stuff. Just had better luck with the revivex brand.

[dreamaker]

Good Info. Thanks!!