Truck tent camping ideas needed??

Hey guys,

I have been searching around the forum in order to plan for a truck bed tent and sleeping arrangement. I’m sure most of you guys on here probably started off with something as simple as one of these before getting a RTT. I’m curious on what I can set up for a truck bed tent, I’m trying to decide whether purchasing a Rightline or a Napier truck bed tent. And as for sleeping arrangement debating on a AirBedz original or maybe building a simple platform that I can remove in and out. Oh and all of this taking into account it’ll be for two person + dog.

or should I keep it fully simple and go with a floor tent.

any ideas guys and gals?

or

 

I've slept in the bed of a truck with, and without a cap several times when hunting or fishing and not wanting to carry a lot of gear with me. I vote for a regular tent personally. When I camp I tend to spend several nights in one location, but need the truck to get around during the day. It is a PITA to have to break camp and set up again every day. I prefer to set up camp and leave it until time to go home.

 

I'd get a ground tent, save the time for tear down, and space. If you want to leave and go exploring and come back, your house is waiting for you unless someone steals it. Then just sleep in the pine straw with a emergency blanket. You do have a emergency blanket right?...LMAO...
I'm considering the same thing BTW. Eventually have a camper top.
Zim

 

Ok, any recommendations as far as ground tents go? For two + dog I’m guessing it’ll be best to go with a 4 person tent right?

 

I would look for at least a 6 man tent.

 

I have a rightline tent, though I got west nile virus before I was even able to use it, Hoping maybe next year if you dont have some world damaging event. You can get the SUV attachment for it too that adds more space in the back.

 

Don’t get an air bed. You’ll be pumping it up in the middle of the night. Also it takes up a lot of usable space. Look for self inflating beds instead.

also, the hard top is nice to sleep in as it’s a bit quieter in my opinion.

 

Ground tent. Bed tents are kinda impractical and stupid if you ask me. (No offense to anybody that loves there's) Big Agnes, Big House 4 (optional Vestibule) if you want something spacious for you, the lady and the dog. Although the Bunk House 4 looks like it could be pretty sweet as well. Marmot tents look nice also.

 

Check out a cot tent. You can put it on the ground, sitting on your bed or on bed rails. Pair it with an inflatable pad

KampRite Double TentCot

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000I64...colid=3HIH55CEWXG3P&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

$43 Klymit Static V Inflatable Sleeping Pad for Camping, Lightweight Hiking and Backpacking Air Bed

https://smile.amazon.com/Klymit-Lig...ing-goods&sprefix=klymit+,sporting,194&sr=1-8


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-rtt-for-those-on-a-budget.478273/

 

Over last winter we used mine as a warming house for the kids when sledding. Since mine doesnt have a bottom, its just the open bed, we put a electric heater in there, park at the bottom of the sledding hill and let the kids climb in there when cold... kept the snow and water out of the cab of the truck.

 

Msr Elixer 3 or 4 is a really nice reasonable option depending on how tight you want to get

 

I only find room for one person and one dog (and some gear) in the back of my truck.

 

Probably ideal for a novelty warming hut while sledding or to get out of the sun while at the beach or park or something like that. Or even while camping at the KOA for one night. Until you get all set up and realize you forgot to grab that extra ice in town and have to take it out to go drive 10 min down the road. I'm sure they are fine but you loose so much practical space that the bed provides, lose mobility and don't really gain much in terms of functionality. To me they basically scream "I'm a city slicker and I want to go camping but I really don't know anything about camping? I could get one of those cool rooftop tents but I'm not committed enough to buy one, so I'll settle for this." Not knocking you or anybody else, just my perspective.

 

I'd say go for a cap. If you're going to spend $300 on a tent, well you're in used cap territory at that point.
Get a used cap, build a floor w/ sliding drawers under it...
Here's an ad I just found shows how they camped in their cap. Price for the cap is... optimistic.
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/for/d/dearing-toyota-tacoma-truck-cap-camper/7096109196.html

 

https://www.gazelletents.com/

Super simple to set up. Plenty big for you, the lady and some dogs. Much faster and roomier than a traditional tent. I know a lot of people using them. For the money they are excellent!



buddies Gazelle beside my truck at Mid-Atlantic. Only thing they aren’t great in EXTREME cold, too open and airy.

 

Sounds about right, but I live in the suburbs, not enough space in the city. Last time I went camping was in 2001.

 

I have a Kodiak tent, and I love it. I use a single cot, put a small fold up table in it. My bags, etc fit under the cot, when not needed. Just me and my dog, though. Screw being on the ground, been there done that.

 

I was given one by a family member after they got a trailer. It's ok. I'm looking into a rtt now. The bed tent is a lot of work to setup pole wise. It attaches by plastic clips and some webbing around the tailgate, so not super hard to get out. Mine is made for a 6 ft bed but I have a 5 ft so that may have something g to do with it. My biggest issue is having to take everything out of the bed to setup. It's a big pain imo