Truck Bed Tent Recommendations?

[Diesel Thunder]

My wife and I are establishing camping as our hobby. This wasn't easy since she usually travels with a bag designated only for hair products. All of the forums are geared towards campers and towing things, but I need advice on a tent that sits in the truck bed. And a mattress. She refuses to sleep on line-x. I have an 8ft bed. Thanks so much!

 

[jeepit]

Before we purchased our TC we camped with a pickup topper and an old mattress thrown in back.

 

[BarryG]

You mean like these



Sportz Truck Tent



Pickup Truck Tents and Awnings



Truck tents | Full Size Long Bed pickup



I have not used one before but have a seen a few (not necessarily any of the above) out in the campgrounds.

 

[Regcabguy]

My wife and I camped in Baja many,many times in a tent and out of the back of an old truck. For eight years now,we've enjoyed the merits of a popup slide-in camper. I couldn't suggest this setup enough,especially if you have a space to store it when not in use. Unfortunately I don't, but the low profile nature of the unit makes it very manueverable in parking lots, and allows excellent handling on the freeway. You can find used ones in Craigslist,RV Trader etc. If your budget will allow it,it's a good way to go.

 

[steved]

I owned a Sportz Truck Tent II... they make a nice product. Being I had a cross-over toolbox, we ordered a shortbed model and it worked perfectly, lots of room. We spent a good bit of time camping with it before buying a slide-in camper. They are similar to a cold weather tent, the tops are not screened and the windows are fully covered by the rainfly. The only drawback is if you *really* worry about your truck's finish as they do require straps over the sides... I never had a issue with scratching, but I'm sure the right fellow would cringe at the thought of a strap running across his paint!

One thing to make sure of is whether of not the tent you chose has a bottom (that sits inside the truck bed)... the Sportz tents do have a bottom. Some are simply a portable fabric "topper" that sits on the framerails... they offer slightly more room but are not fully enclosed from the bugs/elements. Make sure of this before you buy...

We used a fullsize air mattress from Walmart for most of it... but they make nice air mattresses now that are specifically for a truck bed, complete with the cutouts around the fenderwells. PM me if you decide to try an air mattress, I have two that are currently unused and are nearly new.

 

[Tractorat]

My father in law has a pretty slick set up for his old chev pickup with an 8 foot bed. He just has a canopy shell on the back. I dont know the make of it, but has kind of a sleek shape to it (as opposed to a fully square shape), and the top is somewhat higher than the cab. The back has a door that is mostly plexiglass, although the whole back end can swing up for full access to the inside.



He's built what are essentially cabinets on the inside. They are just about even with the top of the truck bed, and wrap all the way around (side, front, side). I dont know how wide they are, but someone can sleep on either side. Because of the cabinet design, he has plenty of storage underneath the actual sleeping area. I dont know what he uses for mattresses. When when he goes camping, I know he is quite cozy and comfortable.



Now me, I need the TT with the stove, refer, bathroom, real mattress, etc

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

May I suggest either a Roof Top Tent on the back of the truck with room for storage underneath...



Or a Four Wheel Camper. Oo.

 

[AABEN]

As of now you could find a pull camper at a good price. Lot of people are selling their campers do to fuel prices. Shop around there is some good prices at the RV dealers. Do not go with a old one! I would look at 04 up. The RV dealers need to move there inventory they can not eat them. So do some hard dealings.

 

[Diesel Thunder]

Any recommendations for online dealers for small pop-up pull behind trailers? A small pull behind may be just the trick for us! Do they make any that can be pulled out onto a trail--i. e. "ruggedized" type?



Thanks all for your help!

 

[David Pendleton]

CJ8RockCrawler, would you please post more pictures of the roof top tent? How did you mount it?



Thanks.

 

[surfbeetle]

There's these by fleetwood.



Fleetwood Folding Tent Trailers Evolution

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

If you want truly rugged camp trailers, you may want to look into adventure trailers or Kimberley Kampers.



Adventure Trailers



Kimberley Kampers



David,



Here are some more pics of the mounting system. I never use the rack anymore now that I have the Four Wheel Camper so would consider selling it if you're interested. We can discuss through PM if you'd like.



Kyle