Truck Bed Tents

[Speedo2]

Having been inspired by some recent postings here on F150's, I went ahead and ordered one of them Lariats and I'm now considering some options to reduce the debilitating stigma of the automatic tail gate and granny step (..or perhaps because of those features). Anyways, I'm considering getting a truck tent in order to re-experience the joys of camping and thereby recover my man card. Also, the idea of sleeping above the ground and on a bed-fitting air mattress is just sort of appealing.

So some questions for those that may have, or used truck tents:

Napier, RightGear or Kodiac? I'm thinking Napier Sport or Backwoods for the price and weight, but I'm not sold on the long-term reliability of nylon vs. canvas.

Why is a tent floor really necessary for a truck tent?

The truck will have a tonneau (BakFlip G2). Will a truck tent require the complete removal of it, or could it be left folded against the cab? If so, would that prevent access to the cab through the rear window?

Any experienced recommendations are welcome. Thanks - S2

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Cannot answer those questions, but have looked at them. MY questions was, what about all the gear I keep in the truck bed??? From what I have seen, they would have to be removed every morning, if you planned on driving the truck-- JMHO

 

[walnutred]

I've been looking at them as well. Right now I'm leaning to the floorless version because you do not need to unload the bed before you set it up.

 

[soFlaNative]

Saw a pic in an Optics Planet e-mail, dome type. Wondered what keeps the bed from filling when it rains without tarping the truck.

 

[finesse_r]

First thing I do with all my pickup trucks is to put a hard shell camper top on the bed. Beats any tent and is bear proof to some extent if you are camping in the high country.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I also like the cab High shells.
They are relatively secure and water proof.
I have slept in them on a number of occasions.

 

[Shootbrownelk]

First thing I do with all my pickup trucks is to put a hard shell camper top on the bed. Beats any tent and is bear proof to some extent if you are camping in the high country.

I agree, a hard shell cap beats the bejesus out of some flimsy canvas or worse yet, nylon tent. The tents are a PITA to set-up when you're tired. Then you have to unpack before set-up.
The hard side truck cap is ready to go as soon as you park, open the door get in and hit the sack. You can't use soft side tents or pop-up campers in many campgrounds out west in Bear country. Hard side only. All I see in those truck bed tents are a bunch of negatives.

 

[doublesharp]

I agree with the cab height hard side topper.

I've got a G2 Bakflip bed cover and love it but I don't see how it could stay on and also use a truck tent. If you fold the BF all the way open, the 3 sections lean against the back of the truck cab and would completely block access to the rear window.

 

[JJEH]

So some questions for those that may have, or used truck tents:

Napier, RightGear or Kodiac? I'm thinking Napier Sport or Backwoods for the price and weight, but I'm not sold on the long-term reliability of nylon vs. canvas.

Why is a tent floor really necessary for a truck tent?

The truck will have a tonneau (BakFlip G2). Will a truck tent require the complete removal of it, or could it be left folded against the cab? If so, would that prevent access to the cab through the rear window?

Any experienced recommendations are welcome. Thanks - S2

We have some Rightline Gear and love it. It's made in China but heavy duty. And our SUV tent is holding up way better than I expected. It's also easy to set up (after the first time) and take down.

Their truck tent site says

Floorless design allows for set up without removing gear from the bed.

Not sure about access from the back window but I'd call them and ask them all the questions.

What to get depends on what you want. The tent you have to take down if you are driving, unless you only do 5mph and don't go farther than half a mile...

Maybe a camper shell with sliding windows makes more sense?!

 

[Jessie]

I have to agree with the hard shell. Otherwise, it would be a real pain to set the tent version up or down in bad weather.
I looked at them myself but decided on the hard cap and a gazebo type that you can set up and just back partially into.
Set up your kitchen outside underneath and unload whatever cargo under the gazebo. Or just climb in and shove enough stuff out of the way to lay down and go to sleep. Wake up, drive away...no takedown involved.

 

[wittmeba]

Lots of pictures - click any image to enlarge, then click Visit page to more information.

https://www.google.com/search?q=tru...zmsATpiYLADQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1470&bih=871

 

[Farmer17]

I love tent camping and have looked at the tents for truck beds and I did a lot of research and decided a plain 'ole tent suit my needs better. I have a rolling cover on my truck bed and I guess I could always sleep in there in an emergency or heavy storm if I needed. I prefer to travel light, and when we camp I have basically everything we need in a large duffle bag and my wife will get some snacks and an ice chest together and some towels and we are ready to go for the weekend.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I think the truck bed tent idea is one that sounds better than it works. Get a regular tent and a hard cap for the bed.

John

 

[JohnSW]

BTW, you can order "regular fiberglass toppers" with optional screened vents or screened windows.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I looked at the truck bed tents several years ago. For the prices they were asking I decided on a very nice standard tent instead. Cot, mattress, folding chairs, table, 12V deep cycle battery with 120V power inverter runs lights, charges the cell phone and laptop, even a small TV if I wanted that, and runs the Mr. Coffee in the mornings. Tank-top propane heater. All that stuff and I still haven't spent as much as they want for the better truck bed tents.

Since then I caught a deal on a 21' AeroLite trailer with all the bells and most of the whistles. Tent will work great for the grandkids.

 

[Speedo2]

Thanks for all the comments, gents. I'm still undecided, but actively engaged in bodacious connog-o-nizin'. Despite all the good arguments for ground tents, I'm not so much inclined to sleep with the woodland creatures that may come creeping into such things in the middle of the night. Anyway, some thoughts:

Truck Bed Tent vs. Camper Shell

PROS:
1.Lighter weight,
2.Storable,
3.More head room,
4.More "bed" room (uses tail gate down floor space),
5.Able to be set up by one person,
6.More flexible: easier to use full truck bed for hauling stuff when tent is not in use,
7.Transferable; not truck specific,
8.Less expensive,
9.Cooler in the summer,
10.More bug resistant,
11.Compliments the use of a tonneau cover,
12.Not permanent.

CONS:
1.Not as water-tight,
2.Have to take it down for driving each day,
3.Harder to set-up,
4.If set-up in the rain, everything in the bed gets wet,
5.Less secure,
6.Not bear-proof,
7.Colder in winter,
8.Looks goofy.

More thoughts and experiences are welcomed; still have a few more weeks to decide on this thing. Thanks for all comments. -S2

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Fellas-I've slept in the back of pick up trucks on a piece of plywood. I've slept on levees down at the mouth of the Mississippi. I've slept on the floor of open center consoles. Pretty much have slept in all kinds of places on land and sea.
At this stage in life I prefer to do my sleeping on an inner spring mattress in a humidity controlled enviroment at around 67-68 degrees.

 

[JJEH]

More thoughts and experiences are welcomed; still have a few more weeks to decide on this thing. Thanks for all comments. -S2

Perhaps a pop up camper top is a better alternative?

http://www.hallmarkrv.com/campers/hallmark-expedition/

 

[EugeneNine]

I was going to say stick pvc pipe in the stake pockets and throw a tarp over it

 

[whitecoyote]

I recently went with a A.R.E. cap.