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Truck bed tents #197512 01/31/2019 11:28 AM
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Randy M Offline OP
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Does anyone have experience with one of those truck bed tents? I'm trying to decide the best way to set up 'base camp' next fall, out west. Essentially, if camping at the truck my options are this, a standard tent, or buy a camper shell for my truck. I like the idea of the truck tent due to portability and it's much more budget friendly.

I have a plethora of standard tents but like the idea of being off the ground and slightly more protected in the bed of my truck. And I really don't want to drag my rv that far.

Anyone?


The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
Re: Truck bed tents [Re: Randy M] #197524 01/31/2019 11:11 PM
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Texas Plainsman Offline
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Same question here.


If your gonna run with the big dogs you gotta get off the porch.
Re: Truck bed tents [Re: Randy M] #197525 01/31/2019 11:22 PM
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JDK Offline
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Hammock camper here. Tents are for suckers! Just kidding
I've wondered about trucks bed tents myself. They seem fine for one person. If it becomes a regular thing, is definitely go for a camper shell though. My trucks always have tonneau covers and I've opened them up and slept on an air mattress in the bed in inclement weather, you'd at least want some tarp coverage, but that works well otherwise.


John

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Re: Truck bed tents [Re: JDK] #197526 01/31/2019 11:58 PM
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Paul_H Offline
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I've spent enough time in wet tents that a camper shell is the way to go. You keep yourself and your gear dry, and no set up and tear down time.

Re: Truck bed tents [Re: Paul_H] #197527 02/01/2019 12:20 AM
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Teep Offline
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Camper shell all the way. I regret that I traded my long bed pick-up for a crew cab with the 5-1/2' bed. Also get a good pad like the trifold memory foam you will sleep like a baby.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GranRest-4-Tri-Folding-Memory-Foam-Mattress/945938226

Re: Truck bed tents [Re: Teep] #197536 02/02/2019 12:42 AM
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racksmasher1 Offline
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Cabelas used to have a Quality one.

Re: Truck bed tents [Re: racksmasher1] #197540 02/02/2019 9:44 PM
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Buzztail Offline
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I camp a lot off of a motorcycle. Hammock, tent, etc. I have a hard cover on my mega cab Dodge, and was looking at truck tents, but am about to pull the trigger on a roof top tent, and mount it to the hard cover. It will allow the use of storage under it, and It?ll also spend time on top of my JK. For my use it?ll be more versatile using it on both. It?ll also let me haul the smaller bikes on a hitch carrier, or pull my small flat deck trailer.

Re: Truck bed tents [Re: Buzztail] #197543 02/02/2019 11:12 PM
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Randy M Offline OP
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All great feedback. Thanks men.

I considered the roof top tent as well. And would mount it on my kayak rack.

Still thinking on it but the camper shell would definitely be best.


The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
Re: Truck bed tents [Re: Randy M] #197555 02/03/2019 7:00 PM
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bigbore442001 Offline
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I have a truck tent for a 6 foot bed Ford Ranger. I bought it ages ago and camped out in Maine with it.

Ok. I still have it but a couple poles are broken. I drove a short distance to move the truck and the wind picked up and broke two poles. So I have the tent but I need to replace two poles to make it fully functional.

It is good for a one man camp. You do not have a ton of room once set up and ready to camp.

It seems to have taken a good 15-20 minutes to set up and fine tune the tent over the back of the truck. You have to secure it to the bed of the truck and adjust it so it is bug free, so to speak.

Now. I no longer own the Ranger. I have a Jeep Cherokee so I cant use it.

Would I buy another truck tent? Not sure. I see some that have an attachment for an SUV to a regular cabin tent. I can see that as a good hunt camp set up.

Re: Truck bed tents [Re: bigbore442001] #197563 02/04/2019 12:43 AM
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karl Offline
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 Originally Posted By: bigbore442001


Now. I no longer own the Ranger. I have a Jeep Cherokee so I cant use it.


Very good point here. What do you do with the tent when you get a different vehicle? I would probably look at a roof top tent and put it on top of a a camper shell. Plenty of room to lock up your gear in a relatively secure and weather proof enclosure and you don't have to move it all around when you go to bed. A truck bed camper would be nice, but spendy.


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