Truck bed tents

[Head Rigger]

My GF and I have been talking lately about doing some camping. I've been looking at the truck bed tents and was wondering if anyone has any experience with these. We want to do some beach camping here in Florida so I'm curious about how they handle the wind and rain, how easy are they to set up, and any information you think would be helpful is appreciated.


Here's a stock picture of one I was looking at:

 

[catherix]

No info for ya but it sure looks convenient. I would wonder if it would be very comfortable considering the truck bed material and shape/size. I'd think the ground would be more comfy.

 

[plpenn]

When I was a younger I spent pleanty of time in the bed of a truck and it was fine, even better after rino linning

As we got older we started tossing a blanket or sleeping bag down before we laid down. I looked at these tents but never purchased one. They look easy enough to put up. I bet they would handle wind and rain about like a regular tent. If it gets windy pull in the "extras" and button down the hatches.

Good luck!

 

[Head Rigger]

They have air mattresses that conform to the wheel wells in the bed. We have a tent now, but her brothers borrowed it a couple years ago for a trip to the Florida Keys and when the wind kicked up, the tent flattened out. It didn't collapse or come down, the wind just kinda "squished" it. I'd like to avoid that situation.

 

[Mick]

Back when these were new we almost got one for our 4x4.

Wildernest truck cap that opens up into a tent.

I believe that the company is out of business but you can find them if you look. Nice thing, when it is folded up it is a normal truck bed cap.

 

[Head Rigger]

Thanks Turtle! That won't really work for my needs but I like having a new option/suggestion to consider.

 

[Mick]

Thanks Turtle! That won't really work for my needs but I like having a new option/suggestion to consider.

They are very easy to set up. Undo a couple latches and the tent self sets up when you open the top. Take down is just as easy. They are nice if you are doing any off roading as they add enough weight to the rear to give you that traction you can't get with an empty bed.

 

[catherix]

They are very easy to set up. Undo a couple latches and the tent self sets up when you open the top. Take down is just as easy. They are nice if you are doing any off roading as they add enough weight to the rear to give you that traction you can't get with an empty bed.

You can also just fill the bed with cold beer for traction. YMMV.

 

[Head Rigger]

They are very easy to set up. Undo a couple latches and the tent self sets up when you open the top. Take down is just as easy. They are nice if you are doing any off roading as they add enough weight to the rear to give you that traction you can't get with an empty bed.

They look great, lots of room, and very conveinient. I'm concerned how it will handle a steady 25-30mph wind with how high it sets up and it's big, flat sides.

You can also just fill the bed with cold beer for traction. YMMV.

That has always worked well for me!

 

[Carilliterate]

I think they are a waste. A good ol' camper shell and carpet kit is a far better bang for your buck the. Something that has to be constructed for every use in your truck bed. If your going to camp then camp, if you are going to car camp then get the shell.

 

[Argonaut]

I've tried talking three different guys I know into buying one of these so I could see if they were worth it. Nobody has gotten one yet, so I don't know. You should get one, they look awesome.

 

[Matt_Bloodletter]

+1 on shell. A shell is great to have and a pain at the same time. Say good bye to hauling refrigerators. But still, a shell and a bedrug or old school carpet kit bed are incredibly comfortable, safe and can be had on sites like CL often for peanuts. Softtopper is another option but I can't vouch for them - I want the security and permanence of a full shell.

Seriously man, you're living the Back to the Future dream so get to it and make us proud. It doesn't matter how you do it, just do it - camp, that is.

 

[Matt_Bloodletter]

When you get more serious there's always this:

 

[LogisticEarth]

I think they are a waste. A good ol' camper shell and carpet kit is a far better bang for your buck the. Something that has to be constructed for every use in your truck bed. If your going to camp then camp, if you are going to car camp then get the shell.

+1 to this. Truck bed tents have always struck me as breaking something that already worked. Get a regular tent, and set it up on the ground. That way you don't have to break down the tent if you go anywhere, and you can also use your tent...as a tent.

 

[_JP_]

The truck tent is great for an overnight. If your oing an extended stay and want to drive off somewhere, then it could a pain tearing it down and setting up again.

 

[COHunter]

I used to do the truck bed camps with my dad when I was a kid. He had a shell and just cut a piece of thin hardboard to go between the wheel wells to make it a flat surface and we were good to go. Storage for them is an issue if you don't want to keep it on your truck full time so that's a consideration, but if that's not an issue a shell can be found for relatively low money if you don't mind used.

 

[Head Rigger]

Thanks for all the input! All of you have brought up some really good points. If I went with a shell, it would have to stay on the truck as I don't have anywhere to store it and I'm not sure I want to sacrifice the ease of an open bed. Also, considering the heat and intensity of the sun in Florida, anything (shell or tent) is probably going to be hotter than a tent on the ground as heat radiates from the metal truck. I still like the idea of the truck bed tent and will cruise CL for a deal but I may have to recondsider a ground tent.

 

[Matt_Bloodletter]

One more thought - Maggiolina. Lots of mounting options exist.

 

[73mountaineer]

+1 to this. Truck bed tents have always struck me as breaking something that already worked. Get a regular tent, and set it up on the ground. That way you don't have to break down the tent if you go anywhere, and you can also use your tent...as a tent.

True, in most cases, but there are numerous scenarios where it is advantageous to be off of the the ground.

 

[Head Rigger]

One more thought - Maggiolina. Lots of mounting options exist.

Very cool idea, gets me above the skeeters and no-seeums but might get me in the wind too much at the beach. Not a lot of foliage to buffer the wind there.

True, in most cases, but there are numerous scenarios where it is advantageous to be off of the ground.

That's the direction I was going with this!