Where to begin?

[1UP5DWN]

All, I'm going to preface this with I'm not loaded. However, I would like to start taking my TB out and start using for camping and things of that nature.
I've seen super badass builds with tents on top and all of that jazz, but I'm getting older and the thought of climbing a ladder to get to a bed 10' in the air doesn't really appeal to me.
Long of it short, have you guys used the regular truck tents like the napiers or anything like that? I have a regular ground tent, but I'd like to be off the ground a little bit.
Open to suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[Jmzvet]

I know a lot of guys who bought the elevated tent set ups and never used them
even one time.

 

[Kentrucky TB]

All, I'm going to preface this with I'm not loaded. However, I would like to start taking my TB out and start using for camping and things of that nature.
I've seen super badass builds with tents on top and all of that jazz, but I'm getting older and the thought of climbing a ladder to get to a bed 10' in the air doesn't really appeal to me.
Long of it short, have you guys used the regular truck tents like the napiers or anything like that? I have a regular ground tent, but I'd like to be off the ground a little bit.
Open to suggestions.

Thanks.

Sleep in the bed, tailgate down if you’re of average height or more. They sell air mattresses with fender well cut outs. Boom-done!

 

[Gangly]

Sleep in the bed, tailgate down if you’re of average height or more. They sell air mattresses with fender well cut outs. Boom-done!

Agreed. An inflatable air mattress in the back of the truck does wonders when camping. I can close the tailgate and sleep under my softopper if the weather goes south.

 

[Poppi]

Back in the day, I had a Ford Ranger with a hard top camper shell. I would throw up an old Army cot and camp on the wildlife management areas for hunting season openers. But that was a loooong time ago!!

 

[1UP5DWN]

Thanks everybody. Good stuff so far. I need to find a fancier air mattress, as the one I have is just a regular one.

 

[Wakinvol]

The bed rug has a padded bottom. I could stand a night or 2 sleeping on mine with just a sleeping bag. Camper shell with that setup would be perfect.

 

[1UP5DWN]

That's a pretty jazzy rug. As long as I just used it for camping, it wouldn't get destroyed.

 

[hawk99gt]

That's a pretty jazzy rug. As long as I just used it for camping, it wouldn't get destroyed.

Yeah, I agree. I would destroy it with all the trash runs I do and getting loads of dirt and rock for the house projects. And I am not crazy about doing those with my spray-in bedliner in my new truck.
But it does look nice

 

[PHXPHOTOG]

All, I'm going to preface this with I'm not loaded. However, I would like to start taking my TB out and start using for camping and things of that nature.
I've seen super badass builds with tents on top and all of that jazz, but I'm getting older and the thought of climbing a ladder to get to a bed 10' in the air doesn't really appeal to me.
Long of it short, have you guys used the regular truck tents like the napiers or anything like that? I have a regular ground tent, but I'd like to be off the ground a little bit.
Open to suggestions.

Thanks.

Everything seems to be a compromise. I helped a friend set up an in bed truck tent one time. The set up was a little more complicated than an average ground tent. I wasnt really impressed. And where does all your gear go? He had to completly emty the bed of his truck. He had more stuff than he could fit in the cab so he made a pile and put a tarp over it. Wind blew hard and lots of rain that night. The tent did very well and he stayed dry but his pile of gear did not.

Steve

 

[mrcolieman]

Kamp-Rite! In particular because of the style of the legs. It's easy to make level with a Pulaski. Love it at the beach. Keeps you off the ground and, as Steve said, keeps your gear in your truck. The double is $500.

Kamp-Rite® Double Tent Cot

Kamp-Rite’s Double Tent Cot is the two-person version in the line of Tent Cot products. The sturdy aluminum frame keeps you 11” above the ground to provide comfort and protection from insects, rocks and dampness.

kamprite.com

CJ

 

[goodsonj]

Thanks everybody. Good stuff so far. I need to find a fancier air mattress, as the one I have is just a regular one.

Have seen on Ama?on for about $89.
I plan on getting a truck bed tent. I don't care to climb a ladder to get to overland tent. They're cool looking but not for $1500. I'm more of a budget $250 and bam! Done.

 

[1UP5DWN]

Kamp-Rite! In particular because of the style of the legs. It's easy to make level with a Pulaski. Love it at the beach. Keeps you off the ground and, as Steve said, keeps your gear in your truck. The double is $500.

Kamp-Rite® Double Tent Cot

Kamp-Rite’s Double Tent Cot is the two-person version in the line of Tent Cot products. The sturdy aluminum frame keeps you 11” above the ground to provide comfort and protection from insects, rocks and dampness.

kamprite.com

CJ

CJ, this is pretty sweet! I'm going to look into this one.

 

[Dickie Dunkelberger]

Couple different options like this, but if looking to get off the ground, hammock type tents have come a long way.

Haven Tents | Lay Flat Hammock Tents | Camping Hammocks

Make sleep the highlight of camping with lay flat hammocks and sleeping pads from Haven Tents™. Get maximum comfort with our lay flat suspended tent hammocks.

haventents.com

 

[Transient]

I recently stumbled upon the camping tent option for vehicles that you may way to keep an eye out for -- trailer hitch mount tents. There no climbing a ladder. It folds up and out of the way while driving, although it may partially obstruct your rear view. Some designs say you'd still be able to open your tailgate. Looks like Thule is coming out with one, so I think the initial prices for these tents will be a bit high for a little while.