i'm usually carring too much junk to lay the back seats down so i lay the front passenger seat all the way back and sleep there. i'm 6'3" and it isn't bad. I use a down mummy bag in cold weather. Even diagonally with the seats down, there isn't enough room in back. My Tundra is much better for camping. Either sleep in the bed or the cab, depending on the weather.
Any of you camp in your rig?
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I've seen photos of a little tailgate tent that allows you to leave the tailgate down and the upper lift gate up and encloses the area giving you a couple more feet of space but I can't find them for sale online. Anyone know a source?
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
Google "suv tent", there's a pile of different ones.
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- #24
Do you not think I tried that already? All the links lead to full size tents that attach to the tailgate but sit on the ground. That's not what I'm talking about.
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
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- #26
So they are listed as camper top tents, not SUV tents. Thanks for the link.
Anyone ever use something like that on their LC. For $120 or so they seem like a good idea to gain some interior room and minimize condensation but are they junk?
Anyone ever use something like that on their LC. For $120 or so they seem like a good idea to gain some interior room and minimize condensation but are they junk?
No reason to be brash when people try to help.
I found this in a few tries......IH8MUD- plus 1!
Truck Tents for camper tops
Dang it Trunk- go find something else to do!!
I have a similar but cheaper setup. I used MDF board from HomeDepot and cut it to fit the rear nice and tight. It has to be put in at an angle and then laid flat. It is lifted to the height of the folded 2nd row back rest with the use of 4 jack stands. You can also use these which are lighter and smaller profile. Amazon.com: Camco 44531 RV Adjustable Stabilizer: Automotive
I have used this setup on several multi-day camping trips from mountains to deserts in summer and winter and have been very comfortable. I used it last weekend in the desert where it dropped to about 38-40F. It also allows lots of storage on the bottom of the platform. The first time we used a queen size aero bed but that cuts the headroom by 6-7" and very hard to move around. I now use two 3.5" self-inflating pads from REI which is more comfortable and takes up less space. The only advantage the aero bed had was that it deflated much quicker.
For ventilation I installed side-window deflectors from weathertech.com to allow me to crack the windows a bit without rain coming in. Depending on location I also install screens on the side windows to keep the bugs out. Nothing fancy just left-over screen material and masking tape. For summer the windows are half way down. I will also be buying a 12-volt marine fan running on my soon-to-be installed 2nd battery. Getting ready for next summer.
It looks like I need to modify/cut my platform a bit to accomodate a fridge.
like this Specter Off Road one? too bad they aren't in production anymore, a single reproduction from them is over $800. there are other options out there, but this one looks best IMO (but not camo). there are a few other threads on these setups FYI
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
You could make something like the SOR one fairly easily. There's nothing there that's a weird cut or odd. Take it to an awning shop to sew in the zippers and such. For the cost savings you could buy your wife a new sewing machine and have that be the first project.
like this Specter Off Road one? too bad they aren't in production anymore, a single reproduction from them is over $800. there are other options out there, but this one looks best IMO (but not camo). there are a few other threads on these setups FYI
I wonder if the interest were there if they would manufacture some at a better price?
that's exactly the route that we're gonna take after i heard back from SOR regarding the price. i think my fiance said she is going to try and fab one up so we can camp around more next year after i make some drawers for a sleeping platform.
IIRC, SOR said they could get the price down if they did a run of more units, but I dunno how low they could get it.
In regards to interest, I think it might be alright, definitely if you can get them down below $300. It seems aftermarket stuff sells better once the vehicle has had time to depreciate a little bit and people start buying them up cheap and modding them.
rusty_tlc
Dain Bramaged Member
What if you don't have a wife or girlfriend??
Can guys sew?
I've been sewing since I was 10 years old, it's not much harder than driving a clutch. If you can learn to re-build a birfield you can learn to sew well enough to make a tent. One piece of advice, if you do decide to buy your wife a sewing machine, DO NOT GIVE IT TO HER AS AN ANNIVERSARY GIFT!!!!
Don't ask me how I know this.
Hey, I though it was a cool gift, I would have liked it.
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- #35
Depending on what the next few months hold and assuming I can find a nice hundy, I think I might be ahead with a Maggiolina or Columbus if I need more room than the rig itself. I like simple, low impact camping where less is more, especially in transit.
This is the drawer system I built for my 80. The height is exactly the same as the second row with the seat backs folded down, so I could just throw a Thermarest and my mummy bag back there is be good to go. Way better, and easier, than pitching a tent. But I was mostly solo in this truck. In the 100, we have a Milford cargo barrier to keep the cab (and kids) safe from flying cargo, so no easy way to sleep back there anymore. Which is why we also now have the RTT...
I just grab a pillow, put on some sweat pants and a sweat shirt and curl up on the back seat im only 5'11 so the back seats big enough 4 me to curl up on. I also grab a bag of peanuts and a couple "sodas" wink wink! incase i get hungry!
ya well I'm only 5'6", HA!
Me and my two kids have just been using a queen size air mattress on our camping trips when it is too cold/ wet for a tent. Just fold the backs down on the second and third row seats. Extend the headrests up a little to bridge the gaps. We are using a thick air mattress, I think the brand is Swiss, just pump it up firm and enjoy a great night sleep. The queen size fits like a glove.
Tres Yotas
Tres Yotas
