Sleeping in Truck vs. Tent?

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I've slept many nights in the Cruiser. Condensation can be a big problem in the winter. That being said screens over windows would help. I have a Jeff K set up with drawer and love it. All my gear can go in those drawers so that is not a problem. I also have 101 with pop-up tent on it. But when I want to take the boat I can't take the trailer. So now I'm thinking of again sleeping in the Cruiser. There is one hatch extension made by DAC, Inc that looks ok. Does anybody else know of another mfg. of them? I just want a setup so that I can leave the hatch and door open for more air, etc. Also need good ideas of how to attach tarp to truck so we can sit out during a rain.

SS
 
a good rtt tent in the rain is much more comfortable than a ground-tent or sleeping in the truck. We've done many rainy nights in our Maggiolina, very comfortable.

on the nalgene topic: you can buy square side nalgene bottles. Much easier to rely on shape than color when you are talking about piss vs. water in the middle of the night. A wide-mouth nalgene should work pretty well for men or women, it is a big target.

the only problem that we now face with the rtt is the dog situation.... she isn't going to climb that ladder and I'm not going to carry a 45lb dog (probably muddy) up a ladder one-handed. So we are still solving that one... looks like sleeping in the truck with some sort of awning/mozzie net in the 3rd row seats is the best answer (great for security as well).
 
Is this the SOR one, and umm...hows the porn reception on that dish?



Trollhole said:
PO gave me this when I bought the 80. Great idea and works very well. I take the rear and middle seats out. There is a simple little platform goes behind the front seats. I use a full air mattress which fits perfectly.

I like it because you have the whole tailgate to put stuff on. It's also has 4 windows with screens and a big large one over the rear. Very solid.

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I'd go with a RTT myself.


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Later

:beer:

Mark

I gotta get the dish network in my '60 :)
 
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that awning is great-looking!
where did you get it?
how much?
 
I have an in-truck system, and I love it! A hinged fold-down for when the rear seats are folded down, and I have a large sleeping platform. Storing stuff is also taken care of with the drawers that are built into the platform. The only thing that I gotta take care of now is getting a roof rack to secure my tire and toolbox so I don't have to sleep while hugging it!

Another advantage of an in-truck system as opposed to an RTT system is the center of gravity. I'm not sure that if I was on a multiple day wheeling trip I would like the weight of a rack and the RTT on my roof in off camber situations.

I should really get pics of my setup!!!
 
We interrupt this thread to bring you a thread hijack....

The awning is from Kelty, It is the Car Port Deluxe and there was a post here a while boack about Costco selling them for about $70.00 so I jumped on it. The normally sell for $270 ish.

It stays put real well in the wind too

Sorry about the Hijack.... Now back to our "regular program"

:beer:

Mark
 
FJ62 sleeps well on the rocks

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I'm way late on chiming in here, but had to say that our FJ62 is a great option for truck camping. I live in AZ and there are many places we camp that are too rocky to pitch a tent so we often use the cruiser. Crack the window so condensation is of no concern or you can simply leave the back open. The right gear and your warm and toasty or cool in the summer.

Th FJ62 back seat lays flat and doesnt really need a thick mattress to cover bumps! Sleeping back and thermorest is all you need.
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For the wife and I, it's mostly about sleeping in the truck. Here's info on the camper conversion I did:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/412084-camper-conversion-drawer-system.html

Bluetribal called it what it really should have been called, a sleeper:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/447869-cargo-drawer-sleeper.html

Don't know why I didn't think of that, as I'm a railfan and the terminology makes perfect sense.:idea:

As for condensation, depends on the temp difference more than anything, because you're in the truck breathing which causes it, although humidity of the air itself will make some difference, too. The best thing to deal with that is to use ventshades on the window. That way you can crack them to let air circulate. I got some plastic window screen and hot-glued some flexible magnetic strips to it to make screens.

Although I'd like to have it so the tailgate could stay closed for security, between being tall and having a fridge that slides out onto the tailgate to give us a nice big bed, that just doesn't work for us. So we have a DAC tailgate, plus an awning that can be deployed to give us a nice cozy living room next to the bedroom.

I did enough roughing it when I was young. Now I like a little more luxury. Anywa, here a couple of views of our sleeper.
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Mike...looking good! Have you had an opportunity to use it lately?

Also, is it a perminate fixture in the 80?
 
Pete,
Nah, and probably won't until I get the diss finished. Maybe mid-summer?

Yep, the second row half comes out. It has bolts that secure it to the rear section and to the bolts for the second row seat hinges.

With no kids and just the wife as likely passenger, we really don't need to have anything but the front seats. I did consider taking it out during one winter storm when I might have been called on to do some transportation duties that lesser vehicles couldn't.

But was too lazy to do that, even though it could be done in less than a half hour, including unpacking everything that fills it up. So it stays until I really need the seats.

Manu,
Not really too much too it. After some of your projects, something similar should be not too big a challenge.:beer:

And it sure impresses the ladies and makes it easier to tempt them into the woods...;)
 
Nice screens. They're not nearly so ugly as mine.:p
 
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