One thing I have done on my Kodiak tent is to modify the top plate for the rails by welding a angle on the bottom so that I can attach it to the side bed rail. I added speed nut threaded inserts to the lip of the rail on the inside of the bed. Now I can put the rails on using some thumb screws in under a minute. It cuts install time in half for setup and you know exactly where they go each time. This canvas is very high quality.
I've got a Kodiak ground tent and the quality is awesome so I'm sure it's the same for their truck tent. That would work great with my Born Outdoor Badger Bed. Did you put anything underneath it to level out the truck bed grooves?
Hey I actually have that tent and the same truck. You can fit it over the tailgate. Trick is to lift the tailgate up a bit like if you were going to close it then you put the canvas over it. Once you put the tailgate down it’ll fit. If that makes sense lol
The first time I did that I heard what sounded like the beginnings of ripping sounds but I guess I was just being too careful. Thanks for sharing in case a potential buyer sees this.
@stonemartinez8664 can you install the support poles then fit the tent over them so you don't have to climb into the tent to place the poles? How long is your setup time? Thanks
I love my kodiak tent and I'm in a 2016 double cab Tundra with the 6.5foot bed. The cab-side rain fly is a pain to set up, so maybe next time I'll be less stubborn and save myself the hassle. At 6'4" I prefer setting up the door over the end of the tailgate, but it's good to know there's no problem if I also don't set that up. For those of us with tonneau covers I made a plate with some woodworking hold-downs that I clamp to the tie-down rail. The hold-downs hold the plate for the tent ribs and the rest of the set up is the same.
I don’t know if the manufacturer would agree with me on it not being necessary but I’ve not had an issue with it. I thought something was broken when I tried to get it over the tailgate the first time so I just never set it up and I’ve had no issues when I set it up.
It takes a while longer but it will likely last longer than the HeyTrip. Hard to say since I’ve never tested it but since the one I tested is canvas it needs stronger support so it needs more stuff to set up. The HeyTrip will be easier and if you only go a few times with it, will probably be fine.
The soft topper being permanently attached to the truck is obviously going to be the easiest to use. I like them but they aren’t cheap. Considered that before just getting my regular fiberglass topper but ultimately the hard topper worked better for me.
We bought this tent for our dogs to sleep/ shelter in during this years moose hunt near Denali Hwy (Seattle Creek). We were out for six days with rain and cold temps at night. The dogs were in heaven, as I also put their beds, food, water, and toys inside with them. I ran a diesel heater hose for them at night as well. I must say that this tent is 100% worth buying, super strong build quality, and wind proof. We used a sprayer and added a heavy duty DWR to the outside, not a single saturation point inside, even in hard rains.
@@OXFOOT we were just being cautious, as we get a lot of rain during hunting season. We probably didn’t need to, but a pound of prevention is worth a ton of wet misery. Besides, my dogs are as important to us as our children, so we made sure they were gonna be comfortable for the duration of the hunt😎👍
I think it's not snow rated because the rain fly is too flat. Without them the arch seems like an ideal shape. But I'm not the manufacturer so I'm not encouraging any snow camping
Definitely snow rated. Kept us dry during a night a snow fall. 3 inches of snow piled onto the rain fly’s and didn’t affect the structural integrity at all.
@@Gowaduv right, I’m just saying it handles snow with ease. There’s a few videos in YT demonstrating it as well. But I get the point about the company not officially rating it. Linda strange given that it does so well
Why we taking truck for camping? Because whole gear, bikes, kayaks or whatever being thrown on without loading effort. Truck bed tents are taking whole bed away, have to either unload everything or keep it in cab what makes no sense.
I'm looking at getting one of these. I lean toward the canvas style tenting as I am a reenactor and our ground tents are made of this same material. We put them through hell sideways. I keep hearing how long these Kodiak truck tents last and last. Of course, one must take care of the investment.
The reason I went with this one was because it was canvas. I much prefer canvas. It takes a few times to figure out how to use the tent correctly but once you figure it out, it’s great! I’ve moved on to a topper and sleep in there but I think this works better for most folks. If you happen to live in CO I’m selling this one now for cheap ha.
I always wanna know what peoples experience is with regard to bugs getting in… But most of these reviews that I see look like they’re done in colder weather where you’re not gonna have mosquitoes. I have a Napier truck tent, which I generally like because it’s completely sealed… There is a bottom and no bugs get in, that’s really the only sticking point I have with these truck tents that don’t have a bottom.
That’s a good point. I don’t really have to deal with bugs so I’m not sure but I think it would be fairly secure other than at the tailgate but even then there isn’t much gap.
So I have the same exact tundra and Kodiak tent that you have. I had the same problem that you had and I called the manufacturer. He had an easy fix that worked perfect. Take a pipe cutter and take two inches out of the center hoops. That drops the roof height and extends the length. Works perfect.
It depends, usually I keep the product, in this case I ended up moving directly to a rack and a tent so I’ll be selling it locally for a large discount.
It would be a little better than typical tent material because it actually blocks out light better and it’s thicker but I can’t promise it would be miles and miles better, just noticeably a bit cooler. Have you tried a small battery fan and two opened windows? It’s not a cure all but it’s a bit better.
Thanks for checking out this video. Any tents you want me to test out next?
DAC Full - Size Truck Tent for Tailgate
@@danrustly7979 I’m a few weeks out from getting my topper but this looks cool once I get it.
What mattress, air mattress would you recommend for the cab mate, for 2 adults? Thanks in advance.
One thing I have done on my Kodiak tent is to modify the top plate for the rails by welding a angle on the bottom so that I can attach it to the side bed rail. I added speed nut threaded inserts to the lip of the rail on the inside of the bed. Now I can put the rails on using some thumb screws in under a minute. It cuts install time in half for setup and you know exactly where they go each time. This canvas is very high quality.
Damn that’s a smart idea. Thanks for sharing that info for us, really helps for potential buyers reading these comments.
I would love to see a few pictures of that, your mod is making me consider this tent... thx!
Second the request for pics. Not sure if you can post pics here though...
I've got a Kodiak ground tent and the quality is awesome so I'm sure it's the same for their truck tent. That would work great with my Born Outdoor Badger Bed. Did you put anything underneath it to level out the truck bed grooves?
Hey I actually have that tent and the same truck. You can fit it over the tailgate. Trick is to lift the tailgate up a bit like if you were going to close it then you put the canvas over it. Once you put the tailgate down it’ll fit. If that makes sense lol
The first time I did that I heard what sounded like the beginnings of ripping sounds but I guess I was just being too careful. Thanks for sharing in case a potential buyer sees this.
Or just slide the brackets back an inch or two. (Replying the the notion it was too tight and made a noise. Lifting the gate is the way to go).
@stonemartinez8664 can you install the support poles then fit the tent over them so you don't have to climb into the tent to place the poles? How long is your setup time? Thanks
I love my kodiak tent and I'm in a 2016 double cab Tundra with the 6.5foot bed.
The cab-side rain fly is a pain to set up, so maybe next time I'll be less stubborn and save myself the hassle. At 6'4" I prefer setting up the door over the end of the tailgate, but it's good to know there's no problem if I also don't set that up.
For those of us with tonneau covers I made a plate with some woodworking hold-downs that I clamp to the tie-down rail. The hold-downs hold the plate for the tent ribs and the rest of the set up is the same.
I don’t know if the manufacturer would agree with me on it not being necessary but I’ve not had an issue with it. I thought something was broken when I tried to get it over the tailgate the first time so I just never set it up and I’ve had no issues when I set it up.
I think that is to allow airflow in the warmer months and protect from weather, while acting as a pass through for the rear window as well
This seems like it took forever to set up. How do you feel this stacks up against other models (HeyTrip) or the Softtopper?
It takes a while longer but it will likely last longer than the HeyTrip. Hard to say since I’ve never tested it but since the one I tested is canvas it needs stronger support so it needs more stuff to set up. The HeyTrip will be easier and if you only go a few times with it, will probably be fine.
The soft topper being permanently attached to the truck is obviously going to be the easiest to use. I like them but they aren’t cheap. Considered that before just getting my regular fiberglass topper but ultimately the hard topper worked better for me.
Thank you for specifying the CrewMax! I have a 2018 Tundra CrewMax so that was very helpful.
Thank you for the video!
I am 6'1" and sleep in my gladiator (5ft) truck bed because with the tent added to the tailgate its just long enough.
Nice! Yeah you get a ton of space with this tent for sure!
We bought this tent for our dogs to sleep/ shelter in during this years moose hunt near Denali Hwy (Seattle Creek). We were out for six days with rain and cold temps at night. The dogs were in heaven, as I also put their beds, food, water, and toys inside with them. I ran a diesel heater hose for them at night as well. I must say that this tent is 100% worth buying, super strong build quality, and wind proof. We used a sprayer and added a heavy duty DWR to the outside, not a single saturation point inside, even in hard rains.
That’s good to hear. Did you add that because something leaked or were you just being cautious?
@@OXFOOT we were just being cautious, as we get a lot of rain during hunting season. We probably didn’t need to, but a pound of prevention is worth a ton of wet misery. Besides, my dogs are as important to us as our children, so we made sure they were gonna be comfortable for the duration of the hunt😎👍
Tundra looks great, but its gonna be weird seeing your videos without the 4Runner
I may be getting one again in maybe half a year or a GX or something. I really miss having an SUV already lol.
Can u leave your box cover on if it’s folded up all the way
I think it's not snow rated because the rain fly is too flat. Without them the arch seems like an ideal shape. But I'm not the manufacturer so I'm not encouraging any snow camping
Yeah I personally think it would be fine but I get that they aren’t trying to get sued.
Definitely snow rated. Kept us dry during a night a snow fall. 3 inches of snow piled onto the rain fly’s and didn’t affect the structural integrity at all.
@@MrMoisesramirez12 the company doesn't rate it for snow, that's what we're saying by "snow rated"
@@Gowaduv right, I’m just saying it handles snow with ease. There’s a few videos in YT demonstrating it as well. But I get the point about the company not officially rating it. Linda strange given that it does so well
Why we taking truck for camping? Because whole gear, bikes, kayaks or whatever being thrown on without loading effort.
Truck bed tents are taking whole bed away, have to either unload everything or keep it in cab what makes no sense.
Sure, maybe it doesn’t make sense for you but it does for others. Didn’t make sense for my set up either in the long run but it might work for some.
I'm looking at getting one of these. I lean toward the canvas style tenting as I am a reenactor and our ground tents are made of this same material. We put them through hell sideways. I keep hearing how long these Kodiak truck tents last and last. Of course, one must take care of the investment.
The reason I went with this one was because it was canvas. I much prefer canvas. It takes a few times to figure out how to use the tent correctly but once you figure it out, it’s great! I’ve moved on to a topper and sleep in there but I think this works better for most folks. If you happen to live in CO I’m selling this one now for cheap ha.
I always wanna know what peoples experience is with regard to bugs getting in… But most of these reviews that I see look like they’re done in colder weather where you’re not gonna have mosquitoes. I have a Napier truck tent, which I generally like because it’s completely sealed… There is a bottom and no bugs get in, that’s really the only sticking point I have with these truck tents that don’t have a bottom.
That’s a good point. I don’t really have to deal with bugs so I’m not sure but I think it would be fairly secure other than at the tailgate but even then there isn’t much gap.
Could this work with a tool box? I’m thinking I could just fold it over but just wondering if anyone has done it
It depends, I think if the tool box uses up the sides where the frame goes. So if it was a slim toolbox and a longer bed. It’s hard to say though.
Sold. Thank you very much for this setup video. Subbed 👍
Jason, we would like to invite you review our pod lights.
So I have the same exact tundra and Kodiak tent that you have. I had the same problem that you had and I called the manufacturer. He had an easy fix that worked perfect. Take a pipe cutter and take two inches out of the center hoops. That drops the roof height and extends the length. Works perfect.
I'm missing something... what is the problem you're solving?
Question, what do you do with the product after you review it? I would like to do a review of it.
It depends, usually I keep the product, in this case I ended up moving directly to a rack and a tent so I’ll be selling it locally for a large discount.
Please review Napier and rightlight truck bed tent next!
Aw man I wish I could, I have a whole bed rack now and a topper soon.
will this work for Cybertruck
Hm I’m not sure, maybe they’ll have one for that set up since it doesn’t look like the Tesla one turned out so great
Отличное видео👍👍👍
how much better at blocking out heat from the sun compared to a regular tent. I hate how quick the regular tents heat up so fast
It would be a little better than typical tent material because it actually blocks out light better and it’s thicker but I can’t promise it would be miles and miles better, just noticeably a bit cooler. Have you tried a small battery fan and two opened windows? It’s not a cure all but it’s a bit better.