Homeless in a 02 Silverado with a topper. I stretch a 9 x 12 foot tarp over the back end length wise securing with bunjis to the wheel well support rods and stake down the other end. In side a twin mattress and milk crates full of equipment. a folding chair and a camp stove, I'm good to go.
Really interesting video. Great seeing the comparisons of the different styles. When l used to go tenting with my daughter we used lidded plastic bins that were permanently filled and stored in the garage so they were also available as grab and go evacuation "pods". The tent was separate but all other gear went in bins. One was filled with cooking gear and all other camping "hardware", lanterns, plates, dishcloths, soap, games.....(l kept a list of what went in there taped to the lid so anything that came into the house to be washed was sure to go back out again), one with my clothes and toiletries and one with hers. All the gear had been purchased cheaply second hand and was left in the bins and only updated with a change in clothing size or season. The advantage of that was minimal handling and they were all waterproof. The last bin was all our canned and dried food and, as money was VERY tight l used to refill the food tote by buying an extra can or packet or three everytime l shopped. (I also had a tried and true list of what we'd need taped to the lid on this one.) Usually by the time we were ready to go away the tote was full again and the only expenses were extra fuel and fresh food. It made a HUGE difference in our ability to go away as, the extra food cost topping up the tote was barely noticed and it was quick and easy to grab 4 bins and a tent and leave, knowing nothing had been forgotten. It was also really reassuring knowing how quick and easy evacuating in an emergency would have been. Hope this helps someone else.
Awesome video. Most UA-camrs spend the 1st 5 minutes talking about their channel and why you should subscribe, without creating an outline. You told us exactly what was happening, how it was going to be explained, and even separated it into segments for us. Thank you!
Something not covered in this video is a tent system integrated with a truck cap. To me this makes the most sense of you already have a topper on your pickup bed. This sort of a tent runs about 60 pounds and would store in the back of the pickup. The topper creates a watertight sleeping area that is up and off the ground. For my wife, this is her primary camping request (high and dry). However, for everything else (cooking, dining and lounging), being on the ground in a dining shelter or under a fly makes the most sense to me. Being in my late 60s, I have no desire to climb up a ladder to sleep or access living quarters. Sadly there are surprisingly few tent systems you can buy that integrate the truck bed sleeping quarters with a kitchen/dining tent. One such company is Truck Tents Canada. They have a few tents that attach to the truck top. If people know of other manufacturers, I'd love to know about them. I have yet to buy one of these tents.
Donald! You knocked it out of the park with this video. So incredibly thorough and well thought out. You really pulled out all the stops and put in a ton of work. So many options out there right now in terms of how you can get out and explore, it’s almost overwhelming!
@@matts1166 Congrats on the truck! I initially ran a tall Leer contractor cap for a while, which I built out inside and modified to make a long enough sleep space. I have a detailed walkaround of how that all turned out: ua-cam.com/video/otneHvp6aNY/v-deo.html That worked decently for me as a single guy, although the tall cap was an MPG nightmare and I couldn't stand up in it. I now run a pop-up camper from Topo Toppers and I absolutely love it. The truck is sleek and gets good gas mileage, I can stand up inside the camper when it's deployed (which is fast and easy), and I have a roomy, comfortable sleeping space. I have a *ton* of videos about the camper and my buildout spanning the past year and a half if you poke around my channel.
So I've been taking camping trips with my 2021 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Trail Boss and I use a backseat air mattress that has supports to fill the gap from floor to the bottom of the rear seat and it spans the distance from the back of the rear seat to the back of the front seat, used it a few times and its actually quite comfy. I use my pickup bed to haul my totes that hold my cooking equipment and extra tools. So far its been a good set up
i have been hunting in the mountains for over 15 years now and we all (6 families) have settled on the idea a slide in camper seems to fit the need the best. We can get out of the snow and dry out quickly with the heater. Inside camp equipment is at the ready and the ability to be outside is always there while also enjoying a harder shell package if weather is bad. Some newer shells are all aluminum frame and weigh in around the 650-800 lb range, making them very versatile and light for what we do.
I just live out my SUV. SUVs make for perfect sleeping shelters. I do have this canopy thing that attaches to the rear and my vehicle if I need shade or protection from the rain as I cook. Unfortunately I'm not young anymore. Things are a little bit more difficult and since I am full timing it. My setup has to be quick to put up and tear down. I commute 82 miles a day from work to camp. I'm now thinking about one of those small off-road trailers. My body is broken and after a 16-hour shift I really don't have the energy to do anything.
These different ways of camping are each great to different people . I'm disabled and so I choose a cab high truck canopy and then I have built out the back of the covered truck bed to the camping preferences that work for me. Safe travels and happy camping, see you out there camping 🏕🏞🌄😊👍🙏🏽☝🏽🕊
Great breakdown as always! Some additional considerations: - Tents and other soft-sided campers (yes rooftops too) aren't allowed in some campgrounds that have bear issues. Not sure about the 4wd Camper style pop-up. Rooftops only provide perceived bear safety, and less if you are cooking right under your rooftop tent with that sweet slide out stove "flavoring" your sleeping area with bacon smells... - Payload - It's more than just suspension sag (brakes, cooling, handling) and can ruin your day if you get in an accident. If your insurance company realizes you were over payload with a camper, they may not pay out and don't have to. (ie, just about any mid-size + slide-in). How we love to modify our off-roaders ruin our payload, even though weight is the enemy of performance. - Mileage = range, also mileage = $ - Ground tents have the advantage of still being usable if you roll your vehicle, it catches fire, need to hike out after too much fun, etc. - Truck caps have almost 0 setup/breakdown time. You can also do lazy dust sealing by placing any soft-sided storage next to the tailgate while driving. Even with the massive gaps of my Tacoma tailgate I get near zero dust just by placing my duffle against it after driving all day in the dirt. - Slide-ins are probably going to be warmer/cooler, even pop-up style. The construction just naturally creates more dead-air space.
I stopped the dust issue by using weather stripping that has one side sticky. I put it around the tail gate and where the door of my camper shell closes. Dust free after that. Cheers
My wife & I have a small Intech aluminum utility trailer, weighs 1500 lbs., fits in home garage. Pulled by Chevy Colorado. Trailer provides AC/Heat, Fantastic Fan, TV/Stereo, Pull-Out Kitchen, portable solar power, and secure Indoor Protected Sleeping. We also set-up a Gazelle tent next to the trailer. We use this as our base camp so that we have full use of the truck to explore nearby areas, whether off-road or not.
For the family, we have a large travel trailer with slides and a bunkhouse. It's a great way to get out of the house and on the road. We have a one ton diesel that works great. It's large so boondocking in remote locations is not possible and it needs lots of room with all the slides. When I go out on hunting for fishing trips, I use a Kodiak Canvas truck bed tent. I have a comfortable cot and bedroll and can fit a lot of my gear inside with me. I stay warm and dry for two to four day trips. My next purchases down the road will be a Jackery and a fridge for solo camping, but coolers fit the bill for now with limited time out in the woods. Great video!!
I lucked out into a Napier truck tent for $100. Bought the companion add on tent for it for $150. Doubled my space which is a hell of a lot cheaper than your other alternatives. With that saved money I bought a Jackery and solar panels for off grid fun. I also have a tow behind camper for the wife....gotta have that bathroom. : - )
Definitely way more affordable. Personally I just feel that if I'm going to deal with setting up a tent or hassle with wet tent fabric, it might as well just be a ground tent that sets up easier and doesn't require pulling everything out of the truck to use. Clearly though, these truck tents have some kind of appeal...there seem to be a lot of people using them. That's the beauty of a pickup as a camp rig...everyone can find a way to camp that makes sense to them.
Dan's slide out camper shell system is by far the simplest and straight forward approach. I've done similar to Dan in the past as well as a roof top tent, slide in pop up and van. My next will be a teardrop size trailer mainly for convenience, tow it with any vehicle rather than a set up specifically for one truck only. It's always ready to go with very little set up or take down and it eliminates the need for gear storage in the house/garage. Great video!!!
I'd love to take my kids camping. I'm 43, 6'5" tall, single dad. My daughter is 15, my son 12. I just purchased a 2020 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab with a 5.5 foot bed. I'm thinking most of our camping will be campgrounds with shower facilities and electric hookups. I'm wondering if a hybrid setup would work the best. Put a topper on the pickup, but also pull a small trailer with rear entry. Daughter would use the truck bed as her bedroom, camper would be where my sone and I sleep, and also the kitchen/couch/TV. I wonder how hard it would be to rig a little air conditioner to the top of a topper and rig the whole thing for shore power?
back in '78 I had a 55 dodge power wagon and a 'baja camper' that was a 55 Ford pickup bed trailer with a homebrew camper shell on it, had twinsize mattress on the floor and a cabinet of drawers next to that for all my clothes, food and cooking gear. I liked being able to drop it off and go way up in the back country
Nice my dad used to take us back in 1980 in his camper fishing. I don't remember since I was 6 months old, haha, but several years later I remember and I think that is what started my addiction
The way handy Dan set up the bed under his shell would also work really well for people making DIY campers. You could have a bed over your cab and stuff up high but still have wide doors and one or both sides able to pull out to carry along tools, spare camping/hunting/fishing gear, the ability to set portapot on slide and then slide it out to make it easier to remove to empty or use outside, or leave slide empty until needed/wanted…. I may be utilizing that idea in my future build. Wish me luck!
I have truck bed tent, and yes they’re a pain to set up, but after adding a slide out floor like your first interview and a soft-topper, we just drop the tent into the bed and pull the soft top over it for the day. This avoids about 90% of the daily setup when we’re camping… Why not just use the soft-topper? The tent has more headroom and extends out onto the tailgate, so it has a lot more usable space. In the end 90% what it’s adding is a flat floor up off the ground… You did nail the need for a separate kitchen setup… I have been looking at an ~easy-up tent (easy-up style top with a “tent” that hangs underneath and has a floor). I’ve see one where you can back your truck up to it and bridge the gap with a built in extension so that you can access all your gear from inside the tent, and to go exploring you just detach the extension to the truck. Lots of room, relatively low cost and your truck remains a truck (but I haven’t tried it yet)
I like my truck bed camper set up in my Tundra with a 6'6" bed and an extended 4" high canopy. I built a 10" high x 24" wide 6'6" long bed. For me, I like to go to a fishing location, and fish, If I can stay in that spot good, if not I go to a spot nearby. I also like that I can stealth camp when I travel, go in town, hit a bar or store, crawl in back and disappear, I can park almost anywhere in town. I also like that I can go to a friends and if I have too much to drink, I can crash in back and drive out in the morning without disturbing my friends. When I camp, I set up a cheap tent and camp chair to hold my camp site when I'm out fishing.
Budget and frequency of use will drive my setup. I have a truck with a bedcover. I have a ground tent and misc camping gear. The few odds and ends of additional gear won’t cost much. I haven’t truck camped much, so what I have, while older, has a lot of life left in in. I don’t go out specifically to camp. It’s part of something else for me, like hunting or overlanding. If I need to occasionally be out overnight or a few days, my existing gear will get me through. The truck bed tents are interesting, but I run a smaller truck, so it’d be a bit cramped. Haven’t ruled out a truck bed tent, but finances and use level will most likely keep me using my current gear.
Camper shells were called camper shells for decades! I guess that didn’t sound glamorous enough. Great vid! I no longer camp out of a truck but I really enjoy presentations like this.
Thanks for this comparison episode. I'm happy to see you're getting out there again. I just returned from a six day trip to the Black Hills. First longer camping trip in decades. I'm just getting back into it after about 25+ years. Found that my old sleeping pad is not going to cut it and I will probably upsize my tent too. By the fourth day I had a very, very sore neck and lower back. Getting old. 😣 Tent is too small to fit a cot or a larger and thicker pad. Will give the old gear one more try before I give up on it. Your channel as well as Primal Outdoors helped to rekindle my love of off pavement travel. For that I want to thank you and Jason!
If you have just a topper/shell get yourself an easyup canopy. Folds down compact and is super easy to set up. Place it about a foot over the back end of your truck. That way you have a quick, easy, and dry place to stand, sit, and cook. Many also come with side walls so it’s almost a tent adding privacy. Since the walls are detachable you can configure as you please with none or 3 sides if the weather sucks. I use a fold up cot for sleeping so if the weather is nice you can also just set up under the easyup. Remember to stake it! Also you can drive away from camp simply leaving the easyup deployed. Add a table for cooking. Bins go underneath the table. This system as worked beautifully with my suv. Now I’ve got a Tacoma so it’s time to reconfigure! But my plan is use the same basic set up.
2:47 mid-height toppers provide a surprising amount of headroom and still look pretty good. I have a white FS pickup with a white mid-height topper and to me it looks good. The wedge kind of topper provides even more headroom, but is not cool or sleek looking.
Excellent video, thanks so much. I just bought a Ford F-150 Supercrew and my plan is to build a solo sleeping setup in the rear seat area. After extensive research and measurements it is very doable and I have found a few very intriguing examples on UA-cam. I will use the bed for gear and secure it with a tonneau cover. My goal is a minimal setup that does not compromise my truck's ability to negotiate the trail. Thanks again!
Just found both this video/channel/vlog (whatever), and the author. And I can honestly say, not disappointed at all. I'm starting to build a bed-topper style. And got a tonnage of ideas. Thank you sir, and the other fellers as well. If you are ever in my neck of the woods, next round on me
This is a great compilation video, - well done! One thing which I think needs attention: The possibility to heat yout sleeping space when you are north of sub tropic areas. After trying several or your greatly rendered options, we are now with a separate fire tent from Tschum, combined with canopy truck and an optional large tarp in between with ampy space for dining and sitting in the evening close to the firepit
Enjoyed seeing the options laid out with pro and cons. I've pondered this for over a year now but keep coming back to using an open bed with a Gazelle ground tent. Using labeled tote bins keeps gear organized (kitchen, sleep, recovery, fishing, etc) and provides good protection from the elements. I use ratchet straps to secure the bins to prevent shifting and doing so also provides a low amount of security (someone can't simply reach in and snag a bin). A consideration I believe most gloss over is: how many times a year do you actually go camping? For me I'm doing good if I can get out 10-12 times per year so spending thousands on a dedicated setup doesn't make sense.
I was thinking of that option before, but the older I get the less I want to sleep on the ground (especially after three decades in the army), and I have back. Problems and sleeping bear infested areas and would rather be in something the grizzly needs to make noise ripping apart to wake me up so I can grab my gun instead of the bear just being able to take bites out of the human/sleeping bag flavored burrito
@@Rick_Sanchez_C137_ good point about the bear situation. I mostly camp in western and central Oregon so bears aren’t as much of a concern. Black bears around here are very shy.
I love the idea of a slide in. I really like the pop up ones for offroad use. As long as it is durable I dont think having small trails would be much of an issue. It doesnt stick up further than your topper and it is only a bit wider. If you run wide tires you are going to be able to offset that or you could get some rock rails that stick out past it a bit.
Very interesting and great content, Don. No matter what your preferred method is it's just nice to get out and and enjoy the outdoors. I used to be the camper with the Jeep SUV setting up a tent if I wanted to sleep outside. During the winter I rigged up a bed in the back cargo space. Recently, I traded the Jeep in for a cargo van and spent the past month converting it into a camper. I love the convenience of parking and my camp is pretty much set. However, I can make camp a little more elaborate by deploying an awning and set up a table, chair, a stove and/or a fire pit with grill.
Great video! I use a small 18' travel trailer because I don't go offroad. It's self-contained, small enough to tow and is a quick set-up/pack up and rain is not an issue. I do like the idea of a camper shell, though I'd miss indoor plumbing!
People are so creative! You too, Donald. I like to keep things light and mobile, so I have a lifted and under armored Forester plus Rightline tent. It was a new concept to me, a free-standing tent that attaches to the back of any square(ish) truck or SUV so I can use it on my full-size pickup with cap too. The idea is to use the vehicle for sleeping and the tent for everything else, or to sleep more people. You can attach it like a room, or detach and drive away. It's 8x8x7 ft high which is great. Under $300 on Amazon. Takes a while to set up the first time, but I've got it down to less than 10 minutes now. It probably could be noisy in wind but sleeping in the vehicle on 4 inch memory foam, I'm never aware of it even with the hatch open.
I'm a toss and go camper. Got 3 tents, 4 grills, 2 cook stoves, like the fact that camp stays at camp while we look around. It's good low initial investment beyond the truck and goes as far off road as the truck
Grat job, this compilation must of taken many many hours to put together. I subscribed not because of the content, for I know how I want to camp, but to just suport the fine work you do. Yes as a bonus, I learned a few things here and there too. Thanks, again great job on the video, top knotch.
I previously camped in my S-10 with a 6' bed and a cab height shell. I changed to a Wildernest, but had trouble opening it solo. I loved the sleeping loft and floor space. I've upgraded to a 4x4 Silverado with an 8' bed and a flippac that I can open solo. Stoked to take it out for the first time this coming week....
Nice review. I simply open any door of my station wagon and lay down. Plenty long enough for two and a couple of bags for short trips. After watching this, anything on a trailer is the next step up.
I just got my first cap. Wasn't made for my truck, but it fits fine. Just a little lower than the cab. I made a van into a camper years ago. I'm excited to have a 8ft bed to work with! This channel helped me decide to just get the truck bed cap!
I've experimented with lots of different set ups, from tents and gear in the back of the truck to owning a 25 foot motor home. I'm really happy with my current set up. 4 door full size truck with a camper shell and a pop-up camper. When I travel solo I sleep in the back of the truck and use a camper shell tent door with the tailgate down and shell window flipped up. I need that extra space since I'm 6'4" and my truck bed is only 5.5 feet. I found the shell on offer up for $500. When I'm camping with the family our 2002 Coleman Bayside is incredible. I found it used in great condition for $3500 in 2020. When its popped open there's more room than we had in our 25' motor home. The trailer is reasonably light weight around 2500 pounds without gear. We use a luggable lue for bathroom and have a portable solar panel that we can top off the battery with. All our gear lives in the trailer except for the tail gating type stuff, chairs, tables etc. This set up gives us so much flexibility to go from basic roughing it to glamping and we can decide just how luxurious we want to get depending on our destination and duration of the trip. All this for less than $5k invested and we can likely sell the pop-up for more than we paid down the road.
When it is just me and the dog, I have been using a trailer hitch hammock mount. Love hammock sleeping. Using it now with an SUV. I keep the rear hatch open (my dog in dog crate inside) with a tarp fastened via magnets to the SUV. A couple poles and guidelines make the tarp an excellent wind and rain blocker. Throw up a privacy tent for cassette toilet, changing clothes, and shower. Looking at upgrading to a mid-size truck (Tacoma, Ranger or Gladiator Sport S with max towing package) and a trailer of some sort.
Great breakdown on the pros and cons of the various ways to use a truck for camping. Right now I don't have any kind of cover on my truck bed and I either sleep in a hammock or in a ground tent with a cot. Most my trips are over the weekend for paintball events, but occasionally I head into the Manistee National Forest for an overnight trip. Eventually I want to get something with less set up than a hammock or ground tent for my paintball trips.
I learned a lot about sewing curves from watching, Sail rite videos on you tube. One of the tricks to learning to sew is sizing the needle and thread. The needle should just slide down the thread at 45 degrees. I went with the annex off of the back ,on the ground. "Goes up fast, has a stove jack and for a diy Im tickled." It goes on under the back of my canoe. Currently building a bed extender box for the overnights at Wally world where the annex is out. Go DIY.
I've done ground tent, rooftop tent and now small offroad trailer. And I still own all of tbem. I'm not sure which one I like best. It depends on where I'm going and what I plan to explore. But with the trailer I obviously have the most comfort. And I like the idea of having that "Basecamp" and being able to do difficult trails with a light truck unburdened with all the heavy gear. When I go somewhere I want to use my 17 ft Grizzly Tracker boat and can't tow the trailer and it, the rooftop tent is the answer. And if I'm just getting away fairly local for a night or two a simple ground tent thrown in the covered truck bed is a simple way to go. This was a great video!
I have an ARE shell and love it. I didnt build in anything so my truck is still useful. When i camp, a coleman cot is perfect. Storage underneath using clear tubs, and i can sit upright with my feet on the floor and my head has plenty of room. I am over 6' 2" and I do not feel cramped, I can change clothes, and deploy my 5 gallon toilet as well. Perfect set up for my needs.
Nice vid, but one solution is missing. I've got a universal rear tent for my truck. It's like a pavillion with walls and two doors. One for entry/exit and one for the truck. Connects the truckbed with the tent. You can leave the tent, drive around an come back. I still use the truck to sleep in, but the tent for kitchen. Greetz from Germany 🖖🙂👍
Thanks for this video. In the process of getting a pickup and can't decide on a 5.5' vs 6.5' bed. At the end of the day, I think any camping in the pickup truck is more for me than the rest of the crew left at home (wife plus youngest).
I have an oldish Ford Ranger (European, 2x4) with a flat bed 165cm x 230cm and drop down sides and tail gate. I had a canopy made for it when I bought the truck new in 01, which is take offable if there are 2 strong men available. I use the truck now and again for camping so for me the Dan method is the best, as I need it for hauling hay bales etc. I have a Decathlon social tent which can cover the rear, and my cycling UL tent just fits nicely as a ground tent on the truck bed. Great video and well presented.
this is priceless content ive been bingeing and i feel like ive hit the goldmine! Thank you for an impeccable guide i am beyond impressed. couldnt subscribe fast enough!
At 70 years old now I would pass on tent camping and have to go with atleast my truck topper with a cot and mattress for over night. I've seen some pretty sweet topper setups and that would be all I would need. Pull type campers are for weekenders who need a second home.
Nice job I’m running ATOVERLAND atlas pop up on my tundra fully self-contained with the trailer I live on the road full-time bless thanks for the video
designing a setup that can go from work mode to weekend camper is a challenge and i have a lot of respect for those who don’t have a dedicated overlanding rig
Just want to say thanks, very informative and the practical demonstrations and B roll really helped me decide that a trailer is probably the best for me. Thank you again.
This is a fantastic video, genuinely great production and I really enjoy your presentation. I’m not currently in the market, but exploring for future consideration and this was just great to watch!
When I lived in British Columbia I enjoyed spending my days off exploring hiking trails. Living was expensive but I had a mid-size car and a very primitive tent trailer (very light) It had a rigid top that you crank. It had queen size bed on each side and in the middle a table for four, water tank, propane heater. On the outside it had a roll out canape on the right side of the trailer you had a pull slide drawer that included a sink with tap a two burners and a under the sink cabinet with sliding doors. You could have it in or out. I had it mostly out.
I think truck tents are great for those people that like going out, but only do so a couple times a year. Also a good entry level for those not comfortable being outdoors.
Compared my set up the whole time with all the other set ups and all are good. Set up camp in 10 minutes and brake down in 15 with my diy gear. Its about getting out there. Great video.
Its like Coke or Pepsi it all comes down to taste. Some like Campers some like tents. I lean towards a campers no tents. Seen to many killer Grizzly movies the guy in the tent is the first to get it! ( :
I’m more worried about bad weather but also you can get decent mattress setup in a camper or just anything with your truck bed being covered. Look up UA-cam Mav I like his setup he did in his truck. I just wish trucks weren’t so much damn money!
I have the topper and worked well in the past. The only one I would consider now is the GFC or possibly just a nice canvas tent but I"m sure I would get tired of always setting a Springbar up all the time.
Nice video. Mine is a 1990 VW Campervan with pop top. PROs Ease/speed of setup, sturdy, comfy, built in sink/stove/frig and with swivel front seats, super roomy. CONs Leveling, poor MPG, hippie magnet, not best off road, driving in wind is not for the faint of heart, can’t drive away from camp.
Great video as usual! Great subject and you did an awesome job of being super thorough. You aren’t the least bit OCD lol. I can say that because I can be a bit OCD myself at times lol. I currently have the best of 3 worlds lol. I have a short bed truck crew cab with a leer shell on it. I DIY built drawers that slide out for gear and totes and DIY containers for more gear. I have a quick setup tent with a cot and small table with room for an extra person. I also have a Hennessy Hammock with the extra winter stuff and sleeping bag good to -35 Fahrenheit and 10x12 rainfly lol. Then I have an Arctic Fox trailer that is true 4 season capable for when I’m camping in one spot for extended periods in fall and winter like 2-6 weeks at a time (hunting). My son and grandson join me when I’m using any of those options and we always enjoy ourselves. I have to admit though when there’s snow on the ground and more falling its nice to have a hot shower, set the thermostat, make some popcorn and watch a DVD about camping with my grandson lol He’s only 8 but he loves your channel and primal outdoors so we are raising him right lol. Cheers mate
I have used ground tents, hard and soft sided campers, and a motorhome. I like the slide in camper the best, and with a pop-up on a 4x4 truck I could go anywhere the truck would go without the camper.
All of these are great ideas. Here goes my ideas... Full-sized truck: Slide in camper or Canopy with DIY build. Midsize truck (Frontiers etc): Hybrid or adventure trailer. SUV: Adventure trailer or DIY platform build. I really like your idea, Donald. Either topper or Hybrid seems the best for about any truck build.
Very INTERISTING, i have A Lear 8' canopy WITH 6" RASIED factory ROOF, AND AM NOW BUILDING A bed FOR THE INSIDE (ON TRIP last YEAR SLEEPING on bed FLOOR WAS THE pits.. good Video.
I travel most winters out to AZ, where I rockhound in the Quartzsite/Parker area. I took a 26' travel trailer out there several years ago and stayed in a RV campground, while traversing thru the desert in my truck and 4 wheeler. I told myself I would never travel over the Rocky Mountains again, pulling a large trailer and sold it as soon as I returned home. Lol. Now I just rough it, sleeping in the backseat of my truck and also spend nights at a motel. I have a shortbed F-150 with a Baja set-up for my spare tire, so bed space is very limited. I am looking at the Four Wheel Camper Project M type of set-up, as it would allow for a sleeping area above and give me room to load my Trailmaster MB-200 dirt bike in the truck bed below. I'm looking for a shell model, as I don't need all the amenities as the pricier set-ups. As a solo camper, I cook over an open fire, pack a porta potty and I'm set. Getting out in nature and exploring all of God's wonderful creations is my only goal when camping.
Wow, if I'd only known 40 yrs. ago when I built a 'dog house' on the bed of my 1953 f-150 outta wood that this kinda stuff would become a 'thing'...mine was nice and tight and shingled, didn't leak in southern California rains and the 'door'' was a blanket hung over a rope. Everyone knew I slept back there and only one person ever bothered me. Pretty open, kept my drums and stuff back there....try do'n that nowadays....
my solution is a truck cap and a ground tent. If I plan on a one night camp. I can sleep in the truck. Longer stays, set up a ground tent. I built a drawer system in the bed. Also I did a rear seat delete to add tons of storage space.
I have an Avalanche. The mid-gate function as well as the locking tonneau cover allows you to sleep halfway into the cab while still leaving plenty of space for gear storage in the bed.
Right now, finishing up a camper shell conversion. Doing this just to get off grid quickly. Starting next spring a friend and I are going to be doing a foamie over aluminum frame pop up camper. Kind of a take on the Four Wheel Campers Project M but with the ability to mount a window unit AC for camping in the south... This is on a refurbed 2004 F150 4x4.
Really cool vid. I have a really lightweight pickup so always looking for the 'best way' to make desert trips comfortable. Like the idea of your Leer utility shell and have been looking at other options like awning rooms too.
Lots of good info here. I’m leaning toward ls the diy, but the struggle is real. Everyone one of them has something I like. My biggest challenge is finding one that is made for a 8’ bed 😬
I use the bed tent, they are basically just a step up from gear in the bed. Just like gear in bed, you can quickly and easily revert back to normal truck for work after the weekend. If you're camping rather than over landing, and intend to park the truck, maybe use an atv etc, they make a lot of sense. The issue of not having a table/cooking surface on the tailgate doesn't make much difference as a small table can be packed pretty easily. If I was sleeping in a different spot ever night then yes, I agree a camper/rooftop makes much more sense
I have a 2013 f-150 with a 20 ft jayco feather light trailer. I have a son with medical needs. So we had to have a bathroom. It works for us. We can park the trailer in a camp ground or boon dock. Then go explore plus I have a rack that holds 3 Kayaks. I live close to Eugene or. So we go to the coast and the cascades.
I am a trailer guy for sure. it is a pain in some situations, .like really tight roads if you ever need to back up but since I pull a trailer every day all day for work it really ISN'T much trouble for me. I would imagine people who trailer less often would struggle more with that. all in all it is the best way to go for me. I love to set up camp then be able to leave in my truck. I also love keeping all my gear in the trailer so it is all ready to go at any time. you get home and there is nothing to do but bring your personal items in and food.
Homeless in a 02 Silverado with a topper. I stretch a 9 x 12 foot tarp over the back end length wise securing with bunjis to the wheel well support rods and stake down the other end. In side a twin mattress and milk crates full of equipment. a folding chair and a camp stove, I'm good to go.
nice! where do you park to avoid getting bothered?
@@ghostiiOnSpotify up to you to find that depending on your location
@@peterrocxtone8453 good heads up..
Smart!
Hope your Chevy is doing well and same for yourself
The slide outs the contractor made for the truck bed were the best!
Thanks! I think so too 😉
Me too!
@@holmes5517 Me too !
This no doubt one of the most interesting episodes on this topic. It's awesome to see how people apply themselves to setups that they desire.
Really interesting video. Great seeing the comparisons of the different styles. When l used to go tenting with my daughter we used lidded plastic bins that were permanently filled and stored in the garage so they were also available as grab and go evacuation "pods". The tent was separate but all other gear went in bins. One was filled with cooking gear and all other camping "hardware", lanterns, plates, dishcloths, soap, games.....(l kept a list of what went in there taped to the lid so anything that came into the house to be washed was sure to go back out again), one with my clothes and toiletries and one with hers. All the gear had been purchased cheaply second hand and was left in the bins and only updated with a change in clothing size or season. The advantage of that was minimal handling and they were all waterproof. The last bin was all our canned and dried food and, as money was VERY tight l used to refill the food tote by buying an extra can or packet or three everytime l shopped. (I also had a tried and true list of what we'd need taped to the lid on this one.) Usually by the time we were ready to go away the tote was full again and the only expenses were extra fuel and fresh food. It made a HUGE difference in our ability to go away as, the extra food cost topping up the tote was barely noticed and it was quick and easy to grab 4 bins and a tent and leave, knowing nothing had been forgotten. It was also really reassuring knowing how quick and easy evacuating in an emergency would have been. Hope this helps someone else.
I love that idea!
Awesome video. Most UA-camrs spend the 1st 5 minutes talking about their channel and why you should subscribe, without creating an outline. You told us exactly what was happening, how it was going to be explained, and even separated it into segments for us. Thank you!
A bit to negative for the truck bed tent, how about trying one, set up in 15 minutes max, done and dusted. Quick and simple.
Something not covered in this video is a tent system integrated with a truck cap. To me this makes the most sense of you already have a topper on your pickup bed. This sort of a tent runs about 60 pounds and would store in the back of the pickup. The topper creates a watertight sleeping area that is up and off the ground. For my wife, this is her primary camping request (high and dry). However, for everything else (cooking, dining and lounging), being on the ground in a dining shelter or under a fly makes the most sense to me. Being in my late 60s, I have no desire to climb up a ladder to sleep or access living quarters. Sadly there are surprisingly few tent systems you can buy that integrate the truck bed sleeping quarters with a kitchen/dining tent. One such company is Truck Tents Canada. They have a few tents that attach to the truck top. If people know of other manufacturers, I'd love to know about them. I have yet to buy one of these tents.
Donald! You knocked it out of the park with this video. So incredibly thorough and well thought out. You really pulled out all the stops and put in a ton of work.
So many options out there right now in terms of how you can get out and explore, it’s almost overwhelming!
Thanks for being a part of this! Really enjoyed checking out your DIY camper!
@@softroadingthewest of course man!
@@softroadingthewest Any recommendations for someone with a mid-sized truck with a 5.5 foot bed? (I just bought a crew cab Chevy Colorado).
@@matts1166 Congrats on the truck! I initially ran a tall Leer contractor cap for a while, which I built out inside and modified to make a long enough sleep space. I have a detailed walkaround of how that all turned out:
ua-cam.com/video/otneHvp6aNY/v-deo.html
That worked decently for me as a single guy, although the tall cap was an MPG nightmare and I couldn't stand up in it. I now run a pop-up camper from Topo Toppers and I absolutely love it. The truck is sleek and gets good gas mileage, I can stand up inside the camper when it's deployed (which is fast and easy), and I have a roomy, comfortable sleeping space. I have a *ton* of videos about the camper and my buildout spanning the past year and a half if you poke around my channel.
So I've been taking camping trips with my 2021 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Trail Boss and I use a backseat air mattress that has supports to fill the gap from floor to the bottom of the rear seat and it spans the distance from the back of the rear seat to the back of the front seat, used it a few times and its actually quite comfy. I use my pickup bed to haul my totes that hold my cooking equipment and extra tools. So far its been a good set up
i have been hunting in the mountains for over 15 years now and we all (6 families) have settled on the idea a slide in camper seems to fit the need the best. We can get out of the snow and dry out quickly with the heater. Inside camp equipment is at the ready and the ability to be outside is always there while also enjoying a harder shell package if weather is bad. Some newer shells are all aluminum frame and weigh in around the 650-800 lb range, making them very versatile and light for what we do.
I just live out my SUV. SUVs make for perfect sleeping shelters. I do have this canopy thing that attaches to the rear and my vehicle if I need shade or protection from the rain as I cook.
Unfortunately I'm not young anymore. Things are a little bit more difficult and since I am full timing it. My setup has to be quick to put up and tear down. I commute 82 miles a day from work to camp. I'm now thinking about one of those small off-road trailers. My body is broken and after a 16-hour shift I really don't have the energy to do anything.
These different ways of camping are each great to different people . I'm disabled and so I choose a cab high truck canopy and then I have built out the back of the covered truck bed to the camping preferences that work for me.
Safe travels and happy camping, see you out there camping 🏕🏞🌄😊👍🙏🏽☝🏽🕊
Over 40k subscribers, congrats Donald! Well deserved!
Great breakdown as always! Some additional considerations:
- Tents and other soft-sided campers (yes rooftops too) aren't allowed in some campgrounds that have bear issues. Not sure about the 4wd Camper style pop-up. Rooftops only provide perceived bear safety, and less if you are cooking right under your rooftop tent with that sweet slide out stove "flavoring" your sleeping area with bacon smells...
- Payload - It's more than just suspension sag (brakes, cooling, handling) and can ruin your day if you get in an accident. If your insurance company realizes you were over payload with a camper, they may not pay out and don't have to. (ie, just about any mid-size + slide-in). How we love to modify our off-roaders ruin our payload, even though weight is the enemy of performance.
- Mileage = range, also mileage = $
- Ground tents have the advantage of still being usable if you roll your vehicle, it catches fire, need to hike out after too much fun, etc.
- Truck caps have almost 0 setup/breakdown time. You can also do lazy dust sealing by placing any soft-sided storage next to the tailgate while driving. Even with the massive gaps of my Tacoma tailgate I get near zero dust just by placing my duffle against it after driving all day in the dirt.
- Slide-ins are probably going to be warmer/cooler, even pop-up style. The construction just naturally creates more dead-air space.
Excellent insights!
I stopped the dust issue by using weather stripping that has one side sticky. I put it around the tail gate and where the door of my camper shell closes. Dust free after that. Cheers
My wife & I have a small Intech aluminum utility trailer, weighs 1500 lbs., fits in home garage. Pulled by Chevy Colorado. Trailer provides AC/Heat, Fantastic Fan, TV/Stereo, Pull-Out Kitchen, portable solar power, and secure Indoor Protected Sleeping. We also set-up a Gazelle tent next to the trailer. We use this as our base camp so that we have full use of the truck to explore nearby areas, whether off-road or not.
For the family, we have a large travel trailer with slides and a bunkhouse. It's a great way to get out of the house and on the road. We have a one ton diesel that works great. It's large so boondocking in remote locations is not possible and it needs lots of room with all the slides. When I go out on hunting for fishing trips, I use a Kodiak Canvas truck bed tent. I have a comfortable cot and bedroll and can fit a lot of my gear inside with me. I stay warm and dry for two to four day trips. My next purchases down the road will be a Jackery and a fridge for solo camping, but coolers fit the bill for now with limited time out in the woods. Great video!!
I lucked out into a Napier truck tent for $100. Bought the companion add on tent for it for $150. Doubled my space which is a hell of a lot cheaper than your other alternatives. With that saved money I bought a Jackery and solar panels for off grid fun. I also have a tow behind camper for the wife....gotta have that bathroom. : - )
Definitely way more affordable. Personally I just feel that if I'm going to deal with setting up a tent or hassle with wet tent fabric, it might as well just be a ground tent that sets up easier and doesn't require pulling everything out of the truck to use. Clearly though, these truck tents have some kind of appeal...there seem to be a lot of people using them. That's the beauty of a pickup as a camp rig...everyone can find a way to camp that makes sense to them.
As soon as he said "if you don't wanna watch all the video scroll" automatically liked it.
I loved the dual functionality of Handy Dan's setup... useful every day & while camping! This is an idea that I might incorporate!
Dan's slide out camper shell system is by far the simplest and straight forward approach. I've done similar to Dan in the past as well as a roof top tent, slide in pop up and van. My next will be a teardrop size trailer mainly for convenience, tow it with any vehicle rather than a set up specifically for one truck only. It's always ready to go with very little set up or take down and it eliminates the need for gear storage in the house/garage. Great video!!!
I'd love to take my kids camping. I'm 43, 6'5" tall, single dad. My daughter is 15, my son 12. I just purchased a 2020 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab with a 5.5 foot bed. I'm thinking most of our camping will be campgrounds with shower facilities and electric hookups. I'm wondering if a hybrid setup would work the best. Put a topper on the pickup, but also pull a small trailer with rear entry. Daughter would use the truck bed as her bedroom, camper would be where my sone and I sleep, and also the kitchen/couch/TV. I wonder how hard it would be to rig a little air conditioner to the top of a topper and rig the whole thing for shore power?
back in '78 I had a 55 dodge power wagon and a 'baja camper' that was a 55 Ford pickup bed trailer with a homebrew camper shell on it, had twinsize mattress on the floor and a cabinet of drawers next to that for all my clothes, food and cooking gear. I liked being able to drop it off and go way up in the back country
Nice my dad used to take us back in 1980 in his camper fishing. I don't remember since I was 6 months old, haha, but several years later I remember and I think that is what started my addiction
A true beast.
currently have an '05 foresrer LLBean and a'66 PowerWagon Utilite (but I can't do a manual trans anymore)
I know the spot you stopped at. I also camp there. Made me smile to see you on my famous trout river. Always how, never where.
The way handy Dan set up the bed under his shell would also work really well for people making DIY campers. You could have a bed over your cab and stuff up high but still have wide doors and one or both sides able to pull out to carry along tools, spare camping/hunting/fishing gear, the ability to set portapot on slide and then slide it out to make it easier to remove to empty or use outside, or leave slide empty until needed/wanted….
I may be utilizing that idea in my future build. Wish me luck!
I have truck bed tent, and yes they’re a pain to set up, but after adding a slide out floor like your first interview and a soft-topper, we just drop the tent into the bed and pull the soft top over it for the day. This avoids about 90% of the daily setup when we’re camping… Why not just use the soft-topper? The tent has more headroom and extends out onto the tailgate, so it has a lot more usable space. In the end 90% what it’s adding is a flat floor up off the ground… You did nail the need for a separate kitchen setup… I have been looking at an ~easy-up tent (easy-up style top with a “tent” that hangs underneath and has a floor). I’ve see one where you can back your truck up to it and bridge the gap with a built in extension so that you can access all your gear from inside the tent, and to go exploring you just detach the extension to the truck. Lots of room, relatively low cost and your truck remains a truck (but I haven’t tried it yet)
I like my truck bed camper set up in my Tundra with a 6'6" bed and an extended 4" high canopy. I built a 10" high x 24" wide 6'6" long bed. For me, I like to go to a fishing location, and fish, If I can stay in that spot good, if not I go to a spot nearby. I also like that I can stealth camp when I travel, go in town, hit a bar or store, crawl in back and disappear, I can park almost anywhere in town. I also like that I can go to a friends and if I have too much to drink, I can crash in back and drive out in the morning without disturbing my friends. When I camp, I set up a cheap tent and camp chair to hold my camp site when I'm out fishing.
Budget and frequency of use will drive my setup. I have a truck with a bedcover. I have a ground tent and misc camping gear. The few odds and ends of additional gear won’t cost much. I haven’t truck camped much, so what I have, while older, has a lot of life left in in. I don’t go out specifically to camp. It’s part of something else for me, like hunting or overlanding. If I need to occasionally be out overnight or a few days, my existing gear will get me through. The truck bed tents are interesting, but I run a smaller truck, so it’d be a bit cramped. Haven’t ruled out a truck bed tent, but finances and use level will most likely keep me using my current gear.
Camper shells were called camper shells for decades! I guess that didn’t sound glamorous enough. Great vid! I no longer camp out of a truck but I really enjoy presentations like this.
Thanks for this comparison episode. I'm happy to see you're getting out there again.
I just returned from a six day trip to the Black Hills. First longer camping trip in decades. I'm just getting back into it after about 25+ years. Found that my old sleeping pad is not going to cut it and I will probably upsize my tent too. By the fourth day I had a very, very sore neck and lower back. Getting old. 😣 Tent is too small to fit a cot or a larger and thicker pad. Will give the old gear one more try before I give up on it.
Your channel as well as Primal Outdoors helped to rekindle my love of off pavement travel. For that I want to thank you and Jason!
Thanks for a great video Donald! Lots of interesting information and different approaches to the same need.
Thanks Dan and thank you for being part of this project. Great ideas in your setup that can be useful across a wide range of build approaches!
But i want to know about Dan’s hand. Are you ok?
@@dyscea Thumb is doing fantastic! Thanks!
If you have just a topper/shell get yourself an easyup canopy. Folds down compact and is super easy to set up. Place it about a foot over the back end of your truck. That way you have a quick, easy, and dry place to stand, sit, and cook. Many also come with side walls so it’s almost a tent adding privacy. Since the walls are detachable you can configure as you please with none or 3 sides if the weather sucks. I use a fold up cot for sleeping so if the weather is nice you can also just set up under the easyup. Remember to stake it! Also you can drive away from camp simply leaving the easyup deployed. Add a table for cooking. Bins go underneath the table. This system as worked beautifully with my suv. Now I’ve got a Tacoma so it’s time to reconfigure! But my plan is use the same basic set up.
2:47 mid-height toppers provide a surprising amount of headroom and still look pretty good. I have a white FS pickup with a white mid-height topper and to me it looks good. The wedge kind of topper provides even more headroom, but is not cool or sleek looking.
Excellent video, thanks so much. I just bought a Ford F-150 Supercrew and my plan is to build a solo sleeping setup in the rear seat area. After extensive research and measurements it is very doable and I have found a few very intriguing examples on UA-cam. I will use the bed for gear and secure it with a tonneau cover. My goal is a minimal setup that does not compromise my truck's ability to negotiate the trail. Thanks again!
Interesting approach!
Just found both this video/channel/vlog (whatever), and the author. And I can honestly say, not disappointed at all. I'm starting to build a bed-topper style. And got a tonnage of ideas. Thank you sir, and the other fellers as well. If you are ever in my neck of the woods, next round on me
Well done! I camp with my crosstrek, but this was helpful for inspiration and it was just interesting.
Crosstrek club!
This is a great compilation video, - well done! One thing which I think needs attention: The possibility to heat yout sleeping space when you are north of sub tropic areas. After trying several or your greatly rendered options, we are now with a separate fire tent from Tschum, combined with canopy truck and an optional large tarp in between with ampy space for dining and sitting in the evening close to the firepit
I loved this video. So much GOOD 👍 information. I enjoyed the different ways to camp and the personality each "camper" brought forth. Thanks!💖
I'd give it a thumbs up!
Thanks for the shout out. Very humbling to be featured in one of your stellar videos. One day we will enjoy some good conversation around a camp fire.
Thanks again for providing some footage. Looking forward to checking it out in person out in the PNW wilderness!
Awesome to see you on Donald's channel!
It's always good to catch one of your older videos. Thanks and best wishes!
Enjoyed seeing the options laid out with pro and cons. I've pondered this for over a year now but keep coming back to using an open bed with a Gazelle ground tent. Using labeled tote bins keeps gear organized (kitchen, sleep, recovery, fishing, etc) and provides good protection from the elements. I use ratchet straps to secure the bins to prevent shifting and doing so also provides a low amount of security (someone can't simply reach in and snag a bin). A consideration I believe most gloss over is: how many times a year do you actually go camping? For me I'm doing good if I can get out 10-12 times per year so spending thousands on a dedicated setup doesn't make sense.
I was thinking of that option before, but the older I get the less I want to sleep on the ground (especially after three decades in the army), and I have back. Problems and sleeping bear infested areas and would rather be in something the grizzly needs to make noise ripping apart to wake me up so I can grab my gun instead of the bear just being able to take bites out of the human/sleeping bag flavored burrito
@@Rick_Sanchez_C137_ good point about the bear situation. I mostly camp in western and central Oregon so bears aren’t as much of a concern. Black bears around here are very shy.
I think 12x a year is quite a lot and worth a small investment. 1-2x a gear? Probably not.
I love the idea of a slide in. I really like the pop up ones for offroad use. As long as it is durable I dont think having small trails would be much of an issue. It doesnt stick up further than your topper and it is only a bit wider. If you run wide tires you are going to be able to offset that or you could get some rock rails that stick out past it a bit.
Very interesting and great content, Don. No matter what your preferred method is it's just nice to get out and and enjoy the outdoors. I used to be the camper with the Jeep SUV setting up a tent if I wanted to sleep outside. During the winter I rigged up a bed in the back cargo space. Recently, I traded the Jeep in for a cargo van and spent the past month converting it into a camper. I love the convenience of parking and my camp is pretty much set. However, I can make camp a little more elaborate by deploying an awning and set up a table, chair, a stove and/or a fire pit with grill.
Great video! I use a small 18' travel trailer because I don't go offroad. It's self-contained, small enough to tow and is a quick set-up/pack up and rain is not an issue. I do like the idea of a camper shell, though I'd miss indoor plumbing!
People are so creative! You too, Donald. I like to keep things light and mobile, so I have a lifted and under armored Forester plus Rightline tent. It was a new concept to me, a free-standing tent that attaches to the back of any square(ish) truck or SUV so I can use it on my full-size pickup with cap too. The idea is to use the vehicle for sleeping and the tent for everything else, or to sleep more people. You can attach it like a room, or detach and drive away. It's 8x8x7 ft high which is great. Under $300 on Amazon. Takes a while to set up the first time, but I've got it down to less than 10 minutes now. It probably could be noisy in wind but sleeping in the vehicle on 4 inch memory foam, I'm never aware of it even with the hatch open.
I'm a toss and go camper. Got 3 tents, 4 grills, 2 cook stoves, like the fact that camp stays at camp while we look around. It's good low initial investment beyond the truck and goes as far off road as the truck
Grat job, this compilation must of taken many many hours to put together. I subscribed not because of the content, for I know how I want to camp, but to just suport the fine work you do.
Yes as a bonus, I learned a few things here and there too.
Thanks, again great job on the video, top knotch.
Safety is big factor to me that’s why the camper shell is my favorite and it’s compact.
You can take out the boxes when you get to your site.
Thanks for the great I. Dan’s setup is awesome.
Thank you! It continues to be a great solution for me!
@@danhohman it’s very well thought out.
Outstanding video sir. That must have required a ton of time and work. Thank you very much!
I previously camped in my S-10 with a 6' bed and a cab height shell. I changed to a Wildernest, but had trouble opening it solo. I loved the sleeping loft and floor space. I've upgraded to a 4x4 Silverado with an 8' bed and a flippac that I can open solo. Stoked to take it out for the first time this coming week....
Nice! The Flippac seems like an awesome way to camp.
Nice review. I simply open any door of my station wagon and lay down. Plenty long enough for two and a couple of bags for short trips. After watching this, anything on a trailer is the next step up.
I just got my first cap. Wasn't made for my truck, but it fits fine. Just a little lower than the cab. I made a van into a camper years ago. I'm excited to have a 8ft bed to work with! This channel helped me decide to just get the truck bed cap!
I've experimented with lots of different set ups, from tents and gear in the back of the truck to owning a 25 foot motor home. I'm really happy with my current set up. 4 door full size truck with a camper shell and a pop-up camper. When I travel solo I sleep in the back of the truck and use a camper shell tent door with the tailgate down and shell window flipped up. I need that extra space since I'm 6'4" and my truck bed is only 5.5 feet. I found the shell on offer up for $500. When I'm camping with the family our 2002 Coleman Bayside is incredible. I found it used in great condition for $3500 in 2020. When its popped open there's more room than we had in our 25' motor home. The trailer is reasonably light weight around 2500 pounds without gear. We use a luggable lue for bathroom and have a portable solar panel that we can top off the battery with. All our gear lives in the trailer except for the tail gating type stuff, chairs, tables etc. This set up gives us so much flexibility to go from basic roughing it to glamping and we can decide just how luxurious we want to get depending on our destination and duration of the trip. All this for less than $5k invested and we can likely sell the pop-up for more than we paid down the road.
When it is just me and the dog, I have been using a trailer hitch hammock mount. Love hammock sleeping. Using it now with an SUV. I keep the rear hatch open (my dog in dog crate inside) with a tarp fastened via magnets to the SUV. A couple poles and guidelines make the tarp an excellent wind and rain blocker. Throw up a privacy tent for cassette toilet, changing clothes, and shower. Looking at upgrading to a mid-size truck (Tacoma, Ranger or Gladiator Sport S with max towing package) and a trailer of some sort.
Here’s my nomination for most honest presentation! I subscribed just after the intro.
Great breakdown on the pros and cons of the various ways to use a truck for camping. Right now I don't have any kind of cover on my truck bed and I either sleep in a hammock or in a ground tent with a cot. Most my trips are over the weekend for paintball events, but occasionally I head into the Manistee National Forest for an overnight trip. Eventually I want to get something with less set up than a hammock or ground tent for my paintball trips.
This is super help full. The presentation was professional. Well done Sir, thank you.
I learned a lot about sewing curves from watching, Sail rite videos on you tube. One of the tricks to learning to sew is sizing the needle and thread. The needle should just slide down the thread at 45 degrees.
I went with the annex off of the back ,on the ground. "Goes up fast, has a stove jack and for a diy Im tickled."
It goes on under the back of my canoe.
Currently building a bed extender box for the overnights at Wally world where the annex is out.
Go DIY.
I've done ground tent, rooftop tent and now small offroad trailer. And I still own all of tbem. I'm not sure which one I like best. It depends on where I'm going and what I plan to explore. But with the trailer I obviously have the most comfort. And I like the idea of having that "Basecamp" and being able to do difficult trails with a light truck unburdened with all the heavy gear.
When I go somewhere I want to use my 17 ft Grizzly Tracker boat and can't tow the trailer and it, the rooftop tent is the answer.
And if I'm just getting away fairly local for a night or two a simple ground tent thrown in the covered truck bed is a simple way to go.
This was a great video!
I have an ARE shell and love it. I didnt build in anything so my truck is still useful. When i camp, a coleman cot is perfect. Storage underneath using clear tubs, and i can sit upright with my feet on the floor and my head has plenty of room. I am over 6' 2" and I do not feel cramped, I can change clothes, and deploy my 5 gallon toilet as well. Perfect set up for my needs.
Awesome, very practical approach!
Well done. Well written with excellent narration.
SoftTopper with bed rack and hard shell CVT Mt Hood on top. So far working pretty good. Probably need to make my own lil walk around video of it.
Nice vid, but one solution is missing. I've got a universal rear tent for my truck. It's like a pavillion with walls and two doors. One for entry/exit and one for the truck. Connects the truckbed with the tent. You can leave the tent, drive around an come back. I still use the truck to sleep in, but the tent for kitchen. Greetz from Germany 🖖🙂👍
Thanks for this video. In the process of getting a pickup and can't decide on a 5.5' vs 6.5' bed. At the end of the day, I think any camping in the pickup truck is more for me than the rest of the crew left at home (wife plus youngest).
3:12 minutes in and I've NEVER SEEN the topper lift system, despite studying logistics for awhile.
You, sir, are doing the big work. THANKS!
I have an oldish Ford Ranger (European, 2x4) with a flat bed 165cm x 230cm and drop down sides and tail gate. I had a canopy made for it when I bought the truck new in 01, which is take offable if there are 2 strong men available. I use the truck now and again for camping so for me the Dan method is the best, as I need it for hauling hay bales etc. I have a Decathlon social tent which can cover the rear, and my cycling UL tent just fits nicely as a ground tent on the truck bed.
Great video and well presented.
This was a great video! I love the information that the second option gives. That’s what I’ve been looking for!
this is priceless content ive been bingeing and i feel like ive hit the goldmine! Thank you for an impeccable guide i am beyond impressed. couldnt subscribe fast enough!
At 70 years old now I would pass on tent camping and have to go with atleast my truck topper with a cot and mattress for over night. I've seen some pretty sweet topper setups and that would be all I would need. Pull type campers are for weekenders who need a second home.
Mid rise canopy shell with a decked system on my zr2. The decked system provides a storage solution and a sleeping platform in one.
That's what I've been thinking about. What do you do about a cooler/refrigerator? Thanks.
Nice job I’m running ATOVERLAND atlas pop up on my tundra fully self-contained with the trailer I live on the road full-time bless thanks for the video
Thanks for the foamie and channel mentions. Great video! George.
Exceptionally thorough and well-made video! Tons of useful info here...thank you!
designing a setup that can go from work mode to weekend camper is a challenge and i have a lot of respect for those who don’t have a dedicated overlanding rig
Just want to say thanks, very informative and the practical demonstrations and B roll really helped me decide that a trailer is probably the best for me. Thank you again.
This is a fantastic video, genuinely great production and I really enjoy your presentation. I’m not currently in the market, but exploring for future consideration and this was just great to watch!
When I lived in British Columbia I enjoyed spending my days off exploring hiking trails. Living was expensive but I had a mid-size car and a very primitive tent trailer (very light) It had a rigid top that you crank. It had queen size bed on each side and in the middle a table for four, water tank, propane heater. On the outside it had a roll out canape on the right side of the trailer you had a pull slide drawer that included a sink with tap a two burners and a under the sink cabinet with sliding doors. You could have it in or out. I had it mostly out.
Great versatility! Thanks! =Cosmo
I think truck tents are great for those people that like going out, but only do so a couple times a year. Also a good entry level for those not comfortable being outdoors.
Compared my set up the whole time with all the other set ups and all are good. Set up camp in 10 minutes and brake down in 15 with my diy gear. Its about getting out there. Great video.
Its like Coke or Pepsi it all comes down to taste. Some like Campers some like tents. I lean towards a campers no tents. Seen to many killer Grizzly movies the guy in the tent is the first to get it! ( :
I’m more worried about bad weather but also you can get decent mattress setup in a camper or just anything with your truck bed being covered. Look up UA-cam Mav I like his setup he did in his truck. I just wish trucks weren’t so much damn money!
@@itsnick37 Isn't that the problem with everything!
I have the topper and worked well in the past. The only one I would consider now is the GFC or possibly just a nice canvas tent but I"m sure I would get tired of always setting a Springbar up all the time.
Nice video. Mine is a 1990 VW Campervan with pop top.
PROs Ease/speed of setup, sturdy, comfy, built in sink/stove/frig and with swivel front seats, super roomy.
CONs Leveling, poor MPG, hippie magnet, not best off road, driving in wind is not for the faint of heart, can’t drive away from camp.
I’ve have used a regular solo tent in the truck bed worked fine
Great video
Great video as usual! Great subject and you did an awesome job of being super thorough. You aren’t the least bit OCD lol. I can say that because I can be a bit OCD myself at times lol. I currently have the best of 3 worlds lol. I have a short bed truck crew cab with a leer shell on it. I DIY built drawers that slide out for gear and totes and DIY containers for more gear. I have a quick setup tent with a cot and small table with room for an extra person. I also have a Hennessy Hammock with the extra winter stuff and sleeping bag good to -35 Fahrenheit and 10x12 rainfly lol. Then I have an Arctic Fox trailer that is true 4 season capable for when I’m camping in one spot for extended periods in fall and winter like 2-6 weeks at a time (hunting).
My son and grandson join me when I’m using any of those options and we always enjoy ourselves. I have to admit though when there’s snow on the ground and more falling its nice to have a hot shower, set the thermostat, make some popcorn and watch a DVD about camping with my grandson lol He’s only 8 but he loves your channel and primal outdoors so we are raising him right lol. Cheers mate
I have used ground tents, hard and soft sided campers, and a motorhome. I like the slide in camper the best, and with a pop-up on a 4x4 truck I could go anywhere the truck would go without the camper.
All of these are great ideas.
Here goes my ideas...
Full-sized truck: Slide in camper or Canopy with DIY build.
Midsize truck (Frontiers etc): Hybrid or adventure trailer.
SUV: Adventure trailer or DIY platform build.
I really like your idea, Donald. Either topper or Hybrid seems the best for about any truck build.
Very INTERISTING, i have A Lear 8' canopy WITH 6" RASIED factory ROOF, AND AM NOW BUILDING A bed FOR THE INSIDE (ON TRIP last YEAR SLEEPING on bed FLOOR WAS THE pits.. good Video.
What a great summary of the options. Thanks
I travel most winters out to AZ, where I rockhound in the Quartzsite/Parker area. I took a 26' travel trailer out there several years ago and stayed in a RV campground, while traversing thru the desert in my truck and 4 wheeler. I told myself I would never travel over the Rocky Mountains again, pulling a large trailer and sold it as soon as I returned home. Lol. Now I just rough it, sleeping in the backseat of my truck and also spend nights at a motel. I have a shortbed F-150 with a Baja set-up for my spare tire, so bed space is very limited. I am looking at the Four Wheel Camper Project M type of set-up, as it would allow for a sleeping area above and give me room to load my Trailmaster MB-200 dirt bike in the truck bed below. I'm looking for a shell model, as I don't need all the amenities as the pricier set-ups. As a solo camper, I cook over an open fire, pack a porta potty and I'm set. Getting out in nature and exploring all of God's wonderful creations is my only goal when camping.
Awesome video! Very helpful information, thank you!!
Wow, if I'd only known 40 yrs. ago when I built a 'dog house' on the bed of my 1953 f-150 outta wood that this kinda stuff would become a 'thing'...mine was nice and tight and shingled, didn't leak in southern California rains and the 'door'' was a blanket hung over a rope. Everyone knew I slept back there and only one person ever bothered me. Pretty open, kept my drums and stuff back there....try do'n that nowadays....
my solution is a truck cap and a ground tent. If I plan on a one night camp. I can sleep in the truck. Longer stays, set up a ground tent. I built a drawer system in the bed. Also I did a rear seat delete to add tons of storage space.
I have an Avalanche. The mid-gate function as well as the locking tonneau cover allows you to sleep halfway into the cab while still leaving plenty of space for gear storage in the bed.
Right now, finishing up a camper shell conversion. Doing this just to get off grid quickly. Starting next spring a friend and I are going to be doing a foamie over aluminum frame pop up camper. Kind of a take on the Four Wheel Campers Project M but with the ability to mount a window unit AC for camping in the south... This is on a refurbed 2004 F150 4x4.
Really cool vid. I have a really lightweight pickup so always looking for the 'best way' to make desert trips comfortable. Like the idea of your Leer utility shell and have been looking at other options like awning rooms too.
Nice and informative enough. Enjoyed this video 👍
That cool how u pick what convience for your taste and the one you pick seems to fit your taste of your truck
Lots of good info here. I’m leaning toward ls the diy, but the struggle is real. Everyone one of them has something I like. My biggest challenge is finding one that is made for a 8’ bed 😬
I use the bed tent, they are basically just a step up from gear in the bed. Just like gear in bed, you can quickly and easily revert back to normal truck for work after the weekend. If you're camping rather than over landing, and intend to park the truck, maybe use an atv etc, they make a lot of sense. The issue of not having a table/cooking surface on the tailgate doesn't make much difference as a small table can be packed pretty easily. If I was sleeping in a different spot ever night then yes, I agree a camper/rooftop makes much more sense
I have a 2013 f-150 with a 20 ft jayco feather light trailer. I have a son with medical needs. So we had to have a bathroom. It works for us. We can park the trailer in a camp ground or boon dock. Then go explore plus I have a rack that holds 3 Kayaks. I live close to Eugene or. So we go to the coast and the cascades.
I am a trailer guy for sure. it is a pain in some situations, .like really tight roads if you ever need to back up but since I pull a trailer every day all day for work it really ISN'T much trouble for me. I would imagine people who trailer less often would struggle more with that. all in all it is the best way to go for me. I love to set up camp then be able to leave in my truck. I also love keeping all my gear in the trailer so it is all ready to go at any time. you get home and there is nothing to do but bring your personal items in and food.
best video ever. thank you so much!