Truck tent has arrived...

[Martinjmpr]

Since I got the idea from someone on this forum, I thought I'd share some photos. My Truck Tent arrived and I hooked it up this weekend:

Exterior photo showing the tight fit over my Leer cab-high shell:

Close-up shot of the tent with the zippers unzipped. You can see the carpet kit inside the truck that turns it into a sleeping platform.

Shot from the interior looking back. Hopefully this will give me a little breathing room and make the back of the truck sleeping experience a more pleasant one:

I think something like this would really be beneficial for someone with a shorter SUV or a double cab pickup who could use the extra length to turn their vehicle into a viable sleeping platform. Because of my carpet kit, this won't really give me much extra room (though it will make it easier for me to hang my toes over the edge of the sleeping platform) but it will give me a sheltered "vestibule" for my boots as well as providing ventilation and easier ingress/egress to the truck.

 

[reconbyfire]

looks great. The screen door is worth it all in addition to the extra enclosed space on the tailgate:26_7_2:

 

[Martinjmpr]

looks great. The screen door is worth it all in addition to the extra enclosed space on the tailgate:26_7_2:

Yeah, I think it really "opens up" the back of the truck. My real motivation was that it might make the GF more comfortable sleeping back there. We did two nights in the truck last year and she felt really closed in by the low roof and the shortness of the 6' bed (even though she's only 5' 4".) My thought is that if she's more comfortable sleeping back there we may be able to go camping more this Summer.

The real test will come in about 2 weeks when I leave for my week-long solo trip to Canyonlands (Maze District), Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods.

 

[viatierra]

Very clever...
Is it easy to install? How long approximately?

 

[7wt]

Looks like something I would be interested in if I had a camper, I like it.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Very clever...
Is it easy to install? How long approximately?

Maybe 5 minutes. It's pretty easy: With the tailgate down and the back window closed, throw the long extended top portion over the top of the shell and hook the bungees onto the frame between the cab and bed. Then hook the smaller bungees from the bottom of the tent onto the wheel wells, finally there's one loose bungee that runs right under the tailgate hinge to pull the material in tight. After that, just unzip the tent and reach through the open flap to open the upper glass and you're done.

 

[beerhiker]

I like that, where did you get it, price?
thanks

 

[Martinjmpr]

I like that, where did you get it, price?
thanks

Got it here.

DAC Truck Tent

Note that they have several different types of truck/SUV/Van tents available. Mine was about $116 shipped to CO.

 

[kcowyo]

I think that's a smart solution.

Leave it open when warm outside, close it if it's too chilly at night. Good call. I'll be interested to hear how it works out for you on your big trip.

:campfire:

 

[BruceTS]

I've been using one for years..... Small package to carry and quick to set-up. Great during the summer or warm nights.... keeps them bugs out!

 

[bigun]

NICE! What keeps water from running back under the tent and into the truck if you leave it up at night?

 

[Martinjmpr]

NICE! What keeps water from running back under the tent and into the truck if you leave it up at night?

Notice the long "overhang" flap that runs towards the front of the shell. That water would have to run horizontally for about 5' before it got to the opening of the shell.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

a friend runs one on his FJ80, works great too...

 

[bigun]

Notice the long "overhang" flap that runs towards the front of the shell. That water would have to run horizontally for about 5' before it got to the opening of the shell.

It rained all last night here in Co. that is why I asked! I could see if you were sloped the wrong way that water could back up that far. I have an old aluminum cap tha has channels from front to back! I am defiantly looking into these.