I've seen alot about RTT, but what about bed tents?

I've searched through some of the forum and haven't been able to find anything about quality bed tents. I've looked through Amazon and have had some luck finding some affordable gear. What do you guys run if you have one?

 

I've looked into these as well and my wife's fear of bears forces us to get a RTT

 

Fair, it just isn't quite in my price range yet.

 

Bed tents aren't the rage because they take up precious bed space, where the RTT can be mounted so the bed space is either kept wide open or lightly minimized.

@Bentrodder has a TruckTent or some variant of it. Lots of guys have them, you just don't see them as often on this forum anyway.

I had one in my GM truck years ago and loved it for what it was.

 

Yeah I understand they are probably much better suited for camping. But I planned on bringing dogs along and that isn't exactly going to work with a rtt.

 

I wanted one like crazy until I spoke to @Dangerousd1987 about his. Maybe he can chime in a bit more.

 

I had a Napier Sportz truck tent that I just got rid of actually I think I paid 125$ for it used and sold it for $100. It was nice but like others said it eats up precious bed space. It is definitely a middle ground between sleeping on the ground and a RTT.

 

That's why I don't have an RTT. My dog would never climb up into one of those things.

 

Most people with dogs keep their dogs in the annex for the RTT, or an awning room, depending on their setup. Not sure how well a TruckTent is going to hold up to dogs either, but if you protect the floor and minimize tension you should be better off.

 

It seems like a cool idea in the magazine pictures, but I think it would suck to empty the bed to set up the tent.
And then what about running to town right quick for something you forgot or using the truck to do a camp chore like hauling in some wood.
I like to cook on my tailgate.

The RTT seems like a much better option, but who the hell pays that much for a tent that will only be used 5 - 10 times a year? (Probably the guys that daily drive with the awful thing the rest of the year as a status indicator)
Unless we're talking a proper expedition rig, I'll pass.

I'll stick with a ground tent or a tent cot.

Speaking of the tent cot, you should look for the post about turning one into a RTT for super cheap. Seemed cool.

 

I'd consider your height and overall size as well as your wife and dogs. Can you all pile in the truck bed and lay down and be comfortable right now? If so you could probably do a bed tent. If not, your bed isn't getting any bigger with a tent around it. I'm 6'4, there's no way I could pull that off without my legs hanging off the tailgate..lol To echo previous comments, you are also loosing your bed space. I'd get a ground tent if you don't want to go RTT or a hammock if you camp in areas where the ground is wet alot.

I throw my dogs in my RTT, it's not a big deal at all. If you just go with something mounted at bed height it would be pretty easy to get them in and out. Or get an RTT and a ground tent annex and the dogs can sleep down there and they will be out of your way.

 

The main drawback I see is that once it's set up, you can't really drive anywhere. If that's not a problem for you I think it'd be a great way to go. You're off the ground which is a big plus.

 

Saw this thread a while back.....I am contemplating this route. Great idea for a RTT on a budget

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-rtt-for-those-on-a-budget.478273/

 

I've seen some of the tents that don't have a floor part that basically just strap over the bed of the truck so you don't have to take anything out of it to set it up. But yeah I see the negatives to it.

 

I have the proz tent from autoanything for my truck, made by napier. Only used it once but it did like it, i had to run and get minnows for tackle so i just unbuckled the tent and set it on thw ground fully setup. Worked fine took about a minute. The instructions also state that the tent can be fully assembled off the truck and then placed in the bed. There very light.

 

I was looking for this thread, thanks. I thought I had bookmarked it but evidently not.

 

I'd say once you use one you'll understand why people pay that much. After I bought mine there's no chance I'll go back to sleeping on the ground.

I run mine most of the year. Not as a status thing but unloading a 100+ pound massive object off of a rack by yourself suuuuucks. And then there's storing it. It comes off for winter though.

 

I camp in an RTT and bring my dog along on 95% of the trips...works great

 

1) People who use it more than 5-10 times a year.
2) Guys don't normally spend upwards of $1400-2000+ on an RTT and leave it in the elements year round just for looks. If it's on, chances are they're using it. $2000 worth of moldy canvas is a pretty good buzzkill on anybody's image.


Otherwise yeah.

Some people for sure keep theirs on for sake of image, but I also know a lot of guys who are camping every weekend in the summer and take it into storage for the rainy season.

 

What set up are you running ?