The Lair

I feel like I am about to get busted for looking at this truck porn while at work. Looks great!

 

I just wanna sit here and stare at them

 

<3

 

Test. Test.

 

Thanks Jay! I appreciate the help! Honestly though, if you plan on staying overnight, or a couple nights, wouldn't you have to unload all the gear you take and set up at least some sort of ground area for cooking, bathing, etc? I mean, I am sure not going to load a cooler and leave it in the truck while wheeling. That's a serious fail for me. I don't have the luck others do and I could see the contents winding up in the bed of the truck or on the trail. So yea, the bed tent for me would only be there (in it's upright position) while I was sleeping in it. I would think I could throw it in the bed with the sleeping gear and roll the tonneau over it to keep it protected from the weather or whatever.

I know this is favorable option for that that do it, and when I saw the heavier duty Zodiak Canvas version for a hundred more I figured the durability would come in handy.

Thanks again.

 

None taken... Cheers...

 

You have a point.. though some people use the tailgate as a makeshift table if there isn't much else around, and it eliminates that. The tent does break down and store into a manageable carry bag, it wouldn't be problem stashing it under the tonneau when its not needed.

 

Thanks Rob!

I've watched a couple vids of RTT's being set up and taken down and granted, not as quick as that Gazelle tent the Skipper showed me but I still feel like it's not that big a deal. 20 minutes seems to be the average time both ways. Yes, some require a little more effort but for the most part it's not horrible. From what I am seeing. Maybe I need to watch more objective videos. Naturally we only see the good when we want to convince ourselves we need something. Ok, while searching for negatives I found a video where this guy sets up two RTTs and a awning in 10 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaSRuHEE0mk

Yes, there is the disadvantage of climbing up/down the ladder compared to a ground tent, or the bed of the truck, but having the large sleeping area might be a decent trade off. I think too, most RTTs are completely waterproof. Even the cheaper ones. Since the material is heavier (generally, compared to most "instant up" tents) they are warmer in colder weather without the use of a heater. I have a huge cold weather advantage being the polar bear I am.

Another thing I am considering is the site itself. If you have to set up a ground tent on wet, snowy or muddy ground then immediately you are going to be hating life. I think that is my biggest fear. So I don't want to let the weather dictate going wheeling.

Another disadvantage of a RTT or bed tent is that you are restricted to camp where you can park the truck. What if the parking area is not right next to the tent area? Then you are the lone ranger. I'd like to think places like AOAA or Raush take this into consideration and plan their camping areas to allow for just about anything. It's not like Ma & Pa are taking the Woody out and need to stay on the hard top and lug everything to a pretty site near a tree.

My brain is so scrambled. I also have to keep in mind that a RTT on a rack will sit much lower than a cap would limiting my cargo area. Unless I go with a cab high rack and say screw it. If I am going to go that route maybe a soft top and rack over it with a RTT is the way to go. That's a lot going on though at that point.

Uhggg.

 

Moar welding!

 

Will that crossbeam prevent or reduce bed flex?

 

Probably! It’s for my upper limit strap mounts but that’d be a nice bi product

 

Sound advice! I have enough experience camping and glamping to know there are two types. You either go minimalist or pack out like an expedition. I have used baby wipes and eaten beef jerky for 4 days, but I have only done that once. I have also been glamping on the edge of a corn field during goose hunting season with a hunting club I was a member of back in the day and the property owner let us use his electric. I had a 10x10 cabin tent that had a cot, folding table, and an oil filled radiator for heat. I also had a camp stove and would heat up water to be able to take sponge baths at night. All this during a snow storm in high winds and 20 degree weather. I glamped like that for a week.

I'm really digging the Gazelle T4 or the T4+ and the price of them. There is another model like it that if I am going to go with a cap and ground tent as a back-up I saw that is similar but more rugged. I feel like for me, being as hard as I am on things, rugged would be better. I also saw a cool hack where for a ground tent they used a sheet of Tyvek as the barrier. Seems like a cheap and easy idea.

So I like the dual idea. The cap is versatile and multipurpose for sure. Adding a ground tent is an added expense but could also come in very handy, for gear or for someone else that might not have a tent that weekend that decided at the last minute to stay.

Cool Cool Cool.

Oh, are you gonna sleep in your bed now that you have a cap?

 

So much to respond to. LOL Thanks again!!!!!!

First, go to the Gazelle website and sign up for the newsletter!!!!!! Or just try WELCOME25

EDIT!!!!!! Go to Amazon!!! It is cheaper there.

So you are 100% sure the Gazelle is waterproof and can withstand real inclement weather?

 

From everything I have been told yes.

 

You should paint the diaper white Randall

 

Hmmm, an interesting prospect

 

Hmm, great point about losing the tailgate as a table.

 

#RandyFab @EatSleepTacos

 

Hoping mine comes soon..