Why not a ground tent?

All that does for me is cover me bed... I use a tonneau for that and when I need an open bed for mountain bikes and stuff then it comes off

 

if it's made from similar material as tents, can it not be slept under?
with sides folded up or down,
and the clear plastic rear window swapped out for their mesh unit to breathe air

so that you're up off the ground on a flat truck bed, but still with a "roof" to protect from rain and snow
either sleeping diagonally in the bed for length room (in a short bed)
or with the tailgate flipped down and a bed extender

they also sell a tent extension attachment



seems like a fiberglass or metal shell (Leer, SnugTop, ARE) except canvas so it's cheaper, lighter, and foldable
like two in one
not only taller and roomier for cargo than a tonneau cover,
but *might* also be able to sleep in it

 

This is gonna be a good thread glad I’m in early
Rocks, lightning, and bears oh my...

Actually I’ve seen similar threads, pretty much respect each individuals opinions on what they choose and why. But the pot must be stirred ... because fun.

 

It's not like we're debating OR vs Sport

 

Haha true, this one should be civil compared to that

 

Bears

just keep a .22LR to defeat one instant in 1 shot, if a Grizzly pokes its head in your tent trying to turn you into The Revenant
jk

 

Plenty of people sleep in the bed in those, you’re right.

 

Tell you what, you shoot the Bear with the .22 while I run. I know they say never run, play dead, and I want everyone to believe that as I bolt lol. We can compare notes later
I knew you were kidding, quite funny!

 

I wonder if anyone has ever tried to modify the front seats to turn them into a sleeper cab like the new F-150. I think if the seat was all the way forward and the headrest was removed it could be modified to lay flat.

Note: that assumption is based off of absolutely zero measurements being made

 

Sure you can sleep under it, but it’s not great at being a tent. And I, at 6’, would not be comfortable in my short bed even with the tailgate down. To sleep in the bed you need to unload everything out of the bed to set up whatever sleep gear you use. With an RTT or ground tent your truck can stay loaded and you can still set your sleep situation up.

And to your original question, why an RTT when a cheap ground tent exists? Why a Tacoma when a 20 year old Ford Ranger exists or a Corvette when a Kia sedan exists? The gear choices people make are based on the buyers wants, needs, and purchasing power. What makes sense to one, doesn’t to another.

 

I've been using this exact tent for 10yrs. I finally tore one of the corners and had to replace it. Can definitely say I got my $ worth out of the first one.




That was my blue one. Actually replaced it with the green. Cheers

​

 

serious question does 9mm work
I hear mixed opinions on that 50/50

the people who say it doesn't, say that if it's a grizzly it has to be 10mm +P+ or higher (like living in Alaska)
but not required for smaller less aggressive black bears

damn didn't think of that
would be hard to sleep with pots and pans in the way
I guess that explains those wooden sleeping platforms with sliding drawers underneath that pull out to access stored items/gear

 

Yeah no thanks I dont want a bear or a snake attacking me

this is what i roll in

 

I always figured that a .22 is more likely to piss off the bear than it is to deter it. Unless you use it to pop the leg of your tent mate, giving you the advantage in running away...

 

Realistically, modern 9mm +p+ has extremely similar terminal ballistics to some hot 10mm loads.

Although, a glock 20 with a big ol' magazine filled with Bubba's pissin hot hand loads can't hurt.

 

I would want a big round if I was shooting at a grizzly. My only experience with a head on encounter with a bear was canoeing and camping in the Canadian wilds. My son walked up on a black bear in trail brush, wasn’t 3ft away when they met. My son bolted one way, bear ran the other. Last I hear the bear is still telling its grandcubs that scary story.

 

I'm with the ground tent crowd or hammock. Ive spent summers winters falls and springs in a tent. All the way from Western NC to Alaska, Colorado, Canada, Costa Rica.. my girlfriend for the last couple years has spoiled me lately with her bad ass 1970s camper but either way.. if you are sleeping in a tent don't get a cheap ass one off of Amazon or Walmart.

Always pay for the good stuff when it comes down to outdoor gear. It'll be more expensive but could be the last sleeping bag or tent you will ever have to but.
DONT GO CHEAP ON OUTDOOR GEAR

 

Have you ever been by a designated dumpster area at any national forest after a good light hurricane rain?

Normally evidence of about a dozen folks who just flat out quit.



There's many in every bunch.

 

The crowd that bought the cheap tent from Amazon or Walmart that feel apart at the first bit of inclement weather. As @DiscoYaker said, buy good gear the first time and it will treat you right

 

I'm with you.. ive had a few bear in counters. Usually the bear is just as afraid except for rare circumstances. I like the way you put it though!
Only exception is polar bears! And ive seen them in person and they are huge. In their territory they are top of the food chain