Ideas for sleep system in a 5 foot bed with a ARE topper?

I've been looking into putting a hard topper on my truck and building a sleep system in the bed for overlanding, the problem is I am 6 feet tall but my bed is 5 feet tall. Has anyone built a system to make this work with their truck?

 

Clamshell RTT is my vote! Save your camper for your gear, sleep on top.

 

Welcome to TW.

They make camper tents to extend over the tailgate, which would make sleeping slightly more comfortable. It would make setup much more complicated though. If it were me, I'd go a completely different route. You can get a much more comfortable sleep for much cheaper and still be off the ground if you bought a Warbonnet Hammock.

 

in addition to the tent, you could always build a simple plywood platform that has an extra foot or two on a hinge at the feet. you could fold it up so that it fits when driving but flip it out and set it on legs to have that extra foot of raised sleeping.

 

Build a platform and sleep diagonally.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eping-platform-drawer-storage-systems.424709/

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rightline-tent-air-mattress.686249/

 

I feel your pain (6’9” tall here) but it really comes down to preferences and expectations. I ended up getting a Napier Cove SUV tent so that I can sleep with the tailgate down when it is really inclement and want to be off the ground in the topper. Normally though I prefer my marine combat shelter and sleep system on the ground when I have the choice. It’s Louisiana here with rain and bugs so having the choice is good. Both stay stored in the truck all the time so easy peezy. Usually just me and my lab dog and works fine. When the wife goes we use the topper and the dog gets the tent. Not complicated and just works for us. Have had to use it unexpectedly twice already dodging hurricanes with no room at the inn for miles. Like I said... expectations.

 

Get a Hitch Hotel:

 

Or maybe a hitch hammock

 

I have a relatively simple A.R.E. CX on my 5’ bed. I “climb” and “do mountaineering,” so I’ve taken to using a folded climbing crash pad and a 3/4 length inflatable Thermarest on top of that. I sleep diagonally. I’m 6’0. This setup retains the flexibility to fully load the bed full of gear bins and coolers and haul bags for a particular trip (climbing, car camping, etc.), and then I’ll toss a few bins out, shift the pad into that spot, and be able to sleep. It’s super fast to pop out of the back of the truck at 3AM, shove a few bins back in, and hit the trail. Make sure to get the carpet liner on the inside of the camper shell so it doesn’t get all moist in the night.

 

This is really cool.

 

WTF kind of sorcery is this?!

 

Now that looks like the ultimate dutch oven. Can't imagine returning to that after a good summertime day hike.

 

Yea, I think anyone 6' or taller would have to go diagonal. I would highly recommend a mid/high rise cap too. The biggest complaint I hear, when people try to incorporate a platform is that a cab height cap feels like they are in a coffin. I only plan on sleeping in my bed in extreme weather conditions (mainly rain). I have a ARE MX, but Leer makes one, and so does Snugtop. If you're trying to save some money, get a used one and either paint it yourself (what I did) or have it color matched. So far mine has cost me 1/3 what a new one would cost. If you can opt for a new cap, definitely get one with windoors on the sides. That is my only regret about mine. Definitely get a carpeted cap. The fiberglass inside is not too harsh or raw but it is not that smooth either. Get a sliding front window if you have a slider in the cab of the truck. With an inflatable boot (essentially an air lock) between the cab and the cap, and the addition of a remote start mod, you can have the A/C or Heat on and cool off or warm up in a pinch.

I had a cap on my Tundra and liked it a lot. I had a tonneau cover on my 17' Tacoma and it was nice. When I got the 19' Tacoma I put a softopper on. It looked very cool and is a very versatile option. Since I have a trailer I decided ultimately on a cap. A buddy on here bought one and had it LineX'd. I loved the look so I followed his lead. I bedlined mine myself though and saved a bunch of money. I think it looks great on the Pro.

 

I'm ~5'11" and sleep diagonally, 2" memory foam pad on top of a decked system. It works for me, but if I had anyone else come with I'd want a longer bed.

 

Here's mine. I have a modular platform I built, with 4 carpeted plywood panels. I can sleep diagonally, and if my wife is with me, we put our Rubbermaid camping bins on the tailgate to use as support for our Exped MegaMat Duo camp pad, and just leave the tailgate down. In a pinch, we could both sleep in there with the tailgate up, as we are both fairly short.

But solo, diagonally works perfect for me.

 

Rooftop is the best, but depends on your budget. I just finished a similar build to High_Desert_Rex. I leave the half platform setup and drawer all the time, and then I add in the other half if I am camping.
Then I also added a 3 fold 4" foam mattress so I can sleep diagonally. And then fold it up to get it out of the way.

For warmer weather, I'm going to add a 1 ft extension and a bug net so I don't have to sleep diagonally.

 

I'm not a picky sleeper but it's uncomfortable as hell for me in the 5 foot bed. Drives me nuts when I cant stretch my legs.
I'm 5'10 and sleep diagonal. I only sleep back there when it's raining/snowing. Most of the time I sleep in my RTT on the rack above my shell.

 

Nice drawer. I like that. I thought about building one, but just decided to keep it simple and light for now. My camping bins slide under nicely.