Short Bed Sleeper?

This is what I came up with. It isn't perfect but it gets the bed extended, leaves a bit of a step on the tailgate to crawl over this wood to get in and out, and my plan is to put a large moving carpet over it to cover any parts that don't seal fully. I think putting some spare insulation on the inside would be a good idea. It leaves a couple openings on the sides of the bed, I just stuff microfiber cloths there and it's all accounted for. It's modular so it fits in my roof top carrier folded down. I have to sand the top piece of wood because my canopy window won't fully lock right now. The last picture I didn't have the top piece attached fully which is why the window shuts all the way. It is only two pieces when completed.

 

No kidding. I love how people hate on or give advice on something they have never tried. I've done it all (rtt, truck shell, off-road teardrop, campervan, popup truck camper and now hard-sided truck camper). I was one of the first to import a RTT from Australia back in 2008. Used it 3 times and got rid of it because I wanted to be able to move camp quickly without having to tear down and setup again. I don't really get this fad nowadays (same with the GFC crowd). I mean they look cool and all, but not very practical IMO.

To the OP: I rocked a high-top shell on my 5.5 foot bed for 2 years and slept in it probably over 200 nights in all conditions with no problems. I built a nice platform with storage and pretty much kept it setup all the time. It was pretty legit with power, running water and heat and a memory foam mattress. I'm 6'3" but usually sleep on my side, so no issues. Also had 2 dogs in the back with me (and the occasional random lady). Cozy, but I wouldn't call it bad by no means. I would rather go back to that any day than go back to a RTT, ground tent or hammock.

At the end of the day it is about what works best for you. Like I said, I have done it all and have settled on my current setup with a Capri because it is all season, ready to go and has the creature comforts. No messing with having to pop a top or set anything up. Just park and do what you want.

 

I've upgraded since…



Then sold the heavy, fiberglass, untreaded wood, mild-steel, boat-construction Flippac and got a way better camper made of modern materials...

 

Honestly I don't see it working comfortably with a 5ft bed unless you find a way to have the tailgate lowered. This is something I rigged up on my own

 

Napier Backroadz tent. I'm 5"11 and use an inflatable mattress, tailgate down and I can stretch out.

 

Kodiak tent. I can setup in 5 minutes. I laugh at roof top tents and say those are for people afraid of getting eaten by bears

 

That last pic looks nice, what model? I’m guessing $3-4K and why I sleep in a ground tent these days I had a mid rise camper shell on a Ford F-150 8ft bed, now that was the perfect camping setup for non-off-road camping on a 6 week round the US and Canada camping trip I did many years ago.

 

In some parts of the world there are many scary animals, insects and reptiles.
I don’t think roof top tents were invented for the US. Unlike us many animals are nocturnal and like to hunt after dark. Being stomped by a herd of??? Stung or bitten by a poisonous??? Torn to pieces by a pack of??? All sound bad. However pretty remote chance unless it’s an angry mob of righty’s or lefty’s

 

Vagabond Drifter.

 

Yep, pretty rare which is why I didn't mind the tarp in Yosemite with potential bears around.

 

Ah very nice and I was 4K low on the price guess.

 

Just wondering if anyone has tried this with a softopper yet? I have the DAC tent extension but there are gaps by the tailights that bugs get into.

 

this is my current setup

 

Following for ideas for my trd pro dcsb. I’m thinking now that my ram 2500 cclb with a high rise shell will be better suited for camping adventures. I was really hoping to be able to use the taco as an overland rig…

 

Wish I could get 805 out here!!!