Truck Camping Photo Thread

Exped? You store it unfolded in the bed while in transit?

 

In the 4Runner last several trips, yeah. Last thing in, first thing out.

 

I like that. We just did our first night in our new Gazelle after a number of years in a RTT. Setting up the tent itself takes hardly any time comparing the two, but it's the rest of the bedding that added more time.

 

Im always trying to make our system as 100% in place and ready to go as possible. It was harder in the 4Runner as our main travel rig.
But I have a 2016 Tundra on the way with a long bed to boot (2006 got destroyed by a drunk driver so replacement time early…) so it’ll be a lot easier to have room for things in place. May build a trailer for the motorcycles and have an in place kitchen already setup on the side as well.


There’s absolutely nothing like pulling into a new BLM free camp site every single night, just cooking and going to bed, and simply driving away in the morning ha. We’re not quite there yet, still have to move one bed and one kitchen item every day, but we’re getting closer every camping season

 

Never heard of those tents. Interesting. Would be a good option for travel but I don't mind the minimal setup of the canvas tent for a base camp, and I like the space and durability. Huge windows all around make it like a screen room when open.

 

Oh, those Kodiaks are amazing. I’d 110% prefer one over our Gazelle, no debate.

I just happened to get a really good sale/discount combo on a Gazelle T3 back in the day for less than $200.

They’re $300 now. $350 for the T4.

The day you see a Kodiak for close I’ll upgrade in a heartbeat. The Gazelle doesn’t have the best doors/windows and has some flaws. But it’s a quick cheap place to sleep between outside fun.

 

Took 5 min at most to set up at rest stops. Definitely not the trucker ones lmao. However I had some awesome scenery at some of the stops. One got blocked by an 18-wheeler but other than that it wasnt too bad.

 

but the exhaust is under the bed?

 

what about the beach? and the floods?

 

TEXAS is different

 

get a good brand of plugs too, I've been using safety seal for many years, you can also jam 2 plugs in a big hole or cut and slow the leak down to limp home

 

Love the green mountains! And the little brookies everywhere there’s a pool

 

You can do a LOT in a 2WD

 

Your dog has that grumpy "I haven't had my coffee yet - leave me alone" look in this picture.

 

This^^^^^^^


There were several times I was super stoked that our little 4x4 ‘99 4Runner climbed its way to a “gnarly” rocky camp spot for the night, only to watch an old clapped out 80s 2WD minivan drag its belly up and past us to a better one later that night, in the dark, with zero issue…. Ha

 

She, like me, has that look permanently

 

Couple of camp spots from my Bozeman / Helena mtb tour

 

Curious to hear your observed flaws in the Gazelle tent? I'm in the beginning stages of planning a 6 week trek out west next spring and looking at tent options. As of now, I'm leaning towards the GazelleT4 plus for dispersed camping. Never had a "nice" tent before, much less a hub style.

 

Thanks, my family lived there for years.

 

Sure! First I'd say if you're like us and don't spend a lot of time at camp, just need a quick shelter to sleep in between being out and about or on the road then there really are no flaws. It's perfect. Pop it up, get some rest, pop it down, go.

However, even though we've found it to be the best setup for us, there are a few obvious downsides to anything.

For one, the size and weight. In the back of the wife's 06 4Runner our T3 (smaller/shorter than the T4 mind you) pushes a little dent into the plastic on each side when we wedge it in sideways at the back hatch. It actually works out well for us in that fits snug and acts like a dam holding all the other gear in the back, but the downside is if you don't have a lot of space it obviously takes up a lot. We are taking some family with us on a trip and have to fold seats forward just to fit it long ways front to back. Not a small consideration when it comes to packing.

The other downs sides for us honestly aren't a big deal but if we wanted a tent to sort of hang out in, have space, be able to see out, feel spacious and open, have good airflow, etc. this one doesn't have the best windows and doors. If you don't like ducking to get in the doors are small. Doesn't bother us one bit.

The front half of the T4 Plus looks pretty open, but man is that whole package huge. Would be a much better tent for setting up in one spot for a few days or a week though.

One very small thing is that you have to pop the roof down to put the rain fly on, so if you for some reason decided to sleep without the rain fly (we do it all the time in the desert) and enjoy the screen roof, awesome, but if you did feel some rain you'd have to pop the roof down from inside, then go outside and attach the four corners, then go back in and pop it back up. Not a huge deal, just a thought for those in more inclement weather.

Speaking of which, we don't stake ours down 99.9% of the time. Just pop it up and go to sleep. But if you camp in heavy winds and/or storms you'll definitely want to not only stake the corners but stake out tie downs for each push/pull tab at the center of each wall. It doesn't take a whole lot of pressure to pop the walls in when you tear it down. We've had it in moderate winds with no issue. I'm not saying it's flimsy. But if you're more hardcore than us you'll want to invest in good stakes and lines.

Lastly, again we don't take it in gnarly weather, but I wouldn't see this design, both at the door weather seals and the rain fly, as a severe weather confidence-inspiring design. We've handled light regular rain just fine. But Nothing heavy or sideways. Looks iffy to me, but no experience there.


Just to reiterate, none of the cons really effect us in any way, except maybe the packing size a little bit. It's perfect for our needs. But I don't think any product is perfect in general. Good luck! As for price, it's hard to get more tent for less money. Enjoy! Let us know how you like it