What is the deal with fixed top camping rigs?

I’m gonna see if I can hammock in the truck bed from one corner of the rack to the other. I’m ok with sleeping on the ground, sleeping in a tent, but in a hammock I feel like a meat piñata for a mountain lion.

 

Yeah, I store mine in the garage when not in use, along with my shovels and hilift.

 

I'm using a hennessy explorer deluxe. Works great and with the super shelter system its good for 3 season easily. I know they call it 4 season but to me not good enough for the -40C it can get to overnight here in the winter months.

I am considering adding an underquilt though to make it even more comfortable in the cold months. But then again I don't even do much camping in these months. As much as I want to not many want to get out and most of the trails are closed to trucks so can't really do much.

But given it can get down to -10C in october and november when the trails are still open thinking would be good to add.

 

I'm too old and make too much money to try and sleep in a place that makes me miserable. But then the Motel 6 isn't Instagram worthy with my truck in the parking lot and I'm on my 4th triple crown and coke telling the bartender I like like the tits on the redhead better than the blonde.

Some of you guys don't get what "camping" is all about.

 

Yeah I do that too....(or used to, that and camping off a bicycle), getting old and like to be comfortable at night.

Now I just like trailering the dirt and mountain bikes, and having a base camp. Can explore so much more on 2 wheels than 4. Awfully nice to come back to camp after beating the shit out of myself all day long and get a hot shower and real food. On the bikes would mainly use freeze dried food and energy bars which I don't really care for. Have to choke that shit down.

Like anything, people build out their rigs to what they want and need. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. My back is shot from working construction, and wiping out on bikes and snow toys. Can't do the ground tent thing anymores. Dunno, thinking about getting a van next with a poptop too than going for another pickup. Like the stealthiness of a van over a kitted out truck. (miss that Westy I had) Running the numbers of converting a Transit to 4WD with a GTRV poptop...is about the same as a Tacoma with Tradesman I pictured...well at leat within $5000 or so. The problem the Tradesman high rise I seeing is, can't run it through a carwash. Seems like I spend $10 on a coin-op washing my truck myself, or spend $10 on the drive-thru...and have the machine do it. At the point in life rather the machine do it.

 

If you wear a meat medallion, the bears will leave you alone too.

 

Depends on the hammock and your height.

I'm 6ft and I have the xlarge hammock from hennessy thats for someone up to 7ft since before buying all reviews I read said if you're 6ft or taller go to the next one up. That being the case you need a lot more distance to set up and get a proper suspension.

Without the distance you wont be able to get the diagonal lay which is where a hammock is comfortable.

I guess what you could do instead is park close to a tree and then go from front of bed rack and then the end to a tree so you get the distance and most of your body is above the bed.

No mountain lions near me so not concerned. Bears are here but they don't bother and I keep bear bangers, air horn and bear spray in one of the pockets of my hammock. Besides that we have a big enough group never seen them come close to camp. We're up late enough and make enough noise they don't bother. They're just black bears so they're skiddish

 

Iguess its been so darn long since i tent camped i had a very nice popup with toilette, shower, couch, etc that i could sit in and enjoy in mornings and in pouring rain. Now sort of considering one of these but dont think i could get my wife to do it without a toillete. Maybe one can be put in the annex but i heard there a pain to setup thus defeating purpose of an easy deploy tent. Biggest plus i see is off ground no lump and much more comfortable and secure fealing. Rrt 3500 for a 5 person vs 6k for a tent trailer. Are u guys/gals just shitting in the woods and bagging our tp haha? Serious question last time i tent camped was 30 years ago

 

For some of us, it’s about having comfortable enough accommodations for our significant other so that they will come!
I motorcycle camp a lot too and have no problem with my small ground tent,in fact I rather like it.

 

RTT totally impractical for my needs. There's usually a canoe on my truck for most of spring & summer. I want to be as mobile as possible as I'm usually combining camping along with fly-fishing. This setup is perfect for me.

 

why do people care so much about what other people do? fucking focus on your life and enjoying it.

sleep on the top of your truck, the bed, the ground, a hotel. i give less than zero fucks about what anyone does. some of you guys should do the same.

enjoy whatever chance you get to do shit however you get to. And how fucking righteous is someone in here posting about living near a national park and seeing rei types in subaru’s. seriously fuck you. as long as you aren’t drawing on rocks, leaving trash or hosting a fucking rave, enjoy this nation and it’s parks in truck, a subaru, a bike or foot.

sorry your senses of aetshetic have been offended by how others spent their time and money.

why do any of us need to understand what other people do. They do it for whatever fucking reason pleases them. as long as it isn’t hurting someone else. pound sand.

 

think the main attraction is being off the ground.

 

I love that pick on that bike etc but imagine a taco with the tent hanging over the side? Much cooler in my opinion and im with you on rrts pointless. For me the price point needs to be under a grand or right at a grand not 3500$ like some i see

 

Jut hang your food below you, by the time they"re done eating the food they'll have no interest in you.

 

That’s partly it for me. I’ve ground camped my whole life. Almost never once slept well. I think the mattress and the sense of security (false or not) makes me sleep better.

Plus with a rtt you can actually sleep in. With a ground tent once the sun comes up the side of the tent turns into a nuclear reactor.

The only thing I hate is getting up in the middle of the night and climbing down the ladder.

Oh I leave mine on year round too. In fact since moving to CA about 8 months ago it’s been on almost the whole time. Even with no signs of future camping.

 

Very nice Sig45. This spring I will be building my setup. Have had a similar setup in all my pickups. This truck I tried it without, but it’s been a hassle. I usually have two full length drawers for gear, full width platform. One drawer for fishing/hunting gear, one for all the camping gear. I have a design in my head to keep it as light as possible, carpenter/cabinet maker by trade. I will post pics when done.

 

Look forward to seeing it!

 

I’m done with ground tents. Bears, and other critters, rain, mud, mobility.

 

This was added after I posted that pic.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...gen-tacoma-today.6499/page-6148#post-15174714

 

That's pretty much all you need.