Truck Camping Photo Thread

This camp looks so familiar. Kelty Noah Tarp, Reliance tables, and those yellow storage totes. Oh and of course a Tacoma or two.

 

Just gonna leave these here...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hondo-garages-new-thing.516490/page-98#post-17515950

 

I tweaked something in my back last weekend sleeping in the bed of my truck. I woke up sore last Sunday and my back's been bothering me all week since. Yesterday, playing hockey, I aggravated something in it even more to the point I can barely walk now....

I switched from a full size air mattress that fit in the bed of the truck, to a foam sleeping roll/self inflating sleeping pad mostly to stay warmer truck camping in cold weather/take up less space.

Unfortunately, its not nearly as comfortable as the mattress was and my back's paying for it now...

I really dont think I can deal with this pain each time I camp using my new set up.

I kicked around the idea of finally building a sleeping platform, but I still dont like the idea of how much space it takes up (Ive finally mastered truck bed Tetris with the way I pack stuff for camping). Plus a carpeted platform isnt much softer than the bed mat.

I thought about buying a chunk of foam to make a thicker pad from but it would take up a ton of room when not using it.

All of this lead me to my solution. A cot. Im hoping a cot can be the middle ground Im looking for between a full sized air mattress and a sleeping pad.

After looking around, I pulled the trigger on a short leg'd light weight cot from ALPS Mountaineering -

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/a...-lightweight-cot~p~1481j/?filterString=s~cot/

Its the closest sized cot I could find that should fit the truck bed with-in my budget (cheap). The specs say its 74" long and our truck bed are 73.5" long. Im hoping I can trim an inch or so off the frame and make it fit.

Does anyone else on here us a cot vs platform or air mattress or anything else?

 

I went through similar issues with my wife and I. Air mattress was huge and heavy, plus leaked and turned into a bounce house whenever i moved. Tried my old backpacking pad on top of a thermarest ridgerest pad and it was basically like the ground only. Then I picked up this from Amazon and have been very happy. I'm a big dude, and it's plenty sturdy, quick setup and takedown, and has a nightstand haha

$77 Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot with Removable Side Table, Extra Wide Cot Fits Adults up to 6ft 6in or 300lbs, Carry Bag Included

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043AK0O4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

I used a cot for years and years. They are wonderful. These days with my Flip-Pac I have a fairly sizable and thick matress so the cot gets little use unless I want to sleep with a view of the stars.

 

Someone on here suggested this one, the 2 sets of legs rather than 3 enable it to fit around the wheel well. Most of the bad reviews are from people who didn't understand how to put it together. From looking at the design it may be easy to trim an inch or two off the ends to make it fit with the tailgate up.

TETON Sports Somnia Lightweight Camp Cot; Camping Cots for Adults; Folding Cot Bed; Easy Set Up; Storage Bag Included

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M...ts+cot+bed&dpPl=1&dpID=31dBZLJwoIL&ref=plSrch

• Set up: 74" x 28" x 15"
• Stored: 37" x 6" x 3"
• Weight: 10 pounds
• Shell: 600D Oxford Canvas
• Legs: Extruded Aluminum
• Frame: Extruded Aluminum

The Somnia Lightweight Camp Cot
The Perfect Travel-Size Sleeping System
This extra lightweight cot is highly portable and sets up quickly. Weighs only 10 pounds and has no end bars on the top or bottom so you can really stretch out. Extruded aluminum frame and extra sturdy 600D Oxford sleeping surface make for a super comfortable, reliable bed.

Choose the TETON Sports Somnia Lightweight Camp Cot and get a great night's sleep!


Quick and Easy Set Up
Hook & loop attachments work together with leg knobs to make set up a breeze!

 

Mountain bike trip to Paint Mountain, TN this past weekend. Sunny and 70 degrees was primo

 

Is that the Eastern Horseshoe Bend? lol

 

I don't think so. That would be the French Broad River going through Cherokee National Forest, Paint Mountain. Near Hartford/Newport, TN

 

I know I was joking. I don't think horseshoe of the East exists, just looks like a miniature horseshoe bend.

 

ttt

 

@Iggy @Overlanerd makes camping easy with #TheDrifter by Vagabond_outdoors.

 

Camping with the Vagabond Outdoors Drifter in the Mojave Desert

 

Southeast Oklahoma last weekend.

 

Camping with the Vagabond Outdoors Drifter in the Mojave Desert[/QUOTE]

Great Pics! Is it a pain to crawl in the truck then up into these? I have watched a few videos but maybe i'm missing something.

 

Great Pics! Is it a pain to crawl in the truck then up into these? I have watched a few videos but maybe i'm missing something.[/QUOTE]

Not difficult at all. When walking into the truck bed, the first section doesnt have the sleeping platform so you can stand up immediately.

 

Tyro, VA

 

My cot showed up today. 100% happy with it.

The frame is 74" long and it did fit in the bed with the tailgate shut but it took a little bit more effort to shut than I wanted.

I trimmed 1/2" of frame making it 73.5" and it fits like a glove. I didnt have to modify the canvas or anything other than trimming the frame.







(In the last image, the square is placed up against the rubber tailgate bumper)

If anyone is looking for an affordable cot with short legs that fits a long bed Tacoma with minimal effort, I highly recommend this one - ALPS Mountineering Lightweight Cot.