1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Tarp/Tent/Screen cover for camping with 5' bed

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by brianMTB, May 26, 2019.

  1. May 26, 2019 at 2:07 PM
    #1
    brianMTB

    brianMTB [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2017
    Member:
    #223115
    Messages:
    86
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    2008 TRD Sport 4x4
    Shell and a/t tires
    Hey,

    I have a 5' bed with a shell. As you can see from the pic, I built a wood platform with a mattress topper for camping with my fiance. When I laid down straight, my feet stick out to the edge and I can't close the tailgate because my feet are in the way.

    I want to devise a tent-like 'cover' for the back so we can be protected from bugs and stuff like that when we're laying inside the bed. I'm thinking something like a tent, where ideally you can zip up and down to access, with a mesh screen or something like that. Of course, it would have to be totally sealed up all around when the cover is on.

    Any ideas or similar debacles that anyone can share would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking of going to home depot just to buy some materials, but I'd want some tips/advice/suggestions first.

    Thanks!

    IMG-2186.jpg
     
  2. May 26, 2019 at 10:52 PM
    #2
    j8food

    j8food Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2016
    Member:
    #188353
    Messages:
    176
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jay
    Vehicle:
    2009 Tacoma TRD Off Road
  3. May 27, 2019 at 1:58 AM
    #3
    muddog321

    muddog321 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2009
    Member:
    #27973
    Messages:
    1,135
    Gender:
    Male
    FL
    Vehicle:
    09 Tacoma DCSB 4wd TRD Off-Road w/e-locker Pyrite Mica
    TW 1-piece driveshaft with 1310 u-joints All Pro and Budbuilt skid plates OME Dakar rear springs 3" with 5100 5100 front set at 1.75" (3rd groove up) with stock springs Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/70R16 2018 TRD Offroad wheels 16x7J with +25mm offset Powerstop rotors with Z36 pads and rebuilt with OEM caliper kit Complete rebuilt rear brakes drums, shoes, springs, wheel cylinders Rebuilt rear diff with Yukon 3.73 ring/pinion Denso 130A rebuilt alternator AGM 24F Battery New OEM idlers and tensioner assembly New AC compressor New PS hose and flushed Walker SS Quiet Flow muffler Denso Iridium long life plugs #3421 (SK20HR11) OEM coolant, cap, and thermostat NAPA CV axles and new seals ECGS bushing Rhino front guard Shortened mud flaps Alziria Black Tail Lights Nilight Headlights X-Bull Traction Boards Maaco full single stage paint job 2023 Nat CV to Knuckle seals 710573 New SKF wheel bearings/hubs BR930978 New Moog stabilizer links K80946 & 948 New MOOG K80819 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing 28mm New Dorman rear wheel bearings using complete axles 926-139 & 140 New Radiator support bushings Dorman 924-267 (front body mounts)
    On autoanything site you can see many truck tent options.
    I have the same ARE shell and got a tent that hooks around the open rear and you can use as a dressing area or storage and sleep in the truck. Its still a pain to put away as they always seem to be wet in the morning when you pack up.
    Another option is to go to a boat marina store and have the guys make a small one just over that window and rear area (like half of the one in the pic) with the only thing you have to figure out is how to hold the rear shell window up as the material and a hard wind will currently allow that window to slam down at times. Saw roof rails so maybe 2 straps 1 each side window to rails will work. I put stronger window lift struts on but have to be careful when opening as the window flips up fast so hold on. I also got a round foam piece of pipe insulation that's has the cut to go over the pipe to pad the bottom of the window frame so it doesn't cut the tent material - corners will.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top