How do you camp with a 5ft shortbed?

Depending on where we are camping, finding a spot that's not rocky as shit or level can take some time.





With the RTT or sleeping in the bed you just stack rocks or wood to get the truck level and you don't wake up with a rock poking your hip or shoulder. Plus in bear country I'm more likely wake up before any of my family is dragged out.

 

Prepare for your legs feeling like shit in the morning.

 

If you get a shell or a softopper. You can get a DAC truck tent from softopper.
https://www.softopper.com/accessories-parts/camper-tent

 

If bed sleeping was even a remote thought as a possibility, let alone a priority, why in the hell would anyone even think a 5' bed would be fine when they bought the truck in the first place?
Talk about an 'aww shit' moment...

 

I’ve read and seen most truck campers using a 5’ bed. They claim to sleep at an angle or can also ramp up the sleeping arrangement to slope up in the corners giving a few extra inches on either end.

Colorado Backcountry has plans for a slide out extender to his cab/bed, as he’s over 6ft. Check out his YouTube channel as he’s got a lot of great hacks. Been doing it for 4 years

To those saying just sleep in a tent like a real man, well... I think you’re forgetting the convenience of having an already setup campsite in the back of your truck. This allows for pull offs during travel to catch a quick snooze, or arriving at a new base camp and needing 0 setup. Also its called stealth camping for a reason.

 

Come to my campground, rent a glamping tent and let your truck rest a while. Problem solved.

 

The 4 star hotel I sleep in suits me just....fine !

 

Bed holds all my gear, I tow this. Just spent a week in Moab. All the comforts of home.

 

I’ve done this. And got rained on like no tomorrow. 3” in like 2 hours. Stayed dry and warm under a tarp.

 

I wanted a short bed until I layed in one.... The salesman was so pissed when I got up and said "No i cant fit sorry" went and found a long bed 30mins away lolol

 

I have a DIY drawer/platform setup, and if I lay diagonally I can sleep “somewhat” comfortably. I’m 6’3”, 245lbs and only do this solo, if I don’t feel like setting up a ground tent. With my bad back however, it’s not ideal.

 

Priorities

 

I got a 6’ bed because it’s a truck , I wanted functionality and I knew I’d be sleeping in it on hunting and fishing trips. Most who get the short beds get them purely because they think they look cool. Some but few are serious off roaders who benefit from a shorter wheel base. If it was a hassle or uncomfortable to sleep in the back then I’d just get a tent and be done with it. I still use a tent if I’m in one spot for several days.
For me things have to look good but functionality trumps looks every time especially when it comes to trucks.

 

It sounds like you're answering a question that wasn't asked. Congrats on your long bed truck.

Drive that thing into a major metro area for a few days and see how many of those additional 13" benefit you while looking for dockage. If you never happen to visit the urban jungle.. good on you as it can be a major PITA.

 

When it's raining I use a tent.

 

I have a DCSB and have had good results using this...

$210 DAC Mid - Size Truck Tent by Dac Inc.-Vehicle Tents

https://www.amazon.com/DAC-Dac-Mid-...r+Tent&qid=1573493320&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1

 

Phew! Real man! Swinging that big sword are we haha.

 

I like that extension idea.