Bed Tent Suggestions?

Howdy!

I just bought a 13' Double-Cab (DC) with TRD Off-Road (OR) and Supercharger (SC) with 5' bed.

I used to have an 87' SR5 2-door manual with Turbo and a 05' DC Automatic Sport which I loved.

I was going to buy a Tundra this time, but decided the Tacoma was enough for my family of 4 and more fun to drive.

So, now that there seem to be a trend in my vehicle choice, it seems I am an official Taco fan for life. With that in mind, I intend to enjoy what I have stock for a while and slowly add accessories or mods. I anticipate my shopping priorities to go as follows:

1) Sleeping solution for bed (shell or tent)
2) Black wheels
3) Storage solution (bed floor, tool box, or shell)

So, starting with my sleeping solution... I prefer to have bed open, but can see the advantages of a camper shell which would also satisfy my secure storage needs. I would like to fit a queen size air mattress so it would seem I need to do some research on what will fit. When I go camping I like to have fun on the dirt roads and it seems that a tent would best so I can easily remove. Plus I am guessing I will only get out 5-10 a year so the tent seems easier to store during off season.

Anyone have a recommendation on a tent that would secure over bed that is easy to remove and install and can fit a queen mattress in?

Also, I guess I would need a special mattress to go over wheel wells?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or recommendations!

 

Have had the bed tent and now have a shell.
The shell, as you'd expect is much more solid.
I will look up what I had for a tent. It was good. Not as expensive as a shell.
If you are planning to do a lot of camping and using the shell for sleeping, go with a mid-rise. Wish I would have.
I do have a Napier SUV tent that goes on the back of the truck too. Have yet to get out with it.

 

Napier

 

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/productlist/camping/tents/truck-tents?d=117&c=80&s=232

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ProZ-Premiu...ash=item58f53af932:g:jgoAAOSwfVpYvDvK&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Napier-Spor...ash=item4d52d6a800:g:sQMAAMXQlgtS1Lpr&vxp=mtr

 

Have you done a pre-camp dry run of this tent? Was thinking about getting one.

 

Yes. It is very spacious.

 

if you have a roofrack maybe consider a hitents awing tent?
https://www.hitents.com/awning-products/awning-and-room-combo

at least then you can keep gear in the bed at the same time.
Or go with a cap, then put the rack on there and again awning tent.

I know a few guys that do this over a rooftop tent or normal ground tent.

For what its worth if you do end up with a ground tent, I can't say enough good things about the MSR Elixir 3 person tent. So happy with it, perfect ground tent for me.

 

Congrats on your super charged Tacoma!

 

More questions Dick:

1. Does it seal around the top of your shell fairly well? I have a Bestop. Would it work OK with this?
2. Are the fabric seams already seam sealed?
3. What is the floor made of?
4. Will my rear tire swing-out encroach on the interior space a LOT when open?
5. Does it feel well made/sturdy in your opinion.

Autoanything has a 20% off sale going on. Might go ahead if your opinion on this is good.

Thanks Man!

 

Right now on 4wd.com (jeep site) they have 10% off arb products and free shipping / taxes paid. So you can get the 2500x2500 arb awning and tent combo for $430 right now.

 

If you want a queen size bed, you'll need something that sets up outside of the truck, as the bed is only about the size of full mattress.

 

The seams do not come sealed.
It is pretty well made. I wouldn't say it is one of the best tents I own, but I wouldn't say it is the worst either.
I am hoping to set it up this weekend, I will try to get some pictures of the points you are asking for.

 

@Subway4X4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjFHm0XidGU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkot3el8k_Y

 

The way this is pitched it looks like the water would run off the truck cap into the tent.

 

What about bed mattresses? The ones that come preshaped to fit between the wheel wells? Garbage or solid investment?
Thinking the next big camping trip I go on towards the end of June I'll be just using my softtopper and sleep in the bed. I'm short, so the short bed isn't an issue

 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/AirBedz-Origi...3D332102281216&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460
These matresses look cool

 

That says it's for a "standard bed", ~6'2". Definitely won't fit the DCSB.

The other thing I'm toying with is trying to make a sleeping platform but I'm not sure I could get that done in time...

EDIT: Found the link to the actual retailer and they do have a SB option: http://truckairbedz.com/index.php?r...r=2006&pcmake=10&pcmodel=31&bed=38&pcsearch=1

/kinda pricey, though... may just see if my queen air mat fits in there.