How do you camp with a 5ft shortbed?

thought about doing a camper shell setup, but ended up going with a @kbvoodoo rack and CVT shasta RTT

 

I'm 5'10 and some hairs. I sleep in my RTT when the weather and location permits. Since I do a lot of winter camping and fishing, sometimes the weather and location (urban areas etc) are no good for an RTT. In this situation, I sleep in my short bed on top of my drawer platform, under the shell.
It's not "comfortable" and I sleep diagonal. I definitely would not want to have a significant other in at the same time. Biggest issue is that my feet/sleeping bag touch the corner/window area and get colder.
I'm going to insulate the rear window. Really just depends how tall you are. Some people like Toynado like sleeping back there.
In the future I would get a long bed for sure, but for the frequency I go, 1 week or less, I can suck it up.

TLDR:
I sleep in my 5 foot bed. It's not great comfort, but works for a few days.

Cheers

 

I second you on the feet near the window bit. Probably the hardest part to my nights. I've even woken up with my socks stuck to the frost, haha. How do you plan to insulate? I have reflectix cut out for all windows and a bit of velcro attached to keep it in place, but I still get a lot of condensation inside and practically everything gets moisture/frost. I live in my truck full time, btw.

@Kevinmang diggin the pics

 

Build a trailer.

 

a trailer setup would definitely be my goal...being able to leave basecamp and drive off is huge. there are a few spots that I camp at that have awesome rive jumping spots or swim holes that would be nice to just drive to and leave the tent.

 

Dang, full time! That's crazy haha. I can do a few days, but my body is so used to wanting that good long stretch of the legs too often.

My latest cold night was -5C in Nevada. I had multiple socks and a nice sleeping bag, so the cold wasn't too bad on my feet. Since I don't live in full time, I think I will somehow hang/attach thin foam or fabric over the window. I think I just need a simple barrier so that I don't make direct contact with the glass. Honestly haven't put too much thought into it since I only deal with it on occasion
I'll check out your build and see how you progress. I'm just adjusting mine here and there.

 

Big ass stake and chain in the ground would be a start.

 

I know when I was uhaulin my stuff from FL, I got severely less fuel mileage, though.

@saundern How does a trailer, loaded with camp gear affect your mileage? 1-5 less, 5-10 less?

 

I reckon' I ought to add I also work on a liveaboard boat too. But even then it's a small bunk haha. I'm a few inches shorter than you so I can make it work, I guess. I've had some gal pals in there with me and it's actually a lot nicer just for the added warmth. I don't zip my bag, though, and that would probably help me out a lot. Hah I also use a warming blanket that plugs into the 12V outlet of a yeti goal zero for when it's super cold. -5 is wicked cold though! I'm roughin' it in 20's with some wind chill/snowfall. Reflectix would be my recommendation. You can get rolls of it from home depot/lowes on the cheap and then I plasti-dipped the outside for stealth effect.

I got a bit about it on the build page. I saved yours to check out later too

 

When I tow it’s about 5 less. When we use my gf’s 2016 T4R, it’s only about 3-4

 

A lot of the reason I kept my RTT was for comfort when my +1 wanted to come along. Good to know you've been able to accommodate for that.
Actually, on my 3 nights in Nevada, my first was in the RTT and it was freezing. Since I had a fever driving up there (unfortunately), the second night I hopped in the shell and wow, it was like 5-8C warmer, at least!
I said -5C so probably similar to your 20F.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into the reflectix. I do want to get some stealth as well, so will look at how to plasti-dipp it.

Cheers.

 

Do you have some sort of build thread for this? Looks awesome and very functional and wouldn't take up much space in a backyard or something like that.

 

I haven’t gotten around to doing one. When I decide to not be lazy and dig for some pictures of it from the start, I could do one. I have some changes planned in the next couple of months to it so that might give me the motivation then.

 

I will ask you in a few months then lol. I am mostly wanting to know which trailer you purchased. And did you mount or weld those 6 support beams for the RTT. Thanks man.

 

It started out as a 4x6 utility trailer from Lowe’s and the father-in-law welded the framing for us.

 

Here is my idea-5 person tent with a platform and tip out onto the tailgate.

 

I know someone that died like that actually.
I'm from a small beach town in France. They had a small outdoor concert/festival event there. Guy must have been super drunk, fell asleep under a large truck.
Got ran over in the morning. Wild.

 

Build a simple platform and sleep diagonally....I'm 5'10 and slept fine. 60 seconds to install/remove.

 

I’m a 5’6, 106 lb dude. Open my windows just a crack under my window ventshades, fold my driver seat all the way back, and go to sleep. I also fold down the rear seats, stack Harbor Freight blankets with my dogs old bed and sleep on that too.