How do you camp with a 5ft shortbed?

They are pricey but if you camp a lot I feel like a camper sort of like the at summit, or Alucab are worth it.

 

Bed Rack and RTT

 

Or a simple economical ground tent

 

Me (5’9”) and my wife (5’0”) slept in my DCSB probably 15 out of the 40 nights or so when we travelled the country in 2018. It wasn’t bad, I could still stretch out if needed. Saved a bunch on hotels that way.
We had a ground tent if needed but we were usually too tired to bother with it.

The appeal for sleeping under the topper is that the sleeping area stayed set up, all storage was under the hastily made sleeping platform. It wasn’t ideal, but plenty functional enough.

 

I started out sleeping in the back of my short bed, no platform. I am 5'7" and could sleep ok diagonally. I put some 1" foam board on the floor and also propped against the tailgate/wall corner where my feet were to keep them warmer. But I really had no issues in single digits camping this way, with the help of my chinese diesel heater. Routed dryer vent through the fender well when i parked, and through a hole in my bed where my cubby is (previous owner modded this long bed feature into the short bed). It was slick. Quirky cheap but TONS of heat. Loved it. However I did say quirky and you have to be ready to get dirty with diesel and know how to trouble shoot when it acts up. This setup was a challenge getting ready while sitting down, and having things strewn about the bed. Frustrating. I upgraded to a loaded Four wheel camper Swift and would never look back. It is one of those purchases that supports many hobbies I already have. A hobby enhancing purchase. The way it holds heat and makes winter conditions so livable is a huge plus for me. Its an amazing personal ski lodge and i'm glad I found a legit camper to utilize my short bed truck. I have way too much invested in this truck to have considered trading for the long DCLB, as much as that would have made life a lot easier in the long run. It is so much easier to find long bed accessories (cap), and campers that it can accomodate. With the long bed you do have the ability to fit certain traditional manufactured campers. Whereas with the short bed I do not suggest anything other than a FWC or equivalent, Go fast camper, or whatever, that is made to fit and distributes weight properly.

 

i mean ive a "2" person tent that fits in my truck bed, unless ive the canopy on. but think the truck cap is staying on its a pain to put away. also the tent fits on the ground. but I wouldn't mind a RTT or something if I had that as an option.

 

I've just acquired this cot tent and so I can do what this guy has worked out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZTaOJYwEyA. I can attest that it fits very well. Right now it is difficult to find a 'double' which is the one you need to make it all fit. Amazon shows them out of stock with no idea when they will get more.

 

To make the above cot tent work as in the video, you want this model:

Kamp-Rite Double Quick Setup 2 Person Camping Cot Convert as Lounge Chair, and Tent with Fitted Waterproof Rain Fly, Zippers and Doors, Gray

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KDYN23M?language=en_US

You don't want the single version or the oversize one - neither are wide enough to span the 2x6s in the truck bed. The only place I found one in stock was an online store called RonUSA.

 

I much prefer to use a tent. I like to be able to stand up. I have a cap on my truck and when I've slept in the back in the past I just lowered the tailgate and flipped the bed extender out. If there is any chance of rain it only takes 5 minutes to bungee cord a tarp over the back of the truck.