Truck Camping Photo Thread

Bitchin!

 

Awesome! The first pic of Mountain Palm Springs campground looks like it had an army of teddy bear cholla cactus closing in!

 

Great thread. Subd

 

I went to Death Valley National Park for the last four days, and three nights of 2014. Had a lot of fun. I drove about 200 miles off road. Full trip report and lots of pictures here and here.

For this trip I converted my truck into the Death Valley Express. I pull the rear seat bottoms, fold down the seat backs and sleep in the cab, totally protected from the cold and wind. I spent each night in a new location in the park. When I arrive at my spot for the night, I open the rear hatch of my shell, fold down the tail gate and turn on a propane heater, and play a little bit of music. I deploy a camp stool, read books, study maps, and do photography. I didn't even bother cooking any food. Super fast, light weight, and incredibly simple. Camp setup is about 2 minutes flat. I love it!



Here are some trip highlights.

Ibex Sand Dunes


Saratoga Springs


Coyote near Green water Valley


My Tacoma on Harry Wade Road


Random camper in Greenwater Valley at the 2-mile legal camping limit.


A very cold morning on West Side Road with Telescope Peak in the background


Cars moving on CA-190 at night


Three random shots of campers off of Trail Canyon Road. I surmise these folks may have had a rough night, very strong cold winter storm winds all night long. My truck was rocking in the wind!

 

fishing the shad run last spring in Susquehanna State Park

 

Seek Outside is several hundred cheaper. I believe kifarus 6 man runs short of $1000 and seek outsides 6 man is around 750 iirc. The have "hot tent deals through the winter that gives a discounted pricce for everything you need for winter.

Set up is simple. You stake one of the doors out. Pull the other door tight and then move it back to the proper set back, stake it. Then 2 of the sides with their set back. Then you open a door, lift the shelter with the center pole. Then you just stake out the rest. The stove takes a bit of time but its simple. I just leave it set up in the back of my truck for now.

That picture I posted I didnt do a proper pitch with set back so the sides curve in and give you less useable space. One thing to keep in mind is that these are BIG. The 4 man I have is going to fit well in most camp sites. A 6 man is the size most love because it allows you to walk around a bit inside while the 4 man only allows me to stand in the middle.

Heres a picture that shows the inside a bit better and one with a proper pitch .


Untitled6 by BabyTaco, on Flickr


Untitled7 by BabyTaco, on Flickr

 

Not sure how it compares, but Go Lite Shangri-La tipi's are an option as well, I don't know if they are optionable to have a stove jack, but I know I've seen it done online.

They go on sale frequently and are half that cost.

 

Yep, lot of people go that route for a one man shelter. They dont come optional with a stove jack but you can install one yourself. I wanted space for 2 peole and 2 large dogs and the 4 man was perfect for that. I also sold my RTT to fund this so the price didnt hurt as bad haha. Just hoping its the last tent I buy.

 

I toyed with the idea of the Shangri-La 6 (6 man) but it got quickly vetoed by the misses.

 

Haha I'm single so I didn't have to ask. Sometimes that's a good thing but most of the time I wish someone would talk some sense into me.

Another lesser known brand is TiGoat. I actually like their stoves better. If I didn't buy my tent and stove used then I would have got an SO tent and a Tigoat stove.

 

TiGoat makes great stuff.

 

I thought an SL6 for me, woman, and dog would be great. Now that we're pregnant though I guess she was right...

 

Crom, those pictures of the randoms you drove by, look like miserable places to camp. So exposed to everything.

I was looking back through the thread and saw I forgot to post more from our trip in June. oops. Camp spots each night.

IMG_1067 by Flyin' B photography, on Flickr

IMG_1205 by Flyin' B photography, on Flickr

IMG_1334 by Flyin' B photography, on Flickr

 

Wish we were still out there! We should start planning round 2

 

Indeed, it was. I was grateful to sleep in the truck each night. I really love Death Valley. It's so extreme, harsh and unforgiving. Can't wait to go again.

Beautiful place, and great pics!

 

Amazing photos as always, love this thread!

 

Sweet - I'd love to camp up there - Gotta check out your trip reports.

 

Rad.

 

Yes