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Truck Camper Help

Patriot

Patriot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2019
Messages
842
Looking for help with first time truck camper build. I know there are 1 billion videos on YouTube but I’m not seeing any of them helping me figure out the following questions:

1.Bedding. I would prefer to have a siNgle bed setup that doubles as a couch that can also expand like a futon to a queen. My problem isn’t the build, it’s what mattress should I use, futon, air pad, truck folds? Two trifolds?

1A - anybody do a hammock in their truck cap?

2. safety - do I need an oxygen alarm or anything,

3. what’s the easiest cheapest power method? Is there a basic solar or car/boat battery setup people like or recommend?

4. what are the essentials? Do I need a fan or a buddy heater, what’s the “gotta have” gear list?
 
I’ve got one that I use and love it. Gimme a bit to get a longer reply together
 
I’ve got a 04 Tundra with topper on it. I bought it used (1-owner) from a guy out west who had already rigged it up for camping. What he had is functional but I’m in the midst of planning to made some huge changes so this will be a good learning thread for me too.

the setup currently is a carpeted plywood base. It had two bench “seats” on each side that about 12” wide that open up too to allow storage. The seats have a lip on the inside that faces the opposite side where I can place two removable carpeted plywood pieces that serve as the bed portion. It’s just 4” foam with carpet over it tacked to plywood.
This setup is super comfortable and I sleep great in it but it’s not the most efficient use of space and is not sturdy.
I’m planning on remaking the interior using angle or square aluminum tubing as the frame and only have a bench on one side. The vertical “wall” of that bench will flip up to compete the bed portion when I need it and flip down when I’m just driving so I can maximize storage and also use it as a place to change clothes in the rain. I plan to attach thin plywood on both surfaces. For my bedding pad I’ll likely repurpose the existing foam as it is comfortable. I don’t use a heater, just a good sleeping bag. I do crack both small windows in my topper tho to get air flow.
Still a work in progress but I’m getting my plans finalized
 
I’ve got a power converter I use to charge my phone with the truck running but when I’m camping I don’t use any other electronics so power isn’t a real issue for me
 
But if you’re wanting to be cheap, just get a inflatable camping pad and use that on the bed of your truck. I’ve done that many nights and slept fine
 
CZMark said:
If you use a Buddy Heater, or any gas-burning heater, you need a CO alarm.
Click to expand...

The buddy heater has an o2 sensor that will shut the burner off long before you have a CO problem.
A sunflower heater can kill you before it shuts off.
Somehow i survived a night with both a buddy heater and a sunflower running. Around 1am the buddy heater shut off and wouldn't start again. Around 4 am the sunflower shut off. I woke when it killed.
I couldn't get a lighter to ignite in the ice shack. I could light a lighter outside the house and pass it into the door and the flame would extinguish from lack of oxygen. CO is silent and deadly, but those O2 sensors on the buddy heaters will cut the heater off long before you have a deadly CO problem.

Ever since i errored on the side of caution and always had air moving THROUGH the shack. When there was no wind, a fan was used.

A CO detector is cheap insurance however (When i started ice camping i had one, but over time grew comfortable and felt i didn't need it, all it took was a peaceful ZERO wind night to bout kill this guy!). I share this story because i shouldn't be around to tell it and don't want others to have the same experience.

Lots of people who winter camp just use a good sleeping bag. I always slept in my ice suits and ran a heater, but it did nearly take my life one calm night on Mille Lacs.




No experience on truck camping. At 6'7" i just don't fit!
Sorry for the derailment.
 
I’ve camped many times in my truck bed with a topper. I like using a military style folding cot paired with a really good sleeping bag. I sleep like a baby with that set up during Ohio winters. The trouble comes in the morning when I have trouble motivating myself to get out of that warm sleeping bag into the freezing cold truck bed.
To solve that problem, I bought a buddy heater and a CO sensor. The plan was to turn the heater on when I woke up just to help me get out of the sleeping bag, but I haven’t had a chance to use the heater since I recently went back into the military.
I have also camped with an air mattress In the back of my truck. I only did that once, when my wife went truck camping with me. A queen size air mattress fit perfectly in the back of my F150 with a 6.5 foot bed.
 
I am in the process of getting a camping set up going as well. I’ve also watched a bunch of YouTube. Saved a few good ones. I think he’s size determines many factors. Semi permanent to bare bones etc. I have an 8ft bed and topper so my space is very different than a double cab with 5.5ft bed. I also want something that can be set up and taken down fairly easily. Another different factor for me is that I can lay flat across the width of the bed as I am kin to hobbits. So my design a completely different approach to others.
I did buy a Bed Rug padded carpeted liner. It’s amazing (bunch of YouTube videos on it). Makes being on your knees and moving furniture so much better. Also adds some nice insulation for cold weather camping. I had a rubber bed liner that I reinstalled after the carpet install which I am considering taking back out aside from hunting season and just use a yoga mat and towel for things like gas cans, mowers, trimmers, etc. I don’t want the gas smell in my truck.
As mentioned you have to have an O2 sensor with a buddy heater. And everything I’ve researched the buddy heater is da bomb. Putting a hammock in the bed seems tough but you might come up with something. For me if I’m going hammock I have an under quilt and can go down to the teens with it and an top quilt. You could always hammock sleep and use the bed as a place to sit in a low camping chair to hang out and change and or cook or whatever.
Again I’d YouTube about power options. As with anything cost is your limiting factor. I saved about $1500 worth of “power” options on amazon after going down the YouTube rabbit hole. I’ll link a few things I saved. There are a couple really nice portable power stations depending how serious you want to get. I mostly only need phone and maybe gps recharge capability. I do have an inverter built into my truck but it has its limitations. It won’t run a coffee maker. Well, it will but it can’t get it going with the big surge a coffee maker needs to start off. Which some other power stations have the same issue. There are several nice portable solar panels as well. You can also get an extra deep cell truck battery and rig it up.
I saved a nice fan on amazon, some different camp shower options, etc , etc. this really is a rabbit hole that you have to dive into and the hardest part is just making a decision and settling on it.
 
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The anker portable power banks are pretty sweet also. The bigger ones will charge a phone several times but are relatively small for the power you get. But as I said. Some guys some cool stuff with an extra truck battery.


Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, 240Wh Backup Lithium Battery, 110V/200W Pure Sine Wave AC Outlet, Solar Generator (Solar Panel Not Included) for Outdoors Camping Travel Hunting Emergency https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D29QNM...abc_SHRQYBVJ4M44ACVR9KZW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

ROCKPALS 300W Portable Power Station, 280Wh CPAP Backup Battery Pack UPS Power Supply 110V Pure Sine Wave AC Outlet, QC3.0 USB, 12V/24V DC, LED Flashlight for Camping, Home, Emergency https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFNTGZ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7R5FKRMR7K0J4ETGPXFC

ROCKPALS SP003 100W Foldable Solar Panel for Jackery Explorer/Flashfish/BALDR/Goal Zero Portable Power Station Generator and USB Devices, Portable Solar Panel Charger with 3 USB Ports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FH85FW...abc_FMHJYKMQQYY15F74GHTP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
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Some other things. I really should be getting a kickback from Amazon. Haha disclaimer: I haven’t bought any of this stuff. It’s all just ideas I’m considering. Also do you want to make some cheap curtains. Do you have a liner in the topper because condensation builds and drips from sleeping overnight and from a buddy heater. Some make curtains and use reflective hot water tank material for the windows.


Futon Mattress 6 inch Tufted (Mattress Only) - (1, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GPXJTQ...abc_V65WSVA40E4EQ0J8AEAC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Advanced Elements 5 Gallon Summer Shower / Solar Shower,Silver/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J2Q0T4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HPR48C3D7DW0CVTT9EX9?_encodi

KEDSUM Portable Camp Shower, Camp Shower Pump with Detachable USB Rechargeable Batteries, Portable Outdoor Shower Head for Camping, Hiking, Traveling(+ Handheld Bidet Toilet Sprayer) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZK5K4...abc_8Z32G63JSKFA1KRENGDQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ng=UTF8&psc=1

Yescom 7.6'x8.2' UV50+ Car Side Awning Rooftop Pull Out Tent Shade Shelter PU2000mm for Outdoor Camping SUV Travel Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NF9DV9...abc_850P727BKQHZNF0FH40J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Streamlight 44941 Siege 200 Lumen Ultra-Compact Work Lantern (Coyote Green, 3xAA Battery) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW5AK2...abc_HHDR92B30CHEEDKMQ6N9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
Weldabeast said:
What's ur temps and what size bed is ur truck
Click to expand...

6.5 footer and I’m in southern NH so it can get to zero. Hopefully I’ll be traveling out of state too but there’s nowhere to go north except Canada for me haha.
 
Flee said:
Some other things. I really should be getting a kickback from Amazon. Haha disclaimer: I haven’t bought any of this stuff. It’s all just ideas I’m considering. Also do you want to make some cheap curtains. Do you have a liner in the topper because condensation builds and drips from sleeping overnight and from a buddy heater. Some make curtains and use reflective hot water tank material for the windows.


Futon Mattress 6 inch Tufted (Mattress Only) - (1, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GPXJTQ...abc_V65WSVA40E4EQ0J8AEAC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Advanced Elements 5 Gallon Summer Shower / Solar Shower,Silver/Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J2Q0T4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HPR48C3D7DW0CVTT9EX9?_encodi

KEDSUM Portable Camp Shower, Camp Shower Pump with Detachable USB Rechargeable Batteries, Portable Outdoor Shower Head for Camping, Hiking, Traveling(+ Handheld Bidet Toilet Sprayer) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZK5K4...abc_8Z32G63JSKFA1KRENGDQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ng=UTF8&psc=1

Yescom 7.6'x8.2' UV50+ Car Side Awning Rooftop Pull Out Tent Shade Shelter PU2000mm for Outdoor Camping SUV Travel Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NF9DV9...abc_850P727BKQHZNF0FH40J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Streamlight 44941 Siege 200 Lumen Ultra-Compact Work Lantern (Coyote Green, 3xAA Battery) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW5AK2...abc_HHDR92B30CHEEDKMQ6N9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...

i do have the carpeted topper so that should help with condensation and insulation. I will definitely do windows curtains but are you suggesting the hot water heater insulation style curtains to keep the heat out or to keep the heat in?
 
Amazon has cheap faux leather futons. I’m thinking that might be a versatile bed and couch. And the faux leather shouldn’t get too musty and mildewy
 
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