Anyone here offroading and sleeping in the bed with a Cap on it?

[Viking445]

Howdy yall. So i'm about to pull the trigger on a 23 Lariat FX4 and get a bed cap for the purpose of camping and sleeping in the back. There are a few tents that are meant for SUV camping that fit over the shell and provide an "entry way" of sorts. Is anyone doing this and what kinda of issues have popped up for you?

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[DukeCanBuildit]

@uthunter has a setup that sounds just like you’ve described. Maybe Greg will see this and can let you know all about it and how it’s working out for him.

 

[Viking445]

That is the exact setup I'm thinking about using!!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey Art,

Search this…”napier sportz suv tent with screen room” on Amazon or Google. Many options out there.

 

[underwhelmed]

Yeah. I use this Kelty set-up to create a small room off the back of my 6’ bed behind the topper.

 

[kentuckyboy]

If you are camping in cold weather, be aware of condensation taking place inside the camper shell.

 

[ControlNode]

On the condensation comment: I've done some "Urban camping" at the airport under the tonneau cover. Landed in Atl from Mia, next morning had a trip to AL to get a car. Didn't want to move the truck and trailer since I already had a parking spot for it where it what while I was in Miami. But, yes, when it's cold, there was frost on the truck in the morning, moisture will build up. I have a jackery and a fan in mine as it can move some air in/out and address that some.

For "real camping" I just went with a bed tent, less weight than a camper (I want as much payload as possible for trailer/car/gear) and I can easily move truck/tent around if needed without tearing the tent down and setting it back up. I need to figure out this weekend at the HST at ViR, suppose to be a bit of Rain, I may add a tarp over the tent from the roof rack bars to the tire rack on the trailer and tow my RS up there to drive around for the weekend since the tarp bridge will prevent me from driving it.

 

[QuickSilver]

I have had 3 setups before moving to a RTT. The reason I went to a RTT is that it sleeps 3 easily, and I no longer need to unpack the back of the truck so I can sleep in it. However I liked all my setups and ultimately the simpler the better.

I had a tent that setup in the bed of the truck, that was simple and really good

I had a topper and tent that came off the back, lots of room but longer to setup. I didn’t enjoy the effort but after that it was great.

now a RTT, getting it on and off it a pain, but I leave it on all spring and summer. Easy setup, I don’t need to unpack the truck, and it’s very comfortable.

 

[Sojourner]

I'm waiting on a 5-person Timber Ridge to arrive. Reviews are good. So we'll see.

 

[ControlNode]

Same one I have.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Same one I have.

Race weekend - fun!

 

[kentuckyboy]

I have been sleeping in my camper shell for many years. I have a 3 inch thick pad that is 6 ft long and fits between the wheel well. (Actually a futon pad) After my first cold weather outing ,I discovered the underside of the pad was wet. I thought having circulation in the camper would eliminate it. It did reduce it inside the shell. I discovered moisture from my warm body migrated through the pad and condensed on the bottom side. I solved this problem by purchasing a waterproof cover that encases the total pad for a single size mattress . Have not had a problem since. Happy camping.

 

[Jon_H]

I just searched all my pictures and found zero of the camping set up in my 2019 Ranger super cab (I now have a 2022). I had a cab-hi Snugtop with a home-built drawer set up that made a flat platform just above the wheel wells. I am 6' tall and slept on a 3" foam "mattress" I cut and upholstered to fit diagonal across the platform. I could stretch all the way out from corner to corner. It wasn't the most comfortable but it worked for a couple nights at a time.

I camped only in the desert so condensation was never an issue, plus I kept the window cracked.

I am in the process of "designing" what I hope is a better sleeping arrangement in my latest Ranger.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I just searched all my pictures and found zero of the camping set up in my 2019 Ranger super cab (I now have a 2022). I had a cab-hi Snugtop with a home-built drawer set up that made a flat platform just above the wheel wells. I am 6' tall and slept on a 3" foam "mattress" I cut and upholstered to fit diagonal across the platform. I could stretch all the way out from corner to corner. It wasn't the most comfortable but it worked for a couple nights at a time.

I camped only in the desert so condensation was never an issue, plus I kept the window cracked.

I am in the process of "designing" what I hope is a better sleeping arrangement in my latest Ranger.

Shame on you Jon for not posting pictures of such a cool mod. Don’t make that mistake with your 2022. TBH - I had to look up Snugtop. There sure seems to be a lot of topper manufacturers out there. Must be tough to stay competitive in that business, huh Val (@paval3 )?

 

[Ranger X]

Yeah. I use this Kelty set-up to create a small room off the back of my 6’ bed behind the topper.

Kelty products are awesome! Nice set-up!

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