Bed Top Tent????

[2020FRL]

Okay, here's the situation.

When I travel, I pull my Harley Trike on an aluminum trailer. My first thought was to trade my aluminum trailer in and get a 7' x 14' enclosed trailer that I could make the front into a temp "bed room" about 4' x 7', plus the nose. The downside of the 7' x 14' enclosed is that mpg's would take a bigger hit. On a 5k trip, that could add up. Plus, the cost would be about $7-8K minus what I get in trade for the aluminum one. The upside, the Trike would be better protected and the weather would be less of a concern while sleeping. Also, I'd probably make up the loose on the mpg's in less hotel rooms. Plus, no one would throw me out of a hotel when my pup barks at the TV ... LOL. As a side note, in the 70's and 80's I built custom vans (think Scubby Do), so a simple "bed room" would ne a big deal.

I then had another thought. I have an easy set up tent 5' x 7.5'. I hate sleeping on the ground. So ... my thought was to make an aluminum frame 8' x 6' (might do a 3/4" plywood just to test the theory), make it foldable to fit in the bed. When I get where I need to just spend a night, set the frame on the bed rails, 8' across the rails, 6' front to back and clamp it there with ratcheting clamps. Set the tent up on the frame. The frame would have pre drilled holes for the poles and eyelets for the tent tie downs. My tent would have the door facing the back of the truck.

With the tailgate lowered, and the trailer tongue attached, I could step on the tongue, then the tail gate, stick my rear in the tent and slide in. With my back issues and two artificial knees, sleeping on the ground just doesn't cut it anymore.

Here's the tent I have. I also have a futon that fits in it, all the camping gear I could ever want, and a very quiet 2k watt generator for lights and CPAP.

I'm not sure I'd use this when I get where I'm going (for example, Kentucky to see the Ark), but, for 8-10 hours to sleep in a KOA or other trailer park, I'd have toilets and showers at the park, seems doable.

I originally thought about putting a roof top tent on the bed rails (did I mention I'm not keen on heights), it could easily hang over the tailgate as it would only be on while pulling the trike.

So, am I missing something? Or would this work?

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[OFC Ranger]

Consider a Kamprite. I plan to run these under my ARB awning.

Off the ground and it folds up for storage in almost one single piece. This is a pic of the double version, they come in singles and extra large singles.

 

[nevada.tracy]

I have one of these really easy to set up. But ya do have to take it down before driving the truck.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Alan,

I think either plan works for what you describe. I lIke the idea of the larger trailer for a number of reasons, some of which you touched on:

• You wouldn’t have to set things up when you get to your site or pack it all up again the next morning, especially if it’s raining
• You wouldn’t have to deal with bad weather while sleeping in a tent
• Your bike and the gear from the back of your truck are better protected in the enclosed trailer
• For those nights you might need to stay in a motel, you wouldn’t have to worry about your bike being out in the open
• It would be a bit quieter in the trailer
• You could build a very comfortable bed with storage for your CPAP, etc.
• You could permanently wire the trailer with lighting (both sections as well as exterior) and a plug-in receptacle so that you simply run a cord from the side of the trailer to the generator
• You’d be able to stealth-camp where camping isn’t permitted
• You could go for a bike ride and all your stuff would be safely stored in the trailer

Either way, it sounds like you and your pup are in for some great adventures.

 

[2020FRL]

I have one of these really easy to set up. But ya do have to take it down before driving the truck.

I thought about these ... I wouldn't need to take it down ... would ride the trike and leave the truck hooked to the trailer in the campground.

Gonna give this a second look. Thanks

 

[2020FRL]

I have one of these really easy to set up. But ya do have to take it down before driving the truck.

Pulled the trigger on this ... got it from Amazon. The rest as they say is history. LOL ... I have everything else I need. I sold my 26foot toy hauler and kept the gear ... got stuff coming out of my ears ... LOL.

And to be honest, for a simple overnighter, pretty sure I could sleep in the back seat, assuming the pup gives mew some room, LOL

 

[2020FRL]

Canceled the truck tent ... my buddy called and knew I was looking for an enclosed trailer. He wanted to sell his interstate. It's a 6 x 10 V-nose.

Getting the trike in is snug, but, very doable. I am going to build a little cabinet area in the nose above the front wheel. I'll store the "camping" stuff there and just pull the trike out when I go to sleep.

It has a lot of things that make this very favorable. It has two roof vents, The side door has velcro around it and he had a screen that tacks up to allow the door to remain open. It is wired to accept "shore" power and has 4 outlets inside. It also has an internal 12v light and rear 12v "loading" lights. All the 12v lights run off a battery. He's also Wired a battery charger to change the battery off "Shore power".

Apparently he used to use it as a fishing shack, but, it looks like it's never been used. Some weathering outside, but three new tires.

I gave $1995 for it. The ranger pulls it really well, can't hardly tell it's there. Only weighs 1079#, so with the trike I'll be pulling ~2400-2500# with the camping gear. Being a V-Nose, frontal area shouldn't be an issue.

All in all ... I think I scored.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Canceled the truck tent ... my buddy called and knew I was looking for an enclosed trailer. He wanted to sell his interstate. It's a 6 x 10 V-nose.

Getting the trike in is snug, but, very doable. I am going to build a little cabinet area in the nose above the front wheel. I'll store the "camping" stuff there and just pull the trike out when I go to sleep.

Nice score! Have fun setting it up to suit your needs.

Happy Trails Alan.

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