Setting Up for Truck Bed Camping: A Comprehensive Guide
Truck bed camping offers a unique and adventurous way to explore the great outdoors. Whether you have a truck with a cover or plan to set up a tent or shell on the bed, this guide will walk you through the necessary steps and gear to make your truck bed camping experience safe and comfortable.Basic Setup Methods
Truck bed camping can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. For a quick setup, you can use a mattress on the truck bed for sleeping. Cooking options can range from a camping stove to a campfire, depending on your preference and surroundings. Additionally, you can purchase a tent designed to fit the truck bed or use a roof-mounted tent that can be installed at your site and removed when you leave.Done multiple times, it requires minimal gear: a sleeping bag, tarp, cushion, and a length of cordage. Here’s a step-by-step method:
Pull the tarp tightly over the truck bed. Run a length of cordage through each grommet in the tarp with weights to keep it taut. Place a stick in the middle of the tarp to create a peak, preventing rain from pooling. For cold weather, use a propane heater; for hot weather, use a battery-powered cooler. Park in the shade to keep the area cooler.Tents and Shells Designed for Truck Beds
There are specialized tents made to fit trucks with standard-sized beds, either long or short, without the odd-length beds found in newer passenger car-based trucks. Companies also produce heavy-duty air mattresses with cutouts for wheel wells, ensuring a comfortable and secure setup.Alternatively, you can add a fiberglass or aluminum shell to the truck bed. I installed a fiberglass shell with tinted sliding windows and screens for ventilation. It color-matched my truck for a seamless look. I used a folding foam mattress on one side and placed all my gear on the other. An extension cord ran from the battery to the truck bed for charging and lighting, and I carried a large heavy-duty battery jumper in case of low battery.
This setup allowed me to camp around the western states for about six weeks with minimal setup time and maximum security. It felt inconspicuous and secure, resembling just an ordinary truck with a cap.
Modern Tent Mounting Solutions
In today’s market, you can mount a hard-shell pop-up tent on a cargo rack, allowing you to have an elevated sleeping solution even when the truck bed is empty. This setup offers the best of both worlds—trunk space and elevated sleeping comfort.For camping needs, you can use standard camping gear or opt for larger, heavier items like chairs and stoves. I carried around 30 gallons of water and tons of food with me because truck bed camping allowed for more weight, giving me the freedom to camp virtually anywhere.