Tent Camping

[Bananabandit]

I know a lot of you guys are tent campers. Im looking to invest in some good shit. Since currently no place to store an RV of any caliber and Id rather just get out camping any way...I can store that stuff anywhere.

So...Id like a very large tent. Perhaps 6person minimum, will only be 2 but extra space is nice. Also, if you guys know of any good ways to sleep in the bed of a truck, Im all ears. I have a perfectly good 8ft bed not being used.

 

[cgrutt]

Also, if you guys know of any good ways to sleep in the bed of a truck, Im all ears. I have a perfectly good 8ft bed not being used.

Seems like a good place to start...

 

[togmaster]

Seems like a good place to start...

Don't think that would help much for sleeping.

 

[Bananabandit]

I suppose I should tag @Cleck and @NirvanaFan

 

[dwa12479]

I have a Field & Stream Oakwood tent that is listed as a 10 man tent. I've had it about 5 years. It's a very good size, but 10 men would fit only if they have no gear what-so-ever and didn't mine spooning. It takes about 20 minutes to setup, it's essentially a large screen tent with a rain fly covering the whole thing. My only complaint on that is that you have to go outside to open up the windows.

 

[Doc8404]

Seems like a good place to start...

And back in the doghouse you go

 

[Cleck]

I don't know what your budget is, or how often you plan on using it/doing it, so I just returned the first result to me:

Truck tents, Camping tents, vehicle camping tents at U.S Outdoor On-line Store

Truck Tent | Truck Bed Tents | Truck Camping

Truck Tents - SUV and Pickup Truck Tents - RealTruck

This review has two of the brands I just linked too:

3 Of The Best Truck Bed Tents Reviewed For 2017

Those will cost as much as a good tent for the ground. Get an air mattress of your choosing, add a good sleeping bag, all set.

I don't have as much experience w/ larger tents because I'm always looking for light stuff. I count ounces and pounds when packing.

If you're looking for low use, then I'd get a Field and Stream/Cabella's/Dick's special and go with that. Their "step up" brand, Kelty, is good for the price and a little bit better than the store stuff.

 

[Exonautic]

A quick search will bring up multiple truck bed tents. if i had a pickup this would probably be the direction i'd go if it was just me an one other. if you go truck bed tent, make sure it's a sealed one and not one that just goes over the bed if you're going to stick it out through any rain. Obviously if you will use the truck-bed style, you know how much room you'll have, would be good to set up how you guys would like to sleep in the bed before making any purchases to see if that would work for you.
same thing for a ground tent, waterproof is probably a bare-bones requirement for any tent purchase i make. it only takes one flooded tent to make you feel this way. Good call on the six person for two. me and my girlfriend did the same thing, we also brought a queen sized air mattress though because we knew the ground wasn't flat where we were going. definitely get some first hand claims on the quality of the ground where you'll be going, it could save you a major headache when you get there if you have to sleep with a big root in your back all night. every big brand has lines of tents for 6 or 8 people. just look for the one with the best reviews. I've used a field and stream for around 3 years now, but i only go 2 or 3 times a year, if not less. I've also used an Adirondack one, i believe it's the Wal-mart brand, but i believe that's the one that flooded.

Napier Sportz Truck Tents : Cabela's

Field & Stream Wilderness Lodge 6 Person Tent

 

[Bananabandit]

Thanks for the responses, esp @Cleck
Ive been looking at some, but am clueless to which actually works.

That is one thing I worry about while tenting is rain. If I go truck bed, I have better chances of staying off the wet ground.

$200 for one seems like a helluva deal. Sure beats a limited space truck cap. Much more flexibility. No pun intended.

Also I will add my bed has line x. Seems like that is better to have than hard metal.

 

[Exonautic]

That is one thing I worry about while tenting is rain. If I go truck bed, I have better chances of staying off the wet ground.

We always put a tarp under our tents, even if it's "waterproof". I honestly don't know if that's a common thing, i don't really check out other peoples set-ups, but my family and I always do it. Makes it so no Run-off starts running into us, all the tent has to do is keep out the water landing on the <2 in. of exposed tarp out.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Are you looking to do car-camping (where you camp next to your car/truck) or are you looking to go out in the middle of the woods, miles from any vehicles and camp in the backcountry? My recommendations for things are going to be VERY different depending on what you want to do. I assume you'll be camping next to your vehicle, but I want to make sure before I recommend something.

 

[Bananabandit]

We always put a tarp under our tents, even if it's "waterproof". I honestly don't know if that's a common thing, i don't really check out other peoples set-ups, but my family and I always do it. Makes it so no Run-off starts running into us, all the tent has to do is keep out the water landing on the <2 in. of exposed tarp out.

I see alot of people with tarps. That also might be a good idea. I gotta buy some stuff besides the tent. Tarp will be one. Thanks

 

[Cleck]

Most tents you don't need to put a tarp under, a lot come with that "bath tub" style floor, where it's basically a tarp that goes up the walls a little bit before it turns to the tent fabric.

Like Joe said, if you're not camping near your truck, I'd offer different tents too. A 6 person tent is gonna be heavy either way. So, if you're strapping it to a 4-wheeler, then it won't be so bad.

 

[Exonautic]

I kinda figured if he's asking about truck bed tents, he wasn't going to be doing any middle of nowhere camping.

 

[Bananabandit]

Are you looking to do car-camping (where you camp next to your car/truck) or are you looking to go out in the middle of the woods, miles from any vehicles and camp in the backcountry? My recommendations for things are going to be VERY different depending on what you want to do. I assume you'll be camping next to your vehicle, but I want to make sure before I recommend something.

So your name is Joeeeee?

My truck will always be with me. Nothing like you. 2 crazy flucks do
this is the truck in use

 

[Mk44]

I use to camp a lot with friends. I had a 4 man tent & used a queens size air mattress in it. I always lay a tarp on ground & setup the tent over the tarp to prevent moisture from coming up into the tent or incase it rained (it rained on me twice while camping.) In the beginning I tried sleeping on the ground in the tent (w/sleeping bag), but it was not for me. I prefer sleeping on the air mattress.

Get a tarp larger than the tent. roll up the ends of the tarp against the tent (like making a border around the tent) so if it rains water won't seep into your tent.

They have some really big tents with dividers. I like to keep it simple. Too big= more bulky to pack & more to set-up.

One of the member in our group always sleep in the bed of his pickup truck. He had a cap on the back of his truck bed(think that's what they're called.)
just watch your head in the morning (or get a taller cap or the soft cap). He used an air mattress in it as well. I liked the idea, because while everyone was setting up their tents, he would sit & drink his beer. And when it was time to leave, he just threw his cooler & grill in the back of his truck & he was done. While the rest of us were still taking down our tent. lol

They also make campers for the pickup trucks, but I don't know if you're interested in that.

 

[Bananabandit]

Ive consideree a truck camper. My cargo capacity for my truck is about 3600#

I just have no place to keep it while not in use. At least with tents, I can store them in my closet and still have the ability to get out camping. Also alot more affordable. My wife will be with me so Ill need extra space, which is why I was considering a larger tent.

 

[Mk44]

I hear you. You have to get what works for you & your wife.
A 6 man tent will be more roomy than the bed of a pickup anyway. With a tent, you can keep your duffle bags in there & still have room to move around freely or get changed.
Good luck.

 

[4excal]

Seems like a good place to start...

Ahhh yeeeea, you realize this is @Bananabandit asking right??...he needs more like this...
Or

 

[Bananabandit]

Never seen such a homophobe like you before...you know that guy who outs his worm in fishes mouth daily. Im just sayin though

 

[4excal]

Never seen such a homophobe like you before...you know that guy who outs his worm in fishes mouth daily. Im just sayin though

I am completely and 100% not a homophobe no worries I love alllll ya allllls no matter the color or sexual preference.
(Can't stand @GUNSICK tho)

 

[GUNSICK]

I am completely and 100% not a homophobe no worries I love alllll ya allllls no matter the color or sexual preference.
(Can't stand @GUNSICK tho)

Dude I let you share my pillow!

 

[4excal]

Dude I let you share my pillow!

But but but @Bananabandit says I'm a homophobe! Told gya I wasn't bananaman!

 

[Bananabandit]

Dude I let you share my pillow!

Was that his or your drool? Doesnt matter smelled good

 

[cgrutt]

LOL, you sure it was drool...

 

[Bananabandit]

LOL, you sure it was drool...

Im not a spermologist but due to color and texture, it was most likely not man juice

 

[cgrutt]

Im not a spermologist but due to color and texture, it was most likely not man juice

 

[Uzi]

As far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as camping while sleeping inside an RV or other vehicle.

 

[Bananabandit]

As far as I'm concerned, there is no such thing as camping while sleeping inside an RV or other vehicle.

Who the fuck are you!

 

[Cleck]

The Best 6 Person Tent Reviews For Family (Jul, 2017)

If I had to guess, the last tent on that list, made by Big Agnes, is gonna be expensive, but probably worth it. Coleman and Kelty come in with decent options here. One thing I like about bigger tents is a separate vestibule/room for shoes and putting all of your shit. My current backpacking tent kinda has something like that, but it's just an extension of the rainfly that makes it like a porch. Great for putting your boots and bag outside and away from the sleeping area.

The first Coleman one is by far the lightest at 9lbs, but it's also "only" a 4 person tent. The other Coleman one is a fucking monster, coming in at 32lbs, which is twice as much as the others. That being said, it looks the most useful.