Rooftop tent....in bed.

I'm 85% mall crawl and 15% adventure. Maybe it's the wisdom coming from older age or learning from the fishing, boating, golfing, and other bugs that as much as I would like to consider myself "All-in", I just never end up there. The reality is that I don't currently have the time (and probably money) to be the overland adventurer that I'd like to be. So instead of pretending, buying a bed rack and loading it with goodies just to drive around town and use it sparingly at best, I wanted a way to have the best of both worlds....for me. With that said, I decided on trying an in-bed RTT.



After looking in the marketplace, I only found two tents that would fit this application due to their size and that they fold out lengthwise not widthway. One was the Thule Explorer 2 Ayer and the other the Body Armor Pike 2. Both are 48" and the space between our wheel wells are under 50". Both entry level tents. After trying to get some unpublished specs from Thule, they had a hard time coming up with them and said my application could not work. So I contacted Body Armor, got great customer service and received what I needed. From that I knew I would be limited in the use of the Pike 2 window awnings and wouldn't get full extension (that's what she said) in the front rainfly.

I created a sled application where I could put in and take out the RTT as needed and started by measuring/placing the 2x6 pressure treated wood. That position up against the bed slats ended up being 29 13/16".



I made a few plunge cuts to insert the bracket. Don't laugh, I don't claim to be a carpenter and I may or may not have had a few by this time. There's probably a better way, but this worked out fine for me. The nice thing about this is that it's in my bed and under a tonneau cover. It won't meet any weather resistance and I'm not worried about it coming loose. It's plenty secure.

From the previous picture, I ended up being able to use the existing bed bolts and some L brackets to secure the rear. To hold down the front, since climbing in the tent in the rear would cause it to lift, I decided on an eyebolt and pin. I placed in the tent and secured the front bolts, then measured the placement of the eyebolts in the front. I drilled a hole on each side using a 3/8 bit (needed just a bit more) and inserted a 5/16 riveted & threaded insert. Used 5/16 eyebolts that I can take out when not in use.



At this point, I hadn't ironed out the kinks and my daughter climbed in and fell asleep.
This tent has two access points on each end and two windows with awnings on each side along with a skylight. The access point near the cab will work well for accessing bags, small cooler, etc because there is about 18-20" between the tent platform and the cab. As you can see, the aforementioned measurement restrictions prevent me from using the cab side awning rod. A suction cup on each side is in the cards for me. While I can use the rods for the cab side awning it is not fully extended due to my cover. It does extend enough to cover and prevent rain. The cover fits VERY snuggly around the parameter. In fact, after unzipping the cover I elected to simply place it back on and use the straps to secure it. It would take too much time and stress to re-zip the cover and that will need to take place after the trip is over. All in all I had fun with the project and have two trips planned. Ouachita this month and Big Bend in April. I'll report back on its function and/or disfunction then.

 

Very nice. But where will all your camping gear go?

 

Very cool. Nice job on the platform.

I guess I'm curious as to how this would be usable on a 3-4 day camping trip. With the tent in your truck bed - where would you put all of your supplies and gear? In the cab? If you have a family, I just dont see how it makes sense. What is your idea?

 

Maybe put the RTT on a bed slide supported by stilts. Then get a bed rack and put the gear on top.

 

But then you are back to square one haha Just mount the RTT on the bed rack and store your gear in the bed

I'm lost...

 

I have a wife, two daughters and two female dogs. This my friend is an estrogen escape. If my wife gets to come, the cab and space between the tent and the rear cab should work fine. There is also a 5"x24x45" space under the tent which I've already found an under the bed storage bag works well and fits my camp stove, small propane tanks, cookware etc. I MUST MAKE IT WORK!!!lol

 

It's easier to remove gear from the rack than an RTT - can get back to the mall real quick

 

I take my truck on appointments and business meetings. I kind of had an aversion to the rack. Gas mileage was also a consideration.

 

I need one of those.

 

In that case, looks like a good option for solo trips. Enjoy it!!

 

Nice work, get out and enjoy!

 

It you weren't all the way down in TX I'd tell you that I have a mid height Cali Raised LED bed rack that I'll be getting rid of soon. It'd give you a little more room for gear underneath.

On the other hand, gotta respect the ingenuity of making it work. Either way, I wish you luck in your "Estrogen Escape!"

 

Where to put gear? Easy, I have a DIY hitch cargo basket big enough to haul around my garden tractor. Something similar would carry plenty of gear. Pretty much doubles my cargo capacity without a trailer.

 

Next time I hitch it up, which isn't frequently, kinda a heavy mf. Similar to this but bigger and about 240lbs. I use a magnetic light set with it.

 

Wouldn’t this been easier?


https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/..._PageElement_pdplanding_rr_1_41632_&rrec=true

 

Soft topper gets my vote.

 

Not if you already have the RTT and just need to use what you have. Nothing wrong with what he's got, and when he gets a bed rack or a shell he can re use that tent. It gives options for growth without total replacement.

 

Nice job finding something that suites your needs. Looks pretty slick.

 

These SUCK

 

Care to elaborate? Spill the details as to why. Never looked at one of these but sure others would love to hear your experience for informed decisions.

 

Falls apart of you want to move your truck 5ft. Impossibly difficult to setup. Damages your paint. A camper shell or soft topper are a better bet, more expensive but you get what you pay for. Alternatively, just don’t camp when rain is forecasted and just sleep in the truck bed

 

I think I'd be more of a "truck topper with a blowup mattress/sleeping bag" kinda guy. Pull a little trailer for all the camp stuff and be done with it.

(*In fact, that MIGHT be what I do to camp*)

 

Check out a soft topper, awesome good quality, light weight, flexibilty to have a truck bed when you want.

 

despite having a 4 bedroom cottage available to me these bed-top tents have always been appealing. if i had 3 ladies to deal with daily i'd likely have pulled the trigger too lol.

 

If you're handy with carpentry tools, a popular option (which I did) is a platform with a blow up mattress on top. It works great with a cap or topper. You can store gear underneath of the platform and only take it out when needed.

There's a few threads floating around on here on this type of design. Here's mine when I was first building it.

 

I looked at these but opted for option A. If I pull into a site at night or in the rain, it's nice knowing I can be set up in 2 minutes. Same with the pack up. 4 minutes and I'm on the road if needed. I didn't want to have to mess around with tent poles and straps and most of all the lack of structural integrity in wind/weather. It gets very windy here in Texas, especially in the spring time. We can get steady 20+ mph and that thing would be toast.
Thanks for the suggestion however.

 

I like it, stealthy, low pro, simple… people tend to tAke the rtt way to far imo.

 

My uncle may consider this design for his new Tundra project. We got to finish installing the suspension and leveling kits on the Silverado this week before we can clear the garage and take the Tundra in.