LoveMyPick-up
Texas
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Joined: 03/27/2012
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I dont know if this is the place to ask about it but can someone tell me how i can make a tarp into a tent for sleeping in the bed of my pick-up? i was going to just buy a tent to put in the bed but then i was concerned that i wouldnt have enough room to move around.
i dont have the money to buy a truck tent so i was wondering about using a tarp.
has anyone done this ?
thanks.
Joule
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MrMuffin
Indianapolis, IN
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Joined: 08/07/2004
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There's a great paper back about living out of the bed of a pickup truck called "Get up and get out" by John Joseph Tartaglia - you might check that out.....
Mr. Muffin
2006 Newmar Dutch Star 4306
2001 Jeep Wrangler or our Harley trailer
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slacker cruster
Ohio
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Joined: 08/17/2011
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I know you luv your truck. But think about getting a van. Much nicer to sleep in.
Here is something. Hope it helps.
http://swaygogear.com/articles/truckcamping/default.html
Good luck!
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bka0721
Republic of Colorado
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Joined: 03/19/2008
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I started my life, on the road, back in my high school days and sleeping in the back of a truck. After that, whenever I purchased a car, sleeping room in it, was a main priority to any purchase of a vehicle. I lived in the back of my S-10 Pickup and subsequent trucks for years. One thing I learned, the simpler you make it and the stealthier you make it, the easier the lifestyle becomes. That way you can pull into a residential area and sleep and no one knows, if they can't see you.
The money you might spend on modifications for a tarp, might be better spent in buying a used Topper. These are often found on Craigslist and local Freecycle internet sites. You might even check at the salvage yards and Topper dealers for hard to get rid of toppers. So what if the color does not match your truck!
One of the problems, that a tarp is not going to solve and you didn’t ask; “How are you going to keep your stuff safe, from being stolen and dry?”
So looking at something differently might solve some other upcoming problems.
Also, tubs are a big help in organizing things, while sleeping in the back of your truck. You will find it an issue every night, “moving things” to make your sleeping bed. If you have things in tubs, you just simply pick things up and move them over, to the cab, to make room.
Of course, what are you going to do for a sleeping surface/sleeping pad?
You might watch and find a cheap $100 Truck Camper to last for a single season and then get rid of it. Some shelter is better than none.
Building Recycle Centers are great locations to find material cheaper than at the Home Depot and Lowe’s type stores.
My kids still talk about the summers we spent traveling and sleeping in the back of our truck and looking up at the stars. Have a great time.
b
08 F550-4X4-CrewChas-6.4LDiesel-206"WB GVWR17,950lbs
09 Lance 1191
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AnEv942
CA
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Joined: 10/10/2003
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Other than a truck bed is COLD, makes some hoops from pvc pipe or old tent poles, use stake pockets. Use a really large tarp. Youll need to be creative for tying it down but should be able for most part seal ends.
Myself other than room it'd be warmer under the truck. I got running late couple of years ago-spent the night at the trail head in bed, rubber floor mat helped-but frrooze, -but better than being eaten by the sand ants plus too lasy to unpack jeep to get tent.
Or a nice narrow long tent in bed-though if in rain your going to get wet, but better locations would allow setting tent on ground.
Think Id lean toward a cheap used six pack shell before bed tent. Nice concept but pricy for what they are.
01 Ford 250 4x4 DRW Diesel, 01 Elkhorn 9U
Our camper projects page
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River&Sand
San Diego, CA USA!!!
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Joined: 07/17/2003
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By the time your gather up all of stuff to creat a tent you can buy one ready made for the about the same price Here, add an air mattress and your good to go.
I had a friend who had one similuar and used it alot and loved it.
River&Sand
05 Chev Ext.Cab K3500, Dmax/Alli, DRW, Reese Signature 18k, HappiJac, Jordan 2020
05 Lance 920 Truck Camper
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Hey there
Pendergrass, GA
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Joined: 09/09/2005
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Try using the Dogpile search engine, Search on stealth camping. Interesting.
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dmax lover
Portland,Oregon, USA
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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I did use a truck tent and did like it as it gets you off the ground - which is nice in the rainy weather here in the Northwest U.S. I haven't used it since I bought the camper several years ago.
Looking to get rid of it and sent you a Private Message to see if you want it.
jeff
2005 Chevrolet Duramax 3500 SRW Crewcab Longbed (KYB Monomax Shocks, Michelins,Hellwig Rear Swaybar)
2006 Northern Lite 9.6 Classic (Torklifts & fastguns)
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LoveMyPick-up
Texas
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Joined: 03/27/2012
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thanks for all your responses. i dont want a cap right now i need to be able to take the thing off and on by myself. i have a friend that uses a pop up tent in the bed of his truck and has the bottom well insulated against cold. besides.... i am not going to be anywhere cold.
i have a hard locking bed cover that i would store the tent in after i get moving in the morning. i am not looking to stay put for days on end... just a cheap way to sleep on my way to somewhere without paying for a hotel room.
i'll only be out about a week or so.
i'll be staying in rv parks or state parks.
i just thought i would ask about using a tarp as an alternative to getting a tent but i guess i would be better off with a tent in the bed.
ok ... thanks alot.
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AnEv942
CA
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Joined: 10/10/2003
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Wow obviously been a while since I looked at truck tents, I remember more like a 1000 bucks? Though Im leaning toward a used pop up for soloing the linked tents are nice-180bucks..Good size tarp will be $40 bucks or better...
Edit you have a hard bed cover? Hmm need to find someone good with a sewing machine-seems you could make some sides & rear for your own custom pop top
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