Would have to say that other than using a small pup tent in the back I would go with the truck tent as making your own would be a pain (wind, rain). Just saw some locally for $200.00 and I know that at one time Costco had them (not sure of the price).
2002 GMC 2500HD 4x4 4 Door
1992 Northern Lite 9'- 6" Camper
Homemade Cargo Trailer for hauling supplies
Advanced Elements Kayaks
Border Collie Guard Dog
The cost may be prohibitive but, do a search for "tentcot" they are awesome. A lot of beach fisherman on the TX coast use them. You might be able to find a used one on craigslist
http://www.tentcot.com/1.htm
07.5' Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 L/B Cummins
08 Arctic Fox 990
(2) KLX 400's and a flotilla of small boats
I'm a little confused... You said you have a locking hard cover (tonneau?) on your truck now? Where in the world are you going to build this tent? I would guess some pvc pipe from the local hardware store along with an assortment of 45*s, t's, and maybe some 90*s would make a good frame for a tarp. Glue only some of it and leave the rest for slip on/off for quick setup and takedown. Look at tarp sizes and build the frame to match a tarp for easy fastening. Or you could have an overhang from the frame and use some tent stakes in the ground and some 1/4" rope for lashing.
I've spent many of nights while hunting in the backend under a soft tonneau. Other than being limited on 'head-room' it was simple, effective, and already set up.
2005 2500 Cummins/48RE/3.73, QCLB, 4wd, BigHorn, Edge Juice w/ CTS + Turbo Timer, ISSPro Oil and LP pressure gauges in cubby hole, GDP 20/2 filters on frame rail, Custom Diesel Steering Box Brace
'10 Forest River Shockwave Toy Hauler 21'
Honda EU3000I Genny
i think i have actually solved my problem. i got a one person tent from a friend of mine and set it up and it just fits perfectly in the bed of the truck.
yes i do have a hard locking cover on the bed but its one that folds into thirds. after folding it back to the last fold..... there is plenty of room to put the tent which can be secured inside the bed of the truck. it has a rounded top so all i think i would need is the tarp to put over it for a rain fly.
i'll just have to secure the tarp by bungee cords to the truck.
it seems a simple solution to me.
any other suggestions that dont include buying a van or a camper top (which i would love to have someday when i have a place to keep it ).... or any other
item that would cost an arm and a leg.... let me know.
i do think i have solved my problem..... and i dont have to sleep on the ground.
i will also check out your other suggestions
If you have a hard tonneau cover that you prop up, just throw a tarp over it with a bunge under your truck from side to side to hold it in place. A hiking pole works great to temporary prop up the end to make it easier to get in/out of the bed.
If it is one that rolls back exposing the stake pockets, buy a couple piece of 1/2 PVC pipe, cut to length to fit from pocket to pocket making your truck bed like a covered wagon. Measure for the tarp making sure it goes down at leat 12" past he bed on all sides. Probably a 12x16 or 16x20 tarp will work. Recommend the silver tarp versus blue as they will provide better protection from the hard rains. Use a couple bungies to hold it down in place.
One thing you may want to check on when checking in is if they allow people to sleep in their vehicles. Some places require a tent to actually be set up on the site. But by asking first and explaining what you are doing, will probably be appreciated. Don't feel bad, I do the same thing when I pull into a campground and want to look at the tent sites because they often offer more privacy.
Have fun and enjoy the camping style that fits your deisres/budget.
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2004.5 Ram 3500 4x4 Quad-Cab SRW CTD 6-spd, XD9000 winch
2004 Lance 815 (an upgrade from my prev 2005 35' fiver )
DW (homemaker), 1 DD @ Clemson in Civil Eng (Dec 2013) w/SIL, 1 DD Tech Grad (home but employed), 2 DFs (meow)
Sounds like you have a good fit. However, it's much warmer sleeping on the ground then in the tent during colder weather.
Oh and by the way, I slept in my Grand Cherokee for weekend trips for a whole season. Air mattress, two tubs, and a cooler worked great. In winter, I even had a little electric fan heater to keep the cold out. May have looked cheap, redneck, or lift raft, but it was better than being stuck home.
When we were first married (27 years ago), we did a lot of camping in the back of our pick-up truck. We used the tent to store our stuff and slept in the truck bed. I purchased a foam rubber mattress from a used furniture outlet store that came off an old hid-a-bed couch. I cut out the wheel wells and my mother made a slip cover (like a pillow case) that fit it like a glove.
Our 1 year old son had no problems sleeping between us. It was warm, cozy, and dry. Of course, we also had a shell, bought it used for like ... $25. We had a fantastic time, and at that time ... thought we were king and queen of the world!
For simplicity, you can make a frame out of PVC pipe and fit it to insert in the holes in the bed of the truck rails. Then throw the tarp over the frame, secure it with bungie cords to the underside of your truck.
It's hard to believe this was 26 years ago. Where has all the time gone!
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
Our first camper (40 years ago) was made by bending some 1/2" conduit in to bows and put some sockets on the inside the bed to slide the bows into when we stopped. Just throw a proper size canvas over the whole thing with the front edge over part of the cab. Close the front corners of the tarp in the truck doors and add a few bungies to hold the rest. We had a roll up mattress to keep us off the cold floor. Only big problem was we had to completely unload the back to setup for sleeping, and if it was raining.......
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