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Post by crashphilosophy on Mar 13, 2008 13:58:13 GMT -5
hey guys, just wondering if anyone has any suggestions about truck camping? we are using a silverado with a hardtop . we figured it would be a better idea than a tent because we can just lock it up when we go adventure out. i've been trying a few different things but none of them seem to address the rain issue . if you know anything let me in on it!!
Post by SouthGA_Festival Machine on Mar 13, 2008 14:04:59 GMT -5
crashphilosophy said:
hey guys, just wondering if anyone has any suggestions about truck camping? we are using a silverado with a hardtop . we figured it would be a better idea than a tent because we can just lock it up when we go adventure out. i've been trying a few different things but none of them seem to address the rain issue . if you know anything let me in on it!!
peace
Be sure to bring a canopy to help keep that thing from turning into an oven.
If a hard-top on the back of a truck sits in that sun all day you'll be roasted alive. Here's what I'd do...
Get a sun reflective tarp and throw it over the whole truck and stake it down so it's fairly tight. Then put beach balls between the tarp and the truck to get some air flow between them... air flow is crucial... use bungees to adjust how it hangs off the truck so air can get to you inside of the truck and you should get by OK.
My girlfriend and I slept in the back of my suv last year. We got an suv air bed and it was very nice. We put our shade canopy over our car, used a sheet to make a wall on the side that the sun would come up, and with the windows open there was nice airflow. It was very comfortable and we're doing it again this year but in VIP. We're also bringing another shade canopy for the regular camp site.
I brought the same thing last year and it worked great. I threw a silver tarp over it and put a couple boxes between the tarp and top for air flow. I actually threw a small bunk bed mattress in the back and it's very comfy. It stayed fairly cool and I slept in it Sat night to escape the dust. Was cooler than a tent by far once the sun came up.
I still mostly sleep in the hammock but it's a nice alternate. It gives you plenty of hauling space and saves limited camping space. You will need a canopy for shade.
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2008 9:42:43 GMT -5 by troo - Back to Top
Post by koyaanisqatsi on Mar 14, 2008 10:34:52 GMT -5
After the torrential downpours of 04, this is the only way I camp at fests.
I too, have a silverado. I put an old futon frame in the back. Throw a double bed mattress on top of that. Futon frame leaves room under mattress for poles, camp chairs, (fishin' poles and firewood, for other adventures).
Get a nice silver reflective tarp about 20 by 30. You will use the tarp in a manner that the shape mocks the shape of the truck(rectangle on rectangle). Pull the tarp down between the cap and the cab of the truck, and stake each side straight downward, allowing access to the cab of the truck on each side.
At the gate end of your truck, you need some poles fashioned into an H, with the crossbar being disproportionately toward the top, maybe a foot from the top . I used some inch and a quarter pvc. Duck tape and wrap twine at each joint. The duct tape will hold it tight, but it will rip as the weekend goes on. Better off to tape and wrap with twine from the get go.
You place the pole set-up behind the gate of the truck. The poles should be wide enough to accommodate the width of the truck. Stretch the tarp up and over the poles and leave about a couple feet overhanging the poles. Attach ropes here and stake, making a nice little overhang that will shade you when you sit on the gate of the truck. The poles should be high enough to create a wedge of air between the truck and tarp. If the tarp is the correct size, it will hang down freely on the sides just enough to curtain off your windows in the cap of your truck.
It stayed at least 10 degrees cooler than anybody's tent in our group. Plus, the futon and mattress were just long enough to fit a big five day cooler accross the back of the bed of the truck.
JUST MAKE SURE THAT WHICHEVER END YOU INTEND TO HAVE YOUR HEAD IS SLIGHTLY ELEVATED AS YOU PARK. It is also a good idead to try and face your windshield to the East as you park. That way, you will have shade over your tailgate for most of the day.
If this doesn't make sense, pm me and I will try to do a better job of explaining. I also have installed velcro above my sliders on the inside of the cap making hanging tapestry curtains an easier option. Really cool den to retire to after the madness ! And guaranteed driest set up on the grounds. If you do face the windshield east, I'd have a curtain to hang on your visors as well. Makes a nice little locker area in the front of the truck that doesn't get too-too hot.
The next step in the evolution of camping in my opinion. Having a real mattress at bonnaroo is priceless.
