After an exhausting day of camping, rest and rejuvenation are of utmost importance. A comfortable truck bed camping setup can ensure a peaceful night under the stars.
While some individuals prefer using a camper shell, others enjoy creating their own truck camping setup. Though this may take more time and effort than purchasing an already built setup, building can provide better sleep at more reasonable costs.
Sleeping Platforms
Truck bed sleeping platforms provide you with an alternative means of making yourself more comfortable when camping with a pickup truck camper at night without sleeping directly on the ground. They typically consist of wooden surfaces on which campers lay their mattress or sleeping pad for comfort at night; these platforms may be mounted directly in the bed of the truck, or under its canopy, and may even raise above wheel wells so as not to interfere with privacy, security, and elements entering your sleeping area.
Many people enjoy creating their own truck bed camping platforms, but premade options are also available to install in your vehicle. Though these options might cost a bit more upfront, they might be well worth your while if you plan to use your camper on longer trips or frequently. When building one yourself it’s essential that you take the time and care necessary for proper construction – something which may prove challenging without prior woodworking experience or resources online to guide you along.
Alternative sleeping platforms to consider for truck camping include using cots that come in various sizes to fit the bed of your pickup. While more costly, these might provide maximum comfort – which may be especially important if your route leads into offroad areas where sleeping on the ground may not be safe.
As another option, consider creating a simple backshelf from plywood – this minimalist approach could suffice for weekend trips or short stays, as well as keeping weight to a minimum in your vehicle. Premade backshelve units made out of aluminum are even easier to set up and remove than their wooden counterparts.
Mattresses
A comfortable truck camper mattress can make all the difference to how restful your camping experience will be. Your chosen mattress must accommodate both your bed size and your gear without restricting access or puncturing easily; an R-value of at least 8.1 is recommended, to help keep you warm in cold weather and minimize temperature swings that could negatively impact comfort levels.
Foam mattress are among the most popular choices when it comes to truck camping mattresses, and come in various thicknesses and densities. A thicker mattress may weigh more and might not fit as easily in some truck models; also be mindful of headroom issues when placing too thick of a mattress in your truck or camper – an overly thick mattress can restrict sleeping comfortably with your head resting back against its shell!
Air mattresses may also be an economical choice; while they’re lighter in weight than foam ones, they aren’t as resilient and more susceptible to puncturing and deflating than their foam counterparts. Although an air mattress may be an economical solution, be sure to inspect its thickness and trial period terms carefully if purchasing online.
If you’re in search of a high-quality truck camper mattress, the Pittman Outdoors Mattress could be just what you need. Available in both long and short bed sizes and accommodating up to 440 pounds, this memory foam mattress comes complete with pump and patch kit – and even features cutouts for wheel wells to maximize space utilisation when using camper shells! Plus it features cut-outs to provide ample head room.
Pillows
Truck bed camping requires finding the ideal pillows. A supportive pillow should provide adequate head and neck support, helping ensure a restful night’s rest. When selecting your pillow(s), look for ones made of soft materials like down or polyester that retain their shape; foam will quickly flatten out or lose shape while memory foam may prove uncomfortable in a heated camper environment.
Your truck camper setup needs a sturdy sleeping pad or mattress as an integral component. Foam sleeping pads provide insulation from cold truck beds while self-inflating pads may offer more comfort and support. Consider also purchasing a sleeping bag designed specifically to fit into your pickup’s cab as well as a rain fly for additional weatherproofing measures.
An essential piece of truck camper gear is a bug net system. These can be attached to the top of your canopy or draped across your cab to help protect you from mosquitoes and other bugs while trying to sleep, especially useful if camping out in desert regions where mosquitoes thrive.
Make sure your truck bed camping setup includes the appropriate kitchen tools. Either build out your tailgate to form an all-inclusive kitchen, or just set up a portable camping stove and cookware in the back. A cooler is always ideal, while plastic totes with locking lids may also help ensure fresh and dry items during travel.
Your pickup truck can become the ideal home away from home for your camping adventure with just a little planning and prep. So get going! Load up all your camping essentials into your vehicle, head out on the open road, and remember to practice Leave No Trace principles wherever you travel – share any additional tips in the comments below and we’d love to hear them all!
Under-Bed Storage
Basic truck camping setup typically entails sleeping on a mattress atop your pickup’s tailgate, with an umbrella or shelter offering protection from the elements. To take truck camping to another level, however, a variety of accessories exist that turn your truck into an RV-esque recreational vehicle; such as stove storage systems, cooking stations and portable showers. Some accessories provide organization and tidyness benefits while others make cooking, showering and sleeping more comfortable.
If your truck bed camping setup features a camp kitchen, there may be options available to store supplies under the counters to keep clutter at bay when not in use. Some solutions even help conceal propane tanks or other essentials!
Use an empty plastic tote as a portable kitchen is another popular solution, providing quick and easy access to everything you’ll need – pots and pans, utensils, paper goods – without taking up valuable trunk space. Some totes even feature handles to grab onto the edge of your tailgate for easier transportation back and forth.
Vacuum seal storage bags are an efficient way to save space by compressing soft items such as bedding and out-of-season clothing into more manageable quantities, while still being easy to stack beneath a bed. Furthermore, vacuum seal bags also make an excellent way of safeguarding memorabilia or photos that won’t need frequent access from moisture damage and air contaminants.
Plywood sections can be attached with hinges to allow access to under-bed storage, while drawers can also be customized with cutout handles or hidden castors to make opening and closing them easier. When opting for drawers, be sure to label each one so you know what’s inside before needing to look for something specific!
