Bed tent recommendations/experiences?

Dane · May 17, 2012

I got to give my Napier Truck Bed Tent and Truck Bedz mattress its first try, and I have to say it worked pretty well. The tent is a little tough to setup - especially the first time, but you get the hang of it. It is easier with two people. It fits over my Retrax Pro Tonneau cover, though you do lose a little room. The bed rail edges at the end where they normally meet the tailgate concerned me, so I covered the corners with rags to try to prevent them from cutting into the tent. Here is a pick of our initial setup in the daylight and a night time picture of our actual camp. We'll be using it more. I do have to say that I wouldn't recommend it for anyone taller than me (6'3") if you have a tonneau cover. My feet end up kind of working their way under the cover for more room. Without the cover you could probably get away with being a little taller.

Phyguy · May 17, 2012

Dane - how is it for wind? I just got an REI Hobitat 6 for 100 less than retail (last year's model), but would prefer a bed tent.

Dane · May 17, 2012

Phyguy said:
Dane - how is it for wind? I just got an REI Hobitat 6 for 100 less than retail (last year's model), but would prefer a bed tent.

So far I haven't had much. It was a little rainy/windy last weekend, but nothing that I'd really qualify as a good test. It's pretty rigid and secure though. I have fairly high confidence that it would do pretty well in wind. You have a lot of ability to secure it tighter or looser.

One thing that is really cool is that you wind up with some serious "shelves" on the sides of the tent where the tent overlaps the bed rails. Also one where the tonneau cover is in my case. It makes a really nice place to store crap while you are sleeping. There are a lot of zippers that can open up, a big rain fly (opens up towards the cab window), some storage areas inside, and the awning is optional to setup or not.

I will say a couple of the tent poles can be a PAIN to get in though. They seemed slightly easier the second time, but it's a damn tight fit. It's fairly tall on the inside too. It would be somewhat of a pain if you don't have the bed step. It's REALLY nice for this application.

6.2 · May 17, 2012

I love bed tents! Can't wait to get mine an go camping all over with it.

whtrapta · May 17, 2012

I really like these, but for events where you use the truck, you have to take all of this out of the bed before you can hit the trails or track. Ask madcow how much fun that was

Madcowranch · May 17, 2012

whtrapta said:
I really like these, but for events where you use the truck, you have to take all of this out of the bed before you can hit the trails or track. Ask madcow how much fun that was

Dude it took me like 2 minutes but I didn't have a bed tent. Just an air mattress and folded the bak flip down. I'm still thinking a canopy over the bed might be cool. Then you could pull right out when it's race time.

whtrapta · May 17, 2012

haha here is what you need

Badgerscab6.2 · May 18, 2012

Dane said:
I will say a couple of the tent poles can be a PAIN to get in though. They seemed slightly easier the second time, but it's a damn tight fit. It's fairly tall on the inside too. It would be somewhat of a pain if you don't have the bed step. It's REALLY nice for this application.

I hear ya. JUst got mine thother day and tried setting it up in the driveway, cuz gona use it memorial weekend. Went to put the two main poles in the their little pockets and one of them fuggers snapped (SOB!!!!). emailed napier and they are sending me a new one, that I should have by the time I go camping. And yes there is quite a bit of room in these things

Dane · May 18, 2012

whtrapta said:
I really like these, but for events where you use the truck, you have to take all of this out of the bed before you can hit the trails or track. Ask madcow how much fun that was

I would not use the bed tent if I planned to use the Raptor on a trip. I'd use a normal tent, but for some trips I have planned that involve towing the Rubicon and camping from the Raptor it should work well. Not that I won't 4 wheel the Raptor - just not in some places that I WILL take the Rubicon. My Raptor is too expensive to seriously bash into rocks. The Jeep is armored, lifted, built for it.

Mike175 · Apr 1, 2014

I know this thread is two years old that I am resurrecting but wondering if any of you guys that are using the bed tent have any updates good or bad.

My typical set up is a 10x10 dining fly/awning, and a 4 person Eureka tent (big enough for two plus two labs).

I would like to find something a little different. I would like to get off the ground. Not yet old enough to get a camper, still like the tent but too old to be laying on the ground anymore.
Wondering what you guys have to say about it.

Bed tent recommendations/experiences?

Dane

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