Anybody ever camped using a truck's *gasp* camper shell?

[Typhoon John]

Hi,
I've been wanting to camp at FW for a while and have been looking to update my tent. I had one I used about 10 years ago and I really need a new one. I was considering a soft-top camper that fits on the back of a pickup truck, but then I realized that I own a camper shell. I orignally bought my camper shell to take my dogs to and from the vet without them being uncomfortable in the cab, but now I don't keep the shell on my truck anymore.
Has anyone here who has camped a lot either used a camper shell for camping or seen it done much? I don't really recall seeing anyone camping in one, but it's been years since I went camping.
Thanks,
- John

 

[4theloveofdisney]

If you can sleep in a tent, I can't imagine why you couldn't sleep in the back of your truck!! I would hope that you bring an air mattress to sleep on though?!

Just a thought - lol!

 

[Typhoon John]

Thanks for the reply.
It's odd, though, that I can't recall ever seeing someone use there camper for this. Most people use it as a mobile storage building.
I actually had a neighbor that bought a conversion van for camping and bought a tent also. He and his wife would unload everything into the tent and then sleep in the van. Go figure. It worked for them.
I will definitely get an air mattress no matter what I use. I slept on the hard ground on Cumberland Island once and that was pretty rough.
BTW, I'm in Macon. Nice to meet you and thanks for the reply.
- John
Oh, one other thing I just thought about. I have a boot that fits between the camper shell and the cab so that you can keep the sliding windows open between the two, but keep rain/etc. out. Hmmm, now where did I put that...

 

[LMC]

Your idea would probably work out great! Why not sleep off the ground when you can? You can even rig up some type of screen door to put over the entrance area when you are in it to keep bugs out.
Don't forget your tarps to shelter your entrance area too.

 

[salmoneous]

I honestly think you will be much happier in a tent. You can pick a nice one up for <$100, or borrow one for free. Truck beds are hard and usually not flat. Ovehead room is very limited which would make me nuts. You've also got ventilation problems - what time of year were you planning on going?

But what do I know. Try it out in your driveway some night. If you like it, great. If not, you can just go inside and get a tent before your trip.

 

[tim5055]

Even if you don't have a camper top a pick up can be a great way to camp.

Check it out: Truck Bed Tents

 

[DsnyGrl]

Hello, I have actually done it before. We went in my Dads truck. It had a camper shell, so we packed it full, drove down. Then put most of the stuff in the backseat of the truck, blew used a foam mattress and lots of blankets for comfort. We also had a small fan to keep cool. It was fine and we stayed dry when it rained. I would do it again. Oh yeah, it was a full size pick-up so there was plenty of room. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

[bianca]

When I was a kid, my Dad's truck used to be set up with a truck topper and he built a bed in it for us kids to use when we were traveling. If I remember correctly, it was a full size mattress that was set on a "frame" that he had built that went over the wheel wells. He left it open underneath, so we could put some of our stuff under there (not a lot of room, but we were small). I also remember that he had a little access door that he could get to by lifting up the mattress in the event one of our items traveled too far back under the bed for us to reach. Overall, I remember getting great sleep on that bed and wouldn't hesitate to duplicate it again today, if needed!

 

[LadyJanel]

We haven't camped in a truck camper shell there before but we have camped in our van which isn't a camper van but just a regular conversion van that we normally pull our camper with. There were just three of us going and it was a hot time of year so my husband purchased a cheap, small window unit to put in the window of the van (with a little ingenuity and plywood -- it worked like a charm!) and we slept on the sofa that folds down as a bed with the middle seats removed for our daughter to sleep on a air mattress on the floor. I wouldn't want to do it for a week but as long as you are just going to be sleeping, it works.

 

[Typhoon John]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I'm going to try it. I am still wondering, though, if it'll be a bit claustrophobic because of the lack of headroom. But, then again, it would only be used to sleep, and not just to hang out in...unless it's raining.

 

[gullyf]

When we were first married we spent many weekends in the Adirondacks in the back of a pickup (and with two kids even). Just some fabric curtains for privacy and an air mattress for sleeping on. Naturally, it lacks some of the comfort of home but is quite doable. Little different from tent camping in all reality.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I'm going to try it. I am still wondering, though, if it'll be a bit claustrophobic because of the lack of headroom. But, then again, it would only be used to sleep, and not just to hang out in...unless it's raining.

Head up to the front porch at Crocketts tavern if its raining, its a great place to hang out and people watch. You can laugh at the tourists that come for the Hoop-de-doo

 

[LadyJanel]

Typhoon John, I got some nice ponchos that double as blankets or pillows from some store at the Big Peach outlets when we were up there visiting my family but I can't remember which one. They are Coleman brand, though, if that helps. One side is thick rainproof material while the inside is lined with a breathable fleece of some sort. I thought it would get hot wearing them but they are actually more comfortable than the straight plastic ponchos because they don't cling and make you sweat like the others do.

You might also think about putting up a dining fly or tarp over the back end of your truck so that if it does rain you have a little area to climb in and out without getting you and the bedding soaked.

 

[Whosemom]

One question might be, are you allowed? I have seen signs somewhere (not FW, I don't think) that specified you have to have camping equipment to camp. Would they choose to include a truck cap or not?

Under the "its better to ask forgiveness than permission" rule, I guess you just go, but set up the dining tarp over the end and pull in the picnic table to look "homey".

Anyone know if this is an issue?

 

[extreme8]

When I was a kid, my Dad's truck used to be set up with a truck topper and he built a bed in it for us kids to use when we were traveling. If I remember correctly, it was a full size mattress that was set on a "frame" that he had built that went over the wheel wells. He left it open underneath, so we could put some of our stuff under there (not a lot of room, but we were small). I also remember that he had a little access door that he could get to by lifting up the mattress in the event one of our items traveled too far back under the bed for us to reach. Overall, I remember getting great sleep on that bed and wouldn't hesitate to duplicate it again today, if needed!

Remember the days when that was an acceptable way to travel with kids!! When we went camping we had the exact same situation as bianca, with 4 of us in the back of the truck.
A parent would be put in jail if they were seen doing that today.
Sorry for the OT post.