Camping Under a Truck Bed Cover : Most Underrated Setup ?

[@arieljaquez5444]

I did this for a month a few years ago when I was homeless. Luckily, I had a job that gave me a work truck I took home with a hard bed cover, although "home" was the parking lot of my job. Couldn't make a spectacle of myself being there, so no cooking. I did have plenty of cold nights, but thankfully, a relative gave me a loan to get an apartment and I've been here ever since, and doing just fine.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I'm happy to hear that things have improved for you my friend. Although I did it recreatuonally, it would serve in truly needed situations, I'll keep that in mind for a future vid to help anyone else who may need this option.

[@picklefart]

Glad to hear someone else made it to the other side.

[@chrisdeguzman7795]

Good for you, best of luck. Keep up the great work

[@YourMomsPlaceLastNight]

Sounds like someone lives on the west coast or New York lol.....shouldn't need a loan for an apartment......If your homeless you have no bills.....if you have a job that come with company truck your most likey making a decent wage......2 pay checks should cover first, last month and security deposit.......atleast it easily does here in upper midwest.....can still rent a studio apartment for under 1000$.....and more like $600 in more remote areas

[@arieljaquez5444]

@chrisdeguzman7795 thanks, doing my best.

[@caudleej]

This is the best way to get into truck camping! I used to do this all the time. Had an F150 with the 6.5' bed. I could fit a blow up mattress between the wheel wells and leave enough room for sleeping!

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Truth!

[@Shannon-u8v]

Thought about this a few months ago and now I'm going to be doing it in my f150 . Thanks for sharing! Safe travels

[@amop33]

Reminds me of the days of sleeping on a submarine. But the back of your truck is three times larger. Fun video.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I may have had more room, but you slept on a sub, you win my friend. Thank you for your service.

[@codythron5307]

Years ago, one of our neighbors went camping and weather turned bad. So he crawled under his tonnue cover, he had some kind of a little heater also. And he just about died, should have died. He was pretty much a vegetable after that. Couldn’t talk,couldn’t walk ,blind, wore diapers, and lived on a green side mattress with the corners raised up with bricks so he wouldn’t roll off. It was horrible, be careful, lack of oxygen is what got him.

[@rogerroan5386]

Been there, done that. It's some of my favorite camping in my 50 years of camping.

[@wolfman2702]

My brother did that years ago at Nelson Ledges race track. He and his girlfriend slept in a pickup under a soft tonneau cover and I was in a tent facing his tail gate, it rained all night and between us we had a 1/4 keg of beer on ice - only had to reach out to get a cold one.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol now that's a setup ! 👍

[@Teratoma-T]

Good ole Nelson Ledges, great area

[@strider8933]

Kind of my hunting setup back in the day. That'll work!

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

I had a GMC with an 8 ft bed. I put a cab high topper on it and outfitted the inside with a Bed Rug. I added a polyester fiber fill homemade mattress and a few little extras as I went along. Can't count the weeks it became home for me when I was hunting. I'm too claustrophobic to sleep under a tunneau cover.

[@robchandler755]

My truck had a shell on it. If the weather was cold, our vapor from breathing would condense on the shell inside. You had to crack the window vents or get rained on. Loved those days!

[@TimCoe-u8n]

I have done this as well. Glad it went well for you.

[@MrBsizelove]

I live on a farm, a few years back, I laid two sheets of plywood across the bed of my truck (didn't have a cover at the time) I slept on an inflatable mattress, but it was so thick, I could almost lick the bottom of the plywood. If I had used a thinner pad to lay on instead of that mattress, I would have had better results. There's a lot to be said for the simpler pleasures of camping as it gets you closer to the environment you are trying to be in. Enjoyed your video. PS, check the fuse in the 12V plug, there's usually on in there. (for the blanket)

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

It's amazing how much fun you can have camping with so little . 👍

[@vh3531]

Late 80"s, we did this with tarp stretched over the bed. Slept as snug as a bug in a rug.

[@ehd1990]

My dad bought us kids (4 of us) a dirt bike. He bought himself one too. Took the 4 of us camping and riding and we all slept in the bed of his 89 f150. Also under a stretched out tarp. He slept next to the truck on a cot with our dog. I miss those days. I miss that truck.

[@vh3531]

​. Getting harder and harder to have these kinds of memories with our kids. No wifi out there in the real world.

[@jadd6810]

Honestly I have been thinking about this for years just haven't done it yet. My wife thinks I am crazy because we have a nice travel trailer. There is just something about getting out of the comfort zone that sounds appealing.

[@rochelle5935]

That would be a good stealth camp

[@OutdoorNomad]

I have done this a few times when traveling without the trailer. Got a little stuffy under there so I end up clamping one side down and putting a stick under the other side to ventilate. 🤠

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Great minds think alike, I would have left mine open if it wasn't so overcast. Would be great to stargaze.

[@markrossnagel4680]

Condensation is always an issue, even with my square drop camper. I need to keep the roof vent and a window cracked. Same would apply to the tonneau cover.

[@KS-ud8pg]

Something different

[@patobrien7009]

I use the 24 x 24 inch interlocking foam pads from harbor freight for my bottom layer, then an air mattress. The foam pads are excellent insulation.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I wondered if those would work for insulating . Thanks for commenting. 👍

[@commonsensepatriot9450]

I have an 8 ft bed with a one-piece hard cover. In my head I have designed tent sides so that all I have to do is pop the latch and as the cover goes up, the tent sides are automatically deploy. I like your Grey Man setup for sure, especially if you're forced to overnight in a sketchy area. Thanks for the video.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Your setup sounds sweet, nothing like making your own gear. You might be able to market that! Always great to hear, The Grey Man 👍

[@Rural53NZ]

In summer here in New Zealand I've done similar with my Nissan Navara. Propped the hard top open about 30 degrees and using a long tarp covered the hard top (to make thee sides) and extended behind on poles to provide a covered area. Slept on a 4" foam mattress with my head at the cab end.

[@marktibbetts3799]

Interesting concept.

[@cherylpearson1963]

What a cool idea!

[@nickdanger1110]

Nice! Ive thought about trying this

[@erice.5844]

Amen brother! Keeping it simple.. being 54, a bl. cheeseburger fills, me with some fries.. lol. so eating light and some snacks rather than a huge steak or massive fish dinner is over kill... unless in survival outback style! Have a simple topper, some random pads, and upgraded to a 6 inches of memory foam... as the inflatable sucks when it loses air! couple sleeping bags n pillows and is cozy in the back of my 07 Toyota. lights, cooler, n stove, your stove is cool.. I use a charcoal starter with little larger branches for myself.. stoking throws fair heat. and safe use. Thx for sharing! Ric/ MN

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Thanks Ric! I try to keep as many things simple as I can these days.Lol I really enjoyed camping under the cover so I'm def going to be doing more. 👍

[@danielbortner9646]

Finally someone who thinks like i do, bed cover and small stove and wala !

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

👍

[@JohnBaxter-kn5zf]

I've got a leer cap on my just because I got 2 big dogs but I throw full size air mattress and whamo we're camping on an island 20 miles offshore

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

I made a 60/40 split hard top out of plywood for a road trip to Texas and back to Oregon last April. I could seal and latch it from the inside if it rained. I used a 1" sheet of rigid foam under my thermarest pad. It worked great! Same exact truck too!

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

That’s a great idea to make your own hard top ! Nice!

[@tommylindsey2924]

Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by 60/40, hieght, width ?

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

@@tommylindsey2924 Front 60% is fixed to the bed rail, rear 40% folds up from a piano hinge between the two sections

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear Cost less than $200, and was more secure than the fabric/vinyl kind.

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

I'm planning on doing this in the coming spring. I would keep the bed ready, no reason not to. Also, no reason to have a dinky hiking pillow. Just bring a normal pillow for truck camping. Bring a Buddy heater for some heat.

[@eldorado5686]

I’ve often thought this would be a great option to a tent. I was right!

[@GhostStalkerActual]

i tried this in Kentucky in 20 degree weather. Dang near killed myself lol. had to retreat to the back of the truck and fire on the buddy heater and slept on the back bench. I did have an idea to sleep in the rear footwell though because it was more flat than the rear seats.

[@lesliehorton4256]

I did in a Walmart in NV about 15 years ago, no blanket no mattress, slept like a baby. Had to peek out in the morning before exiting 😂

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol I've been thinking of doin that.

[@lesliehorton4256]

@OutdoorAdventureandGear My biggest problem is I'm a really loud snorer I was worried that people would hear 😂

[@jeremytyler7843]

I was just thinking about doing that this spring, glad to see you had a good experience with it.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

If you do, let us know how it goes and if you came up with some new ideas.

[@johnreese8278]

I would be afraid of not getting enough oxygen or too much CO2. My top seals tightly.

[@1rabid1]

For summer I made a mosquito net cover using magnetic strip tape. Rolled it out on the bed rails Great for when the fishing was too good to go home and do a quick overnight out the bugs. You could make small one the size of the first fold using the frame and bed rails.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

That is a great idea for summer !

[@wingandhog]

I have a shell on my truck but I wouldn’t hesitate to do this in a pinch

[@williammccaslin8527]

I have a camper top on my truck, need a little more headroom, an use a personal foam pool floatie for a bed w/ sleeping bag, an a wool blanket if I need a more insulation in rally harsh weather. Past truck had a plywood base on the bottom w/ full lengh indoor/ outdoor carpet with a sleeping bag an same wool blanket. Always slept like a baby, an always have a thermos of hot coffee in my bag, for in the morning to. Never had any problems with this type of setup for truck camping. But I'm not a little guy an your setup won't work for me, way to claustrophobic for me. Thx for the vid tho

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

👍

[@JohnBaxter-kn5zf]

I put a Leer interior carpeted truck cap w side windows on my 1500 camped in it now 3 times on an island 20 miles offshore

[@patrickkelly9721]

I just lay down across the bench seat. Gotta love old pickups

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I wanted to, but I don't fit length wise, I wish I could, it would just give me another great option.

[@patrickkelly9721]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear I stretched out as a child. This was my Grandpas pickup. It is now mine. Fortunately I'm a side sleeper.

[@Plain-Ole-Chuck]

Done it several times a couple different ways. Worked fine.. I had a one pc cover with struts on the back so a couple times I lifted it up and covered it with a tarp.. Lots more room. Only problem I ever had was hot summer day combined with a 6' bed on my Chevy Colorado equals leg cramps in the middle of the night and of course it was storming... Standing half neckid in a mud puddle fighting leg cramps was not fun...lol

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I've had those in the past, night cramps are killer. Im going to refine my setup for future camps in it, I'm getting some great ideas from everyone.

[@carefreehighway]

Did that back in the 90s under the tonneau on my long bed Ranger . Mostly when it rained hard or at places I couldn’t pitch a tent . Quick easy way of getting a night’s sleep . More comfortable though with the shell I had on an f150 . 👍

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Yeah, I def think a shell for mine is in the future

[@Veer1958]

Always thought about doing this. I have a 2015 RAM with a 6’4” bed. My bed cover is a trifold hard cover. So perhaps a bit more protection. Not sure how it would handle the rain as I sometimes get some drops in the bed after a rain. I’ll have to see how I can address that before I try sleeping under it. My concern is with the truck being off the ground, wind can sure make the truck bed cold. Lastly, bathroom breaks can certainly make things a hassle. I’d probably get one of those hospital urine canisters. Nice video. Gave me some good ideas.

[@1rabid1]

As they get older the soft trim breaks down. Just buy some of the adhesive insulation strips they use for doors and windows. Take the cover off and attach the strips to the bottom. Worked perfect for my soft trifold.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

At first I was most worried about feeling the truck bed ribs in my back but a piece of wood took care of that, as far as the bathroom, lol. The jug might be a future option.

[@Veer1958]

@@1rabid1 Thanks for the advice.

[@Veer1958]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear liked the idea of the sheet of plywood to smooth out the ripples.

[@TheRealSovereignCitizens]

Use a bungee to hold cover down

[@michaelbryant2071]

I've been thinking about this option.

[@Jrocc811]

I don’t know why I’ve never thought about doing this 😂

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Exactly what I thought lol

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

I have done this a few times here in England. My truckbed has a hard top on it, so a bit more room.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I hope to get one myself sometime in the future, I bet it's nicer having that room.

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear This was my 1st test night. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqCXqHiCpsufY8ksi=sQIQnA2dMJI9z0OO

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear This was my 1st test night. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqCXqHiCpsufY8ksi=sQIQnA2dMJI9z0OO

[@joeblow1935]

I noticed you have a smaller battery backup that may not have the power to run the heater blanket, stats may be capable but realistically just a touch under were it flips fault to protect you and the system. I'd try a wall socket as well just to make sure if you haven't. Thanks for the video either way!

[@youngblood2]

I have a tonneau cover just like yours, and have thought about camping in it, and have wondered how well it would work.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

It honestly surprised me, better than I thought. I had room and felt pretty secure with the tailgate locked.

[@Muzzleblast-1911]

I wanted to do this same thing once. But then i put a topper on my truck and don't want to take it off. Maybe some day.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I want to get a topper in the future and camp like that as well.

[@flogg8635]

8:15, oh, oh, oh ! It can’t speak but we’re hearing some vocalizations! It can moan and groan while eating ! This is an amazing discovery ! I wonder what we might be able to learn about it going forward ?

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

(scratching head) uhh lol

[@nolemons]

Now that’s a fort!! Merry Christmas to all…

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Merry Christmas !

[@chriscon8463]

I’ve got a Ford Ranger with a short 5’ bed…it’s not long enough to be comfortable! I do have a new cot & a swag that I’m looking forward to camping on, just to be off the ground! Maybe I’ll see if I can use that setup in my truck with the tailgate down.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

👍

[@JohnBaxter-kn5zf]

Build wooden frame in bed to bring it up to rails then from top bed rails build up to just above cab of truck and just a foot or 2 over cab now you stretch it out with storage in bed..

[@A_Meek_Lake_Dweller_2.0]

Magnetic strips and and a roll of fiberglass screen for the bugs and ventilation might be worth considering?

[@dmann1209]

You are hardcore in the back of that truck bed , good example of camping. I was wondering if you had an issue with condensation forming on the bed cover? I enjoyed your content, it was simple and to the point. I have to know if that hot pocket caused you any problems during the night?...LOL More please!

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Thanks my friend, surprisingly I has no condensation, at all. I was expecting maybe a lil due to low temps but I must have had some airflow from somewhere. And no issues with that hot pocket lol

[@squizzyt8698]

Excellent - cheers from Australia!! 👍

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Cheers my friend 👍

[@RustysOutside]

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@davelev611]

What’s up neighbor. Eastern Shore MD here.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

East coast ! !👍

[@Scott7-z3g]

Great video excellent ideal

[@sandmangti7040]

With locking tailgate, more secure than a tent. Headroom only issue. Bathroom and showering hard to do in horizontal position. 😆. Bed tent would be better. Same space. More room and vents. Small fan could pull air from bottom of tailgate. Slow speed all one would need.

[@TEXAN42]

sleeped in the bed of mine on job sites with tarp coverings used a number 10 can for stove and used blankets for warmth truck coverings would be a force multiplyer could you use the foil to cover the under side of the the bed cover to help keep the heat in ???

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

That's an idea, never thought of putting something on the under side. Hmm, if I get some true cold temps this season I might try that. Thanks for the tip!

[@lordcommander3224]

My powerboost f-150 has the generator plugin inside the bed I can just bring a microwave with me 😅

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Nice!

[@ValerieSmith-s3p]

How did you reach out in the morning and open the tail gate?you said you locked it the night before

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I left it unlocked after a early morning bathroom trip. Lol

[@markrossnagel4680]

I have thought about this. I have a Kodiak Canvas truck bed tent that works great and the tailgate down gives me 6 1/2' but also have the tonneau cover that has to be taken off to set up the tent. Being 6'2 with a 5' bed wouldn't work for me unless I slept diagonal which is easily done. One thing I did while using the truck tent is I cut and velcro'ed reflective bubble wrap insulation to the walls of the truck bed. That made a huge difference in 25deg weather in NC mountains. But being in my mid 60's, I have opted for a square drop camper. Intech Flyer Pursue which works great. But if I am ever out and about and don't have the camper but need to spend a night, I could easily sleep in the back as I keep most of my gear in the truck. Thanks for the video, stay safe, God bless. ps, on top of the plywood floor, I put down 1/2" thick puzzle mats which really helped insulate the floor. Enjoyed the video so much, I subscribed and there are not many that I subscribe to. Great content without a lot of needless stuff. Looking forward to your next video.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Thanks Mark, one thing I made sure of was getting a 6 1/2 ft bed, I knew I would want room and it's been fun. We are looking for a travel trailer in the future, just so many great options.

[@markrossnagel4680]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear Check out the Intech line. Quality!

[@JohnBaxter-kn5zf]

Got a LEER cap w side windows on mine just because I've got 2 big dogs but a full size air mattress in back and whamo, I've camped in it now w my dogs 3 times on an island 20 miles offshore..

[@jimmydafish]

Last time I tried that there was so much condensation on the inside of the cover it was dripping down onto me, woke me up. Did you experience and condensation on the inside?

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Thankfully no condensation, I must have had better air flow than I thought.

[@danell5202]

Just a idea for your truck bed why not put some kind of a mattress? It will work for you

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I'm def going to get one, still deciding on air or foam. I'll prob get both lol

[@brandonadams6743]

My grandad camped like this with a tarp, so you don't need a bed cover

[@ordinaryman1904]

I slept in the back of my 1964 F-100 under a tonneau cover when I was homeless. This was in 1986 , wasn’t as well equipped as you are. But I made it work.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

It was def a fun night

[@holyhallie]

blow up tool, yep 🙂

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol

[@BBQRando]

Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄 from #BBQRando 🍖🥩 & the ##RanchStaff 🤠 💥💥🌵

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Merry Christmas ! 🎄❄️

[@willm5028]

This may be a stupid question, but how waterproof is it? Like if it’s raining

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

My cover right now is waterproof but that could change as the cover ages. It's something I'm going to have to keep an eye on while I use it.

[@wadesmith4976]

What if you fart and the top is stuck .

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol! Noooooo!

[@kinguser7158]

I’m not into that cold sweat feel….your going to bet that in that bed

[@leeinwis]

I'm not clausterphobic but couldn't do that all night .

[@mikec.8556]

Is that a short bed ?

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Mine is a 6 1/2ft bed.

[@leveluplife8585]

That’s hilarious

[@Ryan-u5f]

I have a box truck

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

That's a great setup to have. 👍

[@BrianThomas-r4o]

Or or just hear me out they make these things for trucks called camper shells

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol truth

[@randymiller5008]

Ya could have done 95 percent of that stuff before you left the house 😅

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol where's the fun in that..

[@leemobai762]

Too funny.

[@johnhostasa1219]

I think life is always a little better if you’re a little crazy…otherwise it’s boring. Haven’t slept in a truck bed but have some other stories about pup tents ‘n rain & Hotels with cock roaches at midnight & a wife who would have run away into the night if she saw one…Lol

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol amen to that.

[@ttss5726]

Mayas well lay on concrete that’s how stiff I would be

[@ingridlahaye8107]

nobody can get in there...but someone cud lock u in there too!

[@roaming_bob8591]

Like an extra wide bivy sack.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Truth!

[@RUreddynow]

one tip for ya, get you a wide mouth nalgene bottle to pee in, or any wide mouth bottle. Saves you from having to crawl out in the middle of the night. And its actually warm enuff to toss in your sleeping bag with ya, for a little while, give it try.

[@michaelristick2926]

You want him to sleep with a pee bottle that’s gross what’s wrong with you?

[@A_Meek_Lake_Dweller_2.0]

I'm not as blessed I use a Gatorade bottle!😅

[@RUreddynow]

@@michaelristick2926 The pee is inside of it . What's wrong with you?! Lol

[@ingridlahaye8107]

But why not upgrade at least get a small shell on there...would be a million percent more comfortable and still minimal.

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Those are my future plans for sure.

[@Studio2090]

22:40 🤣🤣🤣

[@CasaDeCabra77]

Aight this is a bit much…. 😂

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol

[@arctodussimus6198]

Not for me. I don’t even like sleeping in a tent. I have to see out. Open Sky or lean-to, when a twig snaps or the dog growls, I wanna know why. But that’s just me. 🙂

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

👍

[@donaldotsig6818]

Not bear proof lol

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol that's true !

[@bryanford7637]

Why not just sleep INSIDE the truck?

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

I wish I could sometime but I'm too big for my cab seat. It has been fun camping in the bed though.

[@southtownsjoe32]

whats with all this stupid camping?....don't you people have anything else to do?

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol

[@laurenweisse9858]

When the whole video is about setting up your sleep system.... Boring

[@OutdoorAdventureandGear]

Lol

[@danielbortner9646]

@@OutdoorAdventureandGear Always has to be one nay sayer LOL

[@michaelmiller4774]

What did you expect, he says it in the title.

[@MadMeave]

But yet you watched it!