Truck tent

[maineman]

I've used one of these, with a bunch of modifications, for years.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=11997&memberId=12500226
Does anyone know of a similar, maybe more durable, design?

[Scott Brady]

I know Brian from this forum has used one: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1518&page=2
(a few posts down)

[The Swiss]

The idea is good, but for me, it did not work with the Grand Cherokee. Fit was terrible and it looked like a wet bag hanging sadly over the tailgate.

[hoser]

Same type of tent but sounds to be of better quality (more costly too). I have a new explorer2 tent (same as your DAC, I believe) I can sell for $80 shipped.

http://www.xocom.com/ss/Sleepers.html

[maineman]

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to try to find a talented seamstress and start from scratch. I'd like the door end to be a little taller and use real no-see-um netting and it would help if the sides and top didn't go so far back so that the windoors on the new cap could fully open. On my original, I've added lots of bug-stopping flaps and wearguards. I love the design. One of the nicest uses of the rig is that on long road trips, it's easy (and more covert) to find a quick place to spend a night. We've always called it our poor man's winnebago.

[paulj]

I have used the DAC 'campertop tent' on my Element - the midsize pickup size. On the Element this size is workable, but not ideal, since the Element's opening is taller and narrower than a typical pickup. Unmodified it pulls the upper hatch down quite a ways.

I modified mine, by putting in a widthwise tuck, and adding an entension to the bottom. There are some pictures of this on my pbase gallery
http://www.pbase.com/paulj3/ecampcampertop

It isn't as bug proof as I'd like, though I'm not sure how much of the problem is with the coarse mesh or the fit around the sides. Also it is hard to keep bugs out during setup.

I've looked around, and xocom seems to be the only alternative to building your own. However, when I looked at the xocom web site a couple of years ago, it wasn't clear whether they were still in business.

With some sewing skills, it shouldn't be hard to make your own. I've even tried a mockup from poly tarp. Another thing that I've experimented with is hanging a mosquito bar (Mombasa 2 man) over the tailgate opening.

In cool windy/rainy weather, I've found that I'm just as happy sleeping in the Element with the doors all closed, and if necessary some netting over one or more windows. In warm, buggy weather, I'm inclined to use a well ventillated tent, rather than put a lot of effort into improving the tailgate tent.

paulj

[Scenic WonderRunner]

In cool windy/rainy weather, I've found that I'm just as happy sleeping in the Element with the doors all closed, and if necessary some netting over one or more windows. In warm, buggy weather, I'm inclined to use a well ventillated tent, rather than put a lot of effort into improving the tailgate tent.

paulj


How about> THIS............. (http://www.realtruck.com/productline/144/206/1/sportz_suv_and_minivan_tent.html)



http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TruckTents/Images/SUV_Tent_3_View_large.jpg



Perfect for those rainy/snowy cold days!



.

[paulj]

A number of Element owners have bought those tents with attachment sleaves. I wonder, though, how good most them are in bad weather. Prices and pictures suggest that the construction is typical low-to-middle end car camping quality. I'm more used to evaluating a tent from a backpacking perspective, looking for things like full coverage rain flys and aluminum poles.

If I bought something like this, I'd probably choose one that Cabelas sells.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20075&id=0003781512246a&navCount=9&podId=0003781&parentId=cat20105&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20105&hasJS=true

There is a Scottish version, called the Caranex,
http://www.ukbizlist.co.uk/caranex/21.jpg

[Scenic WonderRunner]

It's the CONCEPT I'm talking about.

Quality is a personal issue.

I'm glad you found one you like!........:camping:

[Grouseman]

Same type of tent but sounds to be of better quality (more costly too). I have a new explorer2 tent (same as your DAC, I believe) I can sell for $80 shipped.

http://www.xocom.com/ss/Sleepers.html


XO shells look like a great product. Does anybody have one on a 80 series or 450? Got pics?

SS

[grouch]

http://www.truckcandy.com/TC/TruckTents/Images/SUV_Tent_3_View_large.jpg

...A rare moment in nature....a weary tent gives birth to a young SUV.

[Grouseman]

Same type of tent but sounds to be of better quality (more costly too). I have a new explorer2 tent (same as your DAC, I believe) I can sell for $80 shipped.

http://www.xocom.com/ss/Sleepers.html

Bad news... These guys are out of business. They appeared to be very good quality too.. Anybody know of anyone that has one of these extensions that might be for sale?

SS

[Charger92]

Check out these guys. I know they are still making them.
http://napierenterprises.com

[+ d]

...A rare moment in nature....a weary tent gives birth to a young SUV.


genius!

:D