Tent Cot

[Bergger]

Most of the family camping is done in the Coleman popup but lately I've been wanting to get out to areas that the camper can't be taken to. Also on solo trips I don't want to take the camper. I started by looking at roof top tents but in the end just could not justify the money for the amount of tent camping we do. So I started looking at the tent cot and thought it was a great idea so I bought one. The wife says, thats nice, but it is still too close to the critters! So I started searching around and found a member on TTora," DOSS", ,who put his in his 05 Tacoma. So I built a simple platform out of wood. Nothing fancy but it seems to do the work and it was the best I could do with a bum finger. Still recovering from the plate and 6 screws they put in it. It's made out of 2x6 and 2x4. It allows me to store and set up the tent on the top and gives me plenty of storage space underneath. And most importantly, the wife says she'll sleep in it! The dog loved it so much he decided to sleep under the tent! Thank god it did not collapse. The 2x4s keep the tent from moving side to side and a couple of rachet straps hold it firmly front to back. My daughter and I took it out for a test run this weekend. We went up to our property in South Park CO. On Friday night we experienced the worst storm I have every been through while camping. It poured for about 2 hours and we had gusts of wind that shook the truck. The tent faired great but my ez-awning did not. It came loose and bounced off the tent, no damage done to the tent, and the next morning I found it about 200' away, a tangled mess of fabric and metal! The outback porta privy faired just fine in the wind too. Anyway we had a great time. My daughter went fly fishing for the first time and got to see her first porcupine. Luckily it got back up the tree before the dog got to it! Here's a link to some photos of the tent and the trip.

http://community.webshots.com/user/bergger1

Enjoy and any comments would be appreciated. :camping:

[Ryanmb21]

that looks like an awesome setup! With those two legs airborne is it shakey at all?

[atavuss]

looks great! I bought a double and a deluxe from the manufactor in Nevada about a month ago and just found a used old style deluxe today on a fishing forum. we have not used the new ones yet except to set them up in the living room. I am 6'3" and 215 lbs. it would have been nicer if the tents were slightly longer. do you use sleeping pads in yours? I have thermarest pads to use in ours.

[LUISJG]

i use my single tent cot for over 3 years now, i sleep great, only complaint
is in winter,,,, condensation is bad!! i have to leave a window open allthe way
to prevent it, otherwise you will wake op and see the ceiling complety cover with water dripping all over you.

[bootzilla]

Totally dig it! :clapsmile

[Bergger]

that looks like an awesome setup! With those two legs airborne is it shakey at all?

No it's not tippy at all. All the weight is supported by the two inside legs and with it strapped down it does not move at all. I used it this weekend without a sleeping pad and it was fairly comfortable. I took Scotts recommendation and ordered a double Extreme Outback sleeping pad. However they are on back order for now. I'm sure the wait will be worth it though and it will definitely make it more comfortable. It got down into the low 40's at night and with all the moisture I did have a little condensation build up on the inside of the roof. However I also had the rainfly over it so there was not much ventilation. On a dry night I'll have it opened up more. Overall I was very happy with the setup. It sets up fairly quick and did extremely well in the storm. I had a little trouble getting it up on the platform by myself at first but quickly figured out an easy way to do it. Hopefully I can get it out again soon.

[Life_in_4Lo]

Bergger,
Nice setup! I've had a tentcot for a while and really like it (oversize model). I had the double like yours but sold it (too bulky to pack- perfect if you have a pickup truck tho)

W/ rainfly, there is not much opening to let the interior breathe so condensation is a problem. maybe if it had a cloth roof it would help? dunno

Have you thought of mounting the inner legs down w/ u-bolts? Fold it up but keep the legs mounted- that way you just flip it open instead of having to open it all up everytime.

[beerhiker]

I love it! Great idea. Ive been contemplating a Ezi-Awn also with the idea that I would get out more if i had one, we'll see. That platform does give me ideas though. Shell, Ezi-Awn, Softopper or ??? oh the insanity!

OT: Looks like from your pic site, your running SAWs, OME and 265 set at
2" ? is that correct? How do you like it? Is there a thread on your build here
(I guess I could search). Just starting my build 04 D-cab.

[Gear]

Very nice, :clapsmile Thanks for the write-up and pictures.

[Bergger]

I love it! Great idea. Ive been contemplating a Ezi-Awn also with the idea that I would get out more if i had one, we'll see. That platform does give me ideas though. Shell, Ezi-Awn, Softopper or ??? oh the insanity!

OT: Looks like from your pic site, your running SAWs, OME and 265 set at
2" ? is that correct? How do you like it? Is there a thread on your build here
(I guess I could search). Just starting my build 04 D-cab.

Exactly right. I have the SAWs set a little over 2", full OME rear (springs, shocks, greasable shackles). Firestone Destination M/T 265s. I love the set up. I decided to go with the OME since I needed something to improve the offroad capability but still handle a good amount of weight. I have not been disappointed with them. The install on the setup was easy too. The only thing I had a shop do was the extended brake line. I've got some photos of the installation posted on my sight but not much of a write up. When you decide to build yours let me know and I'll help to answer your questions or lend you a hand. when installing 4 hands are much better than two.

[Bergger]

Bergger,
Nice setup! I've had a tentcot for a while and really like it (oversize model). I had the double like yours but sold it (too bulky to pack- perfect if you have a pickup truck tho)

W/ rainfly, there is not much opening to let the interior breathe so condensation is a problem. maybe if it had a cloth roof it would help? dunno

Have you thought of mounting the inner legs down w/ u-bolts? Fold it up but keep the legs mounted- that way you just flip it open instead of having to open it all up everytime.

Actually that'd be a good Idea for traveling slow on the trails between campsites but I don't think I'd want to try it at higher speeds.

[Whoknows]

Just bought a tent cot double, and as you mentioned, the outback pad is out of stock. Gave them a call and it could be a couple of months. Do you think it worth the wait? More specifically, can you sleep in the center of the double tent cot with that pad (given the support bar that runs the length)? If so, then I think I'll wait. If not, then this pad looks promising.

http://www.pacoutdoor.com/2006/index.cfm?action=product&productID=15&groupID=6&familyID=1

Thoughts anyone?

[Bergger]

I have not tried the extreme pad yet but from what others have said it sounds like it would be worth the wait. I almost bought another pad but decided to wait. I want to get the pad because the measurements are just about perfect for the cot and if anything the 4" thickness should cover the bar enough that my daughter should be able to sleep between me and my wife in comfort.

[Life_in_4Lo]

imo, you need a hard surface under the double tentcot if you want to sleep in the center.
the sides sag a bit w/ weight (as designed) so the middle bar will poke you no matter how thick the mattress is you put on top.

[LUISJG]

i seen an oversize tent cot before were this guy removed the tent from the frame and instaled it in 2 pieces of plywood ,then it will close like a roof tent.
i will try to find that info , it was long time ago.
it looked very good though.

[Bergger]

i seen an oversize tent cot before were this guy removed the tent from the frame and instaled it in 2 pieces of plywood ,then it will close like a roof tent.
i will try to find that info , it was long time ago.
it looked very good though.

Hmm? That may be a good idea and another project to start thinking about?

[LUISJG]

Hmm? That may be a good idea and another project to start thinking about?

i was thinking the same,, it was very simple design as the tent cot tent slids thru the tube frame , it was only slided into the plywood also.
the 2 aluminum poles that hold the top of the tent were also bolted to the plywood with a boat bimini top hardware ends,west marine and boaters world catalog have this parts very cheap like 2 dollars, the plywood had piece on angle bolted on to the edges to make it stiff, About 2 years ago I played with the design alittle then forgot about it, my idea of even perfecting this method alittle more was to build a cover for the folded structure out of thin fiberglass with latches , also the same cover would have an aerodynamic
design in the front holding fog lights.when i finish my cherokee project i will continue this project ,because now with the new design of the oversize tent cot wich has a "dome" shape it will be even better...
oh,,the most dificult part is making the hinges,best way is to do everything then close the two pieces with the tent and tubes in place, then make the hinges out of card board, then duplicate them on steel.

great winter project

[Whoknows]

Good point about the "sag" factor. I doubt I'll do the plywood mod, so I may need to think instead about two pads. Thanks!

[LUISJG]

note,,,, about plywood mod,, im refering to the OVERSIZE model not the double size.

[atavuss]

used the tent cots this weekend for the first time on a fishing/camping trip. the dome top had problems with condensation (around 50 degrees at night), my fishing buddy did not say anything about condensation in the older style flat top. I am 6'3" and with a small backpack, boots, and pillow in the tent cot it was a bit snug. I used a large size thermarest pad and was very comfortable.
next time I may leave the small flaps in the top part of the side doors open to see if that helps with the condensation problem.

[offroad_nomad]

I had some minor condensation on the roof of my tent cot as well. I solved that problem by using some wood cloths pins to keep the flaps open. If it starts to rain, pull the pins.

[LUISJG]

I alway have that problem. only way to fix that is to leave one window open,the little flpas wont do it for me.
on the old flat style is even worse.

[kcowyo]

I like this concept -

The Anywhere Tent (http://uniquecreations.com.au/anywheretent.htm)

http://uniquecreations.com.au/piks/garys%20folder%20048.jpg