Sleeping but not necessarily camping in a truck.

[Dirtman]

I realize most of you guys make camping setups to, well... camp. What I do isn't really camping. I do tons of fishing trips were I basically just get a few hours of sleep while hopping along the shore fishing through the night into the next morning. As I'm getting older sleeping crouched up in my front seat is starting to take it's toll so I wanna come up with a more comfortable solution. I only have a regular cab truck so obviously this means my bed is my only option. At first I thought obviously just get a cap, but after looking at prices for new ones I quickly shut that idea down! So I'm trying to see if anyone has any cheaper solutions. I found a company that makes a soft top cap that's around 700... still a bit much just to get a few zzzzz's but it's a thought. Also considered just a roll up tonneau cover thinking maybe I could just leave the tailgate down and crawl under that. Or make something DIY style like a quick pop up shelter. I have a bed tent but you can't drive with it attached, takes way to long to setup, and is waaaaay to conspicuous when your sleeping on some sandy road where traffic may drive by.

Any clever ideas guys and gals? Any traveling hobos got some tips? Lol

 

[4x4junkie]

Indeed a camper shell seems like the obvious answer here.

Have you checked Craigslist or similar? I see used shells pop up pretty often, though there is a possibility you won't get the exact color you want (not right away anyway).

 

[RonD]

PCV pipe and a tarp, you only need one end or side of the bed raised up a bit

You can also get, or make, a sleeping bag head cover, like a mini tent just for upper body area

 

[Uncle Gump]

Dirtman... I'm gonna guess that you travel up and down the shores of Lake Michigan in search cold water species. My guess is based on my own travels and sleeping in your described manner in search of the same. I had upgraded to a 7 foot skamper. Nothing like making a pot of coffee and a sausage and egg muffin before or after some rod bending action. My future plan is to sleep in the back of the truck under a cap. I think its the best choice for what you want to do. They can be found cheap on the net. Hell keep your eyes open and sometimes they are found out by the road with a "FREE" sign on it.

 

[Mariam]

I realize most of you guys make camping setups to, well... camp. What I do isn't really camping. I do tons of fishing trips were I basically just get a few hours of sleep while hopping along the shore fishing through the night into the next morning. As I'm getting older sleeping crouched up in my front seat is starting to take it's toll so I wanna come up with a more comfortable solution. I only have a regular cab truck so obviously this means my bed is my only option. At first I thought obviously just get a cap, but after looking at prices for new ones I quickly shut that idea down! So I'm trying to see if anyone has any cheaper solutions. I found a company that makes a soft top cap that's around 700... still a bit much just to get a few zzzzz's but it's a thought. Also considered just a roll up tonneau cover thinking maybe I could just leave the tailgate down and crawl under that. Or make something DIY style like a quick pop up shelter. I have a bed tent but you can't drive with it attached, takes way to long to setup, and is waaaaay to conspicuous when your sleeping on some sandy road where traffic may drive by.

Any clever ideas guys and gals? Any traveling hobos got some tips? Lol

I would advise you on a camper shell for sure as long as I have been in a situation like yours. This will be ideal for camping sites. By the way, this reminded me of the case when I had a sleeping bag and a snake climbed in while I was sleeping lol. So yes, a camper shell, dude! I do not think that you will want to think every time whether there is a snake there or not. Or any other creature. I was so shocked that I started having nightmares. It's fun to recall it but all applications with dream books were downloaded. What really helped me was communication with a professional in her field, Amanda. I read her interpretation here https://dreams-meaning.com/blog/snakes-in-dreams . Thanks to her, I figured out this problem and not only this one.

 

[Grumpaw]

Dirtman, I'd go with aq shell/topper/cap...whatever yoou want to call them.
Check facebook market place...I found these 2 just now, locally
Red one is $140, and the other, green, for a long bed is only $50 bucks. White one is $80 bucks.

Just check your local area facebook marketplace and punch in Ford Ranger Toppers.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Get the Magellan "Journey" 2 Person tent. It pops right up, fits perf in a ranger bed, and about $40 bucks.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Keep an eye out on craigslist.....i see fiberglass toppers going from free-150 bucks.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Do you have a 7 ft bed?

 

[racsan]

Agree on checking out classified sites, my aluminum cap was found on craigslist for free, was a 60 mile round trip to get it and it didnt come with clamps, get a set of 3” clamps now to carry around.
My fiberglass cap was free too, was on the way to a junkyard and there it was in a yard with a “free” sign next to it. I turned around and got the tape out, sure enough it was a longbed cap. You’ll want a sheet of plywood in the back so youre not sleeping on those bed ribs, maybe a rubber mat on top of that. New cap prices are outrageous, I bought 1 new one, in ‘91 for my ‘88. It was a shortbed cap and $600. I guess 1,000 or more is normal for new ones now. If its going off & on alot aluminum is the way to go. Sure ‘glass looks better but its very heavy, does help in winter though.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Enclosed trailer and modify it into a camper

 

[Biggfoot44]

Within your parameters , two options :

Craigslist/ yard sale shell

Convince yourself that the sore back and crick in your neck aren't really that bad after all .

 

[Shran]

What about a cot tent? Those are fairly small, up off the ground, enclosed, quick setup.

I don't like toppers, I've had a few and always end up getting rid of it. They reduce visibility a lot.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Magellan Journey tent

 

[Roert42]

Softtoppers are nice. I have one for my F150. They are pretty pricey though. Even more so for rangers.

You have leave it up all the time, but it goes up and down with one person in like five minutes.

Edit; I just checked their website, and they are having a clearance sale on toppers that should fit.

NEW Truck Softopper, White M72, Fits a variety of models, see short description - Sale/Demo

<p><img class="product_view_animation" src="{{media url="wysiwyg/AnimatedOpening_grayedout-1.gif"}}" alt="" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Original & Industry Leading Manufacturer of the Pick-Up Truck S

www.softopper.com

$500 that $250 off brand new