Show me your truck camping setup!

Welcome! And nice pupssssss!

 

When it’s just my wife and I and we are camping a ways off we will just take the truck. We have a mattress and throw all the other stuff up top.

The rest of the time we trailer.

 

You’re killing me. Stop it.

 

This is very important. I've got a detector velcroed to my shell at all times, regardless of whether or not I am using a heater or even camping. I've even heard of carbon monoxide getting into the shelled bed of a truck and killing pets while driving. Spooky.

 

The wilderness is better alone, at least in my opinion - that's what makes it the wilderness.

As for moisture accumulation, the shell on my truck has a liner, so no moisture accumulates on it, and the bedliner doesn't get wet either. The only moisture that accumulates is that of the windows(which happens regardless of having the heater), and buildup on the metal framing of said windows just from breathing inside. I have had no issues starting it in cold temps, but that also depends on what you mean by "cold." The lowest it's gotten while I have been camping and using the heater was 17 degrees F and I had no issue starting it or staying warm. It's mainly a comfort to have the heater to warm up the back right before bed and waking up in the morning when it's cold.

Having a Carbon Monoxide/Smoke detector is a must-have when camping/sleeping in the bed of the truck, especially when using a heater. A few times I even had the heater and a Coleman stove going in the enclosed back when it was raining and I was cooking inside the truck bed. It's a tight fit, but being able to stay dry and warm, cook, and not worry about dying from invisible poison is a win for me

 

The bug looks awesome. I swear I've seen other pics of it here on the forum and every time I'm, like, "daaaaaamn!"

 

Thanks. Cold as in "negative temperatures". The coldest I've slept in unheated bed+cap was -10F. It took me like 30 minutes to pack up for the night properly, plus had to stop chewing* beer and dry up for about 2 hours before going to bed.

I think I'll try my luck with one of those cheapish Chinese diesel heaters. Would love to bust a grand on Webasto or Eberspacher, but honestly I need a heater maybe once-twice a year.

[*] 5% ABV beer:



Can also recommend mounting an awning. Had it on my Volvo, what a great aid for a rainy evening.

 

I’ve had a bit of trouble (multiple tries required) lighting my Little Buddy in cold temps… but that’s also been at 6500+ elevation, and I’m guessing the elevation (O2 and pressure) has more to do with it than the temp. Once started, it never sputters.

And… we use ours to warm the tent, then we climb into bedding, and shut off the heater so it’s not operating “unattended”. By the time the heat dissipates, the bedding is warm and we’re all asleep.

 

Just discovered this thread! Awesome photos guys. Still haven't went on a camping trip with my new to me first gen Tundra but I will be real soon! Then, I'll come back and contribute here

 

I didn’t get many photos of my set up, but will
Add more soon. Built a sleeping platform and bought the roll up mattress from Amazon.

the buddy heater worked perfect for desert camping it got down to 30 degrees and I i was so comfortable, so cozy. Highly recommend

 

Hey @jerryallday I've said this elsewhere, but be careful with the buddy heaters. Make sure you have adequate airflow and get yourself one of those battery powered carbon monoxide detectors.
There are cases where people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Even in a mesh tent.

 

Saw another example where a Buddy Heater inside a roof top tent caught fire. Not good.

 

Yeah, when I bought it on Amazon it was paired with a carbon monoxide detector. I also had the side windows popped open and the back window open.

I also seen people online try and light a lighter and if it doesn't light and/or struggles to stay on it means there is oxygen is low

 

I picked up a Honda eu1000i generator as a 2nd option to my eu2000i, which is a little heavy & overkill for just truck camping.
The little 1000 powers an electric blanket idling on Eco-Mode all night . . . I run a 50 foot cord and have to 'try' to hear it once in my shell.
Charges my batteries & other light tasks with ease & sips the fuel . . . a big plus is it weighs less than 30 lbs.

I was considering a Jackery Explorer charger . . . but it was actually more than what I paid for the Honda, and only weighed a few pounds less.
The Honda was the clear winner for my needs.

 

I own a Mr. Buddy heater. I'm not a fan of them.
First off, a single canister won't last all night.
Second (and main gripe), propane will put out quite a bit of moisture.
Third, it can be dangerous IF you don't crack a window to let some fresh air in. Use common sense here.
Fourth, it can be dangerous because of the open flame. Use common sense here.
Fifth, it does not put out that much heat when compared to a diesel heater (like not even close).

I switched to using a cheap chinese diesel heater. It kicks butt over any propane heater on every aspect.

 

I love my CDH, but I’d like to pelican case build the AIO unit I have, with possibly a bigger fuel cell; I usually run out by morning time since I crank it high for a tent with no insulation. Luckily I got a unit that can be tuned for altitude so I don’t have to worry too much about sooting up the burn chamber.
I have lugs on my second battery set up for it, but my fridge killed the old(brand new) battery the first night, so I’ve just been hooking it up to the truck to run

 

This is my setup today. 2011 Tundra Limited Access Cab and Hallmark UTE camper. I have driven this setup over 70K miles throughout the Rocky Mountains and it drives great. I'm trying to find anyone that has a similar setup on the Gen 3 Tundra. I'm a little concerned about the coil over springs on the newer Tundra vs the leaf springs on my truck. I do have some minor modifications to my truck which work very well, but I don't know if they would work on the newer generation. It's very hard to find people with REAL experience. Not looking for weight police to chime in, as not only did I extensive research before putting this setup together and have extensive experience driving this on all kinds of roads including off road (not set up though for true 4WD roads, but many miles on mountain dirt roads). Hallmark which has sold thousands of campers on every conceivable truck was a great help with my current truck but hasn't worked yet on similar setup on the new gen Tundra. Would greatly appreciate anyone's experience with new gen Tundra, what mods were done, what slide in truck camper and with carrying what type of weight.