KingCab Bed Tent

pluckyew · 08-11-2004, 01:07 PM

has anyone used this:
Bed Tent

* Converts Titan bed into a surdy, level, comfortable sleeping area.
* Awning design extends tent beyond tailgate.
* Dome shape with rain fly.
* Easy installation, compact storage.
* Available in blue only.

from http://www.nissanparts247.com/en_US/

is this worth it? does it keep out the elements: rain, fly, mosqueto, Ram owner...?

Squidward · 08-13-2004, 02:45 PM

I've had one for several years, it's sold under many names and brands, I think the original name was Sportz Truck Tent. You may want to do a little searching online, I think you can get it a lot cheaper from the actual Manufacturer.
Anyway, the thing works great, I've used it on three different trucks, a '00 Z-71 shortbed, a '01 Superduty, and my most recent truck, an '04.5 Ram 2500 Diesel. The tent fit all of them with no problems, it only takes about ten minutes for one person to put up or take down, and the quality is fine, I've probably erected and taken it down 50 times in the past 4 years, no problems. Zippers are all good quality, poles haven't split or broken, even the storage bag is holding up fine. I'd definitely recommend this tent.

NITEBLITZ · 08-13-2004, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squidward

I've had one for several years, it's sold under many names and brands, I think the original name was Sportz Truck Tent. You may want to do a little searching online, I think you can get it a lot cheaper from the actual Manufacturer.
Anyway, the thing works great, I've used it on three different trucks, a '00 Z-71 shortbed, a '01 Superduty, and my most recent truck, an '04.5 Ram 2500 Diesel. The tent fit all of them with no problems, it only takes about ten minutes for one person to put up or take down, and the quality is fine, I've probably erected and taken it down 50 times in the past 4 years, no problems. Zippers are all good quality, poles haven't split or broken, even the storage bag is holding up fine. I'd definitely recommend this tent.

Hi Squidward,

Thanks for your endorsement of the tent, I've been wondering myself about this product and haven't gotten around to asking. Do you put plywood or something down to take the ridges out of the floor first? Ha! With reclining seats maybe I'll sleep inside now that I think about it!

NITEBLITZ

dlajoie · 08-13-2004, 04:36 PM

I've had mine for a few months and have used it camping with no complaints. Purchased an air matress from coleman and the combo is perfect.

Squidward · 08-13-2004, 04:42 PM

I use an inflatable air mattress inside the tent, it's quite comfortable. By the way, the floor is built into it, making it pretty easy to keep dirt and drafts out. But to answer Pluckyew's question, it does not keep out Ram owners!

Moly-Coated Bullet · 08-13-2004, 05:12 PM

I too have beeen interested in the "Bed Tent", but have wondered about rain. Not heavy, but light to moderate? Any stories?
MC-B

Squidward · 08-13-2004, 05:49 PM

It comes with a detachable rainfly which works pretty well, light to moderate rain isn't a problem, the rainfly covers the screen windows, which have their own covers as well.

pciley · 08-15-2004, 03:24 PM

Looks like it attaches to the truck with cords/hooks. Any possibility of scratching the paint when you hook it to the wheel well over the side of the bed?

Squidward · 08-16-2004, 08:18 AM

It's got eight adjustable elastic straps with rubber coated hooks on them, two for the back, which go between the tailgate and are hooked to the underside of the rear bumper, and three for each side. Once you've got them all in place and properly adjusted, there's not much risk of scuffing/rubbing paint. Since the fenders on just about any truck are bowed out slightly, the straps make contact for their entire length, reducing the possibility of them flapping around and scuffing the paint. I've been out at the Dunes on some pretty windy weekends, and I've not had any issues with the straps flapping around or rubbing the paint. They stay in place pretty well.

Slickshoes · 08-30-2004, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlajoie

I've had mine for a few months and have used it camping with no complaints. Purchased an air matress from coleman and the combo is perfect.

What size air mattress? Does a full fill up to the sides? Or go with a queen and just not inflate it 100%?

Tom Roper · 08-30-2004, 10:47 PM

A better idea than an air mattress is a cot. You put your boots, clothes or miscellaneous items UNDER the cot to gain some storage space. A cot won't leave you flat on a hard truck bed if it has a leak. And a cot is really perfect in cold weather camping when you use a Coleman catalytic tent heater, the kind they sell at Walmart. It heats for 6-7 hrs on a single 1 lb propane bottle, won't asphixiyate you, or set you on fire if used with common sense precautions. The heat flows under the cot keeping you warm and toasty easily to 0 degrees F. You only need 6 square inches of venting, (unzip a window a little bit). I like a tall, cotton sleeping bag in preference to a warmer nylon or down. Cotton is more snuggly, doesn't make noise or slide around. You won't need an expensive down bag if you use the Coleman catalytic heater. The other luxury is Thetford Porta-Potty. They don't stink, mother nature and the other campers will thank you for not splooging her, and it makes a nice seat for reading, dressing, or anytime you're inside the tent. Other items, an ice chest, folding table, folding chair, portable grill, butane fire starter, trash bags, plates and cups, condiments, paper towels, water jug etc.

I have a 25 ft class C motorhome, but my wife or girlfriend won't usually go with the bubbas dirt biking, so the SportZ truck tent is how I do it.

It all packs in the bed (or tool box), the motorbike, ramp, gasoline, water, ice chest, porta-potty, folding chairs, riding apparel, 2 pairs of boots and helmet. When I arrive at the destination, unload everything and put up the tent. Toss dry goods inside tent. I've done this for 10 days at a time, as long as the food holds out. You can usually get someone to bring you ice if they make a trip into town.

The downside to truck tents, is that once you pitch them, you can't use the truck to go anywhere without completely packing up. But...it beats sleeping on the ground, keeps you warm and dry, and I feel more secure from animals, bears etc.

Don't forget the flashlight and bug spray, and enough water to bathe.

The reason for the "Thetford" brand Porta-Potty is that it has a drain spout so you don't make a mess when you pour out the contents.

If you camp with a girlfriend, you are probably better off with a regular ground tent, so that you can drive her and your truck into town, and have more room to keep your goods dry. And a queen sized air mattress becomes more practical on the ground than inside your truck bed where it takes up the whole floor.

Just my $0.02 from camping for years with a SportZ truck tent. They are very well made, securely stitched, a quality product, and recommended.

Slickshoes · 09-08-2004, 02:07 PM

Wow! Great info. Thanks!

dooboy2112 · 09-12-2004, 06:44 PM

That was some good info, because I was thinking of getting one myself.

Quad T · 09-13-2004, 08:51 AM

Great read, thanks guys!

I have always camped out of my pickup, but I have had a fiberglass cap, and when I get the Titan I will not be doing another cap, so I have looked at these tent beds but have been on the fence.

I still see the major drawback is the take down/set up issue if I want to go someplace once camp is set up. All my camping is at racetracks, so often I have other places I want to drive the truck to once I have set up camp.

So, here is another option, if you want to spend a lot more money. I would just LOVE to get the Can-Back, but they are almost as much as a fiberglass cap...

The Soft Topper
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/pitrsotopcac.html

Can-Back soft top pickup truck cap
http://www.can-back.com/asp/