RV awning on a truck?

[themarck]

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking on a sort of add-on for my truck (F-350). I've never had anything more complex, than a regular tent that you install on the ground. Now I consider 3 options, and since I have never dealt with any of these, I decided to post here. So, here's what I am selecting among:
1. Bed-mount truck tent. That's what you install into the bed. I like that it's not on the ground, so even if it's spring or fall, it won't be as cold as if you sleep on the ground. The drawback is vivid, as I won't be able to use my truck bed in full, unless I wish to deal with loading/unloading.
2. Roof-mount tent. That's something I like the most, as I will be getting 2 things at once: 1. tent that is not on the ground; 2. awning that hides ladder and I can use it as storage when I go hunting.
3. I've also seen, the RV awnings, yet I've never seen anything similar for the trucks. That's what I am talking about: https://www.camperid.com/carefree/carefree-buena-vista-plus-awning-enclosure-414895552.html

Thoughts, recommendations, experience with any of these add-ons?
Thanks!

 

[themarck]

Here are the pictures of all 3 tents and awnings I was talking of before.

 

[Ambush]

No experience here, but if your truck was not going to be moving on a hunt the one on top looks pretty nice.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

If you are going to install a roof top tent (RTT), then you need a roof to mount it on. That would mean a camper shell or bed rack of some sort, which increases cost and installation hassle. Lots of bed racks available for the big Fords, and that leaves the bed open. An awning also requires something to mount it to, and since you are considering these two options, I would assume that you already have a shell on the truck. If that is the case, you might consider a roof rack to carry your gear so that you can bunk inside the shell. If you choose to go that route, you can build or buy a sleeping platform with full length drawers under the platform for your expensive gear, and put stuff like decoy bags and kayaks on the roof rack. Look at the Decked Truck Bed System if you want to buy something that just drops in. There are other drawer systems out there, but the price goes up. If you are handy, you can build your own to your specs. The bed-mount tent is the simplest and cheapest if you have an open bed, and easy to remove and store when you are not using it. I used to sleep in the bed of my truck with a heavy tarp rigged over it, but it gets really cold with no insulation and a steel bed. I expect the bed-mount tent would be the same. A bag awning gives you a lot of flexibility and makes it easy to break camp and move, but you are back on the ground. Several of the higher-end awning makers offer sides for their awnings that turn the awning into a tent. Look at products from companies like Hannibal, EeZ-Awn, Maggiolina, ARB, Fiamma, etc. My truck has a cab-high shell on it and I mounted an EeZ-Awn Bat 270 awning on the driver's side for shade in the desert. I don't think the Bat 270 offers sides, but I can tell you that the EeZ-Awn quality is top notch, and they also make RTTs. Most of the good awnings are coming from Australia and South Africa, so you may have to look around a bit to find what you want in stock. A good place to start shopping for this stuff is Equipt Expedition Outfitters at
https://www.equipt1.com/
You will find more than you ever wanted to know about this stuff on Expedition Portal. Here is a link to a thread on Hannibal awnings and tents, but if you go to the storage forum, you'll find lots of info on buying and building drawer systems, roof racks, bed racks, water tanks, etc. Plan to spend a fair amount of time poking around because there is a ton of info buried on that site.
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/hannibal-awnings.64383/

 

[sdhunter]

with a 3/4 ton truck, you might just be better off with a decent tent trailer and ez-ups. That way your bed is open for all your other gear. At the end of the day, your expenditures for outfitting your rig could be a lot more expensive...just a thought.
I doubt you're off-roading in too tough of a terrain to pull a light trailer in a 3/4 ton??

 

[bearclaw]

No experience here, but if your truck was not going to be moving on a hunt the one on top looks pretty nice.

I haven't gotten one because my truck is either my roving base camp, or I am many miles from it. I found a bigger tent than needed and cots are the best $ value and give freedom to move around.

But it sure looks tacti-cool to have a snorkel, truck top tent, winch, and 2 extra tires and wheels mounted on a truck that stays on the pavement around here!

 

[hatchet1]

I hunt from my truck..so no help here.

 

[themarck]

Thanks for the information, folks. I really appreciate your input. I did some research last night, and after reading your comments I believe that roof-mount tent will be the most suitable option for me.

You will find more than you ever wanted to know about this stuff on Expedition Portal. Here is a link to a thread on Hannibal awnings and tents, but if you go to the storage forum, you'll find lots of info on buying and building drawer systems, roof racks, bed racks, water tanks, etc. Plan to spend a fair amount of time poking around because there is a ton of info buried on that site.
https://expeditionpo...-awnings.64383/

This is the next thing I will read about these tents, thanks for sharing the link! Because I just opened it and realized that it will take me not less, than a weekend to get through it.

 

[2rocky]

No experience here, but if your truck was not going to be moving on a hunt the one on top looks pretty nice.

I haven't gotten one because my truck is either my roving base camp, or I am many miles from it. I found a bigger tent than needed and cots are the best $ value and give freedom to move around.

But it sure looks tacti-cool to have a snorkel, truck top tent, winch, and 2 extra tires and wheels mounted on a truck that stays on the pavement around here!

When I see those Truck top tents, I think, "They must camp in some damn Snaky country?"

I concur with your assessment. The Reason for camping at the end or along side the ROAD is to be mobile with the vehicle. Maybe drive to other trailheads, etc.

Besides, I like to get up half asleep in the middle of the night and pee while gazing at the milky way. If i had a roof top tent, I'd break my neck getting out to pee...

 

[Ambush]

That first step is a doosie.


Not sure of the weight limit, but hoggin is probably out of the question.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Just stumbled across this discussion of RTTs vs ground tents.

https://expeditionportal.com/head-to-head-roof-top-or-ground-tent/