Camping

[Lea]

When camping with a pickup, having a bed long enough to lie down in is great but this increases the wheel base and detrimental to turning radius.
Why has no one figured out how to flip up the back seats AND back panel that opens of the bed into the interior? Plenty of length for sleeping and gear. Super convenient with a hard top or tent shell.

 

[J Alynn]

When camping with a pickup, having a bed long enough to lie down in is great but this increases the wheel base and detrimental to turning radius.
Why has no one figured out how to flip up the back seats AND back panel that opens of the bed into the interior? Plenty of length for sleeping and gear. Super convenient with a hard top or tent shell.

Gmc(I think) now offers this. My fear is leaking-lots of leaking

 

[Lea]

Gmc(I think) now offers this. My fear is leaking-lots of leaking

No doubt a concern. Jeep Gladiators have managed to remove and replace doors and roof without leaks. Perhaps it could be done.

 

[J Alynn]

No doubt a concern. Jeep Gladiators have managed to remove and replace doors and roof without leaks. Perhaps it could be done.

Agree but a rear bed in a truck can theoretically hold like 200-250 gallons of water? Imagine a weekend tropical storm-all that pressure eventually finds a weak point. Doors are on a vertical plane so there’s a lot less pressure to deal with. I like the idea-when I saw it on the GMC (think of I’ve got the right brand) I thought it was brilliant until I imagined the scenario above

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The Silverado EV (and Sierra EV) has a midgate standard on its RST trims and optional on its LT trim. I'd give it a year of use by customers before considering whether it's resilient and leak-proof.

 

[eddiet1212]

Off topic, but..... Anyone use a Hitchiker camper?

Lucky I am average height!

HitchHiker™ Camper

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tuscaoutdoors.com

 

[Mousehunter]

I built a camper not entirely unlike that one a few years ago. Just looking at the picture, it looks like a box sitting on a platform to raise it above the wheel wells (that is what I did with mine). Mine was heavily insulated and camped well, but I knew even after the first trip I wanted to build one better materials. Ultimately, I just modified a Jeep so I can sleep inside of it. It does not have AC (while camping), but otherwise it works better for me. Honestly, it is one the largest reasons I want the Scout.

I did like the idea known as the Firefly Camper - but they never put it into producction. The closest that did go into production is the Moonlander - but it is just a camper shell. As an uninsulated cap, I think it is rather overpriced.

 

[Sino Surfs]

Telo electric truck has a midgate that drops giving it a 8ft. long bed and the truck is a long as Mini Cooper (152 in).

 

[J Alynn]

Telo electric truck has a midgate that drops giving it a 8ft. long bed and the truck is a long as Mini Cooper (152 in).

I often wonder how long it takes until a midgate eventually starts to leak. Never looked very close at how they function in relationship to water penetration

 

[AlanL]

I often wonder how long it takes until a midgate eventually starts to leak. Never looked very close at how they function in relationship to water penetration

Not meaning to be snarky (actually asking a question), but why should a midgate be more prone to leaking than a door or window? I don’t recall ever getting leaks there on any of our cars, and we tend to keep them for ten years or more.

 

[J Alynn]

Not meaning to be snarky (actually asking a question), but why should a midgate be more prone to leaking than a door or window? I don’t recall ever getting leaks there on any of our cars, and we tend to keep them for ten years or more.

It might not. Just thinking you have a tub shaped bed and while there are lots of places for water to leak/drain out it’s the horizontal scenario with water pressure that worries me. The static pressure is my biggest concern but I’d think they would have pressure release locations. Vertically running water is less likely to leak than a contained bed of water. I’ve just always wondered long term if it becomes an issue

 

[dreamweaver]

Telo electric truck has a midgate that drops giving it a 8ft. long bed and the truck is a long as Mini Cooper (152 in).

Scout. “People. Connections. Community. Authenticity." Welcome to the Scout community. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

Why not get the SUV version, then you can sleep in a climate-controlled space away from the rain?

 

[Lea]

I was looking for the utility of a truck to haul mulch and such and then clean it up to head out camping. Moving furniture or other tall items just doesn’t work with fixed roof of suv. Good point about climate control. That’s an option with batteries that gas engines can’t do!

 

[Lea]

It might not. Just thinking you have a tub shaped bed and while there are lots of places for water to leak/drain out it’s the horizontal scenario with water pressure that worries me. The static pressure is my biggest concern but I’d think they would have pressure release locations. Vertically running water is less likely to leak than a contained bed of water. I’ve just always wondered long term if it becomes an issue

I’ve slept in my ridgeline with the shell top and even in monsoon, only a few drips inside. Then without the shell, the tailgate is not water tight and water runs out before it can get above the bed ridges keeps the back as a vertical surface.
I suspect the biggest challenge with this rather crazy suggestion is safety and crash tests without that ridge support.

 

[Mousehunter]

Had a shell on a Dodge, then later an F150. F150 camped like hell because it had a 5.5' bed. As for leaking. Never really noticed a lot of leaking when camping - but if I left certain things in the front of the bed for a few weeks, they would get moldy. As such, I knew there was a moisture problem even if I did not actually see leaks. That said, the roof of the F150 eventually started leaking into the cab, now the roof of my Golf has started leaking into the cabin as well. Did I say I hate moon roofs?

 

[Chavannigans]

I just came across these campers.
Some of their design elements are really interesting.
Really like the fact that it has hard sides after having camped in an RTT in high winds.
You can also remove the sleeping platform and convert it to a traditional camper shell.

Edit: It also has a positive pressure vent to help keep dust out.

The Hard-Sided Folding Pop Up Camper - Hardsider

Hardsider is the evolution of the hard-sided folding truck camper system. Our system is designed to suit your camping needs, whether you're a newbie or a weekend warrior. Get to know your new companion for your future adventure in the wild today.

www.hardsider.com

 

[dreamweaver]

I just came across these campers.
Some of their design elements are really interesting.
Really like the fact that it has hard sides after having camped in an RTT in high winds.
You can also remove the sleeping platform and convert it to a traditional camper shell.

The Hard-Sided Folding Pop Up Camper - Hardsider

Hardsider is the evolution of the hard-sided folding truck camper system. Our system is designed to suit your camping needs, whether you're a newbie or a weekend warrior. Get to know your new companion for your future adventure in the wild today.

www.hardsider.com

That looks pretty slick. Is 18K reasonable? I have no idea.

 

[Chavannigans]

That looks pretty slick. Is 18K reasonable? I have no idea.

Its pretty close to a decked out Moonlander X. More expensive than a Topo Topper. Half the price of an optioned 4Wheel Camper Hawk slide in.

I think its reasonable but value is very subjective.

 

[dreamweaver]

Its pretty close to a decked out Moonlander X. More expensive than a Topo Topper. Half the price of an optioned 4Wheel Camper Hawk slide in.

I think its reasonable but value is very subjective.

Good to know. Thank You.