Tent recommendations

qmalone64

FNG
Joined
Feb 18, 2024
Messages
33
Just got back from my first hunt out west. Learned alot of things to do differently next year. First is sleeping arrangements.

Like the idea of staying moblie and sleeping in the truck but didn’t anticipate the knee pain i would deal with sleeping curled up in the back seat.

A Topper I think would be great with a cot in the bed but that setup would be a large investment at the moment.

Curious about a quick setup / tear down tent with a buddy heater? Wondered what every one else is using. Looking at something like a stone glacier skyscraper?

Like just looking for a flat spot to stop at the end of the day. Just need something more comfortable for next year.

Would be solo

Thanks!
 

neil.hansford

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 12, 2014
Messages
293
Location
Montana
If you're just looking for a tent to pitch quickly by the truck for a night, just get a cheaper one from Amazon or some place. Or even a pop up ice fishing house. No need to spend a lot if you're not backpacking it or setting it up for a big camp.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 

Felton

WKR
Joined
Nov 28, 2021
Messages
471
The topper worked great for us. Last September my dad and I stayed in the bed of his truck. We put a couple pieces of plywood down with supports so we could keep coolers and Rubbermaid boxes under the plywood and we could sleep on top. We used this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C3QNP11F?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title memory foam topper to sleep on. I got amazing sleep and my back never hurt. It got down into the teens a couple nights I used my 30 degree bag and was plenty warm. Most nights I used my sleeping bag just thrown on top of me. It was a bit of a pain getting in and out but such is life. We were hunting with several other guys so the back looks over loaded in the picture. It really wasn’t bad.

Another vote for waiting for a shell topper.
B00AFCA9-A409-46D7-BA3E-D0613E511B42.jpeg

Our topper wasn’t a perfect fit either it was a little too long. We planned on using a 1x4 and some visqueen to help seal it up, the mattress ended up filling the gap quite well. So the end of the mattress got dirty but the rest of our stuff stayed clean.
 
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qmalone64

FNG
Joined
Feb 18, 2024
Messages
33
Like that alot. Hopefully i can find me one before next year. Topper seems to be the move im looking for.

Anyone use the “softopper” brand?
 

Felton

WKR
Joined
Nov 28, 2021
Messages
471
The one thing I would change for next time is either bring a non down sleeping bag or enough bedding to keep warm in place of anything down. We created a good bit of condensation inside the topper. When it wasn’t too cold we cracked a window and it helped but at its coldest we were concerned about staying warm so no cracked windows. It would dry up well before lunch each day. I was constantly concerned about getting my bag wet.
 

Felton

WKR
Joined
Nov 28, 2021
Messages
471
Like that alot. Hopefully i can find me one before next year. Topper seems to be the move im looking for.

Anyone use the “softopper” brand?
I saw a soft topper today and it sat a little lower than hard top plus the ribs seemed lower to eat up room as well.

I know when we were in the hard top we wanted every inch of room we could get and another inch or two lower and we probably wouldn’t be able to make it work… at least with the memory foam it wouldn’t.
 

3Esski

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 26, 2023
Messages
180
I have a softtopper and think it's great. I don't need a canopy all the time and it's nice I can put it on or take it off in less than 10 minutes. There are times when I would prefer my old hard top but the flexibility is just great. I've had mine for maybe 4 years now and am surprised how durable it has been. Not sure on prices now but I think I paid around 800 to my door, where I live a hard shell was quoted around 3k new and almost a 2 month wait.
 
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