Truck camping/hunting

[Wireman07]

I drew a rifle tag this year, and our rifle deer season starts 2nd week of November here in South Dakota. I'm looking for ways to stay warm this season as I am planning on truck camping this year. I want to be closer to my hunting areas and closest hotel is 60 miles one way. I have a Ford supercrew cab with a 6.5' box, and no topper. Usually our November's are pretty chilly, and could see snow that time of year. I was wondering if I should sleep in the cab with the truck running all night(is that safe?) Or thought about buying a truck bed tent, and then using a heater in there, but also worried about carbon monoxide with the heater. I do have a generator I could bring if an electric heater would be better. Whatd everybody else doing? Thank you!

 

[TrackerDan]

I sleep in the bed with a topper. I use a 0° sleeping bag and a down comforter. Sometimes I'll run a Mr. Buddy heater for a little bit before I go to bed and when I wake up. Works great for me into the teens.
I would get a topper, they are nice for staying in and keeping your gear dry, safe, dust free.

 

[Wireman07]

I sleep in the bed with a topper. I use a 0° sleeping bag and a down comforter. Sometimes I'll run a Mr. Buddy heater for a little bit before I go to bed and when I wake up. Works great for me into the teens.
I would get a topper, they are nice for staying in and keeping your gear dry, safe, dust free.

Yes a topper is on my list, but unfortunately not this year.

 

[bozeman]

Camper shell and a 4” thick egg shell mattress topper.

 

[Wireman07]

I am facing a similar situation this year. I bought a soft topper for my tundra. I'm hoping it will hold up to wind better than my tipi tent with a stove and is definitely an upgrade from the blue tarp I normally cover my gear with. Softopper is lighter and cheaper than a hard top.

I was looking into those as well, but still a bit more than I want to spend right now. I can buy a decent truck bed tent for a couple hundred bucks.

 

[MuleyFever]

You will also need a thick sleeping pad, especially if sleeping in the bed of the truck. I would consider a tent with a Mr Buddy heater or the generator and electric heater. I slept in the back seat of my truck for a week last November with temps in the teens at night. Wore warm cloths and used a 15* bag.

 

[swampthing]

I feel your couple hundred bucks would be better spent on a ground tent like a cabelas guide tent. This way your truck isnt tied down to one spot. Unless that doesnt matter.

 

[Wireman07]

You will also need a thick sleeping pad, especially if sleeping in the bed of the truck. I would consider a tent with a Mr Buddy heater or the generator and electric heater. I slept in the back seat of my truck for a week last November with temps in the teens at night. Wore warm cloths and used a 15* bag.

I'm kind of leaning towards sleeping in the cab with a sleeping bag, I can always turn my truck on for a little bit if I get cold. And I'm short enough, so it should be fairly comfortable to me

 

[zacattack]

I have slept many a night in the cab of my Tacoma. I’ll get in my sleeping bag as best I can and can usually fall asleep pretty fast. If I get cold I’ll crank the truck and run the heater for a few minutes to warm it back up. It ain’t the best but it costs basically no money or equipment.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Get a good sleeping bag.
Rustic ridge 7 in 1 is bomb and what i use.
If you're really budget strapped get a bunch of the blue moving blankets from harbor freight.
Just use the heater for dinner time and getting up in the morning.

 

[Wireman07]

I have slept many a night in the cab of my Tacoma. I’ll get in my sleeping bag as best I can and can usually fall asleep pretty fast. If I get cold I’ll crank the truck and run the heater for a few minutes to warm it back up. It ain’t the best but it costs basically no money or equipment.

I hear you, I've slept in my pickup before during early archery season, but never on a late season rifle hunt.

 

[zacattack]

I hear you, I've slept in my pickup before during early archery season, but never on a late season rifle hunt.

I’ve done it down into the teens. It’s no different than sleeping outside, you get the added benefit of no wind at all.

 

[Wireman07]

I’ve done it down into the teens. It’s no different than sleeping outside, you get the added benefit of no wind

Ok, it also sounds like the safest option as well. Thanks for the input!

 

[Tbonespop]

I have used a 2 person tent from REI and set it up in the back of my truck (6.5' bed). I then use a nice thick sleeping pad, warm sleeping bag, and a heater buddy. The heater buddy has a low oxygen shutoff and it works really well. If you are really worried about CO, then get a CO monitor that goes off at low levels. The combo of the Heater buddy, warm sleeping bag and tent should keep you warm enough. Its pretty cheap (<$100 for the tent and $100 for the hater buddy) and a LOT more comfortable than sleeping cramped up in the cab of a truck (tried that, never, ever again). The 2 person tent in the truck bed with heater buddy works well.

 

[Werty]

I'd rather sleep in my truck with a topper than listen to the damn wind smack my tent all night long.
I bought a eskimo insulated ice shanty last winter to try out for duel purpose. Camping and ice fishing.

 

[*zap*]

Truck bed with a topper = no problem for me.

 

[TrackerDan]

Yes a topper is on my list, but unfortunately not this year.

You can find used toppers for around $300.

 

[handwerk]

I'd keep and eye out for a used topper, then put a sheet of 2" dow foam in the bed before your pad and bag.
I sleep pretty dang good in the back of my taco with this set up.

 

[colersu22]

Like other have mentioned I would look for a used topper, you still have 3 months to pick one up. I bought a used ARE fully loaded topper a few months ago for $500 and it was the correct color. I searched Craigslist and offer up and finally started emailing dealers that had what I was looking for and one dealer said they would sell the topper to me and I don’t think they knew what they had.

 

[go_deep]

I sleep in the back seat of my truck alot. Only one time I had to start my truck for heat, otherwise I use a camping air pad, an old sleeping bag under it and either a 30° bag or my 0° bag depending on temp. Works great when you're only there for a night, or don't actually know where you'll end up each day.