I'm trying to figure out the best way to sleep a few times a month when I will be making 1 nighter trips to go hiking, camping, bicycling, etc.

A travel trailer would be nice but maybe not practical. I have no place to park it (when not in use) is one concern. Also might be a little out of the price range as I'm not looking to make a huge commitment, just something to keep me out of staying at Motel 6.

I was thinking of maybe a topper like an ARE Z series and sleeping in the bed... but is there any way to keep cool in the summer this way even if I had a small Honda EU1000 or 2000 generator?

I saw this "compression boot" as an option on ARE toppers:
http://www.4are.com/img/product/feat...ontboot_1a.jpg

Do people actually remove their truck rear window with this?

 

How about a slide in camper?

 

sleep in the bed of your truck...

I have also leaned against the door and slept with my pistol between me and the seat.

 

I think most people who use the compression ring that goes between the topper and the cab would simply open the sliding glass window on the truck and the topper. The the ring would just keep rain and dust out of the opening. There is a problem with leaving these open while diving down the road. Shells are not air tight so you can draw carbon monoxide from the truck exhaust into the shell and the truck cab. Because of the low pressure area behind the truck and the shell.

Bill

 

Sleeping in the bed would be fine but I'm looking for protection from elements which is why I was thinking about a topper but would like some temperature control... Heating is easy but cooling is a little bit more tricky I think?

A slide in sounds great but I think they're pretty expensive... I looked up an arctic fox and the cheapest one is 25K???? That is more than a lot of 5th wheels! Whats up with that...

Thanks for the info about the compression ring.

 

You can usually pick-up a good used one from anywhere from $500 and up.

 

As long as it's not too hot, sleeping in a topper is fine. I've actually slept while it was snowing just using a tarp over the bed - you just need something to insulate you from the cold metal of the bed (I built a carpeted platform) and a few heavy blankets.

I now have an older ('96?) Palomino pop-up style cabover that I really like. It has a furnace and swamp cooler to help during cold and hot weather, plus a stove, fridge, and an outside shower. It takes about 30 minutes to load it on the truck, and since it is low-profile in "travel" mode it doesn't hurt the fuel mileage too badly. I paid $2700 for it a few years ago, but you can find them for less without the shower/water heater and swamp cooler. Heck, I'd probably sell mine for $2000 if someone offered (need a bigger camper).

 

Anyone know where I can find any pics of a "raised" bed floor? I know my truck has slots in the bed to make it easy to build one... Was thinking it'dbe neat to have a full 8 ft by 5 ft for sleeping and storage underneath...

 

Dan Brooks,
Got any pics of the camper? I might be interested.

 

Sounds to me what you are looking for is a camperette, they are made to fit 6.5' or 8' box. Some have everything you need including A/C, furnace and small fridge- rodeo cowboys sometimes have them on their trucks as they are lighter and smaller than a full overhang camper. There is a brand made in Texas who might put you on to a used unit 3-4 years old for less than $2500. We used one for quite a few years when there was just the 2 of us. PK

 

I'll have to link to them from home - the filter at work has everything blocked so I can't get to them now. If you click on the "My Pics" link in the sig, then go to the vacation pictures albums you can see a few now.

 

Nice rig.......nice fish!

It'll be July before I get out that way, but if you still have it, I'll make you a ligit cash offer.

CR

 

Thanks - that sucker sure tasted good.

I'm sure I'll still have the camper - I haven't tried to sell it yet but have been kicking around the idea of buying a bigger one. I just hate to give up any fuel mileage that's gonna cost....

 

I'll PM you if and when I make it out there.

 

The camper Pkennedy is talking about is made by Capri, all the guys who rodeo who need campers usaully have them. used to have one when i traveled on the circuit. We also used to put sleepers on our trucks when we towed goosenecks. their not to bad to sleep in if your not over 6ft