Do you wish to go camping? But are you tired of the hassle of setting up a tent or getting a complete RV (Recreational Vehicle) package? Well, camping in a truck canopy is right up your alley. You can travel in your own truck and stay in the vehicle during the whole trip. However, you do require the canopy and some basic necessities with it.
Read along to explore all the dos and don’ts of camping in a truck canopy.
Choosing the Right Truck and Canopy
Camping in a truck canopy is an exhilarating experience. You can enjoy an outdoor excursion without worrying about rain or expensive gear such as RV and tents. However, you will only get to fully take delight in your trip if your chosen truck and canopy are the right choices for you.
Here is a checklist to follow for your truck and canopy.
Truck
Keep in mind the following factors when purchasing or deciding the camping truck:
- Sturdy: A truck with a sturdy bed and an even stronger suspension is a necessary requisite. After all, the suspension will support the weight of the canopy and all its associated contents.
- Ample space: Camping in truck canopy means you will be lying down in that space and doing all your other activities (such as cooking) there. Therefore, having a truck with ample space that will easily allow you to carry out all your activities is imperative.
Canopy
You cannot just casually purchase a canopy. Look out for the following aspects:
- Large size: Besides the truck, your canopy must be an appropriately large size to accommodate you comfortably and allow you the ease of activities.
- Lightweight: Aiming for a large size, you cannot just buy the biggest and heaviest one. A light canopy is ideal. You will be the one to mount and de-mount the canopy from the truck; thus, opt for one you can carry.
- Durability: If a canopy is not durable, why have you spent your money on it? A canopy must be durable enough to withstand the fluctuating conditions of wilderness, e.g., rain.
- Sealed environment: Enjoying an outdoor trip is not only about the beautiful view. Insects are rife in camping regions. Hence, a canopy with sealing features such as windows, doors, and screens is necessary for the well-being of your body.
Truck Bed Camping Sleeping Gear
No matter where you go camping, the truck bed you bring with you is of paramount importance. After all, one must never compromise on one's sleeping comfort. Mattresses and sleeping bags are both viable options; your choice depends entirely on your destination, trip duration, and comfort.
Mattress
The mattress should have an appropriate size, and you should buy one keeping your truck in mind. There are three types of mattresses you can opt for for your camping adventure.
- Air mattress: Boasting lightweight and easy portability, air mattresses are a great choice. However, they can be uncomfortable if you intend to use them for longer durations.
- Foam mattress: Foam mattresses are comfortable to sleep on. Yet, their weight is heavier, making them difficult to transport.
- Custom mattress: if the available options are unsatisfactory, you can always order custom-made mattresses according to your requirements and truck.
Sleeping Bag
Carefully consider the sleeping bag based on the duration of your stay and your destination's temperature.
- Three-season sleeping bags: If you want to stay more than one season in your destination, camp in various places throughout the trip, or if your destination experiences severe temperature fluctuations, the three-season (spring, summer, fall) sleeping bag is an excellent option.
- Four-season sleeping bags: The four-season (summer, spring, fall, winter) sleeping bag is another ideal choice, depending on your destination and its duration and temperature.
- Ultra-light sleeping bags: Manufactured to aid mobility, the ultra-light sleeping bags are lightweight and easy to pack. Nevertheless, their comfort level is compromised with this feature.
Ventilation and Insulation Treatments
You wouldn’t want to suffocate due to lack of air circulation or freeze due to the lack of insulation in cold weather, would you? Even for camping in truck canopy, ventilation (imperative in all seasons) and insulation (especially crucial in winter) are pivotal factors to keep in mind. They serve to sustain your life in your camping expenditure. Hence, you must never take the ventilation and insulation systems for your camping truck and canopy lightly.
Ventilation
Ventilation can be achieved by installing mesh windows and roof vents and using a fan to circulate air constantly.
Insulation
Using reflective or foam board insulation to line the walls and ceilings of the truck and canopy is an effective way to insulate your private camping space.
Make a Plan of Preventing Rain
Rain - who can prevent this natural phenomenon? You can’t, of course. However, you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from it. For camping in truck canopy, rain-preventative measures are especially crucial to adopt. After all, you don’t want to end up drenched in an otherwise pleasant trip simply because of unannounced rain, now do you?
Here are some available options you can choose from:
Waterproof canopy
The surest way of preventing rain from entering your truck canopy is to purchase a waterproof canopy. A waterproof canopy will surely protect you from the torrent of rain, no matter your location.
A rainfly or awning
If a waterproof is not feasible, a rainfly or awning are worthy substitutes. They are both tarps that provide shade and act as a cover. Thus, they protect your truck canopy and its windows and doors from the gushing rain droplets.
Rain gutters and seals
Rain gutters are another essential feature to incorporate into your truck canopy. They will deftly ensure that no water enters through the canopy. Secondly, ensure that all seals around the windows and doors are effectively watertight.
Bed mat
Truck bed mats act as an extra layer of protection that safeguards your truck bed from wear and tear due to moisture or excessive mobility. You will never regret purchasing one for your truck bed.
Solar Generator for Truck Bed Camping
When out in the sun, why not utilize it for all your needs? Solar generators harness the sun’s power and supply energy to all electrical devices. Hence, for any of your camping adventures and camping in truck canopy especially, carrying a portable solar-generated power station is a wise choice. And when discussing solar-generated power stations, who better to purchase than BLUETTI?
Here are three of BLUETTI’s remarkable power stations you can choose from:
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BLUETTI AC180 Solar Portable Power Station
With 1,800W AC output and 1,152Wh larger capacity, the BLUETTI AC180 Solar Portable Power Station is your ever-accompanying partner in all excursions. It is eco-friendly and cost-effective, so you don’t have to worry about the loss to the environment or your pocket, for that matter. Further, it can be charged using four ways - AC, solar, car, and generator. You can also control and monitor it through the BLUETTI app. Convenient, isn’t it?
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BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station
The BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station has a 2,200W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and a 2,048Wh capacity. It has a LiFePO4 Battery with 3,500+ life cycles and can be recharged using AC, solar, car, generator, lead battery, dual AC, and AC+Solar.
Secondly, with its 900W max. solar input and 1400W max. fast dual charging, isn’t it such a powerfully potent package that you can’t resist obtaining?
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BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station
The BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station is simply a rave with its app control system, flexible recharging ways that will always keep your EP500 on, and its ability to load multiple devices simultaneously. Further, its 5100Wh LiFePO4 with 3500+ Cycles to 80% Capacity and 2000W pure sine wave output are a chef’s kiss. You will never be disappointed with BLUETTI!
Before we proceed, do you know that you can use solar generators for a wide variety of tasks other than camping? Gardening, for instance. Intriguing, isn’t it? Click here to check out gardening tactics using a solar generator.
Some Useful Truck Bed Camping Gear
No matter how much you want to enjoy nature, you are nevertheless going into the wilderness. You need several items with you to make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Some of them include:
Portable stove
No matter where you are, you need to cook your meals, especially in events of a long-term stay. Always bring a portable camp stove with you. You can have the taste of home-cooked meals even when out and about. How cool is that?
A collapsible water container
Water is a basic necessity; you absolutely cannot skimp on this. Bring a water cooler with you on your camping expenditure - if it's collapsible, even better. You will stay hydrated throughout your trip. Another option to consider is a cooler to keep your drinks cold throughout the journey.
Lighting
LED strip lights or lanterns are a great way to illuminate your truck canopy at night. You won’t have to suffer through the darkness, and you can enjoy a beautiful night view. Killing two birds with one stone.
Storage bins
Don’t litter and destroy the beauty of Mother Nature; carry a storage bin to store your waste. You can also have storage bins to keep your gear organized.
Camp chairs and tables
You won’t be staying cooped up in your truck canopy throughout the whole duration of your trip, now will you? Bring portable collapsible chairs and tables with you. You can comfortably sit among trees.
First-aid kit
Better be safe than sorry; you never know what can happen. Bring a first-aid kit no matter which trip you are preparing for, not just camping. Camping in truck canopy requires the presence of a first-aid kit to promptly deal with any injuries you encounter because you are far away from any medical facility.
Final Thoughts
Camping in truck canopy - can you resist such an invigorating adventure? If you can’t, what are you waiting for? Gear up and hit the road! Just don’t forget all the necessary items in your excitement.
