May Give the Gladiator Another Go

[WambliSka]

I have 3-4 found tents from a 3 person to an 8 person. They do make it out on occasion when I have company but for most of my needs I sleep on the bed on a mattress or throw on the cheap truck bed tent.

Me going all out...
My '22 Overland. That blue "cooler" is really used for transporting my cooking gear and such. There's a nice Yeti under the tent.

Nowadays on the '26 Mojave (same cheap tent). BTW this trip to the mountains in Wyoming, the temps went down to 30s with snow, sleet and rain all in one storm.

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[ChrisNLA]

I have 3-4 found tents from a 3 person to an 8 person. They do make it out on occasion when I have company but for most of my needs I sleep on the bed on a mattress or throw on the cheap truck bed tent.

Me going all out...
My '22 Overland. That blue "cooler" is really used for transporting my cooking gear and such. There's a nice Yeti under the tent.

Nowadays on the '26 Mojave (same cheap tent). BTW this trip to the mountains in Wyoming, the temps went down to 30s with snow, sleet and rain all in one storm.

You know - your post had me thinking.

In the winter months when the bugs finally die around here (however briefly) securing my rain fly over the bed of my truck would make a sweet, quick, camp. Tie one end to the front bumper over the roof, put the other end on a pole out past the tailgate, and drape the sides down to the bed rail and stake to the ground. I bet it would take 5 minutes to set up. Roll my mattress out in the bed.

Welp.

I know what I might try this winter.

 

[DickensCPA]

During the summer 9/10 times I would sleep in the back of my JKU. I have a JeepSleep mattress and those things to put over my windows with noseeum nets for air. I assume that mattress will fit in the bed of the JT and I'll throw my hammock tarp over me and tie it off.

I had a LOT of trouble going to sleep in a RTT. I can throw a tent and a cot on a steep incline and go right to sleep. I always felt like i was off kilter in a RTT no matter how level I got it. Plus at 54 I now have to get up in the middle of the night to visit the little sailor's room. I hated going up and down that ladder and me and a pee bottle just ain't happening.

I used to love hammock camping and I have the setup for hot down to subzero with quilts, underquilts, down bags, etc but about 4 years ago I started having to pee in the middle of the night and climbing in and out of all that stuff in cold weather - I said no more.

 

[WambliSka]

You know - your post had me thinking.

In the winter months when the bugs finally die around here (however briefly) securing my rain fly over the bed of my truck would make a sweet, quick, camp. Tie one end to the front bumper over the roof, put the other end on a pole out past the tailgate, and drape the sides down to the bed rail and stake to the ground. I bet it would take 5 minutes to set up. Roll my mattress out in the bed.

Welp.

I know what I might try this winter.

I’ve done similar with a light tarp to keep the sun off my stuff in the bed and it works well. And you’re right, it’s a 5 minute setup.

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