PERSONAL: Truck Bed Camping Rules!

Above: This is my truck, and yeah, it's RED and I love it! 4x4. 6 speed Mercedes Benz Manual Trani. Cummins HO 6-cylinder Diesel. By the end of 2016, all my mods to it will be done, G*d willing. This is NOT what it looked like in stock form!

INTRODUCTION: I bought my "totally stock" 2006 Dodge Diesel truck in 2011, and immediately built this really cool truck bed camper. We call it a "Hilly Billy" RV, but it has been great for us. I found out recently that a lot of folks swear by this method of camping, and we can't disagree. I'll start with a few photos, but later will add a few links to other "Truck Bed Campers".

Let's bring in some links to other "Hill Billy" RVs, shall we?
http://www.desktodirtbag.com/pickup-truck-camping/

Above: Ugly plastic fake wood in the dash, but that's not what I'm proud of - it's the 6 speed manual transmission and in-floor 4x4 shifters. Combined with a Cummins 5.9 HO Diesel, we're talking' man-truck!

Above: In theory, it seats 3, but there is nowhere for the middle person's legs! However, we have rode 3 across many times, no matter how uncomfortable for the 1 in the middle. It was highlighted by our 2014 7 day Panamint backpack, where Chris and Herb (both full-size adults) shared the middle seat for the 300 mile each way drive (including after the brutally tough backpack!).

Above: we like this feature the most: a huge space behind the front seat. Since it is a single cab, this is important - it has way more room up front behind the seats than the equivalent vehicle in a GM or Ford. Sue and I can fit a TON behind these seats. We can each fit: 1)  clothes bag, 2) laptop and case, 3) book bag for reading on trip, 4) winter jacket, 5) assorted hats on top.

Above: Here's my hill-billy RV. The sleeping surface is 6 feet 4 inches long. Underneath, it stores 9 large rubbermaid storage bins with our camping gear. The far right stores a variety of large objects, such as a 10' square sunshade. We built in storage compartments on top right to access the right side under-storage area.

Above: 2 Costco Pads completely fill the sleeping compartment, wall to wall. And the pads fold up into thirds and are stored up top out of the way, allowing other items to be stored up there as well.

Above: close up view of the 2 compartments that allow access under the bed of the sleeping area.

Above: Yes, it's a large truck. So for 4 wheeling, it's a bit of a pig on narrow trails (it now has huge rock sliders on it!). We store camping gear in the 9 bins under the sleeping surface, and store heavier stuff like coolers in the far back of the bed. 

The set-up was designed so that 1 person could remove or install it entirely in 5 minutes. It is locked in with just 2 bolts (with wing nut and cotter pin). The support boards slide out with a pull, and the bed area is divided roughly 1/3 - 2/3, and the 2 pieces come out separately. A key to the design is the camper shell, which is about 8 inches higher than the top of the cab of the truck. Without the higher shell, sleeping back there would not allow you to "sit up in bed".

The truck is rather heavy, weighing in at about 7,500 pounds! However, it is still economical to operate, as it's Cummins Diesel and manual trani allow about 22 mpg on the highway, when loaded with a full set of camping gear. It gets about 16 mpg while towing our 20 foot travel trailer - both are great numbers. The Cummins 5.9 HO is still stock, but with 325 hp and 650 foot pounds of torque, it does just fine.

Above: I added a 2nd spare tire inside the sleeping area of the truck - it works perfectly - we still have room to sleep! Another photo below (click to enlarge).

Above: I also added a compressor under the sleeping bed to serve 3 purposes: (1) to fill tires; (2) to inflate my R4 Tech Firestone rear air bag suspension; (3) to activate my ARB front and rear lockers (when I get them some day). The photo below shows the actual compressor. In a few seconds, the compressor can be removed to use with another vehicle, with power sourced with battery clips from the vehicle in need. The space also houses the DC control panel and fuses for the rear truck bed power uses, such as lights and a ceiling fan (soon to be added!).

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