tailgate camping

[pastorp]

One of my favorite forms of camping is what I call tailgate camping. My favorite ride is a ford short wide bed pickup. I like mine with a topper or cannopy over the back. I usually build a bunk up front againstthe cab and have storage underneath and a foam matress on top. All cooking,etc is done under a tarp tied to the sides of the cannopy and streached out over the tailgate to poles that are tied to stakes in the ground, on the tailgate. Chuck box and stove are set up on the tailgate.Ice chest goes just under the bumper, and water jug on the tailgate until bedtime when its moved down to the ground beside the rear fender of the truck. Makes a nice easy kitchen everywhere except in big bear country where you move the kitchen a ways away from the truck.

I've spents weeks on end living out of my pickup like this. A lawn chair and a camp fire go along to make a cherry camp.  Regards

[WV-yoter]

I'll second that. I've always enjoyed camping this same way. I've used toppers and even have one of the tents that set up in the bed.  Your right,,,, makes for a sweet campsite.

[bilmac]

I Wyo you can wander for days and when it gets dark that is where home is. Lots to be said for that way of doing it. On the other hand there are camp sites that just beg you to make a pernament home there. Either way works for for me.

[burntmuch]

Thats my favorite deer camp. The back of my truck. Makes for some cold mornings, but thats all part of the fun

[outdoorlover]

For healthy food storage practices during a tailgate camping, keep this sound tips in mind: Fill your cooler with plenty of ice, or use ice packs and frozen bottles of water. If traveling a long distance, consider taping the cooler lid with sturdy tape for a tighter seal.Keep cooked and raw foods in separate containers. If you plan to cook on-site, make sure you pack additional clean plates. Never place produce or cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat.Follow the one-hour rule: Foods that need refrigeration should not sit out longer than one hour.

[pastorp]

ODL, I agree for food care in warmer climates. Much of my camping we put the food in the cooler to keep it from freezing. Regards

[rcdrinker]

whats everyone sleep on while tailgate camping? i always just take the cushions off my couch and wrap them in a sheet.

[lakota]

whats everyone sleep on while tailgate camping? i always just take the cushions off my couch and wrap them in a sheet.

That is a excellent idea. I am going to try it.

[kynardsj]

We've done it in my wife's Yukon. Fold the back seat down and the backend makes a great camper. When I has my crewcab Silverado with the shell on it that was fun too. Now when we go in my Jeep we pack the backend, then put the basket on that plugs into the receiver and add some more stuff. Get where we're going, put up a tent and chill for a while.

[mechanic]

I've got one of those special space moon rocket super dooper foam mattress toppers that I didn't like as a topper, but it works great as a truck bed sleep pad.  Kinda' keeps the cold from seeping in from underneath.  We never camped any other way at deer camp.
 
Ben

[gcrank1]

Throw a sheet of blue or pink (if youre a girl) dense styrofoam down on the truck bed before loading up, it is way easier, and warmer on your knees and feet when ya gotta crawl around in there.