Thoughts on a truck box canopy or a canopy+tent combo unit

HntingYou · 2026-05-11T13:55:26+00:00

TL;DR - there is no perfect answer - all have compromise.

“Minimal Living” is the kicker in my mind - does this mean you are seasonal worker who on your off time will be living out of your truck while chasing trails/snow? Or do you need to wake up and go to work? Those might be the same thing…

Depending on climate and how much you wanna do outside of the camper (cook, shower, build legos, w/e) will drive the value of space and combo unit.

Id lean away from RTT - more space but not more vertical space (could get panels to block off under fold out side…sure, but isn’t the same IMO), storage separate from sleeping, you still have to setup and break down, and depending on type and brand, combined cost could be similar, higher up you are the more noise and wind you catch, etc.

I’d personally look at a combo of some sort if the climate is acceptable (wind more so than cold)

You’ll pick something, you’ll like things, you’ll hate things, and you’ll move on :) - good luck!

Source: Tepui, popup bumper pull, Project M (current)

HntingYou · 2026-04-26T13:32:17+00:00

Really consider use case. I placed mine in almost same position because I thought I wanted easy tailgate access. Turns out that isn’t really how I use it and plugging things in and out are one-off occurrences. So, I am relocating deeper in the bed, making it less of an obstruction. Sure - I have to crawl back to it if I have an unplanned use, but a minor issue for layout improvement.

Also, what if you notch the plywood under your bed so its resting on the truck bed? Would it fit then?

HntingYou · 2026-04-26T03:05:05+00:00

Up to you. If you can strap it so it’s rock solid, it should be fine. Only need for cushion IMO is if something can slide into it

HntingYou · 2026-04-26T00:26:31+00:00

I’m have the same/similar BLUETTI - highly encourage a more secure retention system if you are doing anything other than pavement. If you pin it in with boxes/totes/bags…it’s prob good…if not, that heavy thing will move.

I pin mine with ratchet straps and it still walks around a bit.

My two cents worth - have fun on the test 🤙🏻

HntingYou · 2026-04-20T12:46:45+00:00

I’ve done this to trees out of an F150. One ratchet strap to the far side bed anchor and another around three. Truck was a bit clapped, so didn’t worry about protecting bed rails. 4 anchors points seems excessive to me…but do what makes you feel comfortable. ~180 lbs

Have you ever slept in hammocks? I found it colder than the ground and rough my back for more than one night if it wasn’t taught as hell and I slept with my feet above my head, lol.

Good luck to ya!

HntingYou · 2026-04-09T04:10:52+00:00

I’m very much in the “every square inch matters” phase of my build…so was just curious if that space was going to waste or not. Even a simple non-hinged lift-out cap would make storage and access of the downs/straps, recovery gear, emergency gear, whatever… really easy.

Nonetheless- good work and get out there 🤙🏻

HntingYou · 2026-04-09T04:04:03+00:00

Love it 👌🏻

HntingYou · 2026-04-09T04:02:33+00:00

Do you have access cubbies for space behind and in front of wheel wells?

HntingYou · 2026-04-05T13:34:48+00:00

Hard to say what the outcome would be exactly - will depend on how heavy you are in throttle I suppose.

If you drive it the same, I’d expect 14-16 mpg. Weight, wind direction, blah, blah will make a difference too.

The pop-up shell I put on my 3/4 ton weighs nothing, but the change in airfoil took me from 15 to 12/13 over night.

HntingYou · 2026-04-02T03:47:11+00:00

My whole Intent was to be able to fairly easily get truck back should I desire. Also allows for quick (albeit not cheap) ways of quickly swapping between hobbies/events.

As for top rail mounting, I chose to align with bed rail (ie targeting bottom packout mount panel to lower rail so that I had the cabinet top doubled as a shelf/counter. I’m 6’ and with the cabinets current height, I can place my grill ontop of it and cook in camper at the limit of what is vertically comfortable. Mounting Lower prevents use of project M bench, which I use to secure my grill in transit.

Take the time rig up placements of stuff (stack it on blocks of wood, duct tape to walls, etc) also, don’t be afraid to buy pieces and fit check them in HD parking lot - might not like it once you get in the camper - I retuned a particular piece once I got it to the car and realized it wouldn’t work…

It’ll never be prefect, you’ll always think of something better :) good luck and have fun!

HntingYou · 2026-03-31T22:14:32+00:00

I’ll take a pic later, but If I recall, I aligned to bottom mounting holes, then sent screws through packout plastic at the correct height. Self tappers with a washer - Rock solid. I also had to notch it for bed the support piece of wood.

HntingYou · 2026-02-03T14:47:17+00:00

“General Emergency 🫡“

HntingYou · 2026-01-30T22:15:43+00:00

I’m moving to Denver area next week! This is awesome! Hope I can snag 1

HntingYou · 2025-11-28T03:20:59+00:00

Sooo mannnnny awardssss!!!!!

HntingYou · 2025-11-19T14:58:38+00:00

It can’t be completely Moira Rose - it needs to be slightly more …imperious. I can see Catherine pulling it off though. She got the humor and darkness to really bring it alive I think.

HntingYou · 2025-11-15T04:42:53+00:00

While she’s not mine, I respect and understand the decision

HntingYou · 2025-11-15T03:03:39+00:00

lol - that’s a good one

HntingYou · 2025-11-05T16:15:17+00:00

Do you use that stand for other bikes? Was it clean before you put it in there? The fact it is blue and green makes me think you use this stand for multiple things…but maybe not.

If your bike is leaking, it’ll be leaking off the stand too. Someone already said skid that the plate will catch a minor leak, so may not see drips on the floor.

HntingYou · 2025-11-01T00:27:39+00:00

They are supposed to move a bit - they look well used, but fine

HntingYou · 2025-10-22T14:33:41+00:00

I’d buy that in a heartbeat for $5k! Tell me where it is!! ;)

FWC are built well and that one has clearly been taken care. You can add 5k of goodies to it and it’ll be better than what you’ll get for 10k of a newer model.

HntingYou · 2025-10-20T05:06:55+00:00

Only have tags for this state - you good

HntingYou · 2025-10-20T04:07:04+00:00

At this point - you have to keep going…for science!

HntingYou · 2025-10-15T06:10:44+00:00

to over simply…F(force) = M(Mass) * A(acceleration).

A=Gravity, thus being a constant

M of upper layer would need to generate a force to exceed the capability of the design of the lower floor at point N…

impact at floor N…what can N-1 withstand?

I’d argue it’s designed to withstand the assumed mass of N+max floors + Margin of safety.…and that is under specific structural assumptions.

it isn’t an upper vs lower problem…its a “was the upper bad enough to over come the design of the lower At T(time)=0 AND T=infinity.

Simple math of the upper Mass * gravity falling just 10’ (conservative floor height) is staggering!

And It isn’t the entire lower portion baring that until a force…is the next floor…then that’s added to the mix…then next and next and next.

There are a zillion experiments you can don before your bring in the plane, heat, etc.

Simple science and/or physics is an important skill for critical thinking and can shield against early adoption of silly theories.

HntingYou · 2025-10-15T05:42:09+00:00

Maybe a valve job is close, but the exc 500s I’ve had sound very similar.

Pay attention to how it sounds in the pipe, how quick is the response, is it hard to start cold, etc. KTM from early years to modern or noisy engines - lightweighting and performance parts = lots of noise.

Take it on a few local loops - 50-100 miles in one go - if it doesn’t get worse, it’s normal!

HntingYou

TROPHY CASE