Driving Line VOLUME V ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2019 | Page 48

AWNING ROOMS
Somewhat of a hybrid between ground tents and rooftop tents, awning rooms are another great option for a vehicle-
mounted camping solution. Companies such as ARB 4x4 Accessories have been manufacturing and selling vehicle
awnings for years, and now they offer additional parts to convert your shady spot into a room. Convenient during the
day to keep the bugs out, the walls and floor of the awning rooms can be closed completely to turn into a tent to sleep
in. These awning rooms are often spacious and stable, allowing for a comfortable night’s sleep. A few disadvantages
include a rather tedious setup and teardown compared to rooftop tents, and depending on where the awning is mounted,
they can block your vehicle’s doors, making it cumbersome to grab something out of the cab. And just like the rooftop
tents, these products are a bit on the pricey side. Nevertheless, their modular nature makes them a great option for
those who love camping in the summertime.
CAMPER SHELL
Pickup trucks and camper shells have been a popular camping combo
for decades. Loved for their versatility and added security, camper shells
have held a steady place near the top of any pickup truck owner’s list of
add-ons since they first hit the market more than 50 years ago. Not only
do they allow you to keep any items in your truck bed secure and out of
the elements, they also provide a place to crash for the night. For years,
the best way to camp in your pickup truck was with a camper shell that
had a carpet kit, or a carpeted sleeping platform with storage drawers
beneath it installed in your bed. While still an option today, other methods
have come about to sleep comfortably in your truck bed. Air-mattress
companies now offer their products shaped to fit your truck bed, with
cutouts for the wheelwells. And while sleeping in the bed of your truck
seems like a rather easy solution for a night outdoors, it doesn’t go without
its drawbacks. If you’re carrying any gear in the bed on your excursion,
it will need to be removed and placed elsewhere while you snooze.
Truck beds also get very cold at night, due to their steel construction, so
keeping warm can be an issue on those winter trips. But despite some of
the nuances of sleeping in the bed of your truck, this method of camping
seems to be a popular option for the truck crowd, because it’s so easy
to set up and serves multiple purposes.
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