2-Foot DIY Topper Extension Set Up For Sleeping In Your Truck 

That hidden camper extension is such genius.

“Empire of the Summer Moon”. Outstanding book

Love these videos man. I camp outa my truck topper on hunting trips. I love it. Saves money on rooms.

I had back surgery in 2006 and everytime I think of that I give the doctor who performed it a really great bow of respect...I have had no issues since or pain but the thing is that it left my bending, squatting and kneeling movements kind of..well..I can't do it like I used to. So my hat is off to you GREAT SET UP!! and I wish I could but I can't so I rather we bought a 26 foot Fifth wheel for our dream road trip of 15000 km. You are a real inspiration of ingenuity and space conservation...CHEERS TO YOU..WELL DONE!

Nice rig, simple yet creative design...and affordable too...I like it!

Simplicity at it's finest.🤗✌🏽️

I have the long bed and this seems like it would be a great addition to it even though I can fit comfortably inside as is. I work for the NPS, prior USFS, and wish I had a setup like this years ago. Great to finally see this in detail. Once I find a warm workshop, I will stop by the site and pick up the plans.

Cool set up I just got a camper shell for my Chevy Silverado it's fun setting this up

Great Book! Just finished that one myself. Empire of the summer moon. Enjoyed your video. Thanks

Looks quite cozy in there;love it!!

I like the pull out camper. Nice to get some more XTRA ROOM.💪 Thnx 4. Vid.😀🇺🇸🚙

rad! function is key and you nalied it! keep up the campin man!

Súper cool camper conversion. I lived in a Jeep Grand Cherokee camper for a few months. Mad respect

I have so many ideas for making campers and guys like you inspire me all the more. Thank You!

this is pretty sick mad respect

This man has seen big foot

Just finished pulling a pop up camper I renovated with my 2006 dodge Dakota cross country. I've been subbed for awihle and you've been such an inspiration! I'm now working towards selling the trailer and downsizing a ton. You have the best content for it! And especially for 5' bed living. Cant wait to get back out there! Love the content

Thank you for the video. I was searching for a camper shell video to fit a Tundra because I was going to trade in my Tacoma. After seeing how you solved the short bed (sleeping diagonal) issue, I think I'm going to consider building an extension like you did. Appreciate you explaining everything.

So glad I have discovered your excellent slide out extension idea, I have a shorter dual-cab canopy ute, and I like camping in it, while mine won't be exactly the same, but the whole idea of your slide in, and slide out extension box onto the tailgate is a great idea, and I will be using the same concept, Thank you.

You did a great job on that extension. I like the fact you make things work with what you already have instead of constantly changing vehicles. Maybe you and Old Man Gaylon can design your own shell now, possibly based on an AluCab/Kimbo hybrid. That would be awesome to see.

Very functional I live in my 30' travel trailer but have often thought of taking off without the trailer and sleep in the back of the truck. Mine is a 2002 GMC HD 4X4 and what you doing is perfect. I would love to purchase the plans for this. Thanks!

Great video! A lot of good information. I love your set up! Simple and very usable.

Fantastic convertion. And you're right about the short wheel base.

Great idea. My mind is racing with ideas now.

Great job man also drive safe😀

Best of your videos about the slide out,about to built my own with much of your motivation,my profile-short little jeep.Admire your way of life A lot.

Very nice setup! So many ideas to use. Could even make it longer for more room. So many ideas!

I’ve always camped in my truck bed. Good shite!! 🇺🇸👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

Nice build- to cramped for my taste...🍻

really clever!

Sick setup! 👍🏻

It's nice that your dog prefers the sides. Mine is always determined to be in the middle.

I have huge respect for you. I have a 17 Tacoma trd 4x4 with the 5’ bed. I tent camp. But I’m saving up for a basecamp 16x so I can travel to Colorado and all over the country as well. Be safe friend

Absolute genius!

So cozy

Thank God I found you, was having a tough time figuring out what to do without a 6 foot bed. Can’t see myself sleeping sideways like you did for a while

This is super cool! I was thinking about the Ford Maverick hybrid because of its 37 mpg and pretty low starting price. But I’m 6’1 and didn’t know how to sleep in it. This extension is such a cool idea, and makes that a viable option

I like the idea of the slide out for the Tacoma short bed, and you have it dialed in. I have a 3rd gen Tacoma short bed as well, but times when I would need to sleep in the back of my truck, I would need to be super stealthy at my fishing haunts to not look like I am "camping" there. I need to look like my truck is just parked and I am nowhere near it. Our coastal towns are not at all friendly to overnight parking as they see it as "camping", and required us to pay for and use an actual campground, or hotel all while not needing any of the amenities of said facilities. I'd like to be able to drive to the 1.5 to 2 hours to the coast in the evening, crash from say 10 PM to 5AM, hit the beach with the kayak, and fish all day. Then hang around the beach or a local park doing the "day camping" thing and then move into my overnight parking again at 10PM - 5AM to do all over again. Then after fishing that day, I can drive back home the 1.5 to 2 hours. Stealthy parking is my only option or get kicked out of town in the middle of the night. ALL of the campgrounds and hotels are booked solid 6-9 months out, and I cannot predict the weather conditions for safe kayak fishing out more than a week to commit to reservations. Now, I would be prone to TIG together a lightweight aluminum framed unit rather than wood so it could be stored outside when not in use, and be completely waterproof and never rot. The aluminum tubing would certainly attract condensation and would need to be foam filled after welded up to give some insulation factor, but that is doable.

That looks so comfy

Looking back at your vids brian ..love it 🤘🏽🔥👍🏽

Well thought out...great job

This can be a functional innovation, especially for people who don't live in their vehicle for extended period (i.e., use it mostly for short excursions). When you look at the amount of money being spent to convert Sprinter vans, this conversion has the appeal of low cost and simplicity. Rather than spending $10-20K and 2-3 months on a van conversion, you can do this for a few hundred dollars and in a few days. Similarly, rather than trading in the short bed truck for a long bed model, this low-cost extension makes a short bed "sleepable." And, the extension can easily be removed when you are at home and not sleeping in the truck, whereas a conversion van has little utility when staying at home. On the other hand, if you are essentially living in the truck for extended periods in locations that experience inclement weather (i.e., you can't be outside for many hours comfortable most every day), this would be inconvenient and cramped. It also goes without saying that it is unsuitable for a two-person setup.

I was at a job site a year ago. A guy had a camper shell with 4 actuators or whatever they call them. He did it himself. Said cast was under 200.00. It raised the camper shell up. He used it for reaching tools. I know they sell a conversion. Would be cool to raise up and have a hard side you put in place. Nice build on the camper.

Noticed that you were reading the Empire of the Sommer moon. Wow, that book was so graphic that I had to put it down. I couldn't pick it back up for a couple of months. I'm thinking of building an ext. For my cap. Like the aluminum. Thanks for doing this video.

Awesome slide out idea....

Great idea. I have a short bed and do RV Transport. The aux fuel tank takes a bunch of room! This would give it back!

Very cool set up,good craftsmanship and simple,and like you I have a 5 foot bed on my titan,its easy for people to say get a new truck with bigger bed,lol,I will be doing the same with mine

What an awesome idea. Just ordered the plans.

I am lucky to have my Chevy Colorado 4x4 with a 6ft bed and like you said a midsize truck works best overall no matter where you go. Good luck, Mike

You, sir, are bloody brilliant

Perfect!

Genius!

It's good to see your video's ❤️❤️🔥🔥

Love the truck cap setup...My allergies Can't tolerate animals inside though ...cant begin to imagine in such a small enclosed space..I notice most people dont solo camp like me..they either have someone or a pet...Happy Trails to you.

Very nice setup.

Fine vid Brian!

That slide out is ingenious! I got a mid sized Truck an slt Dakota n a leer top with 2 pop out windows about 8x 10”. I’m 5’ 8” I’m in the process of doing a small build . I to have a plastic bed liner that I think I’m going to cut the side walls completely out on both sides n then it will give me an extra 4-5” on each side. If I ever get to a warmer climate then northern Illinois I wouldn’t mind trying out an extension like you built. I’m a subscriber so coool to see how you handled your build kudos brother to you! Take care n keep living the dream!

Great set up ..great ideas

Great setup.

Wonderful setup. Best wishes!

Awesome

Looks comfy

Love it...

Good job 👍

I found you through Down2Mob (not subscribed, just recommended by RU-vid over on the right hand side video feeds) and just built up a hybrid 5' Tacoma('08) bed set up. Thanks for the inspiration through your earlier videos of which I have scoured! Complete with storage bin tips from you. Great info, used your videos for most of my inspiration. Thanks for sharing and look forward to watching more!

Nice setup!

Love the setup bro! Tempting to try on my tacoma

Simple & complex

Very creative Sir

Cool man!

Very cool

The magic happens at 4:30

I like the way you put the Tacoma cubbies to use! Just upgraded my 2006 Tacoma to a 2015 and they removed those cubbies for some reason...

Coolest thing I've seen was a 90s jeep cherokee with a VW camper top put on it

Looks good, I see a Tenkara sticker there. You need to do some Tenkara videos.

Very cool addition for #trucklife. Subscribed! Have a great day.

That’s neat

I know this is a old video, I wanted to know where you installed the little solar panel that came with your BioLite?

amazing im inspired

Wonderfull!

Hi and thanks for the video. I loved this idea so much that I purchased your plans and am beginning my customized build next wknd. What did you do to fill the gaps on the sides between the extension and bed?

Brian, how does your setup handle rain? I'm curious as to how you keep moisture from getting into the cabin area through the door, or behind the box itself. This is definitely one of the most innovative truck camping setups I've seen.

Nice job 👍

I am super curious when you close up the back at night when you are sleeping , or riding out a rainstorm, what is the condensation like inside the bed of the truck? Is there a special gadget to deal with it? Everything about this truck living is new and highly entertaining to me, but Sierra was what drew me originally to your videos so glad she is doing better. Best of luck in her next stage of treatment!

Nice!!

Where did you get your camper shell? I find it super difficult to find one that fits my 2017 tacoma short bed one!

Great camper extension. Love the biolite 620

Smart setup! It's all very handy looking. However, when you first pulled it out onto the tailgate, my heart skipped a beat because it looked like a coffin coming at me! Watching too many scary movies, I guess, but I LOVE your cleverness!

you have done a great job on the outside of the truck as far as hang out area goes. Like you said who would not want an 8 ft bed to lay in . We all do our truck toppers to suit us. You make this Tx camper so want to spend more time in the Rockies.

I like the extension, very simple and quick. Question do you travel full-time, and what do you use for heat? Thanks for the videos, plz, keep them coming? Eric Sulen, Grand Rapids, Michigan. P. S. I'm a new subscriber to ur channel.

good stuff

It’s great:) Can you lock it so you can feel secure while sleeping? I drove cross country years ago in a Nissan pickup with a cap and I would sleep in the back It is wonderful to keep it simple and nimble Great design

Nice.

This is exactly what I have been looking for. I run an Airbnb business out in the country and when I can get free time from the job I like to snowboard, but sleeping in the 5 foot bed is tough for me since I’m 6 feet too. I have the same truck, I didn’t want a long bed for similar reasons, and sir what you have done here is ingenious! Like they say necessity is the mother of invention! Liked, subscribed, and most likely also buying your design plans as well. 😂 Update. Just bought the plans. $5 for them is more than reasonable! Thanks a ton. 👍🏕

Hey man, really loving these videos and the massive amount of useful info you provide. I heard you mention a vape pen In this vid and was curious to know what kind you use and maybe get your thoughts and experience with medical Cannabis... Again, thank you for all the content, Brian. Hope you’re doing well today. Peace, Brandon

That looks more comfy than my home bed :( lol

Ifyou put a big innertube between the cap and the back you could move between the truck and the back.

I like the setup! How’d you like Empire of the Summer Moon? Read that a few years back.

I'll try to do this to my Hilux

Nice