Redneck box top tent

Magicsteve · Aug 10, 2025

I believe someone has posted similar on Reddit etc.. but for someone who camps a few times a year in the summer .. my wife was not going to approve the $3000-$4000 roof top tent set up for the amount of camping I (we) would do.
There is a single and double tent cot available from Kamp-rite.
the single is available but I think is too small even for one of you use a bunch of gear.. and the double has been out of stock forever ..
So went on alibaba and got direct from the manufacturer ..
For 310 Canadian dollars I ordered and waited just under 2 months. (Wife says It will never be delivered ) the tent arrived.
the quality of the unit is solid.
4 doors , vents , rain shield.
takes minutes to set up.
honestly… best 300 bucks I’ve spent.
I cut 2 boards 2x6 -2x4 55 inches. Minor trimming depending on depth of spray in liner etc. I use ratchet straps on all 4 corners from the bed of truck to keep it from flipping forward while I’m getting out. Not sure if it would happen. But @ 2 in the morning and you gotta get out is a crap way to find out.
added fake grass to tailgate so nice on the toes when exiting. Happy camping. Happy trails. Making memories with my kid one camp out at a time. Cheers. Magic steve

Ford Maverick Redneck box top tent IMG_4858

Ford Maverick Redneck box top tent IMG_4859

Grabbs · Aug 10, 2025

Do you have to water and fertilize the tailgate? Sure looks like it.

Magicsteve · Aug 10, 2025

Grabbs said:
Do you have to water and fertilize the tailgate? Sure looks like it.

lol watered every night.

Escapologist · Aug 11, 2025

Disappointed, expected blue tarp, tomato stakes and duct tape per the title billing

Great idea though. I swear roof tents are like 75% overpriced.

Surly Old Bill · Aug 11, 2025

I'm still pondering the camping dilema. I have a Transit(not Connect) 250MR 148, and that's great as a campervan, but gets 15mpg. We're not going to get anywhere near the convenience and security of a campervan with the Mav without pulling a trailer (actually NOT convenient), and because Ford decided to make the bed so tiny it's unusable, a rooftop or standard ground tent are the only options. This setup looks good, and it's how I would mount a rooftop.

scott1070 · Aug 11, 2025

I appreciate this concept and have considered it myself. However, with this setup, why not just put the tent on the ground?

Benilla · Aug 11, 2025

alibaba link to the tent?

Cancunbadlands · Aug 11, 2025

Don't forget to water and fertilize the tailgate!

Edge Haley · Aug 11, 2025

scott1070 said:
I appreciate this concept and have considered it myself. However, with this setup, why not just put the tent on the ground?

Thanks for that question. I have a 30' Winnebago RV, done 20,000's miles on motorcycle camping trips but each time I see a roof top tent....I wonder why not just put the tent up on the ground...A good 4 person tent can be had for less than $100 and so much more flexibility, and at least in my case much faster to set up on the ground....and so much easier to take a leak in the middle of the night. I assume it's to get off the ground on the roof to avoid "bears".

Tbone289 · Aug 11, 2025

Thanks for the idea. I never knew how much I needed a cot tent until I saw this. I'll set mine up on the ground though.

notfast · Aug 11, 2025

scott1070 said:
I appreciate this concept and have considered it myself. However, with this setup, why not just put the tent on the ground?

Less chance for bugs, can use the truck bed and the tailgate as a porch, keeps the tent legs out of the dirt/grass and a little cleaner to pack up.

As for an actual ground tent, you need a relatively clear (free of rocks and debris) area to set up the tent.

I used to just pitch a ground tent on my open car trailer for track days. Easier to sweep the deck clean then pitch the tent than clear the rough pavement of gravel.

$300 for a tent cot seems like a good cost-to-benefit, especially compared to $4000 for a rooftop tent.

Phimosis · Aug 11, 2025

https://www.amazon.com/CORE-Person-...7&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d&th=1

14'x9' 9 person instant pop-up tent with 75.5" interior height (per camping guidance youtube chanel) for $249. Granted, the tent upper is only 68d polyester and the base is polyproylene, but if you want better quality, the Caddis Rapid 6 instant tent is 10'x10' with 77" interior height and made from 190D polyester for walls and 210D polyester floor for $269.

Why do I mention this in this thread? For anyone reading along that might not have seen the new hub-based tent tech that gets your tent from bag to fully upright (but not yet staked), in 60 seconds.

Phimosis · Aug 11, 2025

notfast said:
Less chance for bugs, can use the truck bed and the tailgate as a porch, keeps the tent legs out of the dirt/grass and a little cleaner to pack up.

As for an actual ground tent, you need a relatively clear (free of rocks and debris) area to set up the tent.

I used to just pitch a ground tent on my open car trailer for track days. Easier to sweep the deck clean then pitch the tent than clear the rough pavement of gravel.

$300 for a tent cot seems like a good cost-to-benefit, especially compared to $4000 for a rooftop tent.

This depends on camping style. The bed tent is good for dispersped camping where you shoot-and-scoot, staying on the side of the road for one night. Personally, I like to camp in camp grounds for a weekend with toilets, potable water, a fire pit, a "camp host" to keep out looters and more importantly, a spot for a tent that has seen hundreds of previous campers that have already removed any rocks and debris, so I don't have to. With that camping style, a free standing tent is way more comfortable and uses the limited space of the maverick bed more efficiently, so you can pack a large tent, cots, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, propane heater, lighting, battery power station, camp table, propane BBQ, camp chairs, etc. etc. I'm able to bring all of my gear + my e-mountain bike in the bed of my maverick. With a bed tent, I would have to leave half of that gear at home, including my e-MTB, which is the entire reason that I go camping in the first place, to go moutain biking.

Edge Haley · Aug 11, 2025

notfast said:
Less chance for bugs, can use the truck bed and the tailgate as a porch, keeps the tent legs out of the dirt/grass and a little cleaner to pack up.

As for an actual ground tent, you need a relatively clear (free of rocks and debris) area to set up the tent.

I used to just pitch a ground tent on my open car trailer for track days. Easier to sweep the deck clean then pitch the tent than clear the rough pavement of gravel.

$300 for a tent cot seems like a good cost-to-benefit, especially compared to $4000 for a rooftop tent.

Probably good points, but I can stand up in my 3 or 4 person tent, bug free, change clothes, throw down a tent ground cloth and set up anywhere. In my case I use a very comfortable folding cot for sleeping, and a convenient place to hang-out with a chair(s), camping foldup table that's not there on a tent cot, especially if it's raining. I always have the tent door by the tailgate for cooking.

Little boy blue · Aug 11, 2025

Magicsteve said:
I believe someone has posted similar on Reddit etc.. but for someone who camps a few times a year in the summer .. my wife was not going to approve the $3000-$4000 roof top tent set up for the amount of camping I (we) would do.
There is a single and double tent cot available from Kamp-rite.
the single is available but I think is too small even for one of you use a bunch of gear.. and the double has been out of stock forever ..
So went on alibaba and got direct from the manufacturer ..
For 310 Canadian dollars I ordered and waited just under 2 months. (Wife says It will never be delivered ) the tent arrived.
the quality of the unit is solid.
4 doors , vents , rain shield.
takes minutes to set up.
honestly… best 300 bucks I’ve spent.
I cut 2 boards 2x6 -2x4 55 inches. Minor trimming depending on depth of spray in liner etc. I use ratchet straps on all 4 corners from the bed of truck to keep it from flipping forward while I’m getting out. Not sure if it would happen. But @ 2 in the morning and you gotta get out is a crap way to find out.
added fake grass to tailgate so nice on the toes when exiting. Happy camping. Happy trails. Making memories with my kid one camp out at a time. Cheers. Magic steve

Nicely done, it shows that the sky is the limit when you own a Maverick

Redneck box top tent

Magicsteve

Active member

Grabbs

Active member

Magicsteve

Active member

Escapologist

Well-known member

Surly Old Bill

Well-known member

scott1070

Well-known member

Benilla

Well-known member

Cancunbadlands

Well-known member

Edge Haley

Well-known member

Tbone289

Well-known member

notfast

Well-known member

Phimosis

Well-known member

Phimosis

Well-known member

Edge Haley

Well-known member

Little boy blue

Well-known member

Similar threads