Let's see your tent setups ⛺️

[Popplemer]

Speaking of teardrops, I really wanted a rooftop tent. Got to thinking about how I don't like to sleep in the heat, and how most of the family camping time will be in the summer, so I got ordered a Runaway Venturist in August '21 because of the window A/C unit. Picked it up in April '22.
I haven't finished building my battery bank yet, I'm basing it off of Youtuber Freely Roaming's build, one vid here.
The A/C will be able to run all night from the battery if it's full, or electric blankets, and it will run my IceCo fridge/freezer 24/7.
If I were to do it again, a rooftop tent + Zero Breeze might work. Also I wouldn't build my own battery pack, I'd buy COTS like an Ecoflow Delta Pro or Bluetti AC300 and 2nd battery. Or just start off with a Lightning or Powerboost.
Still need to build a deck in the bed with sliding drawers.
One thing I wish our F150's had was an easy way to add a roof rack above the cab. Aluminum body etc, but even when it was steel, there was not really a market. There's like 20 to choose from if you have a Tacoma though.

+1 on the powerboost for starting a camping setup. I'm close to ordering a new truck for adaptive cruise and pro power. How do you like the trailer? Real nice looking rig you got there...

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[UGADawg96]

Check out these cool square drops by Hiker Trailers. You could put a roof tent on them to be completely off the ground and the truck and sleep four.

 

[gb7FRz26]

How do you like the trailer? Real nice looking rig you got there...

Thank you. The trailer is so small, it really is just a box to sleep in. If that's all you see it / treat is as, it's good.
It does not come with a mattress or anything other than two mounted power strips, a shelf, and the A/C. They make them simple to be cheap, and because there's a whole community of their buyers that set up their trailer just how they want it. Tons of Youtube research for ideas like shelving, floor (I went with harbor freight interlocking foam pads), and how to do the bed. But those videos also make it seem much more roomy - I'm over 6 feet tall, and the three of us (wife+kid) can fit in there - it's the 6x8 model.

 

[stlgrym3]

My Powerboost does not have any tow packages, so it does not have brake controller and the bumper can only tow up to 5000lb iirc. can it tow these kind of teardrops? do these teardrops require electronic brake controller?

 

[Popplemer]

My Powerboost does not have any tow packages, so it does not have brake controller and the bumper can only tow up to 5000lb iirc. can it tow these kind of teardrops? do these teardrops require electronic brake controller?

Here's my 2 cents. My truck just came with just the class IV hitch. Don't quote me on this but I believe the difference between that and the "trailer tow package" is just the brake controller and that ridiculous trailer backup assist thing. I think the addition of the brake controller bumps up your tow rating to above 5000 because at that weight you really should have brakes on a trailer.

I found the genuine ford brake controller at a dealership for a little over $200 and added it to my truck. It's just the little dash squeeze job and a module swap by the dead pedal. It requires either forscan or dealer flash to activate it but it works great. I wouldn't tow any sizeable trailer without brakes but an 1800 lb teardrop shouldn't be an issue.

FWIW I towed an 8000lb+ fully loaded enclosed landscape trailer with my 2.7 ecoboost for an afternoon when my buddies truck broke down. With the trailer brakes and my truck in tow/haul mode I felt VERY confident that I could tow it all day without issue.

 

[stlgrym3]

Here's my 2 cents. My truck just came with just the class IV hitch. Don't quote me on this but I believe the difference between that and the "trailer tow package" is just the brake controller and that ridiculous trailer backup assist thing. I think the addition of the brake controller bumps up your tow rating to above 5000 because at that weight you really should have brakes on a trailer.

I found the genuine ford brake controller at a dealership for a little over $200 and added it to my truck. It's just the little dash squeeze job and a module swap by the dead pedal. It requires either forscan or dealer flash to activate it but it works great. I wouldn't tow any sizeable trailer without brakes but an 1800 lb teardrop shouldn't be an issue.

FWIW I towed an 8000lb+ fully loaded enclosed landscape trailer with my 2.7 ecoboost for an afternoon when my buddies truck broke down. With the trailer brakes and my truck in tow/haul mode I felt VERY confident that I could tow it all day without issue.

thank you, i will go the same route with the brake controller. wondering how much dealer will charge to install. i saw there are two types of oem brake controller on Ford.com, one with and the other without reverse parking aid. my truck has reverse brake assist, is that the same thing as reverse parking aid?

 

[Popplemer]

thank you, i will go the same route with the brake controller. wondering how much dealer will charge to install.

Mine didn't charge me as they did it during some scheduled maintenance and I had bought it from them and installed it myself but if you have them install it I would be upset if they tried to charge you anything more than an hours labor. Call a few dealers and see what they say. Some aren't terrible

 

[Ford Motor Company]

We contemplated a trailer for a long time but ended up going with a rooftop tent. I've got a Pace Edwards retractable tonneau on the way too that's compatible with the rack.

Ikamper 3.0 on a Leitner ACS Forged Modular rack.

Awesome setup! Thank you for sharing these pictures.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have a diamond back tonneau cover with Front runner QD mounts bolted directly to it and a camp point RTT on top.

Looks great! Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of the Ford Family.

 

[DHBPhoto]

Cheapest and best on gas

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Cheapest and best on gas

Awesome photo! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Jrohner78]

Billie Bars across the bed and the larger Smittybuilt tent. The profile is so low it has almost no effect on MPG. The Billie Bars are compatible with my existing tonneau cover as well. The Powerboost is great for running coffee, sandwich maker, and charging anything!!

 

[Popplemer]

Billie Bars across the bed and the larger Smittybuilt tent. The profile is so low it has almost no effect on MPG. The Billie Bars are compatible with my existing tonneau cover as well. The Powerboost is great for running coffee, sandwich maker, and charging anything!!

Beautiful truck and setup. How do you like the smittybilt?

 

[Jrohner78]

Beautiful truck and setup. How do you like the smittybilt?

Thank you for the compliment!!!

Overall its a decent tent. Space is good for 3 people and I like the windows and pockets. It could be a little easier to fold back up as I have to walk around and stuff the tent back inside itself but that might be what you do on every soft tent..

The Billie Bars set up is what I like the most they work with my Xtang roll up cover, they mount up pretty quick and seem pretty rock solid once on. they have all sorts of accessories for hanging stuff off the side and what not but so far everything fits in the bed of the truck.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Billie Bars across the bed and the larger Smittybuilt tent. The profile is so low it has almost no effect on MPG. The Billie Bars are compatible with my existing tonneau cover as well. The Powerboost is great for running coffee, sandwich maker, and charging anything!!

Great pics! So glad you're enjoying your F-150!

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