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A new twist to the truck camper.  I have had many people ask for a different plan than the original one to accommodate taller folks. This layout has more space but the microwave and cabinets have been removed. The bed has also been modified to allow for stretching out and is now 6' long. 

The bunk is a framed box that doubles for storage.  The night stand portion runs across the width of the truck bed to ensure stability.  The sleeping platform has dual hinged lids for easy access.  Privacy and shading is ensured with a beige shower curtain that has been cut to fit the side windows. It is secured over the window with velcro strips.  A sunshade placed in the windshield inside the truck cab will also help with this matter.  The bed of the truck is sealed off with more shower curtain material in the same manner except the bottom is free hanging and rests between the tailgate and truck bed. By allowing the bottom to hang, getting into and out of the camper shell is a whole lot easier. This seal really improves the effect of the ac unit.  The curtains and seal stores easily in the dry storage box under the night stand. 

My trash can light replaces the standard bucket light.  While the bucket light does work it falls short with rain since it is suspended by the handle and does not protect the light bulb.  The trashcan light protects the bulb in any weather.  Just be sure to use silicone to ensure a water tight fit when screwing the end cap on.  I have a 50 foot cord that I throw over a limb to hoist the light into the air.

 To aid in getting a good night's sleep on uneven spots I like these lego type blocks.  They take up way less room than drive on boards and stow easily.

This isn't a tackle tip but it is a tip for the dog days of summer.  When it is hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk give night fishing a try.  You might be surprised at the results.  Several of my friends and I went out last night on a public lake to beat the heat.  Bob Becker caught the two biggest bass.  The larger one weighed just a little over 7 pounds and the smaller bass was just shy of 7 pounds.   They were both released to fight again.

How to get the most out of your trailers

I personally like Zoom Super Chunks on my jigs and Thumper Jigs.  You can find just about any color to match your jig.  Big Bite baits and Paca Craws have also been used with great success.  Start by inverting the jig to get the skirt material out of the way.  Insert the hook point into the nose of the trailer and have it exit just before the split in the pinchers.  Add a drop of glue onto the shank and slide the chunk into place. With the chunk glued in place it will last until a fish rips the pinchers off. Fish the jig as is or dip the pinchers in dipping dye if you would like  a bit more enhancement.  This particular jig is a 5/16 oz Green Pumpkin Bug head with full skirt.  By dying the pinchers it looks very much like a bluegill.   Try swimming this jig with the dyed pinchers in and around cover for some vicious strikes.  It is also a great bottom bait for smallies and spotted bass.

How to modify your jig skirts

You can buy jigs with full skirts, spider type skirts  or finesse skirts. If you want to save money buy a Pactac with a full skirt and use my simple example to achieve different looks.  Some days the fish might prefer a full skirt but if all you have is finesse jigs you are out of luck.  If all you have are full skirts but a finesse jig is more appropriate I'll show you how to get that look with nothing more than a pair of scissors.  Start with a jig with a full skirt.  Separate the skirt as shown in the 2nd photo. Place the jig in your palm. Trim the material to get the look you desire. 

Sleeping cheap:  Paying for hotel rooms when fishing tournaments or just spending a few days on the water can get expensive. I wish I could find a good used slide in camper but even a used one cost thousands of dollars.  Since I don't have that kind of money burning a hole in my pocket I set up my pickup truck bed to sleep comfortably.  By staying at campgrounds by the lake I save a tidy sum of cash.

In photo #1 you see a bed that runs across the width of my truck bed.  It is 36" wide and 68" long. The frame consist of 3 2x6 boards running from ledge to ledge.  These are supported by three 2x6 supports  in the middle of he cargo bed.  Two pieces of 3/4" plywood are placed over the frame.  A 4" foam mattress completes the bed.  This layout will work if you are short like me or prefer to sleep on your side.  If you are taller just build the bed to run the length of your truck.

The 2nd photo shows my kitchen and dry goods storage. A travel griddle is used for cooking everything from hamburgers to eggs and bacon.  The microwave is used to heat water for cleaning, coffee or quick meals like soup or tv dinners.  This unit also has a stainless steel sink that sits in a hole that is not quit big enough for it to sit flush with the countertop.  This allows me to lift the sink up and dump the water out.

Photo #3 shows how the layout looks while in place.  A 6 gallon water container is placed under the head of the bed and water is pumped by hand to the sink.  This area can also be used for storage.  A cooler is placed under the foot of he bed to keep food and drinks ice cold. 

Photo #4 shows a stand that I built so I could install a standard house a/c unit for cooling.  Place this on the tailgate and condensation will run onto the tailgate and onto the ground, keeping your truck bed nice and dry.

Photo #5 shows the truck closed up for a night of cheap, bug free and cool sleeping.  You will notice that I used a pillow to close the gap between the a/c and the kitchen.  After building this set up the simple idea of making the cabinet door the same size as the gap came to me.  It was too late for me but not for you.

I stay at campgrounds with electricity so I can charge the boat batteries.  To power the mini motel I run a heavy duty extension cord into the back of the truck and plug in a surge protector.  Then I plug in the appliances.  A small desk lamp is used for light and a ceramic heater is used for heat for winter and early spring trips.

Do I really save money?  Let's do a comparison for 1 night only.

Hotel:                                    Camping:

$45 for a cheap one                $15 for the most expensive campground in AR that I know of

Restaurant:                             Cooking for myself:

$7 for a burger, fries & drink      $7 for a steak, baked potato and drink

Security:                                    Security:

Lots of instances of theft              Boat is attached to what I'm sleeping in. Priceless!

Can't get much sleep thinking

about your boat outside

Total:                                        Total:

$52 if you don't get robbed            $22 if you want steak instead of 2 hamburgers or a whole pack of hotdogs