I picked up a used EDGE a couple months back and have been working on getting it set up so I could sleep in the back comfortably while snowboarding on the weekends.

For the sleeping part, I purchased a zero degree bag from backcountry.com and it keeps me plenty warm. I just need to be comfy at night and a place to stow my gear.

I took some photos of what I've done and I'll try to update this thread as I go. Please leave any ideas you have for me, but keep in mind that this is a part time project and I live in the city so I am without a garage unless I drive out to borrow a friend's in the sub-burbs. So, nothing too intense.

Canopy #1

Found a canopy for free on craigslist for small trucks, in pretty poor condition but you get what you pay for. Picked it up, tied it down and drove it to my parents' house to restore it. It wasn't the color of the truck so I sanded, primed and painted it with that black spray bed-liner from the auto store. I had planned on mounting a rack on top for the boards.





Since I was painting anyways, I pulled off the tailgate and did that too. There's no bed-liner so the back is pretty gnarly.



Replaced the small broken window behind the driver with some acrylic and tinted the side/rear windows. All done! Mounted it on the back of the pickup and.... an inch too short.



Canopy #2

Found another camper on craigslist for $50.



This one actually fits. It's dark blue but it's not too far off from the black to stick out so I'm leaving it for the time being. I can't mount a rack on the aluminum, so I had to figure another way to transport my gear.



Sleeping Area

Installed a generic sleeping platform you can see around the web. I had hoped that the sandbags would have fit one either side of the wheel wells, but no such luck. I did however use the space on the front to store chains and other equipment. The sandbags in the center do help to prevent the snowboards from sliding around in the back. Up top is just carpet pad under carpet remnants I picked up for free.




Test #1

Headed down to Crystal Mountain for a few days. Great snow!

PROS:

• Maximum area to sleep
• Very comfortable
• Easy to stow gear

CONS:

• Lacks head room
• Condencation build up on the ceiling (need ventilation)
• Windows allow a lot of light in at night
• Difficult to enter/exit

nifty idea..I know they make tents ecspecially for the back of trucks..seen them around the web before..the real question is..what if you have to poop? lol

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2003 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L V6, auto, electric everything..work in progress.

mods: 4" wNp spindles, 2" shackles, 2" blocks, 31s.

you'll save money on hotel rooms with your setup. You might get some ventilation from opening the rear slidder a little, maybe tape up some posters or foil on the windows to keep out the night light. I know what you mean about enter, exit, & head room, from when I had a F-150 with shell...

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Try to get er done before you crash for the night, and have a piss jug handy...lol

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2007 FX4 LEVEL II
5-spd manual, enough said...
U.S. Air Force Veteran 1973-79 "AMMO"

they sell toilet that mount in a hitch. You just poop and it falls in a bag


Perhaps tinting the topper windows and adding dark curtains will help with the sunlight.

Nice build.

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Hi Andy, that looks cold in the middle of a snowy night.

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2007 FX4 LEVEL II
5-spd manual, enough said...
U.S. Air Force Veteran 1973-79 "AMMO"

LOL at the toilet..but, I guess if ya gotta go, ya gotta go..

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2003 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L V6, auto, electric everything..work in progress.

mods: 4" wNp spindles, 2" shackles, 2" blocks, 31s.

i imagine its a little bit warmer than my homemade tent i use for deer hunting

nice build

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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

personally, I would just use one half of the bed for sleeping, same elevated structure you have now, but over one wheel well. this makes it easier to get in and out of, and more storage.

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Tip: Dual Exhaust system comes straight out the back near the hitch, when its cold, just start the truck and instant heat

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I saw it on TOP GEAR UK

Remote starter, exhaust heater going, all set. Your right about the hitch crapper, in wilderness areas ya can't leave anything behind

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2007 FX4 LEVEL II
5-spd manual, enough said...
U.S. Air Force Veteran 1973-79 "AMMO"

The poo is under control. At the end of the day we hang out in the bar and use the facilities before we head to the trucks to sleep. I also keep a plastic container in case I have to piss in the middle of the night. Which I did.

Also, I thought about a tent but I didn't think it would be able to hold up to the weight of snow or winds.

ah cool cool..in addition to the tents, they also have air mattresses cut to fit in truck beds, if you ever want to splurge..

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2003 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L V6, auto, electric everything..work in progress.

mods: 4" wNp spindles, 2" shackles, 2" blocks, 31s.

that limits storage space though.

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storage<comfort, imo haha

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2003 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L V6, auto, electric everything..work in progress.

mods: 4" wNp spindles, 2" shackles, 2" blocks, 31s.