I know we are in the new millennium and you might think that fancy RV's, Mega Resorts and flying place to place is the only way to go?? I hope you have a big bank account. There are a lot of great places to visit that are very close to campgrounds. If you are just on vacation for a week or two, then maybe time to get back to the basics.

First thing to consider, are you traveling by yourself or with a friend. If you are traveling with kids, then you might need to move up to small tent trailer or small travel trailer. Best to find one on Craigslist. You can do those on a very low budget. But if alone or with one other, the truck/van is a very good option.

So now you need to think what it is you have to have to be comfortable. For me, I needed a bed that was not on the ground. I also wanted to have a few comforts. If you don't mind sleeping on the ground, then maybe tent camping is good for you. Also I liked the idea of drawers for my clothes and shelves for supplies. So I went for a combo. Truck converted and then attached a tent to have more space and comfort.

But let's talk tent camping. You will need real protection from the weather and you should have enough room to move around in case you are waiting out a rain storm. Space for sleeping and space for sitting inside if required. There are so many tents on the market, slim bendable poles and small one room. Better to get online and check out options for tents with steel/aluminum poles that are as big around as your finger. The tent I had was easy to setup. You put 4 poles together for the roof and then stood up one pole on each corner and secured them. Simple and strong. So don't be in a hurry to you decide on just the right tent.

Better option is either a pickup with a camper shell or a van. You will have to look at older pickups since you want to have a 6 and a half foot bed or an 8 foot bed on the truck. I got a 2007 GMC Extended cab with 6 and a helf foot bed. In hindsight, I should have found a taller camper shell. My issue was that this was going to be my only vehicle and I wanted to be able to get into garages in town if I wanted to. Taller camper shells will not allow that, but makes it easier to sit up on the bed when in the truck.

If you get a van, then you do not need toworry about how high the shell will be and ou can make the bed a little further off the bed of van and still have space for sitting up while in bed. Also gives you a chance maybe to put a little insulation in the walls and make comfortable for camping. You could still have the tent to fit on the back of the van to extent your living area if you wanted to as well. Also a little more actual space in the vehicle for your camping and confort shile camping.

I was Camping In Kansas in the truck with tent attached. I put small solar panel on hood to help keep battery charged when I was using phone charger and other 12 volts stuff.

If traveling alone, it is better to have bed down the side of vehicle and shelves down other side. If you need to have a bed for two, then set the bed across the truck bed behind the cab. Then with drawers under you still have a little space for shelves on one side. I made my bed the size of a youth bed so I could use a real mattress. Then I used a full sheet and fitted it and made it like a pillow slip over the mattress so you have fewer issues keeping it made. The top sheet I safety pinned to the comforter and then it was easy to stay covered and make up the bed. No tucking or trying to reach under mattress or the other side of the bed.

After I made the inserts to my truck, I bought a cheap carpet and screwed it to the truck bed. For me I wanted 110v so I set a plug on the corner of the bed with cord long enough to reach outside a bit. Small camping approved generators are easy to use. Gives you coffee in the morning and I used electric skillet for cooking. There are some nice tents you can buy that will attach to the back of the truck. Increases your space, but when not attached can be a free standing tent as well.