Things You'll Need:
- Soft padding
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Tarp
- Mesh screen
- Bungee cords
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Step 1
Line the bottom of the bed with padding or soft blankets. The first priority when sleeping in the wilderness is comfort. Adding foam or egg-crate material is a wonderful way to soften things up, but a few thick blankets or sleeping bags can also be used. Sweep the bed out before laying padding down to ensure a long, clean life from the soft material.
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Step 2
Provide a top cover for the bed. A tarp can be spread across the bed rails and secured with bungee cords for a tight fit. A tarp may tend to sag in the middle if it is raining or snowing out and may require periodically pushing up on it to free the tarp of water of snow. Also recommended is to use a new tarp each time you camp to ensure there is no damage such as holes or tears in it, which would allow the elements in. Another idea is the addition of a camper shell, which would provide the maximum protection for campers in any type of weather.
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Step 3
Line the tailgate area with mesh material. The material referred to usually comes in black and resembles a screen, such as that found on windows and doors. In this manner, any campers in the bed of the truck are protected from insects and animals as well as the elements, while still allowing a breeze and fresh air inside the camp area. The material can be found at numerous places, such as hardware stores, some fabric shops or auto parts stores.
