Skip the Tent: Why Hiking with a Trunk Bed Platform is the Smarter Way to Camp

Let’s be honest—after a long hike, the last thing you want to do is wrestle with tent poles, wet fabric, and muddy stakes. If you’ve ever camped in the backcountry with a tent, you know the drill: wake up to heavy dew, wait for your tent to dry (or pack it up damp), and spend precious time packing gear before you can hit the trail again.

With a car camping conversion kit like Teraglide’s Platform Bed, your entire experience changes—for the better.

Pack Up in Seconds, Not Hours

One of the most overlooked time-wasters in traditional camping is breaking down the tent.

• Morning condensation? Always.

• No sun? That tent stays wet.

• No time? Now you’re packing it soaked and risking mold.

With a Teraglide trunk bed, there’s no such problem. Your sleeping setup stays dry and secure inside the car. When it’s time to go, simply fold the platform, stash your bedding, and drive off—it literally takes under a minute.

Want to see how quickly our system works? Read: Fast & Easy: Set Up Your Teraglide Sleeping Platform in Minutes

Sleep Safer, Store Smarter

Let’s talk safety. Leaving gear inside a tent is always a risk—animals might poke around, and theft, while rare, isn’t unheard of in more trafficked campsites.

With Teraglide:

• Your gear stays locked and protected in your car.

• You can camp legally in many areas where tent camping isn’t allowed.

• You sleep knowing your things are safe and dry.

Families especially love this. Learn how we help them feel secure in Adventuring with Kids: Family-Friendly Car Camping Tips

More Time for Coffee. Less Time for Cleanup.

When your entire campsite is already inside your vehicle, you get to enjoy the parts of hiking that matter—sunrises, coffee, and the trail—not folding up wet gear.

Imagine:

• Waking up at 5 AM to catch a mountain sunrise.

• Not spending 30 minutes packing.

• Just folding your bedding, closing the trunk, and heading out.

Now that is freedom.

And You’re Not Alone

Car camping is booming. According to Statista, more than 22 million people in the U.S. went car camping in 2023—and the number keeps rising. Why? Because people are realizing that with the right gear, your car becomes the best basecamp you could ask for.

The Takeaway: Less Stress, More Trail Time

With a car camping platform bed, there’s no tent to dry, no poles to stuff, no muddy flysheet to shake out. Just you, your vehicle, and the trail.

So next time you’re planning a hiking weekend, ask yourself:

Do you want to spend your morning drying canvas or sipping coffee at the trailhead?

Discover the gear that changes the game.

Explore our trunk bed platforms and car camping kits today.