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And I don't mean a pooper. ![Laughing :lol: :lol:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Last fall I had a really great experience sleeping on a cot in the bed of my my M35A2.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?161052-Utah-offroad-trip-to-5-mile-pass
![2016-10-22 08.22.54_crop.jpg 2016-10-22 08.22.54_crop.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454139-36c862857ea0ce2364bfc1408ac20ab3.jpg)
Of course I want to improve that experience!
What I'm working on is to create a sort of cargo bed end that will act like a tent flap. Currently, the cargo cover just doesn't reach far enough to close the last 10 inches of the bed:
![2017-02-05 16.12.41.jpg 2017-02-05 16.12.41.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454141-a1ef0897f54881902dde2b90ff3ac055.jpg)
So I have purchased from Oshkosh Equipment, at what I consider nominal costs, two NOS green vinyl end curtains for the 3-piece cargo cover. I will have one of the end curtains cut to extend the length of the other so it'll reach past the bottom of the bed, and maybe a little additional added to the lower sides if necessary. I'm thinking a number of magnets placed on the bottom (and/or bottom sides) of the new end curtain will hold the bottom against the bed - perhaps even have the magnets sewn into place too. I'll have buttons added around the insides of the window so a screen can be easily snapped into place to help keep bugs out if more ventilation is needed. Then a long zipper added to about where the crease is to the left of the window (and maybe a second zipper on an inner screen, just like a tent) - though the zipper may need to form a crescent from top to bottom to provide better access.
http://www.oshkoshequipment.com/products/detail/68/213/Vinyl-Cargo-Cover-End-Curtains
![2017-02-05 16.35.08.jpg 2017-02-05 16.35.08.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454143-d68f3a3b3365e738efed8aa4f07f2c3a.jpg)
I'll need to think more about the zippered window on the front of the 1-piece cargo cover, as it would be nice to have a bug screen on it too.
To top it all off, the tailgate would be maintained in the horizontal position (like pictured above), and a rectangular tarp attached to the last bow as well, but under the current 1-piece cargo cover. The rectangular tarp would extend out and be held up by telescoping poles (5' or 7' extended) anchored by aluminum stakes and paracord would provide a rear awning. Here's the poles that I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival:
(Note: Just in case someone goes looking, the below pictures were borrowed from an eBay auction with the most expensive listing for these tent poles, I didn't actually buy from that seller.)
![telescoping_tent_pole_02.jpg telescoping_tent_pole_02.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454146-33e1aae23a3fbdf6290fd23cd48329d5.jpg)
Muddy boots could be left on the tailgate outside the "deuce tent", covered from inclement weather and be reasonably safer from critters and creepy crawlies making a home in them overnight. Bonus is that, without having finalized measurements, this tarp awning may just cover my Pioneer Tool Trailer kitchen and sink project:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?150408-Rescued-a-Pioneer-Tool-Trailer-from-the-Scrapper
![Laughing :lol: :lol:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Last fall I had a really great experience sleeping on a cot in the bed of my my M35A2.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?161052-Utah-offroad-trip-to-5-mile-pass
![2016-10-22 08.26.48.jpg 2016-10-22 08.26.48.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/444/444431-d54ea01652a465f937c9a0ae47c499e6.jpg)
![2016-10-22 08.27.13.jpg 2016-10-22 08.27.13.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/444/444434-9514dd8edf946cac58e74999f9f302bf.jpg)
![2016-10-22 08.27.35.jpg 2016-10-22 08.27.35.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/444/444436-4d1732648f923a83565bafce666a9281.jpg)
![2016-10-22 08.22.54_crop.jpg 2016-10-22 08.22.54_crop.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454139-36c862857ea0ce2364bfc1408ac20ab3.jpg)
Of course I want to improve that experience!
What I'm working on is to create a sort of cargo bed end that will act like a tent flap. Currently, the cargo cover just doesn't reach far enough to close the last 10 inches of the bed:
![2017-02-05 16.12.24.jpg 2017-02-05 16.12.24.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454140-b1a54ab98bf354fcb31924ead6a151e9.jpg)
![2017-02-05 16.12.41.jpg 2017-02-05 16.12.41.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454141-a1ef0897f54881902dde2b90ff3ac055.jpg)
So I have purchased from Oshkosh Equipment, at what I consider nominal costs, two NOS green vinyl end curtains for the 3-piece cargo cover. I will have one of the end curtains cut to extend the length of the other so it'll reach past the bottom of the bed, and maybe a little additional added to the lower sides if necessary. I'm thinking a number of magnets placed on the bottom (and/or bottom sides) of the new end curtain will hold the bottom against the bed - perhaps even have the magnets sewn into place too. I'll have buttons added around the insides of the window so a screen can be easily snapped into place to help keep bugs out if more ventilation is needed. Then a long zipper added to about where the crease is to the left of the window (and maybe a second zipper on an inner screen, just like a tent) - though the zipper may need to form a crescent from top to bottom to provide better access.
http://www.oshkoshequipment.com/products/detail/68/213/Vinyl-Cargo-Cover-End-Curtains
![2017-02-05 15.59.31.jpg 2017-02-05 15.59.31.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454142-8c3dbb04eb7fb4e671cb1848a9f1407e.jpg)
![2017-02-05 16.34.46.jpg 2017-02-05 16.34.46.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454144-e26453aed39abb785a81e89ff51a50bb.jpg)
![2017-02-05 16.35.08.jpg 2017-02-05 16.35.08.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454143-d68f3a3b3365e738efed8aa4f07f2c3a.jpg)
I'll need to think more about the zippered window on the front of the 1-piece cargo cover, as it would be nice to have a bug screen on it too.
To top it all off, the tailgate would be maintained in the horizontal position (like pictured above), and a rectangular tarp attached to the last bow as well, but under the current 1-piece cargo cover. The rectangular tarp would extend out and be held up by telescoping poles (5' or 7' extended) anchored by aluminum stakes and paracord would provide a rear awning. Here's the poles that I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival:
(Note: Just in case someone goes looking, the below pictures were borrowed from an eBay auction with the most expensive listing for these tent poles, I didn't actually buy from that seller.)
![telescoping_tent_pole_01.jpg telescoping_tent_pole_01.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454145-c77c959a4e3db0e1540d6d199cdb7961.jpg)
![telescoping_tent_pole_02.jpg telescoping_tent_pole_02.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/454/454146-33e1aae23a3fbdf6290fd23cd48329d5.jpg)
Muddy boots could be left on the tailgate outside the "deuce tent", covered from inclement weather and be reasonably safer from critters and creepy crawlies making a home in them overnight. Bonus is that, without having finalized measurements, this tarp awning may just cover my Pioneer Tool Trailer kitchen and sink project:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?150408-Rescued-a-Pioneer-Tool-Trailer-from-the-Scrapper
Last edited: