I have a friend who has slept in a camper shell for several years. She has
made a nice bed across the front and still has room enough to move around
comfortably without unloading half the truck. I think it is much less
hassle than putting up a tent and helps keep your stuff dry.
I slept in the open back of a '56 Chevy pick-up for years, and finally moved
up in the world a few years ago when I bought an old pick-up with an old cab
-over camper. There is no furnace and only an ice box, but it was such a
step up from the old Chev that I still feel like I'm in the lap of luxury,
since I can stand up to get dressed and I can heat up water for hot
chocolate, etc.
Besides holding the ride near a Holiday Inn, I think it would be nice if
there were sturdy corrals for the "kids". <g>