Trucks are great. You can drive them anywhere and they’re perfect as family vehicles, for off-roading and they make for a sturdy everyday driver that can last for decades and then some. Most trucks have extended or short cabs into which you can install short or long beds. To help you find the best truck bed tent, we’ve tested quite a few, which meant taking out the truck for a spin multiple times so it was lots of fun.
Best Truck Tents for Camping
Camping with a truck is one of the best ways to conveniently enjoy the outdoors without having to erect a regular-sized traditional tent. And contrary to popular belief, truck bed tents are surprisingly comfortable.
With that said, here are the best truck tents for your camping adventure:
1. Rightline Gear Truck Tent
The Rightline Gear truck tent is uniquely designed to accommodate up to two adults and keep dirt off. It features a floorless design for effortless setup and it only takes about 20 minutes to install.
In fact, after doing it for the first time, you’ll find that it’s so easy that you can practically do it in the dark. The poles and pole pockets are color-coded for your convenience and it comes with a rainfly as well to keep the rain out in inclement weather.
But, the bed tent’s weather resistance doesn’t stop there. It’s actually made from a water-resistant material with tape-sealed seams to keep you both dry and comfortable temperature-wise.
2. Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent
Next up we’ve got the Kodiak Canvas Tent. This is one sturdy and well-made tent as it’s constructed from one of the most reliable tent-making materials around canvas.
It’s thick and durable enough to handle regular use as well as difficult weather conditions such as rain, hard winds, and heavy snowfall. Part of what makes it suitable as a year-round tent is the fact that it’s made with a durable steel tube frame.
It’s also relatively spacious thanks to its tunnel design which means that you can actually stand inside of this tent. Then there’s the tailgate down design which offers even more space while five windows offer ample ventilation for your needs as well as an additional cab access window that gives you outdoor access whenever necessary.
Not only that, but this tent can be pretty warm and comfortable which means that you can use it in cold weather conditions as well. It definitely feels comfortable no matter what the weather is outside.
3. Napier Backroadz Truck Tent
Here we have the Napier Backroadz truck tent which is specifically designed for avid campers. Just like the previous model, it’s super easy to set up due to its lightweight, shock-corded fiberglass poles which you’ll find are a dream to work with.
However, due to being lightweight, these poles make this a fair-weather tent which means that it won’t fare well in harsh winds and will mostly work in warm weather and maybe a little breeze.
The good news is that this tent provides a pretty decent shelter against rainy conditions as it comes with a detachable rainfly that you can use as a cover whenever necessary. This is in addition to a storm flap door which ups the ante in terms of protection while providing you with some modicum of privacy in the process.
Another shining feature of this tent is just how roomy it is. It’s large enough to comfortably fit two grown adults and their gear and you can even stand up inside of it!
4. Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III
This is the largest tent for truck on this list, weighing 20 pounds with its own full floor. The Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III is also particularly suitable for trucks like the Chevy Avalanche and Escalade EXT.
It comes with a lot of cool features, like a roll-down window at the back that allows you to access the cab, while its floor design is designed to prevent moisture and rain leaks from getting into the floor.
With that said, there have been complaints about this tent’s floor being saggy and that it’s prone to the fragility that can affect your bed and gear.
The great thing about this tent is the fact that it’s designed for use across three seasons as it’s made from durable tent fabric and sturdy poles. It also comes with a 1200mm Polyurethane coated polyester rainfly to protect you from the rain.
5. Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent for Camping
In case you find the Sportz truck tent a bit out of your budget, consider the Guide Gear Truck tent as an alternative.
It’s the best truck bed tent for anyone shopping on a budget and it comes with plenty of positive reviews to back it up.
It has a simple design that’s easy to set up and although it doesn’t have a lot of extra features it is comfortable to sleep on and you’ll definitely feel right at home sleeping overnight in this.
6. DAC Full-Size Truck Tent
This is one of the largest truck bed tents on this list but we’re especially impressed by its unique design. It’s designed as a cap tent which means that it’s only compatible with trucks that are already fitted with a camper or topper. This tent is also designed to help you use your truck’s tailgate space to greater effect while protecting you from rainfall.
In case you’re wondering, the DAC is compatible with Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks from 2005 and beyond, F-150s, Chevy Silverado’s, and Tundras as well. And of course, you know what that means, you can fit an entire full-sized bed in there.
This truck tent is also super easy to set up as all you have to do is drop the tailgate and allow the existing topper to hold the tent. Then, from beneath the wheel wells, you can attach the tent to the truck body using the provided bungee cords.
This tent is surprisingly lightweight at only 5 pounds, considering its size and this is all thanks to the fact that it doesn’t come with poles and doesn’t need them for installation either. But its small size does mean that you’ll need to lay out a tarp to place your mattress on as this tent is sans floor. It’s also worth noting that it comes with a single ventilation source and that is an extremely wide door that lets plenty of air in.
7. Offroading Gear Bed Tent
Another tent that deserves to be called the best truck bed tent is the Granville II model with a waterproof floor.
It’s well ventilated with 3 privacy mesh windows as well as a rear access window so that you can access the outdoors effortlessly.
Each window comes with a heavy-duty zip so that you can open and close them at will regardless of whether or not you’ve installed the removable rainfly.
Another great thing about this tent is the fact that it’s super easy to set up thanks to its color-coded poles, scratch-free clips, and elasticized straps.
8. Quictent Waterproof Truck Tent
The Quictent waterproof model is a good option if you want a combination of affordability and durability.
As the name implies, this tent is totally waterproof as it’s constructed from 2000mm thick fabric with a polyurethane tent floor that’s protected by sealed seams to completely keep rainwater out.
This tent is also pretty versatile and can fit in any sized tent. In fact, it’s designed to fit different truck bed sizes from 5.5 to 5.8 feet in size while beds measuring 6.4 to 6.7 feet are catered for with a similar model from the company.
This tent has a height of 63 inches providing enough headroom for you to be able to stand inside the tent, while the extendable awning will keep you nice and cool when barbecuing outside or you can use it as an entrance so that you have a spot to remove your shoes when going into the tent. In terms of dimensions, this tent is 48” x 48” which makes it compact and easy to work with.
How to Pick the Best Truck Bed Tent
Well, now you know what the best truck bed tents are, it’s time to check out the variables that we considered as our checklist when doing our review of each option.
Setup
First, make sure that your tent is easy to install and dismantle once you’re finished using it.
You should ideally read the instructions and even test setting it up before you leave the house so that you have the whole process down pat by the time you get to your camping site.
Note that truck tents are different from ground tents, especially when it comes to their setup. Truck tents are set up using detachable straps hooked onto the exterior of your truck, while ground tents use stakes and guy lines to keep them stable.
Size
It’s understandable that when most people get a truck tent, they want to use it immediately. But as any experienced camper will tell you, it’s best to test your tent out at home first just to give it a test drive.
Also, make sure that your tent is large enough to accommodate two people at the same time and if you plan on camping with more than two people then you might want to consider a larger family-sized ground tent instead.
Material
The best and most common materials that are used to make truck bed tents include canvas, polyester, and nylon.
Each material has its own merits and downfalls so it all depends on what you plan to do with our truck bed tent and where you plan on taking it.
Both polyester and nylon are lightweight and made from synthetic materials. They also dry quickly when exposed to water or moisture so they’re unlikely to grow mildew. On the other hand, nylon is more breathable and sturdier than polyester in comparison.
Then you have canvas which is a natural material that is not only weatherproof but eco-friendly, breathable, and long-lasting. All of this comes at a price of course, as canvas tents are usually heavy-duty and take more time to dry after exposure to rain or moisture so they’re more prone to mildew.
Rating
Most people opt for 3 and 4 season truck tents because they’re just more reliable in different weather conditions.
In case you’re wondering, a 3-season tent is designed for use in the spring, summer, and easily fall, while a 4-season tent is suitable for year-round use and can stand up to any weather conditions brought on by the different seasons.
Ventilation
Another important feature to consider when shopping for a truck tent is to ensure that it’s going to be well-ventilated and breathable.
There should be enough air flowing in the tent to prevent condensation from accumulating. It’s also much easier to sleep and be comfortable when you’re in a breathable bed tent.
Versatility
You want to make sure that your tent is compatible with your truck in terms of size and design.
Each truck model has a different size bed so it’s important to do your due diligence about this feature.
With that said, there are truck bed tents that are suitable for all types of trucks but they are rare and it’s best to ensure that your tent is compatible with the dimensions of your truck bed.
Waterproof
It’s also important to make sure that your truck tent is water-resistant or even waterproof so that you don’t end up with a leaky tent once it starts raining outside.
Luckily, there’s a waterproof rating that’s provided by manufacturers to give you an idea of how waterproof your tent is. This rating starts at 1000mm and the higher the number, the more waterproof your tent is.
However, it doesn’t matter how waterproof your tent is. You should also place a rainfly on top of the tent to provide extra protection.
Other Features
There are certain features that add to the tent’s practicality including things like a gear port, storage pockets, wire ports, cab access, door flats, and a built-in floor.
These features can be real game-changers when it comes to ensuring that you actually enjoy your trip. Remember that if your truck bed does come with a floor, then this will take up a lot of space so you won’t be able to place anything there.
What Are Truck Bed Tents?
Ever since trucks were invented, they’ve been an integral part of many adventures.
Whether taking them on family camping trips or using them to stargaze on a clear night, a truck can be the most beautiful destination in the world and yet also the simplest and most accessible.
In fact, as kids, many of us would place pillows and blankets on our parents’ or grandparents’ trucks to enjoy the outdoors, gaze at the stars and create an incredible destination from which to enjoy nature.
Now, truck bed tents add to the freedom and adventure that having a truck provides in that you can now sleep comfortably in your truck and take the adventure with you everywhere.
You can simply set up a nice air mattress, blankets, and pillows in your truck and start exploring the world around you.
Final Thoughts
If we were to pick one option as the best truck bed tent out of them all, it would be the Rightline Gear Truck Tent. It’s super easy to set up and can withstand moisture and condensation.
It’s also very comfortable to be in and can handle harsh winds while being well-ventilated enough to keep you comfortable in hot weather conditions.