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Pickup trucks come in many shapes and sizes and they can be used for a wide variety of activities. But truck bed tent camping is becoming very popular and for good reason!
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The advantages of truck bed tents.
- Important features to consider when buying.
- A detailed review of the top 10 truck bed tents.
If you are looking for a tent for your truck bed, we hope our in-depth reviews help you find the best tent for your camping needs.
What Is a Truck Bed Tent?
Truck bed tents are exactly what they sound like. They are tents that you install and set up in the bed of your pickup truck. They can typically hold up to two or three people with the protection of a tent over the top.
There are many people that like to use truck bed tents as a comfortable alternative to traditional tents that you would set up on the ground. Since they are elevated and off the ground, you have a lower risk of getting wet or invaded by curious wildlife. They are also easier to set up because you do not need to worry about hammering them into the ground.
The biggest appeal of truck bed tents is that you are essentially taking the campsite with you. They are very portable, and they increase your packing space. With different tent designs for various truck types, anyone with a pickup truck can enjoy this less extreme version of camping.
Our Top 10 Truck Bed Tent Picks
- TOP PICK: Napier Backroadz Truck Tent – Many sizes
- Rightline Gear – Many sizes
- Sportz Truck Bed Tent – Many sizes
- Backroadz Camo Truck Tent – Many sizes
- North East Harbor Pickup Truck Tent – Many sizes
- MNJWS Truck Bed Tent – Short bed trucks
- Kariyee Truck Tent – Long Bed
- Napier Compact Regular Truck Bed Tent – Compact regular beds
- Sportz Avalanche Truck Bed Tent III – For Chevy Avalanche
- Guide Gear Full Size Truck Bed Tent – For full size beds
Read on for in-depth reviews on each of these awesome truck bed tents.
4 Advantages of Truck Bed Tents
1. You Aren’t Sleeping on the Ground
There are two big advantages to sleeping up off the ground – you will stay dry and you will have fewer spiders and insects under your tent!
2. You Can Camp Almost Anywhere
One of the best things about a truck bed tent is that you can camp wherever you can get to in your truck!
3. Truck Bed Tents are Easy to Set Up and Break Down
Not only are truck bed tents easy to set up and take down, but they are also easy to store! And they are very light so they don’t add unwanted weight to your pickup truck.
4. Wide Variety of truck Bed Tents
There are many shapes and sizes of truck bed tents so you will be able to find a tent that is perfect for you!
5 Features to Consider When Buying a Truck Bed Tent
Even if you are a seasoned RVer, you might not be familiar with what to look for in the best truck bed tents. What you want in an RV will not be the same as what you want in one of these tents.
There is a wide selection of products for you to choose from, so you might have trouble narrowing down the choices. To help you, we have put together a list of some simple features to look for in your truck bed tents.
1. Shape
Since trucks come in all shapes and sizes, you need to be very aware of the shape of the truck bed tents you are looking at. The last thing you want is to purchase a tent only to find out that it is not compatible with your vehicle.
The first type of tent you can get is an A-framed truck tent. These tents are common and are considered by many to be the most basic shape. They are built for two or three people, and it does not provide a lot of headroom. However, it does pack down small, leaving you plenty of room to pack a few extra things.
Umbrella shaped truck bed tents are also popular, but these ones have a lot of support because they provide campers with a lot of headroom. Despite that, they still provide you with space for your equipment.
Unfortunately, these truck bed tents do not come with a floor. They do have tall, spacious entryways, large windows, and tough screens. These tents will give you a great view along with some room to breathe. Installation is also easy, and the shape will assume itself.
You can also get a dome shaped truck bed tent as they have become very popular in recent years. The popularity of this type of tent comes from its flexible, durable poles and versatile shaping. They are also easy to set up, and they come with light walls, a rain fly, and interior support.
Finally, you can purchase hatchback truck bed tents. They are slightly different from classic truck bed tents because they are designed to use on small SUVs or other cars with hatchback trunks, as opposed to a truck bed.
2. Size
Size is a very important factor to consider when looking at the best truck bed tents on the market. The size of pickup trucks can vary significantly so you will need a tent that fits your truck. Many truck bed tents have universal sizing, but it is still important to take accurate measurements and check the details of the tent before you purchase it.
3. Installation
If you are not as familiar with how to put up a tent, you will want to get one that is easy to install. All truck bed tents come with instructions that will outline how to set them up, and most of them will be easy to install. However, you will still want to make sure you are not purchasing a complex tent if that is not something you are comfortable with.
4. Floors
Although floors are a fixture of traditional tents, they are not always a part of truck bed tents. Floors close off your tent entirely, helping keep bugs out of your sleeping area. However, some people prefer tents without a floor because it lets them use a dedicated truck bed mattress which may not fit inside all tents.
5. Material and Windows
When you are looking for one of the best truck bed tents on the market, you will want to look for one that uses quality materials. Although some of the cheaper options might be appealing, they are usually less expensive because they use low quality materials.
As a result, they will not last as long. To avoid needing to replace your tent, you should look for one that is made of sturdy waterproof polyester or canvas material.
Additionally, you will want a tent that has screen windows. This will help bring light into your tent, and it will help significantly with airflow. This is especially helpful in the winter months when it gets very hot.
The 10 Best Truck Bed Tents for Camping
Finding the best truck bed tents on the market can be difficult. There are several things for you to look for and keeping track of all those things can be exhausting. To help you, we have assembled a list of 10 of the best truck bed tents currently on the market.
1. Napier Backroadz Truck Tents
The first of the 10 truck bed tents we will be looking at is the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent. It comes with two large mesh windows that help significantly with ventilation and airflow.
You will also find that it has a large interior area with ample headroom. The center height is measured at 58 to 62 inches. Additionally, the tent has a full rainfly cover which provides ultimate weather protection, along with additional storm flaps covering the windows and doors.
Furthermore, the tent comes with a color coded pole and sleeve, which makes assembly take less than 10 minutes. You will also be able to rest easy as the tent provides ample protection from the critters that might come knocking in the forest.
Moreover, purchasing one of these truck bed tents from Napier has humanitarian benefits. When you purchase one of these truck bed tents, a tree will be planted through Napier’s partnership with Trees for the Future.
2. Rightline Gear Truck Tents
When you purchase one of these truck bed tents from Rightline Gear, you will be able to cut down on set up time. You can set up the tent without removing your gear from the bed. It also has quality materials that are waterproof.
It has water resistant fabric with tape sealed seams that will keep you dry. Additionally, the tent’s heavy duty straps and nylon buckles will not damage your truck’s finish.
This tent comes with a sky view vent which will let more light in and give you better views of the stars. This also helps with the tent’s ventilation. Two people can comfortably sleep in the tent at a time. You will also be happy to hear that this tent is easy to install thanks to its color coded poles and pole pockets.
Finally, the truck comes with a one year warranty. So, you can shop confidently knowing that if you have any issues early on, you can have the tent replaced.
3. Sportz Truck Tent
This Sportz truck bed tent is roomy and can sleep up to two people with ease. It has over 5.6 feet of headroom and is the only truck tent on the market with a sewn in floor. It has a large rear access panel that allows you to access the truck’s cab for extra storage while the large entrance door, two mesh windows, and side vents allow for great ventilation.
When you install this tent, you will quickly find out that there is no need for guide ropes. The 4’ x 4’ shade awning secures to the tailgate, allowing it to be set up anywhere you want. Finally, the tent comes with strap protectors that provide your truck with a little extra protection against the tent’s straps.
4. Backroadz Camo Truck Tent
This Backroadz Camo Truck Bed Tent comes with two large windows to help optimize your ventilation. You will be glad to have them when it is heating up in the middle of the summer. The interior is quite large, and you will have ample headroom.
Furthermore, the tent comes with a full rainfly which provides ultimate weather protection, along with additional storm flaps to cover the windows and doors.
5. North East Harbor Pickup Truck Bed Camping Tent
The North East Harbor Truck Bed Camping Tent is another one of the best truck bed tents on the market. It creates the perfect off-the-ground campsite in the back of your open bed pickup truck. It will keep you clean and dry as it features a full tent floor that will protect you from the elements.
The tent has a two person sleeping capacity. It also has a gear pocket to help stow your phone, glasses, wallet, and keys. Finally, this truck bed tent fits full size pickup trucks with short bed lengths. An ideal length is somewhere from 66 to 70 inches.
6. MNJWS Short Bed Truck Camping Tent
Another one of the best truck bed tents on the market is the MNJWS truck bed tent for 5.5-6ft truck beds. This product is made of high quality 210D oxford polyester with PU2000mm water resistant coating.
It is durable and great at protecting you from any type of bad weather. The poles are 8.5mm fiberglass which is resistant to corrosion. The poles are slotted and marked with colors for a super easy setup.
Additionally, this product comes with two big mesh windows on both sides of the tent. This will allow a nice breeze to go through the tent, keeping you comfortable on hot summer days. The tent also has an approximate center height of 60 inches, providing you with plenty of space to stay comfortable.
Furthermore, the tent comes with a full tent floor to keep the whole room clean and absent of dust or dirt. The tent is also easy to install, and it comes with a carrying bag, making storing the tent easy.
7. Kariyee Waterproof Double Layer Truck Tent
This Waterproof Double Layer Truck Bed Camping Tent from Kariyee is another one of the best truck bed tents on the market. The tent comes with two large, mesh windows that offer optimal ventilation for campers. It is also designed to fit a full sized long bed. You should measure your bed with the tailgate closed to see if it fits.
Inside the tent, you will have ample headroom as the center height is somewhere from 59 to 62 inches. Full rainfly provides ultimate protection, along with additional storm flaps covering the windows and doors.
Set up should not be an issue as a color coded pole and sleeve makes assembly take less than 10 minutes. Additionally, the superior ripstop grade material is very durable and long lasting. The tent also features a lantern hook and inside storage pocket, allowing you to stay up way past the time where the sun goes down.
Finally, the product comes with a sewn in floor which should help keep dirt and dust out of your sleeping area.
8. Napier Compact Regular for Compact Regular Truck Beds
This Compact Regular Bed Truck Bed Tent from Napier is one of the best truck bed tents on the market and fits truck beds from 6 feet to 6.2 feet in length.
It is one of the only truck bed tents with a patented sewn in floor. It has a large interior area with over 5.6 feet of headroom. You will find that it also has two side vents and two large windows which will help optimize ventilation and air flow.
There is a rear access door that lets you access the truck cab for additional storage. The color coded pole and sleeve system helps make set up fast and efficiently.
9. Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III for Chevy Avalanche
The Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III is roomy and has plenty of space for two people to sleep. There is over 5.5 feet of headroom, and it has a sewn in floor. This tent is made specifically for Chevy Avalanche trucks.
The polls are color coded to make setup fast and easy. Additionally, there is one large entrance door and one rear access door that let you enter the truck’s cab through the tent.
Finally, the tent comes with two interior packets, a gear loft, and a carry bag for storage.
10. Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent
The final product on our list, the Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent is the best truck bed tent! This truck bed camping tent has a zipper close which should help keep insects out of your sleeping area.
The poles are made of fiberglass, and the tent has a rounded shape. You should easily be able to fit two people in this tent at a time.
So, if you are a traveling couple, then this is an excellent option for you.
Prepare for Your Next Trip with One of the Best Truck Bed Tents on the Market
After reading, we hope you have all the information you need to figure out what the best truck bed tents are for you. We know there is a lot of information to absorb, but it should all be helpful as you get closer to a decision.
If you are interested in simplistic camping, getting a truck bed tent is a great choice. It lets you travel light, so you can go to as many places as you want with ease. However, it is where you will be sleeping, so you will want to make sure that you take your time making this purchase.
The last thing you want is to get a product that makes sleeping a nightmare. So, look around, make sure you find a few great options, and then try to narrow it down from there. If you pick the right tent, you will have a truck bed tent to camp with for years to come.
Are you interested in any of the truck bed tents listed above? Have you ever used a truck bed tent before? Where do you plan on visiting after you purchase a tent? Let us know in the comments!
