Whether you are just getting into truck camping or are a longtime enthusiast, there is one piece of gear you never want to be without. A truck bed tent is essential if you want to enjoy camping and sleeping comfortably in your vehicle. These tents are designed to fit inside the bed of your truck. They allow multiple people to stretch out and sleep comfortably. Truck bed tents eliminate the need to locate a campsite and can be pitched in just a few minutes.
With a truck tent, you can essentially camp in any place that you are able to drive to, as long as the local laws permit it. These tents open up a whole new world of potential campsites. Ready to hit the open road? Let’s take a look at the five best truck bed tents.
The 5 Best Truck Bed Tents
5. Milliard Truck Tent
The Milliard Truck Tent is one of our favorite truck bed tents. The company is well-known for its durable products that also come at an affordable price.
The Milliard truck tent fits any bed measuring 6.5-feet, which includes the Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra, the Ford F Series, among others. The tent is constructed from durable ripstop-grade material that will last for years. Campers will love how easy the tent is to set up. It only takes a few minutes and you’re ready to sleep comfortably outside.
The tent floor is sewn in to keep mud and dirt out. It doesn’t matter how dirty your truck bed is, it will still be clean inside the tent. An attached fly keeps wind and rain out. When the weather is nice the mesh screens on the door and windows provide plenty of ventilation.
Millard’s 6.5-foot truck bed tent boasts privacy screens and an interior storage compartment. It is the perfect size to hold a smartphone, wallet, and keys. There is also an interior hook where you can hang a light.
Simple and easy to set up, the Millard truck tent is perfect for beginners and longtime campers. Best of all, its size fits a majority of the popular truck makes and models.
Pros and Cons
4. Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III
With room for two people, the Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III is a great choice for couples and friends that love to sleep out under the stars. It comes with over 5-feet of headroom so you can comfortably sit up inside. There are also dual storage pockets that give you plenty of space to store any personal gear.
What we like about the Sportz by Napier are the color-coded fiberglass poles. Setup is quick and easy, along with the takedown. It only takes a few minutes, even if it is your first time. There is also a convenient storage bag for the tent when you are not using it.
The tent is designed with a large entrance and smaller exit door. The rear door allows you to access the truck’s cab without going outside, which is an awesome feature. Along with being able to access the cab without going outside, the tent also comes with a shade awning. The six by six foot awning provides plenty of shade on hot days.
Ventilation and airflow inside the tent is great, even with two people sleeping inside. There are two large mesh windows and vents in the ceiling. In addition, there are two small windows on the tent floor, which also allow you to take advantage of the truck’s cargo lights when it is turned on.
The Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III features a durable construction, affordable price, and plenty of room for two adults.
Pros and Cons
3. Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent
There is a lot to like about the Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent, starting with its roomy footprint. The full-size tent can comfortably sleep two adults. Within minutes you can turn your truck bed into a camper.
It boasts a durable and water-resistant construction. The floor is polyethylene and the 190T polyester walls are resistant to water. You will be able to sleep dry and comfortable even in the rain. A large door provides easy access and you’ll love the ventilation from the mesh windows.
Storage is not a problem with the two interior pockets. The tent also comes with a carrying case for convenient storage.
Setting up this full-size truck tent is easy. There are only four poles. Within minutes you can have the tent up or back down and stored away. Guide Gear has designed their tent to be simple and easy to use. They want their customers to concentrate on fun and not the frustration of setting up a tent.
The Guide Gear tent fits most full-size pickup trucks, though you do want to measure the bed first. With durable construction and a large footprint, this full-size truck tent will keep you and a guest warm and comfortable through the night.
Pros and Cons
2. Sportz Truck Tent
When it comes to camping in a truck bed, it is hard to beat the Sportz Truck Tent. This blue and grey Sportz tent is large enough for two people. It also comes with plenty of convenient accessories.
You will appreciate the rear panel that opens into the truck cab. The panel allows you to enter the truck without leaving the tent, which is convenient if you need to quickly grab something or if it is raining outside.. A large front door allows for easy access, there are also 3 windows and side vents for ventilation.
Sportz designs its tents for durability and comfort. The tent floor is sewn in to prevent dirt and mud from getting in. An attached rainfly keeps wet weather out. The tent also comes with a four by four foot shade awning.
Like other two-person tents by Napier, this one boasts plenty of interior space. There is over five feet of headroom, so you can comfortably sit up. You will also appreciate how easy the tent is to set up, thanks to the color-coded poles.
Pros and Cons
1. Napier Backroadz Truck Tent
We are big fans of the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent and we are happy to recommend it. This tent has a few great features that make it stand out. It is incredibly easy to set up, has plenty of room, and comes in sizes designed to fit most size pickup trucks. It even fits in beds with liners and toolboxes.
You will love the roomy interior, it can comfortably fit two people. The tent features 5.6 feet of headroom, along with plenty of ventilation and air flow. There are mesh windows and ceiling vents so you won’t have to worry about stuffy sleeping quarters.
Like all truck bed tents by Napier, the Backroadz is also a breeze to put up and take down. It comes with color-coded poles that slide easily into the corresponding sleeves. If you are worried about getting wet, the attached rainfly will keep you warm and dry.
The Backroadz truck bed tent by Napier comes with everything you need to turn your truck bed into a campsite. It features a durable construction, spacious footprint, and is priced to fit most budgets. It is also available in several different sizes, so it will fit perfectly in most trucks.
Pros and Cons
Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Truck Bed Tent
Before you rush out and buy a tent for your truck bed, there are a few important aspects that you will want to consider.
Tent Size
One of the most important factors to consider is the size of the tent you need. The truck bed, along with your own height are a good way to determine the necessary size of the tent. Most top-rated truck bed tents are large enough for two people so the capacity is not typically an issue. We definitely recommend that you measure your truck bed before picking out a new tent.
Additionally, if you are considering a truck tent with an awning, you will want to check the size of your tailgate as well.
Alternatively, if you will be the only person sleeping in the tent, it may be cost-effective to consider opting for a one person camping tent.
Ventilation
Another important factor to consider is the ventilation and air flow. Even if you are the only one using the tent, the air inside will still get stale without proper air circulation. These days, most truck tents feature mesh windows and vents, which do a great job of circulating the air inside.
The number of windows, doors, and vents will vary between different tents. The best advice is to consider the climate you will be camping in. Typically, warmer climates will require more ventilation, while cooler ones will need less.
Material
You should also consider the type of material the truck tent utilizes. Most importantly, you want to be sure that it has a strong, durable construction. Most truck tents are made from polyester or other types of plastic fabric due to its long-lasting properties. The material should also be treated with a water-resistant coating to prevent any water from seeping in.
Floor
There are two types of truck tent floors, sewn in and without. If you love sleeping on your air mattress, a sewn-in floor may prevent you from getting it inside the tent.
On the other hand, the downside to floorless truck tents is that when it rains, water may seep in from underneath.
Easy to Set Up
Ease of setup is another important factor to keep in mind. After driving to the campsite, you do not want to waste time setting up your tent. Lightweight tents with color-coded poles can make set up a breeze. Additionally, there are also truck bed tents that only come with two poles, which are generally faster and easier to pitch. However, the two pole tents do have the drawback of being a bit less durable during strong winds.
Additional Features
Truck tents can come with a variety of features and it is up to you to decide which ones you need. A rainfly will keep water and moisture out, and some tents even come with storm flaps.
An awning is a great feature for sitting outside on hot, sunny days.
Even though you are only in the truck bed, it is still nice to have a storage area. Most tents come with one or two interior storage pockets for small, personal items.
Cab access is another convenient feature to consider. Typically a small door or panel, it allows you to get into the truck cab without going outside.
Truck Tent Beds FAQs
1. Can a truck bed tent also be used on the ground?
Most truck bed tents are not designed to be set up on the ground. These tents lack tie downs and some even come without floors. Even tents that come with security straps are still only designed for truck bed use.
2. Will the tent fit over roll bars, bed liners, and toolboxes?
Truck tents will not fit over roll bars. These will have to be removed before setting up the tent. However, there are tents that will easily fit over liners and tool boxes. Just check the product description before purchasing.
3. What type of material should be used?
Since you want the tent to be durable and water-resistant, you want one with a sturdy construction. Plastic materials like polyester ensure durability and affordability. There are also canvas truck tents but these are priced significantly higher and designed for use in cold weather.
4. What is the difference between a truck tent and a rooftop tent?
A truck tent is pitched in the bed of a pickup truck. A rooftop tent, on the other hand, is set up on the roof of a vehicle. Rather than pickup trucks, rooftop tents are commonly used with SUVs and Jeeps. Also worth mentioning is a motorcycle tent, which provides shelter to both the individual as well as their bike. Motorcycle camping tents do not typically use a vehicle as a part of the tent’s foundation.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t have the right truck bed tent you probably won’t have the best camping experience. It is important to measure your truck bed to ensure the tent is the right size. You also want to think about ventilation, storage, and interior space. Most importantly, the tent should keep you comfortable at night.
Overall, as the best truck bed tent, we recommend the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent. It is durable, lightweight, and easy to set up. Believe it or not, it is also very affordable.
With this in mind, we hope you love how fun and convenient it is to camp in your truck bed. If you have any questions, we would love to help. Just respond in the comments section below.
Happy camping!
