If you like the idea of camping, but also want to have a little more comfort, then a truck bed tent is a perfect option for you. They are easy to set up and come in different shapes and sizes.
What is a truck bed tent?
Simply put, they’re tents for truck beds. Also known as truck tents, they’re a slight step up from traditional tent camping because you’re not set up on the ground. Instead, you’re set up in the back of your own pickup truck.
A truck bed tent should not be confused with a rooftop tent, which sits on the roof of your truck or SUV. Think of a truck tent as a happy medium between a traditional tent and a rooftop tent.
Benefits of truck tent camping
Camping in truck tents has many benefits. Below we name just a few:
- Sleep off the ground — Less chances of waking up wet or with unwanted critters.
- Easy to set up — The whole process takes only a few minutes.
- Cost — When comparing between RV and tent camping, tent camping is almost always cheaper.
- Versatility — Because the tent fits in the back of your truck, and your truck can go just about anywhere, you have plenty of camp site options.
- Spontaneity — Last minute trips are easy to plan. Renting an RV is a good option for longer trips, but for a quick weekend getaway, a truck bed tent is perfect.
Best truck bed tents
When choosing a pickup truck tent, there are certain things you should look for:
- Size
- Shape
- Ease of setup
- Material
- Durability
- Cost
With that in mind, let’s get into the best tents for truck beds.
Napier Backroadz Tent
Price: $148.39 – $299.88
Fun fact: Roman Napieraj, founder of Napier Enterprises, invented truck tents in 1990. So it’s no wonder that Napier offers great tent options. The Backroadz line of tents comes in different sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your truck.
It’s made of durable nylon and comes with a full rainfly and storm flaps to keep you protected from the elements. It’s also easy to set up, with color-coded pole and sleeve assembly. The tent also has a full floor and two mesh windows. To keep you organized, the tent also comes with a gear loft, gear pocket, and lantern holder.
Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent
Price: $749.99 – $879.99
The Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent is a bit more expensive, but the quality of the material is unmatched. It’s made of 100% cotton duck Hydra-Shield canvas, making it durable, breathable, and waterproof. It comes in two different sizes, but both have five-foot-tall ceilings.
The tent has five windows which provide great ventilation. One of the windows gives you cab access so you can reach into your truck. There is no floor, but that does make it faster to set up. The tent is made for all-season use, though it’s not designed for heavy snow accumulations.
Rightline Gear Truck Tents
Price: $168.70 – $189.95
Rightline Gear Truck Tents come in eight different sizes so you can choose the tent that is perfectly sized for your truck. It is a floorless tent, but that also means it’s faster to set up. Another thing that makes setup easy is the color-coded poles and pole pockets.
These truck tents also have some pretty cool features, like sky view vents and glow-in-the-dark zippers. It also comes with a rainfly and is made of water-resistant fabric, so you’ll stay dry. To help with organization, the tent has two storage pockets and a lantern hook.
Guide Gear Premium Truck Tent
Price: $124.99
For those on a budget, the Guide Gear Premium Truck Tent is a great option. It’s made of lightweight polyester material with a water-resistant coating. It also has a sewn-in floor, two interior storage pockets, and mesh windows for ventilation.
FOFANA Truck Bed Tent
Price: $229.98
Are you or your partner tall? You’ll be happy to see that the FOFANA truck bed tent has a six-foot standing height! It also has full-height windows so you’ll have panoramic 360 views. The truck tent is also easy to set up thanks to its pre-assembled automatic pole structure.
Inside you’ll find large interior pockets, a gear loft, and a zippered access porthole to run charging cables from the inside of your cab. The tent also has a sewn-in waterproof floor and a rainfly to protect you from the rain. It comes in both full and mid-size.
Quictent Waterproof Truck Tent
Price: $129.99
Another budget-friendly option is the Quictent Waterproof Truck Tent. As the name suggests, it is fully waterproof and comes with a large 48 by 48-inch removable awning for added protection. The truck tent also has a rear access window, lantern holder, and two storage pockets. Three size options are available.
Ready to go truck camping?
Now that you know what a truck bed tent is and why they are so awesome, it’s time to hit the road. You can spontaneously pick up and go to your favorite national and state parks, thanks to how easy they are to store and set up.
Of course, if you already own a truck tent and want others to know how convenient they are, you could always list your truck bed tent on Outdoorsy. You’d make some extra cash while it’s not in use and you can use that money for your next adventure.
