Best Truck Tent

Camping is a great way to get out in nature and explore the beauty of the outdoors. But setting up a tent at the end of a long day and sleeping on the ground can be tiring and uncomfortable.

You also need to share your sleeping area with anything else that might be on the ground too, crawling bugs and snakes. What you need is a truck tent. And not just any truck tent but the best truck tent.

We’ve found seven of the best truck tents that are currently available to make your next camping trip more comfortable and more fun.

We’ll take a look at the different sizes, how sturdy they are and any special features that will make camping out safer and warmer.

Napier SportZ Truck Tent

The Napier SportZ truck tent is a 3 season model that weighs just over 25 pounds. The internal height is 67 inches, and it comes in a variety of sizes to fit many different truck beds. Most models take no more than 15 minutes to set up.

As truck tents go this tent offers a lot of features that you may not find elsewhere. The most noticeable feature is the awning on the front of the tent. This allows you to open up the front without letting any rain in. It also provides shade in the hot weather.

The Napier SportZ also has windows that you can actually open, something of a rarity among truck tents. The rear window even allows you to access your truck cab through it. The tent is also available in camo for hunters.

Pros

• Front awning for rain and sun protection
• Good internal headroom
• Rear window gives access to the truck cab
• Sewn-in floor

Cons

• Door doesn’t zip all the way to the bottom

Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Instant Tent

The Fofana Stand Up truck bed tent is a 3 season instant tent. This means it can be set up in just five minutes, or ten if you are on your own. It is also a bonus for tall people as it can accommodate anyone who is over 6 feet tall.

The internal height is 72 inches, and it comes in a variety of sizes. Typical weight is around 13 ½ pounds. It is a cabin style tent, so the internal height is good all the way around and not just in the middle.

With a full coverage rain fly you will also be protected from any rain or if you’re parked under trees, from unwelcome deposits through your mesh ceiling.

This is a spacious and comfortable tent that is easy to put up and very lightweight. With the rain fly it also offers good weather protection.

Pros

• Instant tent that sets up in minutes
• Up to 6 feet headroom internally
• Full coverage rain fly
• Mesh ceiling for ventilation

Cons

• Due to the height wind can be an issue

Napier BackroadZ Truck Tent

The Napier BackroadZ 3 season truck tent is the brand’s standard model. It is very similar to the SportZ but without some of the premium features.

Nevertheless, it has a lot going for it including a full sewn-in floor and is available in a range of different sizes, according to the truck model. Although it doesn’t have an awning this truck tent does come with a full removable rain fly.

For ease of setting up the tent also has color coded poles, and it has an inside height of 57-62 inches at the center. It weighs just above 14 pounds and so is quite lightweight. There is a handy gear net in the roof for you to store your personal items off the ground.

Pros

• Very easy set up with color coded poles
• Inside headroom is 5 foot 6 inches in the center
• Gear net in the roof for personal items
• Good weather resistance

Cons

• Windows don’t open without the rain fly

Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent

Unlike the other truck tents in this review, and many others not included here, this tent is made from canvas rather than nylon. Although nylon is a good material, lightweight and weather resistant, it is not perfect.

With the Kodiak Canvas truck bed tent you have heavy-duty canvas walls which will keep you warm in the winter. It is also sufficiently breathable to keep you cool in the summer months. And while nylon tends to whip in the wind this material is more rigid.

There are ventilation windows on every side of this tent including the cab side which gives you instant access without going outside.

Set up is done through a unique rail design which can take a little getting used to. However, once you have mastered it, setting it up takes just 30 minutes.

This is a 4-season tent weighing a hefty 47 pounds due to the heavy-duty canvas. Inside headroom is 60 inches.

Pros

• Four-season tent made of heavy-duty canvas
• Ventilation windows in all panels including truck cab
• Unique rail system set up
• Super fine bug screens on windows
• Large heavy-duty YKK zippers

Cons

• Expensive compared to nylon tents
• First time setup can be confusing
• No sewn-in floor

JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent

As a value tent the JoyTutus is a solid buy. It is a 3 season tent with a floor size of 90 inches by 62 inches giving you 39 ½ square feet internally. The headroom inside is 67 inches at the center, and it weighs just under 9 pounds.

This is not an overly complicated truck tent, and you will be able to set it up in less than 10 minutes with two people. There is no rain fly however, so you are going to be relying on the waterproof fabric of the tent if it rains.

Perhaps as a test tent to see if you will actually be able to comfortably sleep in your truck bed this may be the right choice for you.

Pros

• Decent floor space for a value tent
• Good headroom
• Set up in under 10 minutes
• Not overly expensive

Cons

• No rain fly
• Poles are a little fragile

Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent

For a truck tent that is affordable but will still keep you warm at night the Guide Gear full size truck tent is ideal. This is a 3 season tent with an inside height of 63 inches. The floor is 63 inches by 79 inches, giving you 34 ½ feet of internal space.

The tent is a good, basic model which is nevertheless good quality and with a decent reputation. Set up time is around 10 minutes for two people, longer if you’re on your own.

It has a 1500mm HH water-resistant coating and comes with a rain fly to protect you in the wet weather. You will also have a good amount of internal space and a sewn-in floor to keep you clean and dry.

As it only weighs 11 pounds the tent can be stored in your truck, so it’s at hand whenever you need to use it.

Pros

• Affordable but quality tent
• Durable and difficult to break
• Water-resistant coating
• Full rain fly
• Lightweight

Cons

• Only comes in two sizes

Rightline Gear Truck Tent

The Rightline Gear truck tent is a 3 season model that comes in a large range of sizes depending on the truck model. It is quite basic so setting up only takes 10 minutes or less and the tent weighs just 8 pounds.

This is the perfect tent for those who want a truck bed tent without a floor. This allows you to have a toolbox in the truck bed if needed. As it is so lightweight you can store this tent in your truck permanently.

It does have a removable rain fly that you can open up and do some star gazing if the weather allows. Pricing puts it in the mid to low range at less than the Napier models but more than the Gear Guide tent.

Pros

• Large variety of sizes for most pickup trucks
• Weighs just 8 pounds
• Removable rain fly

Cons

• No floor so you may need a tarp or footprint
• Zippers may get stuck

Buyer’s Guide

When selecting a truck tent there are a few things you should consider. The quality of the tent and its materials and how durable it is. The internal size and comfort of the tent as well as its weather resistance. Finally, think about how easy it is to set up on your truck.

Quality & Durability

The first consideration is the material that the truck bed tent is made from as this will determine how robust it is and how well it will protect you from the elements.

The majority of truck tents are made from nylon which is a great lightweight and water-resistant material. Other tents are made from heavy-duty canvas which is tough and weather resistant but much heavier than nylon.

Nylon tents are easier to set up on your own as they are lighter, but they also tend to whip in the wind. In particularly heavy rain they may also let water in depending on the quality of the material and manufacturer. A full rain fly is always a benefit when buying a truck tent.

As well as the particular fabric that covers the tent you should also look at the quality of the poles that hold it up. These should be flexible enough to make set up easy but not so much that they are flimsy and liable to breaking.

Zips are another consideration. They should be sturdy and if possible look for YKK zips which are some of the best quality fasteners. There is nothing appealing about being stuck in the rain trying to get your tent open with a zip that refuses to budge.

Space & Comfort

Most truck bed tents comfortably fit two adults, although the size of each one typically depends on the model of your truck. One of the most important factors to consider when buying any tent is the headroom inside.

The highest point in the tent is typically in the center. When buying a truck tent think about how much you will be standing up in it, this will give you an idea based on your height which one is best for you. If you are 6 feet tall then something like the Fofana would be ideal.

Apart from the space that you will need in your truck tent you also need to consider the comfort level. Ventilation is a big part of that. You will need a good flow of air to make sure you don’t get too hot in summer or build up too much condensation in colder weather.

Some tents don’t have opening windows unless you attach a full rain fly while others have fully openable windows without one. One of the most useful windows in a truck tent is at the rear which allows you to access the truck cab without having to leave the tent.

Weather Resistance

Of course the main purpose of any tent is to protect you from the weather, so you should spend time looking at how weather resistant the tent is.

Most tents are made from nylon and polyester which are good water-resistant materials. Some also have a waterproof coating as an added protection. The minimum rating for a waterproof tent is 1000 mm but obviously the higher that number the better.

A good rain fly is another important feature as is an awning if you can get one. This will protect you as you get in and out of the tent, not just from the rain but also from the sun.

Wind protection is also important and if you are not a fan of listening to a nylon tent whipping in the wind then you may be better off with a canvas tent. These are also warmer in the cold weather.

Tall tents like the Fofana should be well strapped down in windy weather as they are more prone to being blown over.

Consider where and when you will be most likely to use your truck bed tent, how exposed you are likely to be and the level of weather resistance that you will need.

Ease Of Use

One of the most frustrating things about camping is the set-up of your tent. When you choose your truck tent think about whether you will be setting it up alone or if you are likely to have someone with you to lend a hand.

If you are more likely to be alone you may want to consider an instant tent. These involve minimum fuss in setting up, and you can be done in less than 5 minutes. Other tents will involve poles and rails, and you are likely to need an extra pair of hands for those.

Some truck tents try to simplify the set-up process by color coding the poles, the Napier BackroadZ is one of them.

Setting up a truck bed tent is very different to setting up a ground tent. Instead of guy-lines and stakes that go into the ground you have straps that attach to the outside of the truck.

These are usually designed with no exposed metal so as not to damage your truck but even so it is a good idea to place something like a towel around the buckles to protect your paint.

An important tip to remember is not to over tighten your tent straps when setting up. This can be tempting as you want to secure the tent but overtightening can potentially damage your truck tent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Advantage Of A Truck Tent?

Truck tents have many advantages. They offer a ready made camping spot wherever you happen to park, and they are raised off the ground. This protects you against snakes and bugs as well as keeping you drier than you may be on damp ground.

Are Truck Tents Warm?

Most truck tents are designed to shelter you from the weather including rain, snow and wind. The material that the tent is made from and the quality of its construction will determine how well insulated from the cold you will be. Heavy-duty canvas tents are the best choice.

How Many People Can Sleep In A Truck Bed Tent?

Most truck bed tents are designed for no more than two adults. Larger versions may allow you to squeeze in a small child if needed.

Will A Truck Tent Scratch My Truck?

Most truck tents straps are made from materials that will not scratch your truck, there are typically no exposed metal parts on the straps or buckles. They are also designed to use a minimum of straps needed to secure the tent to the truck bed.

Is Truck Camping Comfortable?

One of the reasons that people use truck bed tents is that they are more comfortable than sleeping on the ground at a campsite. You also don’t have to worry about things like snakes and crawling bugs sharing your sleeping space.