Trucks are incredibly versatile. Not only because you can drive them over tougher terrains without an issue, but also because that open truck bed space can offer plenty of fun possibilities!
You might have seen people sit in a truck bed during summer, with a picnic blanket, watching the sunset. Which is all very good. But why not take it a step further?
Trucks can be incredibly useful for going on a little camping adventure, and there are actually special tents that are designed to be put upright on your truck bed.
Basically, you can convert that open space on your truck into a cozy tent space for all your outdoor camping adventures. Easy, convenient, and able to host around two or three people at a time!
It can be tricky to determine which truck bed tents are the best for each scenario, as there are plenty to choose from on the market. That is why we’ve chosen our top picks, for you to read through and help guide your purchase!
BEST OVERALL
If you’re looking for a truck bed tent that covers all the basics and is, overall, the best possible product to choose from, then the Napier Sportz Truck Tent is the one for you.
Napier is an excellent brand that is well-known for its reliable high-quality, and the Sportz tent is one of the all-time favorite products.
This tent can accommodate two people, and it has over 5.6 feet of headroom space. It is also one of the very few truck tents that comes with a sewn-in floor!
It has a large entrance door, with two mesh windows and side vents that ensure good ventilation. But it also has a large rear access panel, allowing you to access the truck’s cab for any additional storage, which is super convenient.
This truck tent doesn’t need any guide ropes, as it has a shade awning that secures to the tailgate, meaning it can be set up anywhere without much of a struggle.
It also means you can unzip the tent without any water falling in, ensuring that you stay dry and comfortable.
It also comes with a color-coded pole and sleeve system, making the set-up even faster and easier. It also includes a set of strap protectors, which will provide extra protection for your truck against the tent straps.
Plus, it comes with an expandable carrying bag for storage.
Pros
- Highly recommended brand and product - very reliable
- Accommodates 2 people, with 5.6 feet of headspace
- Sewn-in floor - this is a luxury when it comes to truck bed tents!
- The large rear access panel allows for easy access to extra storage space in the truck
- Easy and fast set-up with a color-coded pole and sleeve system
Cons
- Can be a bit of a struggle to set-up by oneself
BEST FOR DURABILITY
One of the most desirable traits in a tent is durability, as you want it to be able to last a long time while resisting whatever adventures you put it through.
If you’re looking for one of the most durable truck bed tents, the Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent is unparalleled, and absolutely recommended as a tough and long-lasting product.
While most other truck tents are made with nylon, this tent is made with a 100% cotton duck canvas that is incredibly durable, watertight, and breathable. It’s thick and sturdy, perfect for winter, and breathable enough for the summer.
Basically, an all-rounder that will last for years to come. It also features a sturdy design, with a frame made out of steel tubes that connect to the clamp-on rails and mount onto the truck bed.
This way you’re ensured a secure fit that is unlikely to accidentally move or budge throughout the night.
The tunnel shape design of the tent allows for a maximized interior, with a 5-foot tall ceiling. It also has a tailgate down expandable design, for even more usable space.
The entrance door is large, with sturdy zippers. There are two pockets, for convenience, and five windows for enhanced ventilation and breathability.
Pros
- Tunnel shape design with a 5-foot tall ceiling
- Large entrance door with sturdy zippers, two pockets for convenience, and expandable storage space
- 5 windows for excellent ventilation and breathability
- Made with 100% cotton duck canvas - incredibly durable and long-lasting, highly resistant
- Unique frame design for a secure fit that mounts to the truck bed
Cons
- A little more on the expensive side due to the material
BEST FOR RAINY WEATHER
If you’re planning on camping somewhere where rain is probable and common, you’re going to need a tent that is extra resistant to the rain and other weather elements, so you’re guaranteed to stay dry and comfortable.
The Napier Sportz Vehicle Truck Bed Tent is the perfect option for this. The brand name itself confirms the reliability of the quality, but there are also many features that make it optimal against rain.
It can accommodate two people with ease, with a spacious interior and a max center height of 5.8-feet tall. It is also ideal for keeping everything neatly organized, as it has an internal gear loft, a gear pocket, and even a lantern holder to ensure you’re set.
It’s also a very convenient tent, as it has a compact design, better suited to shorter truck bed tents of up to 5.2-feet long.
It comes with a full rainfly, as well as having storm flaps. But what makes it so ideal against the rainy weather, is that it has a large awning for extra protection.
You can unzip the tent and open it up without any rain falling in or you getting wet, plus it offers extra protection against other weather conditions too.
The entrance door is large and comfortable to use, and all the windows can be zipped open or closed, making them highly convenient.
There’s also a bigger window on the backside of the tent, allowing you access into your truck cab, for extra storage without having to leave the tent and go around.
As a bonus, it also features a sewn-in floor, which is always a great feature to find in a truck bed tent, as it makes it all the more comfortable to sleep in!
Pros
- Highly recommended and reliable brand - high quality is ensured
- Accommodates 2 people, with a max center height of 5.8-feet
- Spacious interior with many organizational features and a rear window for access to your truck cab
- Large awning to protect against the rain and other weather conditions - perfect to ensure you keep dry
- Sewn-in floor - extra comfortable to sleep in
Cons
- The entrance door doesn’t zip all the way to the bottom
BEST FOR SMALLER TRUCK BEDS
Not all trucks are the same size, and if your truck is a smaller size, you might find it more of a struggle to find a suitable tent for it.
Luckily, the Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent comes in many different sizes, meaning you will definitely find one suitable for your truck. It’s also a reliable and high-quality tent, which is why it’s in our top picks and recommended in the first place!
It has a floorless design that purposefully cuts down on the time it takes to set up, making it faster, easier, and taking away the need to remove gear from the bed.
It also includes color-coded poles and pole pockets, making the set-up process a breeze. Plus, it comes with a rainfly, and a stuff sack for storage that has the sewn-in instructions for set-up, meaning you’ll never lose them!
It has been constructed with a water-resistant fabric that features tape-sealed seams to keep you completely dry, no matter the weather.
And the heavy-duty straps and buckles that secure the tent to the truck have been specifically designed to avoid any actual damage to your truck, which is always a relief.
Another interesting feature that this tent has is the sky view vent, which allows you to look at the sky while you sleep. All the beauty of sleeping under the stars, from the warm and dry comfort of inside the tent!
And to put your mind at ease, the product comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, along with a helpful service team.
Pros
- Available in many different sizes, suitable for smaller trucks
- Floorless design - a lot faster and easier to set up, with color-coded poles
- Constructed with a water-resistant fabric with tape-sealed seams
- Sky view vent for watching the stars from inside the tent
- 1-year warranty and service team included with the product purchase
Cons
- The zippers get stuck quite often, as they aren’t the highest quality
BEST BUDGET OPTION
Some truck bed tents can be quite pricey, but you don’t have to invest that much money in order to get a high-quality and reliable tent for your truck.
The Guide Gear Truck Tent for Camping is available for a great affordable price, and it is just as efficient and comfortable as the rest!
This tent is compact and very lightweight, perfect for a fast and easy set-up, turning your truck into a campsite within minutes. It accommodates two people, and it is able to fit most full-sized beds for trucks, with the tailgate down.
It can be deployed quickly, with four poles that fit onto the truck securely, able to provide you with a cozy and convenient shelter throughout the night!
It is made with decent-quality polyester material, featuring a water-resistant coating for weather protection. It also comes with a full rainfly, to further ensure you stay dry.
It features a sewn-in floor, which is amazing for the price, and has mesh windows that provide great ventilation throughout the tent. All in all, it doesn’t disappoint in any way!
Pros
- Affordable price with a great overall value and quality
- Compact and lightweight design that accommodates 2 people
- Easy to set up and fast to deploy, with 4 poles that fit onto the truck securely
- Made with polyester and a water-resistant coating
- Sewn-in floor and windows for ventilation
Cons
- It’s only available in two sizes, which limits its use
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
If you’re new to truck bed tents, you might be slightly confused at first, as the setup is different from that of normal tents that are put up on the ground.
The tents will almost always come with instructions to help you out, but just in case, if you want a more simple design that skips unnecessary complications, then the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is the product for you.
It’s a highly popular option, available in plenty of sizes to suit almost any truck. It accommodates two people, and it has a spacious interior with a maximum of 5.6-feet of headroom, which is pretty good!
It also has a gear net on the roof that allows you to store small important objects, such as keys or your phone, and this comes in extremely handy.
It is made from PU Polyester, and comes with a full rainfly for weather-protection, keeping you dry and comfortable even if it rains.
It is ideal for beginners, as it doesn’t have a lot of features, keeping it simple, but remains comfortable and efficient. It is also very easy to set-up, with a color-coded pole and sleeve assembly, as well as the manual of instructions.
Pros
- Simple design that is efficient and high-quality
- Available in many sizes, with a spacious interior of 5.6-feet of headroom, accommodating 2 people
- Made from Polyester, with a full rainfly for weather protection
- Very easy to set-up, with color-coded pole and sleeve assembly
- Sewn-in floor for comfort
Cons
- Limited ventilation and no premium features - the design can be too simple
BEST FOR WINTER CAMPING
If you’re planning on taking your truck camping adventure to somewhere colder, you’re going to need a tent that can endure winter weather conditions, to ensure that you’re well-protected and comfortable throughout it all.
The Milliard Truck Bed Tent is an excellent option for this and highly recommended for its reliable quality.
The tent has been designed to fit a standard truck bed, measuring 6.5-feet long. It has a spacious interior that accommodates two people, along with having plenty of storage space for gear and items.
In fact, it has an inside storage pocket, and a lantern hook at the top to make life a lot easier.
It’s also very easy to set-up, and the tent comes with a clear instruction manual along with a carry case that makes transporting and storing the tent super convenient.
The tent is made from a superior ripstop grade material that is extremely durable and long-lasting. It also comes with a full rainfly to protect from all rainy and wet weather conditions.
The sewn-in floor adds that extra comfort and luxury to the tent, and it features a mesh door and windows with privacy shades built-in.
Pros
- Made from superior ripstop grade material for enhanced durability, plus a full rainfly to protect against weather conditions - ideal for withstanding the winter
- Spacious interior accommodating 2 people, with a storage pocket and a lantern hook
- Mesh door and windows, with privacy shades that are built-in for easier use
- Easy to set up, with instructions and a convenient carry case for storage and transportation
Cons
- The carry case is small, making it hard to store the tent away after use
FAQ's
Are truck bed tents worth it?
This depends on what sort of experience you’re looking to get from camping out in your truck. But truck bed tents are incredibly convenient and easy to set up.
They’re a great option for camping outdoors, with the added luxury of not being on the ground.
They also offer better protection from the weather elements, and you can take them wherever your truck can go.
What is the best truck bed tent?
This depends on what kind of truck bed tent you want, and what specific needs and preferences you’re aiming to fulfill with your purchase.
It depends on what you’re prioritizing, as well as the type of weather you’ll be facing.
However, if you want the overall best truck bed tent, that covers all the basics to an excellent standard, then we recommend the Napier Sportz Truck Tent, or any other truck tent by the Napier brand.
You can check out our list of top picks for more information regarding the best product options.
Can you drive with a truck bed tent?
Once you’ve set up your truck bed tent, you are still able to drive your truck, only as long as it is to move it to a nearby place for a better-parked location, and only as long as you’re driving it at a slow speed similar to that within parking lots.
If you’re going to drive your truck on the road or at a higher speed, then you have to take down the tent, to uphold safety reasons and to avoid any possible accidents.
So basically, you can drive very short distances at a very slow speed, to slightly move your truck from the parking spot. But no more than that.
Can you sleep in a truck bed?
The answer to this is an absolute yes. In fact, sleeping in your truck bed can be a really fun experience and a great way of camping outdoors.
There are also many ways of making your truck bed more apt for sleeping, by placing a suitable mattress or setting up a truck bed tent.
It depends on the number of times you’re planning on sleeping there, and in what conditions.
We definitely recommend getting a truck bed tent, as they are highly convenient and very easy to use, and they offer full protection against any weather conditions.
Can you put a regular tent in a truck bed?
Although it isn’t ideal, it is possible to find normal tents that fit inside your truck bed for you to use there.
However, it is better to find a suitable truck bed tent, as they will be designed to fit a lot better, and they will also mount on in a way that they remain secured in place.
How do you put up a truck tent?
Setting up a truck tent is usually quite easy, and shouldn’t take up too much time.
The exact process can vary from tent to tent, which is why you should always check the setup instructions that come with your tent.
As a general rule, start by opening your tailgate and placing the tent on the truck bed, with the mesh side up. Slide the tailgate pockets over the tailgate and ensure the tent is well spread over the area.
There will usually be straps to secure the tent under the wheels and tailgate. Then, all that’s left is inserting the poles through the pole pockets, so that the tent stands upright.
Follow the instructions, and it should turn out an easy task!