Best truck tent
Napier Outdoors Sportz Truck Tent
A feature-rich, versatile truck tent with a huge awning.
Best 4-season truck tent
Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent
A premium-quality truck tent that’s built to last a lifetime.
Best for quick setup
Fofana Truck Tent
A spacious, panoramic tent that you can set up in seconds.
Possibilities are infinite when it comes to camping. And if you own a pickup, they are infinite plus one.
A truck bed tent is basically a traditional ground tent pitched in the truck bed – as obvious as it sounds. But this shelter option brings some serious perks. It lifts you off the ground, reducing the risk of water, pebbles, mosquitoes, and cooler temperatures. Most models let you set up and pack the camp in moments.
Again, there are heaps of ways to transform your truck bed into a campground. Here, we’ve handpicked the best truck tents currently on the market if you’re looking for one!
Top picks for truck tents in 2023
So, what’s on our top list this year? Let’s get into details!
1. Best truck tent overall: Napier Outdoors Sportz Truck Tent
Key specifications
- Interior height: 5.6 feet
- Floor: Yes
- Capacity: 2 people
- Materials: Polyester, fiberglass poles
Pros
- Huge awning that almost doubles the tent footprint
- Great ventilation
- Rear access panel for comfortable cab access
- Can be used as a standalone tent after detaching the sleeves
Cons
- First time setting up can be complex
- Seams might be leaking
Napier Sportz is an ever-popular truck tent among campers – it’s easy to grasp why once you get it. It’s a versatile, roomy tent packed with well-thought features for the best comfort.
Napier Sportz offers a sewn-in floor and plenty of headroom, so you’ll never feel cramped inside. It has a massive rear access panel, which enables access to the truck’s cab if you need extra storage.
Airflow is excellent thanks to mesh windows and side vents in the design. There’s also a 4×4-inch awning that saves the tailgate from the sun or rain – so you can set Napier Sportz anywhere.
In terms of setup, you might spend some time pitching the tent at first. But as soon as you’re used to it – you won’t get stuck, especially thanks to a color-coded pole and sleeve system.
The rainfly also comes with the tent, so that you can camp in any weather conditions. The only thing you should be careful about is that the seams can leak without it – so don’t leave your rainfly packed!
2. Best 4-season truck tent: Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent
Key specifications
- Interior height: 5 feet
- Floor: No
- Capacity: 2 people
- Material: Canvas, steel poles
Pros
- Suitable for all seasons
- Tailgate down design increases liveable space
- Super sturdy
- Cab access window included
- Good ventilation
- Quality zippers
Cons
- A bit difficult to set up
- Bugs might get in through the sides, so repellent is recommended
Canvas is simply a synonym for durability. So if you wish to get a truck tent that’ll serve all year round and last for a lifetime, Kodiak Canvas is your way to go. Made of Hydra-Shield, 100% cotton duck canvas, this truck tent is thick, waterproof, and breathable.
It’s average-tall with a tailgate-down design that extends the liveable space. Kodiak Canvas includes five windows for decent ventilation and views, plus a cab access window for increased camping gear storage.
This truck tent is relatively straightforward to assemble. Though most reviews agree that for the first time, it might take a bit of time to align the parts and get the tent symmetrical – the second time you do, it’s simply a breeze.
Coming at a higher price tag (around $449), the outstanding quality and longevity Kodiak Canvas offers are worth every cent of investment.
3. Best for quick setup: Fofana Truck Tent
Key specifications
- Interior height: 6 feet
- Floor: Yes
- Capacity: 2 people
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Huge windows for panoramic views
- Spacious with plenty of headroom
- Fast setup
- Lots of space for gear storage
Cons
- Fragile material
- Unsealed seams
If you’re looking for something that’s a breeze to set from the very first time, Fofana Truck Tent will give you a huge relief. Literally, it’s the fastest pop-up tent on the market.
Thanks to its automatic pole structure, you’ll be chilling happy and all set a few minutes after parking the truck. Likewise, you won’t have to wrestle with loose poles once your trip is over. Pack in seconds and go.
But the setup isn’t the only benefit Fofana has to offer – you can enjoy panoramic views and stargaze through its large all-height windows, which also serve for excellent ventilation. It has plenty of headroom for comfortable moving, a few huge pockets to keep your gear organized, and sewn-in flooring to keep you up the bed frame.
Made of thin material with unsealed seams, Fofana doesn’t qualify as the top choice for harsher weather conditions. That aside, it’s a go-to truck tent for relaxing camps.
Runners-up
Although not in our top 3 list, some other great truck tents stand out with their unique features. Here’s what they are.
Key specifications
- Interior height: 5 feet
- Floor: Yes
- Capacity: 2 people
- Material: Polyethylene, fiberglass poles
Pros
- Weatherproof
- Sturdy
- Roomy interior
- Good ventilation
Cons
- First time setting up can be complex
- No cab access
Yes, Napier made its cut again – now with the Backroadz tent, another simple and spacious option for drier weather conditions. It’s a dome-style tent featuring corner-to-corner poles and a lip-style awning that significantly cuts off the weight.
Compared to the Sportz model, Backroadz’s awning offers a smaller covered outside space and is primarily designed to lead the water away. Backroadz includes only a partial awning which is suitable for airflow but not so great in harsh weather.
This tent can’t be used as a standalone ground tent, as there are no detachable car sleeves. However, other features are still here – including a gear loft, lantern hook, window flaps, and roomy interior.
All in all, Backroadz can be a great fit if you’re up to camping in drier climates and looking for something that weighs less but still includes all must-have features.
Key specifications
- Interior height: 4 feet, 10 inches
- Floor: No
- Capacity: 2 people
- Material: Polyester, fiberglass poles
Pros
- Weatherproof with sealed seams
- Good ventilation
- Spacious
- Perfect fit for full size trucks
Cons
- Unsuitable for cold temperatures although advertised
If you’re up to a comfortable floorless tent for your full-size truck, consider adding Rightline Gear Full Size Tent to your camping gear. Don’t waste time moving your truck bed stuff back and forth – just set up or take down your tent above.
The setup itself is pretty intuitive, with color-coded poles and buckles. Rightline Gear has a 2000mm water-resistant construction with tape-sealed seams that’ll keep you dry in rain and winds (be careful not to over-tighten the straps!). Still, we would say it’s a 3-season tent that isn’t suitable for cold temperatures.
It’s full of must-have features you’d expect from a truck tent:
- Two gear pockets
- A camping lantern hanging hook
- Visible-at-night zippers
- Sky-view tent ceiling
All that for around $180 – one of the lowest price tags among our reviewed tents.
Key specifications
- Interior height: 57 inches
- Floor: Yes
- Capacity: 2 people
- Material: Polyester and polyethylene, fiberglass poles
Pros
- Good value for money
- Lightweight but strong
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Not so much headroom
- Unsealed seams might leak
- Zippers can catch
Guide Gear Compact is a budget-friendly, low-profile truck bed tent perfect for smaller trucks. For only around 169$, you get a 10-pound shelter with a sewn-in footprint, mesh windows for decent airflow, and a 1500mm water-resistant coating.
Though unsealed seams might let the water in heavier rains, the waterproof polyester fabric should still keep you dry in the drizzle. Meanwhile, low-profile construction does its job with winds, making Guide Gear Compact a pretty small yet sturdy enough tent.
Being quick to assemble, this Guide Gear Compact is an option worth considering if you’re looking for something that squeezes all the necessary features into a solid, low-cost truck tent.
Things to look for when buying a truck tent
Before we move to the top truck tent list, let’s see what determining factors we took into account (and you should, too!) while evaluating the choices.
Durability
Durable materials will always be heavier materials. But weight isn’t a concern here, as your truck will do all the carry.
Go for the most durable, waterproof materials that’ll stand through harsh weather conditions, like sailcloth or classic canvas. This way, you’ll get a long-lasting tent that’ll save you bucks later.
Flooring (or no flooring)
Unlike standard ground tents, not every truck bed tent has a built-in bottom panel. A floored tent provides better weather protection and separates you from the metal frame. And can be used as a substitute for the ground tent, even.
The ridges in a truck bed might make a lumpy sleeping surface, even if your tent has the floor. One of the simple ways to make it more comfier is by placing a piece of plywood underneath your camping pad or air mattress.
If the truck bed is built from metal, it can get unbearably hot or cold in more extreme temperatures. In that case, use a piece of carpet to add a layer of insulation.
But if you store some other gear in your truck bed that you don’t want to relocate, a floorless alternative is a more practical choice that fits neatly on top.
Space
There are lots of size and shape configurations of truck tents. Some are so tall that you can easily stand inside. Others are low-profile, primarily designed for sleeping and withstanding strong winds.
As for shape – they can be either half-dome or have more roomy interiors plus awnings or vestibules. Most often, truck tents fit two adults to sleep comfortably.
Most truck beds fit a full 54″ x 74″ mattress with their tailgates down, including compact trucks. Larger pickups can suit bigger mattresses, such as a queen 60″ x 80″ mattress.
Most importantly, make sure your mattress dimensions are smaller than your tent’s interior.
Don’t forget to measure your truck bed before you buy a truck tent. There are usually either full-size (between 5 feet, 5-inches, and 8 feet, 2-inches) or compact (5 to 6 feet, 1-inch) tents.
- Some examples of full-size trucks are: Toyota Tundra, Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado
- Compact trucks: Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma
Price
Like conventional camping tents, truck bed tents range in price from budget to very expensive. That said, they’re still far cheaper than equivalent rooftop tents – with the advantage of sleeping above ground – so it’s a good value for money.
Ease of setup
Essentially, all truck tents require the same steps as regular tents, such as slipping poles into sleeves and securing straps around the truck bed. The good thing is that truck bed tents eliminate the struggle of rocky, rooty, muddy, or damp ground that can dirty your equipment.
Got anything to add?
Have any experience to share or questions to ask about truck tents? Leave a comment below!
Looking for other types of tents?
We got you covered. Check out our detailed reviews on other types of tents that stand out from the market:
- If you’re up to camping with a larger crew or just want to have lots of extra space for yourself, a 12-person tent will do the job.
- If you’re a light sleeper or simply want to improve your sleeping experience outdoors, there’s no better option than a blackout tent.
- If you’re on the hunt for a compact, lightweight shelter for you or plus one, a small two-person tent is exactly what you’re looking for.
- A cabin tent will do wonders if you want something that’s stylish, extremely spacious, and full of features.
