The 7 Best Truck Bed Tents For Camping in 2024

In case you’re running out the door, my top pick is the Napier SportZ Truck Tent.

I don’t have to tell pickup truck owners about how useful a truck can be – and they’re just as useful when it comes to camping.

Sleeping in your truck bed is more comfy than sleeping on the ground, you won’t take up any extra space at the campground and you can sleep wherever you can park.

Sounds pretty sweet, right? Of course, sleeping in an open truck bed just won’t do, so you’ll need a truck bed tent.

In this article, I’ll review the best truck tents for camping on the go. Then, I’ll show you what to look for in a truck tent, and why you should get one.

The best truck bed tents currently on the market are:

• Napier SportZ Truck Tent (Best Overall Truck Bed Tent)
• Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent (Best Winter Camping Truck Bed Tent)
• Napier BackroadZ Truck Tent (Best Truck Bed Tent For Beginners)
• Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Instant Tent (Best for Tall People)
• JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent (Best for Value)
• Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent (Best Budget Option)
• Rightline Gear Truck Tent (Best Middle Tier Truck Bed Tent) 

Best Truck Bed Tent: Our Top Recommendations

Napier SportZ Truck Tent

Seasons: 3-seasons | Weight: 25.3 lbs | Inside Height: 67 in | Square Footage: Truck model dependent | Setup Time: 15 mins

This is the gold standard of truck tents. Napier offers multiple models, and this is by far their best one. And yes, it does come in a ton of sizes to fit every pickup truck.

As I mentioned, the SportZ is Napier’s premium model. It’ll be more expensive than their BackroadZ model (discussed later), but the added features make it well worth it.

The biggest feature is the awning. This awning allows you to unzip your tent when it’s raining without water falling into your it.

You’ll stay dry and comfortable inside no matter how much it’s pouring down. It also gives you a nice shaded place to kick your legs out of the tailgate, crack open a cold one, and relax.

I also love the window options. First, there’s a window on the backside of the tent. This allows you to reach into your truck’s cab via the rear window.

Next, the windows open and close with zippers. For whatever reason, many truck tents don’t allow you to open and close the windows. The only way to close the windows is to throw on the rain fly.

Not with the SportZ tent. The windows are fully zippable, so you can have privacy without attaching the rain fly.

If just a basic tent isn’t enough for you, Napier offers some cool add-ons. You can supplement your truck tent with a 4-person room using the SportZ Link attachment. Or, you can purchase this tent in camo, which is a great option for hunting enthusiasts who want to blend in.

Pros:

• Comes with a big awning which allows you to keep water out when entering or exiting
• 5’8” headroom gives most people plenty of room to walk around
• The sewn-in floor makes it so you stay clean from any dirt in the truck bed
• Color-coded poles and cushioned strap protectors make setup easy and safe
• The rear window allows you to enter your truck cab and grab any gear you need
• Awning keeps you dry and provides shade for you to relax in

Cons:

• The door does not zip to the bottom, which can make entrance annoying
• This tent’s price tag might be too high for more budget-conscious campers

Best for: serious outdoorsmen who want a premium tent that’ll last for years.

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Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent

Seasons: 4-season | Weight: 47.2 lbs | Inside Height: 60 in | Square Footage: Truck model dependent | Setup Time: 30 mins

Now I’ll mix it up and throw in the Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent.

All of the other tents in this review are constructed with nylon. Nylon is a great fabric, but it’s not perfect. It whips in the wind, is prone to rips, and can let water seep in sometimes.

To counter this, Kodiak crafted a truck bed tent made with heavy-duty canvas. This canvas material is thick enough to keep you warm in the winter, but is also breathable enough to cool you off in the summer.

The truck tent is available in multiple sizes and has ventilation windows on every panel (including cab side).

This tent also uses a unique rail design to hold the poles up. Although it can be confusing the first time you install the tent, setup is a breeze once you learn the ropes. You’ll be glad you did the work when you see how much width and headroom you get with this tent.

Pros:

• Heavy-duty canvas tents provide a comfortable camping experience in any season
• The windows are made with a super fine screen – this blocks bugs from entering the tent but still allows you to open them for ventilation
• Like the SportZ, this tent comes with a truck cab window, so you can grab gear out of your truck without going outside
• Large, heavy-duty YKK zippers allow you to open and close the tent without worrying about ripping the fabric
• Unique steel pole design maximizes truck width and provides superior wind protection

Cons:

• Canvas is pricey (but durable), making this tent less affordable than other tents on this list
• First time setup can be difficult since you have to figure out where to place the pole rails
• No floor means your butt might get dirty from sitting in the truck bed

Best for: winter campers who want a super-warm tent and aren’t worried about the price tag.

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Napier BackroadZ Truck Tent

Seasons: 3-seasons | Weight: 14.25 lbs | Inside Height: 57 to 62 in | Square Footage: Truck model dependent | Setup Time: 15 mins

As mentioned, this is Napier’s standard truck tent. It’s got the same quality of the SportZ (reviewed above), but it lacks some of the premium features that make the SportZ my top pick.

This very popular tent comes with a full floor and is available in tons of sizes. It doesn’t have the SportZ model’s awesome awning, but it does come with a removable rain fly and color-coded poles (for easy setup).

This tent did not make my top pick because it doesn’t have the awning or windows that the SportZ has. Despite the price difference, I think the SportZ model is worth the upgrade. However, BackroadZ is still a great tent.

Pros:

• Setup is very easy thanks to the straightforward pole design – shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to have it pitched
• Super high center height (5’6”) so you don’t have to crouch
• Features a gear net on the roof of the tent to store your iPhone, keys, or wallet
• Great customer service – any issues will be resolved pretty dang quick
• More affordable than the SportZ, but still an excellent option for truck camping

Cons:

• Windows don’t close without the rain fly, so ventilation options are limited
• The floor design means you can’t have a toolbox in your truck bed

Best for: people who want the long-lasting construction of a Napier tent, but don’t need the extras that come with the SportZ

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Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Instant Tent

Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 13.5 lbs | Inside Height: 72 in | Square Footage: Truck model dependent | Setup Time: 5 mins

Tall people rejoice! The Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Tent is not only an instant tent, so it can be pitched in under 5 minutes, BUT it also is made for tall people with a 72 inch or 6 foot stand up height.

Also, because it is styled like a cabin tent,  the inside height is substantial throughout the truck bed.

Fofana is based in the US just north of San Diego, and comes with a full rain fly.

Pros:

• Plenty of headroom with 6′ tall, mesh ceiling
• Instant setup in 5 minutes for two people or 10 minutes max for one
• Comes with a full coverage rainfly
• Weighing only 13.5 lbs, it won’t cause you any problems hauling it

Cons:

• The material is not the sturdiest out there
• Due to the tall cabin-like structure, wind can be a problem

Best for: taller campers, who want to be able to fully stand up inside your tent.

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JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent

Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 8.88 lbs | Inside Height: 67 in | Floor: 90.5 x 62.9 in (39.5 sq ft) | Setup Time: 5 mins

The JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent won’t win any awards, but is a solid value tent none-the-less.

With an easy setup in just 5-10 minutes, you’ll be ready to camp in no time.

Users rave about the customer service, so if you run into any problems with the fiberglass poles, rest assured that you’ll get the problem resolved.

Pros:

• A quick 5 minute setup with two people
• Lightweight at 8.88 lbs
• A good mix of height at 67 inches and space at 39.5 sq ft
• Nicely priced

Cons:

• No rainfly, so you are completely dependent on the waterproof fabric
• Poles are fragile

Best for: winter campers who want a super-warm tent and aren’t worried about the price tag.

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Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent

Seasons: 3-seasons | Weight: 11 lbs | Inside Height: 63 in | Floor: 63 x 79 in (34.5 sq ft) | Setup Time: 10 mins

I love the Napier SportZ tent, but I understand that it might be too pricey for some. So, here’s the most affordable truck tent I recommend: Guide Gear’s Truck Tent.

Despite being the most affordable tent on our list, it’s got a great track record helping campers sleep sound at night.

This is a basic, all-around high-quality tent. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the SportZ, but this tent will help your truck bed feel like your home bed.

Pros:

• Most affordable truck tent we reviewed (great bang for your buck)
• Its straightforward design makes it extremely durable, hard to break
• 1500mm HH water-resistant coating and an added rain fly keep you bone dry
• The spacious interior and added floor give you a relaxing camping experience
• Very lightweight tent (only 10 lbs.), so it can be stored in your truck indefinitely

Cons:

• Only available in two sizes

Best for: campers who want to “test the waters” to see if they like truck tents before splurging on a premium product.

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Rightline Gear Truck Tent

Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 8 lbs | Inside Height: Truck model dependent | Square Footage: Truck model dependent | Setup Time: 10 mins

Last but not least is the Rightline Gear’s Truck Tent. I saved this one for last because honestly, there isn’t anything magical about it. That being said, it’s a well-rounded tent that provides a great camping experience.

It comes in a ton of different sizes, so every pickup truck owner can buy one.

It’s lightweight so you can store it under your seats for on-the-go camping.

The only feature that sticks out is that it doesn’t have a floor. The only tents on this list that don’t have a floor are this and the Kodiak canvas. If you want a polyester tent with no floor (so you can have a toolbox), this is the choice for you.

Pros:

• Removable rain fly so you can open up the tent and see the stars
• No floor, so you can still use this tent if you have a toolbox – it’s also nice to have no floor if you want to use your own footprint (or tarp)
• Sizes available for compact, mid-size, and full-size trucks
• Price is middle-tier – less than the Napier tents, but more than the Gear Guide tent
• Lightweight (11 lbs.) so you can keep it in your toolbox without taking up much space

Cons:

• No floor might be a drawback for some people since the floor might be dirty or wet – I suggest bringing a tarp or footprint just in case
• Zippers are not the best quality and may get stuck

Best for: campers who want a versatile polyester truck tent, but don’t want a floor attached.

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Truck Bed Tent Buying Guide

You’ve decided you want a truck tent. Great!

Now, here are some of the factors you’ll need to take into account to make sure you pick the right one.

Compatibility

The number one issue when it comes to truck tents is compatibility.

There are tons of trucks on the market and they all have different size beds. You must double-check to make sure your truck tent fits your truck.

Most truck tents specify what size beds they fit. Make sure you go out and measure your truck bed and confirm it matches the tent manufacturer’s specs.

Size

When you get your truck tent, you’re gonna be excited to open it up and get started. However, don’t rush out to the mountains just yet.

First, consider the size of your tent.

Heed this warning – most truck tents are made to only sleep two people. If you’re looking to camp with more than two, you might want to opt for a family-sized ground tent. Or, get the Napier SportZ and add the Link tent.

Or if you are a tall person, or simply want to have some headroom, the Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Instant Tent is going to be your best bet with 6 feet of clearance.

Other contenders for space are going to be the Napier SportZ Truck Tent and the JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent.

Material

Most truck tents are made of either nylon, polyester, or canvas.

Each of these fabrics has their own set of pros and cons, so which material you end up going for is going to come down to personal preference, and what your priorities are.

Nylon and polyester are synthetic materials that are lighter than canvas and quick to dry, making them less prone to mildew. That being said, they’re not as durable or breathable as nylon.

Canvas, on the other hand, is a natural material that’s tough, breathable, weatherproof and environmentally sustainable. It is, however, a lot heavier than nylon or polyester, and it dries slowly, so mildew can often be an issue.

Season Rating

Unless you’re going truck camping in extremely hot or extremely cold weather conditions, chances are you’ll end up getting either a 3 season or a 4 season truck tent.

What’s the difference?

Well, a 3 season tent is perfect if you plan on camping during the summer, and possibly late spring and early fall.

However, if you plan on using your tent during the winter months, as well as late fall and early spring, then a 4 season tent is the way to go.

Note: although it’s called a 4 season tent, these tents are not ideal for use during the summer when it’s hot outside.

Water-Resistance

With any tent, water resistance has got to be a top priority. After all, the last thing you want on your camping trip is to be caught in a rainstorm in a leaky tent.

To make sure you get a tent that will keep you dry in all kinds of weather, check its waterproof rating. The minimum rating for a tent to be considered waterproof is 1000 mm, but the higher the figure the better protected you’ll be.

Also, make sure it comes with a good rain fly that covers the entire tent.

A bathtub floor is another good feature to look out for, as it prevents your tent from flooding during heavy rains.

If you want to make double sure, treat your tent using waterproofings spray before you head off on your trip.

If you’ve got a canvas tent, you can season it instead, or use waterproofing products just like you would with a synthetic tent.

The Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent proves that canvas is king with its superior water resistance. However, many of the other truck bed tents that we looked at all had favorable outcomes in the wind and rain.

The Napier SportZ Truck Tent shows why it is an overall great tent, and the Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Instant Tent may not hold up the best in high winds, but keeps water out well.

Ventilation

Other than the breathability of the materials themselves, the windows and vents on a truck tent are super important for maintaining good ventilation, with enough airflow through the tent.

If there isn’t enough air flowing through your tent, condensation will form on the inner walls and drip down onto you and everything else that’s inside. This is true regardless of whether it’s hot or cold outside.

Not to mention, you’ll be feeling so stuffy and sweaty that getting a good night’s sleep will be out of the question.

Make sure that you select a tent with nice, large windows with mesh screens to keep the bugs out.

Also, look for vents on the sides or roof that allow air to escape through the top of the tent.

Set-Up

You want to make sure you get a truck tent that’s fairly easy to set up.

Most importantly, know how to set up your tent before you hit the road. Read the instructions and set up your tent at your house so you know what you’re doing.

You’ll quickly find that setting up a truck tent is quite different to a ground tent. While ground tents use guy-lines and stakes to keep the tent tight, truck tents use straps that attach to the outside of your truck.

I’ve got two tips to maximize your use of these straps.

Tip #1: make sure you don’t over-torque the straps.

It’s very common for people to over-pull the straps to keep their tent rigid. However, you’ll find that it’s easy to pull too much and damage your tent.

Be cautious, and keep this in mind when strapping down your tent.

Tip #2: watch your paint job.

Depending on the setup, your straps (or ratchet) might chip away at the paint on the outside of your truck.

You can prevent this by not over-torquing the straps, but you can also add some protection to your truck. A tarp, pad, or even just a towel can be placed under your straps to keep your paint job clean.

The Fofana Stand Up Truck Bed Instant Tent and the JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent will go up the fastest – both in 5 minutes with two people.

On the other hand, the Kodiak Canvas Tent has a steep learning curve.

Value

All tents are not created equally, and not all tents are priced equally either.

JoyTutus for instance produces a great budget truck bed tent, while Kodiak produces a superior canvas tent that can withstand the elements. These tents will not be priced anywhere close to each other.

As you can see the Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent is the highest priced, but if you are looking to go winter camping in your truck bed tent, then the Kodiak Canvas tent is for you! That will provide superior value, even at its current price.

Coming in below $100, the Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent is a great budget tent. However, it doesn’t come without it’s risks as it has mid-range headroom and limited weather resistance.

That is why we ultimately love the Napier BackroadZ Truck Tent for its superior value.

Additional Features

Finally, look out for additional features like a built-in floor, door flaps, cab access, wire ports, storage pockets and a gear loft.

These might seem like minor points, but they can often make a world of difference when it comes to staying comfortable and organized on your trip.

Keep in mind that if you get a truck bed tent with a floor, you won’t be able to have anything else in the back of the trunk while your tent is up.

Why Would You Want A Truck Tent?

At this point, you might be thinking “hmm, I like the sound of these truck tents, but there are some alternatives that look just as good.”

Here are some reasons why a truck tent is better than a ground tent or a truck cap.

Truck Tent vs. Ground Tent

Truck tents aren’t nearly as popular as normal tents (that set up on the ground).

I’m not sure why, but if I had to guess, I’d say it’s because trucks aren’t as popular as cars or SUVs (which can be used for SUV camping). My research shows pickup trucks make up only 15-20% of American cars.

My take is… their loss! Trucks are awesome and are made even better with truck tents.

The major benefit of using a truck tent over a ground tent is that you don’t have to sleep on the ground. Depending on your terrain, this can be a major perk. A truck tent allows you to park on any rocky, swampy, or bumpy ground without having to sleep on the ground.

Truck tents allow you to camp anywhere you can drive. That’s a great reason to pick a truck tent, in my opinion.

Truck Tent vs. Truck Cap

You’ve decided you want to camp in your truck, but maybe you’re tempted to get a truck cap (also known as a truck topper) instead. These caps are installed on the bed of your truck to provide permanent coverage.

The benefit to a truck cap is that it’s long-lasting and guarantees rain protection. The negative is the cost.

Depending on the size of your truck and the material you choose, a truck cap could cost anywhere between $750 and $2,200. Compare that to a truck tent, and the tent is looking pretty nice!

FAQs

Are truck bed tents worth it?

If you prefer sleeping off the ground, be it for comfort or safety, then investing in a truck bed tent is definitely a good idea.

That’s especially the case if you spend a lot of time on the road, as you don’t have to worry about finding a perfect place to pitch a tent every time.

Are truck bed tents easy to set up? How long does it usually take?

That depends a lot on the model you’re using. In most cases, it should take you roughly about 15 minutes to set up a truck tent.

Of course, expect to spend a bit more time when you’re doing it for the first time, as it has a slight learning curve.

How do truck bed tents work?

Truck bed tents have a simple yet very functional design. Essentially, they turn your truck bed into a space for you to sleep off the ground.

Not only do you get a more stable sleeping platform, but you are also elevated away from bugs and ground moisture.

How can I make my truck bed tent more comfortable?

Truck bed tents are typically large enough for you to place an air mattress or sleeping pad for more comfort.

You can also bring lots of extra pillows and blankets, as weight is not an issue when packing for your camping trip.

Can a truck bed tent be used on the ground?

Theoretically, there’s nothing stopping you from setting up a truck bed tent on the ground. However, these tents aren’t designed to be used this way, which is why they can’t stand upright without using the clipping system that works with a truck.

For this purpose, we recommend an SUV tent instead.

What size mattress fits in a truck bed?

The standard truck bed size is around 77 inches long and between 63 and 66 inches wide, which should be just enough to fit a full-size mattress.

Of course, there are many models with much wider trucks, which can accommodate even a queen air mattress.

Can you use a truck tent with a tonneau cover?

You can use a truck tent with a tonneau cover, depending on the kind. Retractable tonneau covers work great, while rolled-up ones need to be less than 6 inches high.

As for the hinged or folding tonneau covers, you need to remove them completely.

Our Verdict

In conclusion, using a truck tent is an awesome way to get outside. Camping in your truck bed allows you to sleep on any terrain, providing excellent comfort and protection. You might not be able to find truck tents at your local outdoor store, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a great choice for camping.

There are tons of truck tents on the market. Out of all of those, I think the best truck tent is the Napier SportZ Truck Tent. It might have a premium price tag, but it’s jam-packed with so many features that I think it’s well worth it.

Either way, all of the tents in this article will provide you with an epic camping experience.