The Best Truck Bed Tents

Camping with a tent has certainly evolved over the years. For those of you not interested in the traditional means of camping, you may want to try your hand at a truck tent. We've chosen seven of some of the best truck bed tents out on the market today:

Unsure of which one to purchase or even what a truck tent is? No worries; we've got you covered there too. Our guide breaks down the ins-and-outs about truck bed tents in addition to reviewing what we feel are the top tents.

What Exactly is a Truck Bed Tent?

A truck tent is basically what it states: it's a tent designed to setup on the bed of a pickup truck. The majority of these tents fit 2-3 people comfortably. However, size and shape vary depending on the make and model of the truck.

Choosing the Right Tent

Before you select any tent, you have to make sure it will actually fit your vehicle. Everything we list here will fit a pickup truck. There are tents that are made specifically for other types of vehicles, however (e.g. SUVs, Jeeps, etc.), so make sure to read up about a tent prior to purchasing it.

Now, we've laid out some general features to be on the lookout for when shopping for a truck bed tent.

Space

How much room are you looking to have in your tent compared to the size of your truck? As stated before, most are meant to fit 2-3 people, but that isn't the only space to worry yourself with. Does it have enough headroom for you? Headroom can be an issue for taller people, so check with the height of the tent before you make an investment in it.

Durability/Stability

You want your tent to actually be able to hold up well. The poles are what provide that stability and keep your tent from crashing down. Most poles are made from the same material, aluminum, but others are made from fiberglass. If you plan on camping in some harsh weather conditions, then you want to aim for something more sturdy as to not risk ruining your tent.

Ventilation

This feature is more important if you're camping in warm weather. The majority of tents come with about two mesh panels, but if you're going to be in some very hot weather, be on the search for a tent that has more than two panels. You need air to circulate properly. Poor circulation makes for a poor camping experience.

Ease of Use

No one wants to spend hours trying to figure out how to set up a tent. Some tents are easy to setup and quick to break down and stow away. However, sometimes, ease of use can depend on the person doing the assembling/disassembling. Nevertheless, if you're not used to setting up tents in whether on a truck bed or on the ground, search for a tent that has something like foldable poles to make things easier.

Additional Accessories

As the market for truck bed tents continues to expand, manufacturers are adding more interesting features. Some have interior lighting, others can form an additional room on the side of the tent. There are seasonal tents as well that work across all types of weather, but they tend to run on the rather expensive side. Many have awnings to store gear and rain flies to protect against water.

Our Top Truck Bed Tent Choices

Selecting which tent is right for you is easier than ever thanks to guides like the one we laid out above and fellow reviews from consumers. Below is a quick review of seven of some of our favorite truck bed tents.

Napier Outdoor Sportz Truck Tent – Compact Bed

At 5ft., this is an excellent fit for those who have a compact truck bed. Assembly is easy, and breaking it down is just as simple. Poles are both fiberglass (tent and awning) and steel (awning). It works wonders if camping in the rain thanks to the covered entry. You can peel off wet clothes right outside underneath the entry and hop on up inside the tent nice and dry.

Rightline Gear 110730 Full-Size Standard Truck Bed Tent

This is designed to fit most typical full-sized truck beds, and it's large enough for two adults. Assembling this 6.5 tent is a snap with the color-coded, fiberglass poles and pole pockets that take the guess work out of everything. You can adjust this according to the weather as well as it comes with an optional rainfly. Attaching that and removing it is easy too. Other great features include the sky-view mesh panel, a hook to hang a lantern, and the gear pockets.

Sportz Truck Tent Blue/Grey

Headroom shouldn't be an issue here as you're given 5.6ft of it. Comfortably fitting two people, this tent features a sewn-in floor so you don't have to bother with cleaning off your truck bed before setting up this tent. Just remove any objects and assemble. The fiberglass and steel poles, as well as the sleeves, are color-coded too to aid in easy assembly. Two mesh windows and side vents give great circulation throughout for those warmer days. It's another that has a great entry cover for shade, weather protection, etc.

Guide Gear 6-by-6-Foot Compact Truck Tent

Quick to assemble, this compact tent is perfect for those out on a solo trip even if it's designed with two people in mind. The poles are fiberglass, and the polyester material is weather-resistant to hold up against a typical camping experience. Ventilation is good, and it comes with two storage pockets that readily come in handy.

Napier 57891 Sportz Camo Truck Tent – Full Size Crew Cab

This remarkably spacious tent gives 5.7ft. headroom and a large 4"x4" awning. The rear access panel allows quick access to the truck's anterior for additional storage, but it's not like you need it. The tent alone is gracious enough with space with the gear pocket. Near the awning, there's even a spot to store bulkier gear and keep it protected. With a size like this, you need good ventilation, and the three windows and two ceiling vents gives you just that. Setup is easy, and it should withhold common weather occurrences with the fiberglass and steel color-coded poles.

Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent

This has an almost universal design to it. It has incredible durability thanks to the sturdy, ¾-in. steel tube frame that connects to the clamp-on rails. Taller folks can cozy up in here as it's 5ft. in height, and the tunnel-like design feature gives it even more space inside. Bugs, ventilation, and light should be no issue as the tent has five windows so you're always comfortable and cool. The shade awning helps keep the stubborn sun away too. This tent has been rated well for all-season use.

Napier Backroadz Truck Tent

Using four color-coded fiberglass poles, one person should be able to assemble this tent quickly with minimal difficulty. There's over 5.6ft. of headroom offered and the interior overall is wonderfully roomy. The bed of the truck stays protected thanks to the tent's sewn-in floor, and you don't have to worry about sleeping on a dirty truck bed (or having to take the time to clean yours off). There are four windows for prime ventilation, and a storm flap for protection and privacy.

Best Truck Bed Tent – All-Around Use

For all-around use, we'd go with the Kodiak Canvas. It's a bit more high-end priced, but it's worth it considering the features. Plus, it's compatible with most trucks, and has one of the more secure fits out there to hold up in various conditions.

Best Truck Bed Tent – Budget

Top Rated Truck Bed Tents

If you're looking into finding the best rated truck bed tent, you should probable check out the Rightline Gear Full-Size Short Tent. We looked at various sources of reviews and found this one to have the best mix between review count and average rating stars.

Rightline Gear Full-Size Short Tent

The Lowest Price We Could Find

Often, going for the best price is a simple but good option. With a price of $64.99 (last checked this morning), we do not list any other truck bed tent cheaper than the Wakeman Tent. Just remember that it's not always the best option to go for the cheapest one.

Wakeman Tent

The Truck Bed Tent With the Most Reviews