We all find camping nice, but let’s be honest: it can be uncomfortable. Truck bed tents are a great way to sleep better and fully enjoy the potential of being surrounded by nature
Countless stars in the sky. Clean and fresh air. Beautiful scenery wherever you look. And peaceful silence. Camping is one of the first activities that come to our minds when we want to disconnect from the chaos of a big city. When it comes to practice, it can bring us all that, indeed. However, we have to take off the rose-colored glasses: camping may also be difficult, expensive, stressful, and downright uncomfortable.
You might be wondering whether there is a systematic way to make it pleasant. Your best tool to that end is preparation. That does not necessarily mean buying amenities of all types, especially because it would tone down your experience. It is about investing in a few items that improve specific points towards your comfort and safety. As you can imagine, a good truck bed tent is one of the best examples of those.
What is a truck tent?
The product’s name does not leave much to imagination: it is a tent which you can install in a truck. Roof tents like the one on the top picture are more common, but they are also more expensive. We decided to bring options of bed tents as well because they are more affordable. Then again, you must keep in mind that they are always limited by the bed’s dimensions. As a result, these types of tents tend to be smaller.
Truck bed tents are quite simple to operate, too. Basically, you have to find somewhere to park your truck flat, first of all. Then, all you have to do is assemble the tent and enter it. They are generally made for two people and have limited space. After all, the truck’s cabin is right there for you to store your belongings. Now that we have covered the basics, here are some important items to consider when choosing the tent.
Bed tent size
Since this product is limited by the ‘s dimensions, you can find specific variations for each of the available sizes. Ford F-150 and , for example, are considered full-size trucks while the Chevrolet Colorado and the Toyota Tacoma are midsize pickups. Besides that, some models offer different bed sizes. The importance of knowing your truck’s exact dimensions before buying a bed tent goes without saying.
Truck tent material
Here, we have to balance resistance and weight. Polyester and fiberglass truck tents are light and take up little space, so they are suitable for smaller pickup truck and/or light camping activity. Now, if you plan to participate in heavier camping activities, you will need the classic canvas. These bed tents are considerably larger and heavier, but they will get the job done especially in harsh winters or when the weather is wet.
Truck bed tent floor
While all regular tents have a sewn-in base, that is not necessarily the case with truck tents. Some of them simply do not have that part; their base is directly the truck bed’s base. That is good to make it lighter and presumably cheaper, but there are drawbacks. For example, the bed’s surface is metallic, so it may be too hot or too cold to touch; and there may be objects underneath the bed tent that make the base irregular.
Overall tent dimensions
Truck bed tents also differ in their vertical size and shape. Upscale ones feature extensions and vestibules, sometimes with enough room for you to stand on foot. Others are primarily meant for sleeping, which is why they are lower and smaller. The former is adequate for campers who have many objects to store. The latter, in turn, is perfect in case you camp at a windy place because it will not suffer as much from wind.
Best Truck Bed Tents 2023
After reading the specific points of interest, now it is time for you to choose your brand new truck tent! In the following table, we have compiled basic information of all models selected for this list so you can give them an initial look. If you keep reading, you will find our individual opinions on them, including pros and cons. The final section is made with our conclusions based on what we think of all those truck bed tents.
| Tent model | Height | Length | Width | Buy now! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.6 ft | 6.9 ft | 3.9 ft | ||
| 5.25 ft | 6.6 ft | 5.25 ft | ||
| 5.25 ft | 10 ft | 5.6 ft | ||
| 5 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | ||
| 5.6 ft | 7.5 ft | 5.25 ft | ||
| 5 ft | 8.2 ft | N/A | ||
| 5.7 ft | 8.2 ft | N/A | ||
| 5.8 ft | 8.2 ft | N/A | ||
| 5.4 ft | 8.25 ft | 6.75 ft | ||
| 5.1 ft | 8 ft | N/A |
Practicality is the name of the game here. This bed tent has quick assembly and offers plenty of height so you can move freely inside. It also features an opening to pass charging cables back and forth the truck’s cabin. However, you need to use the additional rainfly (it comes with the package) if you are camping in a cold or wet region. Customers also complain about the plastic clips, which tend to break way too easily.
Pros
- Tall enough to stand on your feet
- Pole structure is easy to assemble
- Full-height panoramic windows
Cons
- Weak plastic clips on side straps
- Requires extra rainfly in wet weather
- Large size is too big for some trucks
The beauty of reviewing several competitors in the same product segment is finding the specific biases of each one. This bed tent, for example, is unrivaled in case you expect heavy rain when camping. It has solid construction, a full rainfly, and polyethylene floor, so water will not be a problem. We just want you to pay attention to its setup instructions because they are vague: it pays off to practice assembling the tent first.
Pros
- Durable, sturdy and rainproof construction
- Excellent price for everything it offers
- Windows and door enhance ventilation
Cons
- It is possible to cause fitting problems
- Poles fit too tight in the corner pockets
- User manual provides vague instructions
The most interesting feature of this bed tent is how user-friendly it is. The manufacturer made sure to add detailed instructions on its Amazon page, which is enough to set it apart from many others. It has rather weak poles, but you will have one opportunity to order a free replacement. Besides that, JoyTutus claims it is waterproof even without the included rainfly. You will also like to know that it brings a full floor layer.
Pros
- Double-layered windows of different sizes
- Intuitive and abundant setup instructions
- Size options can easily fit most truck beds
Cons
- Tent poles are fragile and prone to break
- Most options have poles made of fiberglass
- Not many pockets for internal storage
If you are looking for an old-fashioned camping experience, look no further. As we mention above, canvas truck tents are much more resistant at the expense of a higher weight. While this one does not withstand heavy snow, you can safely use it in any time of the year. The cotton duck canvas and the 3/4″ steel-tube frame make it sturdy, yet still breathable. Its large windows help make it pleasant in hot weather as well.
Pros
- Thick canvas is resistant all year round
- Steel-tube frame endures strong winds
- Good use of the available floor room
Cons
- One of the heaviest bed tents of this list
- It does not feature a sewn-in floor layer
- Assembly process is quite complicated
One of the top-rated truck bed tents on Amazon earns its stars for being good at everything rather than perfect at one or two aspects. The cross-pole structure makes it resistant against strong winds while the rainfly adds protection in wet weather. The mesh windows do their part by facilitating ventilation. On the other hand, this truck tent is made for one specific bed size (5.5 ft to 6 ft), which surely limits its appeal.
Pros
- Doors and windows have dual-layer mesh
- Color-coded poles make assembly quick
- Full sewn-in floor layer for extra comfort
Cons
- Made for only one type of truck bed size
- Color options are pretty, but too flashy
- Not many pockets for internal storage
When we go camping, it is important to keep in mind that we are invading nature. We are strangers there, in a place where countless animals, reptiles and bugs live. The BackroadZ truck tent is especially useful in its camo version because it attracts less attention. To that end, it also offers the internal upholstery in dark color: you can use your flashlight in the bed tent without attracting too much attention from the outside.
Pros
- One of the most spacious tents in this list
- Everything makes the tent quite resistant
- Camo external appearance can be useful
Cons
- Initial setup can be difficult for beginners
- There is no port to access the truck cabin
- The inside may get humid with the rainfly
We could say that this truck tent has many good features, but that is valid about all the others too. What makes it stand out is the intelligent build: it features pockets to store things more efficiently, an awning to extend the covered area, and color-coded poles to make the assembly process (a little) easier. It is easy to observe Napier’s effort to do something truly good here, and that is something we definitely appreciate.
Pros
- Built-in awning increases covered space
- Internal pockets make the tent practical
- Mesh windows facilitate ventilation
Cons
- Assembling it with good fit takes time
- Braided nylon straps may scratch the bed
- Uncovered seams are not weatherproof
The fact that this truck bed tent does not have an official manufacturer video anticipates that it is the low-budget entry of the list. It is made of polyester taffeta to be lightweight, yet people claim it is durable. The user manual is not the most straightforward, yet people claim no trouble using it. And it fits most pickups, including compact ones. Just keep an eye on the poles: customers have stated that they are quite weak.
Pros
- One of the most affordable tents in this list
- Easy to set up even with vague instructions
- Brings a rainfly, full floor, and storage bag
Cons
- Poles have a tendency to break quite easily
- User manual offers confusing instructions
- Door zipper may leak in during heavy rain
The fact that “waterproof” often appears as part of this truck tent’s name says much about it. It resists up to 2,000 mm of water, has an entirely sealed floor layer, and even includes an awning so you will not get wet when opening the door. The downsides are its installation, which uses too many poles compared to the others, and fitting: some users have reported problems in that regard, so you will have to be careful.
Pros
- Remarkable resistance against heavy rain
- Included awning improves the experience
- Sewn-in floor layer is entirely waterproof
Cons
- Users have complained about bad fitting
- Too many poles make assembly difficult
- One of the most expensive tents in this list
This bed tent is an appealing option if you want to put as little effort as possible into setting it up. It does not have a floor, so you do not need to clear the bed beforehand. The poles are color-coded, so there will be no difficulties to assemble them. There are only three sizes to choose from. And the zipper pulls glow in the dark. The zippers, however, have gathered complaints that they are not the strongest in the market.
Pros
- Everything makes its installation easy
- Three sizes make fitting simple as well
- Features an extra sky view window
Cons
- There are complaints of fragile zippers
- Does not have a sewn-in floor layer
- Bed tent does not come with a mattress
What is the best camping tent?
Even though that was a tough decision to make, we have a clear winner: the . As we have already said, all those truck bed tents do the basics well. This one stands out because it is smart; it makes you save time to assemble it and to use it. No one wants to spend most of the daytime dealing with bed tent poles, right? This one will get you effectively enjoying your camping activities in no time.
Now, if you want our honorable mention, that is definitely the . In a world of new materials and weight optimization, that truck bed tent offers classic construction with all its weak and strong suits. It is not better nor worse than the others, but different. And it evokes old-fashioned camping with all that thick canvas material. It is definitely interesting in case you want to give your weekend a retro image.
Joe Stewart is a 35-year-old automotive enthusiast born in Miami, Florida. He is a part-time collaborator in AutomoBible and specializes at making car passion accessible to readers thanks to his product curations of all types.
Stewart worked in the automotive industry for several years especially in the field of accessories. He executed projects for several automakers whether to improve existing solutions or to design new ones according to their needs.
Nowadays, Stewart is expressing his passion for cars on AutomoBible. He is always looking for exciting new products and he tests them whenever he can, whether on his own 2020 Dodge Charger or on his friends's cars.
