Few setups are as flexible and simple as a pick up truck tent. If you want the extra comfort and security of not sleeping on the cold ground, then a truck bed tent is for you.
In this guide, I’ll look at which models are actually worth your money.
Why Choose a Truck Bed Tent for Camping?
Before we look at some of the best models, let’s talk about why a pick up truck tent is such a game changer.
A truck bed tent is designed to fit straight into your truck bed, using the tailgate or bed rails as part of the tent structure. They are lightweight, packable, and ideal for weekend trips.
A pickup truck tent will turn your truck bed into a ready made sleeping platform. You’re elevated, level, and protected, without committing to a heavy camper shell or permanent build.
What to Look for
- Good waterproof ratings
- Fully taped seams
- Strong fiberglass or aluminum poles
Always try and match your tent to your truck’s bed length. A poorly fitting pickup tent will leak, flap in the wind, and trust me, will drive you nuts.
Best All Around Classic Truck Bed Tents
Ok, let’s take a look at some of the best choices around.
Napier Backroadz Truck Bed Tent
This is one of the most popular truck bed tents for a reason.
It’s designed to fit a wide range of full size truck beds and sets up in about ten minutes thanks to a cool color coded pole system.
Its spacious interior comfortably fits two adults, with a ton of headroom, and large mesh windows that give great airflow. You’ll get excellent weather protection with the rainfly and storm flaps, which will keep critters and moisture at bay.
Some folks report that threading the tailgate buckles can be a bit fiddly at first, and the floor material could be a bit tougher.
That said, for me, this pickup truck tent is a good balance between affordability, comfort, and portability.
The Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is perfect if you want to try out truck bed camping without paying rooftop tent money, and it makes a comfy basecamp for weekend getaways or casual road trips.
Pros
Fast Setup
Excellent Ventilation
Cons
Thin Floor Fabric
Average Zippers
Napier Sportz Truck Tent
Napier’s Sportz Truck Tent starts to blur the line between a basic truck tent and a lightweight pickup camper.
Once inside, you’ll notice immediately how roomy this truck tent is compared to other setups around. The extra interior space and headroom gives it a real edge if you’re camping with a partner or want room for gear and an air mattress.
This pickup truck tent has a sewn in floor with multiple windows and vents that do a great job keeping the interior dry and comfortable, even when the weather turns.
The full rainfly, and especially the cab access window are cool features. Solo assembly can take a little time to get used to, but once you’ve done it a few times it’s pretty easy.
The pole hardware and zippers won’t handle lots of abuse, but overall, this truck bed tent is really well made. It will provide really good weather protection, and the extra convenience of the mini awning is a big plus.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, truck bed pop up tent that will transform your truck into a reliable mini camper, the Napier Sportz Truck Tent is definitely a good investment.
Pros
Spacious Interior
Cab Access Window
Cons
Longer Setup
Bulkier Packed Size
JOYTUTUS Pickup Truck Tent
The JOYTUTUS pick up truck tent is very popular, likely because of the removable awning and the solid waterproof rating.
It’s super easy to set up (about 5–10 minutes) even without instructions, which makes it perfect for quick overnight trips.
The interior is a good size, giving you enough space for 2–3 people, and the tall design makes changing clothes or organizing gear inside much easier. The awning is a big bonus, adding shade on sunny afternoons when you’re hanging around camp and want protection over your tailgate and cooking area.
One thing to note is that the zipper on the door is very fine toothed, and can stick, just something to look out for. For simple easy truck camping and weekend use, the JOYTUTUS pickup truck tent is a decent budget choice if it’s treated with a bit of care.
Pros
Included Awning
Aluminum Poles
Cons
Delicate Zipper
Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent
For casual campers, this truck bed pop up tent is a fantastic buy.
The Rightline Gear truck bed makes truck camping simple and super cost effective. The floorless design is a neat touch which lets you leave your gear in the bed while setting up, meaning less unpacking and repacking at every campsite.
Setup is pretty quick, about 5–10 minutes once you’ve practiced a couple of times. The fabric and taped seams do a really good job keeping (most) weather at bay.
This cool budget truck tent is known for being pretty durable and reliable and comes with a carry bag making it a solid choice if you want to start truck bed camping without overcomplicating things.
It’s missing an opening at the back so you can access the rear cab window, but that’s not a deal breaker.
Overall, this Rightline Gear truck bed tent is an affordable entry into the world of pickup truck tent camping.
Pros
Budget Friendly
Floorless Design
Cons
No Cab Access
Must Have Accessory for Any Pickup Tent!
One thing that really matters on any truck camping trip, is comfort. This inflatable truck bed mattress is designed to fit full size and short beds, and turns any truck bed pop up tent into a comfortable sleeping platform.
The soft touch top feels much nicer under sleeping bags than a bare mattress topper, and it’s thick enough to cushion against bumps and wheel well intrusions.
Inflate and deflate is super easy with the included 12 volt pump. It folds down small enough to stash in the cab or under a storage bin when not in use.
This mattress will transform a basic truck bed setup into a super comfy campsite.
For the price, comfort, and fit, this Pittman mattress is one of those accessories you’ll wonder how you ever truck camped without it.
Pros
Excellent Comfort
Wheel Well Fit
Cons
None Worth Mentioning
High End Truck Tent Camper Options
Let’s take a look at some higher end options.
This is premium gear if you’re planning some serious overlanding.
C6 Outdoor Rev Tent 4 Season Truck Bed Tent
The Nomadic Supply REV Tent X isn’t your average truck bed tent, this is a serious truck bed tent built for proper adventuring.
This is a genuine 4 season pick up truck tent built to handle everything the weather can throw at you.
One of the best features is the built in 4″ thick mattress, so no need for a separate mattress pad or sleeping mat.
Setup is pretty quick for such a heavy duty truck tent. Unzip the shell, assemble the aluminum poles, and stake it down, all in about 5 minutes.
The dual layer waterproof fly, tough ripstop nylon, and fully sealed seams will give you real peace of mind when the rain rolls in, exactly what you need in unpredictable conditions.
The interior is plenty big enough for two adults, and the four screen windows give excellent ventilation.
Unlike most pop up truck bed tents, the REV Tent is super versatile. You can pitch it in the bed of your truck, on the ground, or even mount it on a roof rack with the optional platform.
If you’re looking to get a bit more serious about your truck camping, this REV Tent X is a premium option that will definitely do the job.
Pros
Four Season Rated
Built In Mattress
Cons
Premium Price
Limited Availability
OVS MagPak 2.0 – Hybrid Pickup Camper System
If you’re dreaming of turning your rig into a bonafide overland basecamp, the OVS MagPak 2.0 Excursion is one of the most unique pickup truck tent camper systems around, blending a hard camper shell with an integrated rooftop tent.
This isn’t your average truck tent camper, the aircraft grade aluminum frame and marine grade hardware give it a strength you only normally see on custom truck builds.
One of the best things about the MagPak is the no drill installation. You can clamp it onto your truck bed without modifying your truck, which is a huge bonus.
In terms of features, it has integrated LED lighting, side tie downs, and even MOLLE panels, making it feel more like a pickup camper than truck tent.
This setup is designed to fit a number of the most poular pickups – Toyota Tacoma, Ram 2500 +3500, Toyota Tundra, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Chevy Colarado and the Ford F100.
Make no mistake, the OVS MagPak 2.0 Excursion is a serious investment, aimed at overlanders who want a tough, comfortable truck camping rig.
Pros
Modular System
Extreme Durability
Cons
Very Expensive
Heavy Installation
Is a Pick Up Truck Tent Worth It?
If you want:
- Affordable camping
- Minimal setup time
- Maximum flexibility
A pick up truck tent is one of the smartest camping investments you can make.
It’s lighter than a pickup camper, more comfortable than ground tents, and adaptable enough for everything from quick weekend escapes to serious truck camping adventures.
