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Best Truck Tents
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Overall Fit
No matter what you look for in a tent, the price, quality, design, simplicity, portability, or fitting capacity, it is all proven irrelevant (for truck tents) if the tent itself does not fit over the bed of your truck (or SUV). When searching for your next truck tent, you need to tread carefully and be 100 percent certain that you are selecting a model that accommodates for your truck. Some manufacturers will give you multiple size options so everyone can get a properly sized tent. In the instance where you have options at your disposal, run over the measurements of your truck to ensure it will fit. Also, take into consideration if your bed is a full-sized, mid-sized or a compact-sized version.
Of course, these size options are not always at your convenience. Some truck tents are sold in one size and if so, will not fit every single truck in America. Sellers may even specify a minimum bed-size or if a rear-mounted spare tire will prevent it from working. In a rarer situation, you may even come across tents that are specifically designed for a certain car model. Either way, do what you need to make sure you know the truck tent will fit your truck.
Then, there are some tents that work strictly for minivans and SUVs. These types are a little less strict as most will have a sleeve that can be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Thus, adapting to a wide number of SUVs and minivans. When it comes to which trucks/SUVs will fit certain models, you can take great pleasure in knowing that most sellers will not leave you in the dark and will specify which ones will work.
Features
Tents are designed to be a portable form of residence, allowing people a place to live on the go (for a certain amount of time). Thus, it is quite important how well the interior is designed. Different design choices will hold different values from person to person. But, in general, there are some factors you want to look for when analyzing the interior design of a truck tent.
Firstly, decide which kind of floor you would like. For truck tents that have an attached sleeve that connects to SUV’s, this is not so much of an issue. But, for traditional truck beds, the sleeping area is in the bed of your truck. Typically, manufacturers will either sport their tent with or without a sewn-in floor. Looking at it through objective eyes, both hold their advantages. With a sewn-in floor, you do not have to sweep out the bed of your truck. The air mattress, if small enough, could then rest comfortably on the floor. But, without a floor, you can leave some of your heavier equipment in the bed without moving it (as long as it is not in your way).
Next, the amount of ventilation will be paramount for some people. On hot summer nights, you will want a breeze coming inside to make it breathable and possible to sleep. The amount of ventilation will strictly depend on the number of mesh windows installed and also if the outer door folds up. Also, keep a special eye out for tents that have a storm flap as this will enhance privacy and provide a good deal of protection against the weather. Speaking of weather, included rain flies and water-resistant fabric are also nice in the instance where you must sleep in the tent in a downpour.
Although not nearly as important as other interior design choices, for extra storage and organization some sellers will outfit their tent with gear pockets; which is a nice touch.
Ease of Use
When it comes to any sort of work, it is beneficial for people when it is as simple as possible. Clearly, when you pull off to the side of the road and are ready to sit back and rest you do not want to spend several minutes setting up a tent. Traditional tents are one thing, but truck tents will (depending on how you use them) often times require you to set-up and disassemble multiple times. As with any process, the more times you take part in it the simpler it will become in the proceeding instances you do it. But, some tasks will remain difficult no matter how many times you complete them.
Some prior experience constructing tents will help, but novices should still be able to put them up with little to no hassle. Versions that have color-coded poles and a sleeve system are always a good way to achieve this. But, a key for some people will be if the tent is easy to put up with one person. Depending on the way it is designed, some will be a complete hassle with one person and completely unbearable. In the instances where you are by yourself, this can prove to be a huge issue. When disassembling, it is also convenient when a storage bag comes alongside the tent itself to allow a place for storage.
A little piece of advice, in general, is to set-up your truck tent before you commence on your journey. This way, if you run into any speed bumps you can sort them out in the pleasure of your own driveway. Plus, you gain some practice so when you construct it in real-time you can achieve it even quicker than you would have before.
Top 10 Picks
1. SPORTZ CAMO
This SPORTZ Camo truck tent is known for being a very sturdy truck tent that creates a comfy space for two people while out on the road or during a camping trip. This truck tent has sides that extend over the truck’s bed to prevent water from finding its way into the bed and keeping you and your partner or friend dry while sleeping. This truck tent has great features including an awning that provides shade and gives you an extra area to relax in.
Read moreOverall Fit
This tent will fit minivans and SUVs without an external spare tire. This truck tent measures in at 30 x 9 x 9 inches and weighs 21 pounds so is easy to transport. The bungee cords that connect to the tire wells will not cause any damage. Depending on the size of your SUV, this tent is ideal for one to two people.
Features
This tent is fairly simple. For great ventilation and breathing, the outer door will fold up. Two-way zippers provide easy access in and out. The tent has sides that extend over the truck’s bed to prevent water from finding its way into the bed and keeping you and your bed dry.
Ease of Use
In less than five minutes, you will have this bad boy set-up. Simply, drape the tent over your vehicle and connect the bungee cords to the tire wells to secure it. Sure, it may not be as sufficient as the above models but it will still more than suffice and serve its purpose.
2. NAPIER BACKROADZ
Through intense searching, the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent managed to stand above the rest. Although it is not absolutely perfect, it has good reason to be the king.
Read moreOverall Fit
To accommodate your truck bed, there are several options available including 5 feet 5 inches, 6 feet, 6 feet 5 inches, 8 feet, and 9 feet. It will properly accommodate for two people, not including small children. The straps easily attach to the bottom of your truck and will not affect the finish or damage it in any way.
Features
There is a sewn-in floor made from polyethylene that allows you to sleep comfortably off the ground. In addition, four large windows that provide ample ventilation and a storm flap in the door that enhances privacy.
Ease of Use
Some minor downsides aside, this is as good as it gets for truck tents. The fact that there are several size options to accommodate several people makes it even better. Overall, it is easy to set-up with four shock-corded fiberglass poles and an accompanying storage bag for transport.
3. KODIAK CANVAS
While not perfect, the Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent is still well above-average and utilizes the tailgate tremendously.
Read moreOverall Fit
This will fit full-size trucks, with short beds, from 5.5 to 6.5 feet. But, there is also an option for eight feet. The clamp-on rails easily mount on the bed of the truck for a secure and safe fit. This tent will comfortably fit two people.
Features
The interior is durable, watertight and breathable. Its tunnel-shaped design maximizes the space of the interior and the five windows provide superb ventilation.
Ease of Use
If you are with another person, this is a tremendous truck tent. But, because of the hassle of setting it up by yourself, it can be a pain with no help. With more than one person, it is not difficult to set-up. Plus, there is a carry bag that is included.
4. GUIDE GEAR TENT
Speaking of quality, how about the Guide Gear Truck Tent? Its design alone makes it worth the money.
Read moreOverall Fit
This truck tent will fit full-sized pickups from various car manufacturers (Ford, GMC, Toyota, etc.). It will fit most full-sized beds but will fit differently from truck to truck. When anchored to the vehicle are tension straps that will not alter the paint in any way. This tent can properly sleep two people, with room for small children.
Features
The construction is top notch and provides excellent ventilation with its mesh windows. Plus, a sewn-in polyethylene floor and water-resistant coating provide a nearly-impeccable interior.
Ease of Use
This is a great product and will be particularly ideal if you have a full-sized bed. Its lightweight nature and four-pole design make it fairly simple to construct.
5. DAC FULL-SIZE
The DAC Full-Size Truck Tent is a terrific model and great for everyone. Its lack of size options is the only aspect that keeps this from going any higher.
Read moreOverall Fit
This will properly fit trucks that have a tailgate of at least 58 inches (wide) and will not fit any that possess an external rear-mounted spare tire. Elastic shock cords, with plastic hooks, hook into the underframe and wheel wells. This is perfectly safe for your truck. It is ideal for one to three people.
Features
With two windows behind the doors and an outer door that folds up, there is great ventilation. Also, the walls and roof are coated with polyester.
Ease of Use
Once you arrive at your destination, all you need to do is raise the rear window, lower the tailgate and place the tent over the opening. For storage, a carry bag is included.
6. SPORTZ AVALANCHE III
Capping off this list is a model that does not necessarily bring anything new to the table, but one that will still provide you a great place to sleep.
Read moreOverall Fit
Great for some and not for others, this is specifically designed for Chevy Avalanches and Silverado’s. The tent is strapped underneath your vehicle and will not cause damage in any way. In terms of capacity, it has a roomy interior and will fit two people; with plenty of headroom.
Features
Besides an obvious entrance door, there is a rear access door that allows you to enter through the cab. Included in the interior are two pockets and a gear loft. Meanwhile, a sewn-in floor prevents you from having to clean your bed.
Ease of Use
A carrying bag comes included and color-coded fiberglass poles provide a fast and easy construction. However, some reviewers have had trouble differentiating the colors in the dark of the night.
7. NAPIER SPORTZ COVE
Napier makes another appearance on our list, they must know what they are doing. Their Sportz Cove SUV Tent adapts to minivan owners, however.
Read moreOverall Fit
This product will work with virtually any large vehicle. There is an elastic-like band that wraps around and two anchor straps that attach to the roof rack (and to the hood if you do not have a roof rack) there is no concern for vehicle damage. The sleeve is universally designed and will fit all minivans and SUVs. How many people this is good for you really depends on the size of your vehicle, but (in general) around one to three people.
Features
This tent features a mesh screen keeps all bugs out and its built-in storm flap offers a great deal of privacy and weather protection.
Ease of Use
At first, the set-up can be a little tricky but it becomes much easier over time. An included lightweight carrying bag provides perfect storage.
8. RIGHTLINE GEAR FULL-SIZE
With many size options and simple and protective design, the Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent finds its rightful place on this list.
Read moreOverall Fit
This tent will fit many trucks with options for tall and regular beds are at your disposal and sizes between five and eight foot. The nylon buckles and protective heavy-duty straps will not damage the finish of your truck. Depending on the size of your bed, it will properly sleep two people.
Features
The fabric is water-resistant and the tent has pockets for your gear, a hook for hanging a lantern, vent that allows you to view what is above and glow in the dark zippers. While there is no floor, you do not have to remove excess equipment from your bed if you do not want to.
Ease of Use
The poles are all color-coded and ensure the easiest set-up possible. The overall quality of the tent is not as great as other models and the lack of a floor could be a problem, but it still does a terrific job with what it was designed to do.
9. SPORTZ TRUCK TENT
Sportz makes another appearance on this list and even though this is not as efficient as their previous model, it still possesses many of the goods.
Read moreOverall Fit
There are options available for full-sized, mid-sized and compact beds with boxes between 5.5 feet and eight feet. For extra vehicle protection, there is a set of strap protectors against the straps of the tent. And with over five feet of headroom and a spacious interior, it will properly sleep two people.
Features
A large rear access panel allows you to access the truck’s cab and the sewn-in floor provides a great surface. In addition, side vents and mesh windows enhance ventilation.
Ease of Use
The set-up process of this tent takes less than 10 minutes. The pole and sleeve system is color-coded which allows for easy set-up.
10. SPORTZ SUV TENT
The Sportz SUV tent is perfect for SUV and mini-van owners. For people sporting a large family, this is also a perfect choice.
Read moreOverall Fit
This tent, as its name suggests, is made for SUVs. There is a sleeve that attaches to the end of your SUV or mini-van and it measures 10 feet x 10 feet. It can properly fit five to six people with over seven feet of headroom. The sleeve wraps around the end of your SUV and the straps are attached to the bumpers and provide no harm.
Features
Wrapping around the cargo area, it allows access to plenty of storage. To bug proof it, there is a removable screen room; while the GoBe Dry ultimate rain protection system prevents you from getting wet.
Ease of Use
For a one-person set-up, it features a steel and fiberglass pole structure. In addition, an expandable carry bag comes along with it. Standard truck owners will have little to no use for this, but SUV owners (which is still technically a truck) will not find a better truck tent.
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