The Most Popular Truck Bed Tents in 2022

A guide to truck bed tents from a variety of price points, quality of materials, important features, and sizes depending on your truck bed length.

Truck bed tents are a very popular way to enjoy the outdoors without sleeping on the cold, hard ground where you can get wet, and help you keep the wildlife out of your tent while you sleep.

By Maurice Rodriguez
November 2, 2022

In this article, we will look at truck bed tents starting with entry-level tents that start under $200 and the types of features included for the money. The second set is high-end truck tents (above $200) where some use canvas as an alternative material to polyester. Other feature awnings, and rooftop models, and some are tall enough for you to stand in for extra comfort when getting dressed.

Best Truck Tents Under $200

Napier Backroadz Truck Tent

The Napier Backroads Truck Tent is one of the most popular 2-person truck tents on the market for its lightweight design (under 4lbs.), and a full floor bottom that keeps you dry but certainly not thick enough to sleep on. We recommend a cot, air mattress, or sleeping pad for added comfort. Also, Napier includes a rainfly to keep you dry during rainy weather and a carabiner at the center for a lantern.  Assembly is easy and has a large interior (5 ½ ft.) height but may be cramped for taller campers.

Pros:

• Lightweight – under 4lbs.
• Easy to Assemble
• Rainfly – For protection from the rain
• Caribiner at the center of the dome for a lantern

Cons:

• Only 5 ½ ft. tall at the center – might be cramped to taller campers
• No Awning
• No back window access

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	YES	YES	YES
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	YES	NO	NO

Best Budget Truck Tent under $150

JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent

We really liked the JoyTutus (Funny name) Truck Tent as it has all the features of pricier competitors and is very well built. It has a waterproof coating and the bottom has a waterproof layer to keep you dry as the other tents. It has 3 vent windows with a double-layer design to give you flexibility. Like others, you will need an air mattress or camping foam.

Pros:

• Very good value
• Lightweight – 8lbs.
• Waterproof
• Full floor design
• Lots of windows
• 4 mesh pockets

Cons:

• Only for Short Bed trucks 5ft.

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	NO	NO	NO

Other Budget Truck Tents

Guide Gear Premium Truck Tent

The Guide Gear is also a very popular truck tent as it’s also a very lightweight (8 ½ lbs.) heavy-duty water-resistant camping truck tent. It has a fully protected bottom to keep you dry but like the Napier, you will need an air mattress or foam pad to give you a cushion between you and the truck bed floor. It comes with a water-resistant coating and a rainfly to keep you dry as well. ONLY fits truck beds 72” to 74” or 6ft. to 6 ½ ft.

Pros:

• Lightweight – 8 ½ lbs.
• Easy to Assemble
• Rainfly – For protection from the rain
• Good Starter Tent
• Bargain pricing
• Deluxe Camo version for an extra $100 and 6ft tall for taller campers

Cons:

• No Awning
• No back window access
• Regular only 4’ 9” tall, pretty short

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	NO	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	NO	YES	YES	NO
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	NO	YES	NO	NO

Rightline Gear Full-Size Short Truck Bed Tent – Floorless Design

The Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent on the outside seems similar to the other models we have reviewed but once you look inside you see that Rightline has made some interesting design choices. Rightline’s truck tent is a floorless design which seems like a terrible choice but, if you think about it, this design choice allows you to quickly set up your tent without having to unload your truck. This might be a genius idea. You can easily move camps without much hassle. The other features are still here, water-resistant, sleeps two, rainfly, and a setup guide sewn into the stuff sack.

Pros:

• Floorless design allows for easy setup and teardown
• Lightweight – 8lbs.
• Rainfly
• Water-resistant
• Lantern hook
• Stuff pockets
• Glow-in-the-dark zippers
• Sky-view vent

Cons:

• The tape seems can tear
• Zippers are low quality

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	YES	YES	YES
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	YES	NO	NO

Best SUV/Truck Camper Tent

Rightline Gear SUV Tent

Another interesting design but, this time from Rightline’s SUV or Truck with a camper tent. A solution for those with a family of six that need space. So two people can sleep in the SUV or Truck bed (you bring the camper shell) and the tent attaches to the back of your SUV or Camper to create a space for everyone. Rightline claims the tent sleeps 4 but that might be tight quarters for adults. You should be fine if it’s smaller kids. The tent is 8’ x 8’ (so that’s 64 sq. ft. of room) and 7 ft. tall. The tent can stand on its own, so you don’t need to tear it down if you leave for the day. You get all the same features included like a plastic floor to keep you dry, water-resistant fabric, and rainfly.

Pros:

• Lightweight 1lbs.
• Easy setup
• Sleeps 6
• Can attach to SUV or truck with cap
• The tent can stand alone for day trips
• Water-resistant
• Rainfly
• Very roomy – 8’ x 8’ and 7ft tall

Cons:

• Only fits a truck with a cap
• Fragile tent poles

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	YES	YES	YES
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	YES	NO	NO

Best Truck Tent under $300

FOFANA Truck Bed Tent Automatic Setup

If you have the means to buy a FOFANA Truck Bed Tent I would highly recommend this tent. It has an automatic pole system that lets your set up your tent in no time at all. If you hate fiberglass poles that get stuck every few inches and make you procrastinate setting up or tearing down your tent, this is the one you want. The poles extend in the tent are already fitted so no hassling with poles again. This alone is a feature worth paying extra for. The windows are full height (6ft. standing height in the tent) which gives you a great view of your surroundings. It has a back window truck pass-through, 4 storage pockets, a lantern hook, and an attic storage mesh for convenient items. The manufacturer claims it will fit any truck bed but it’s really geared for shorter bed trucks. If you have a long bed you may want to find something else that’s made to fit so you don’t have a large gap between you and your tent.

Pros:

• Hassle-free setup
• No messing with stuck poles
• Great panoramic view windows
• Cab pass-through
• 4 mesh storage pockets
• Lantern Hook
• Attic mesh storage
• Waterproof
• Rainfly
• 6ft. tall Standing Height

Cons:

• Kind of bulky at 13lbs. but not a deal-breaker
• Only for light camping (Summer, Fall, and Spring) – not a winter tent

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	YES	NO	NO
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	YES	NO	NO

Other Truck Tents Under $300

Napier Sportz Truck Tent Blue/Grey

The Sportz Truck Tent includes a 4’x4’ awning that’ is fully adjustable for those hot days when you need a little shade. It has a fully sealed bottom floor to keep you clean and dry. It has four windows for ventilation and a zip-up for privacy. It has a cab pass-through as well with a mesh storage attic for storing easy-to-reach items. It also has a color-coded system for a hassle-free setup, mesh storage pockets, a gear loft, a lantern holder, and a rain fly. It has all the features of the FOFANA but for the same price, you get an easier setup system with, a taller stand-up height from the FOFANA. But this is a good choice too if you really want an awning. Also, this tent comes in a variety of sizes to fit your truck bed so remember to measure your truck bed from the back by the cab to the tailgate to make sure you are getting the right one.

Pros:

• Full bottom construction for clean, dry camping
• 4’x4’ Awning
• 3 windows and 2 ceiling vents
• Rainfly
• Mesh storage pockets
• Attic storage
• Lantern holder
• Color-coded pole assembly – for easy setup
• 5’7” interior height of headroom
• Can be attached with Sportz Link attachment tent for more campers

Cons:

• Kind of heavy at 22lbs.
• Only for light camping during summer, spring, and fall.

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	NO	YES	YES
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	YES	NO	NO

Best RoofTop Truck Tent

Smittybilt Overlander Tent

The SmittyBilt Overlander tent is made specifically for Jeep Wrangler fans where money is no object because you are going to need a SmittyBilt Roof Rack ($429.99) to attach the tent to complete this setup. You can put a roof rack on your truck if you want to join the club of Overlanders. Once complete you have a rooftop tent that can be purchased for two people or 3 to 4 people if you go with the XL tent. The regular tent is waterproof and included anodized aluminum poles, a telescopic ladder, interior LED light strips, and your friend’s jealousy.

Pros:

• Overground camping – Rooftop to exact
• Includes double/foam mattress
• Waterproof
• Rainfly
• Multiple windows with mosquito netting
• Telescopic ladder included
• Interior LED strips

Cons:

• Roof rack sold separately
• Max load 661 lbs.
• Heavyweight at 48 lbs.

Does it Fit (if I buy a roof rack)?	Roof
Jeep Gladiator	YES
F-150	YES
Tacoma	YES
Jeep Wrangler	YES

SmityBilt Accessories:

Smittybilt RC Roof Rack for Jeep JK 4-Door

 You will need a roof rack like this one to complete your rooftop tent. It included removable crossbars, four mounting points to the frame, and holds up to 300 lbs.

Pros:

• Removable crossbars
• Four frame mounting points
• Holds up to 300 lbs.

Cons:

• None we could find

Smittybilt Standard Size Tent Annex

This accessory attaches to the SmittBilt Rooftop tent to give an extra bit of privacy to change, leave dirty clothes or boots, has a fully removable bottom, door access flap, fully mosquito screened, and roll-up window flaps.

Pros:

• Added Space and Privacy
• Fully removable bottom floor
• Door access flap
• Mosquito netting with roll-up flaps

Cons:

• None we could find

Best Premium Canvas Truck Bed Tent

Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent

This is a money is no object, no compromise, truck tent. No expense is spared in the construction of this truck. Only high-quality duck canvas has a silicone finish and the canvas allows it to breathe and is completely waterproof and does not wick water. It has a steel clamp-on system that makes for a very sturdy setup that can withstand windy, snowy, winter conditions. It has 5 windows for excellent ventilation and a pass-through window to the cab. This is an all-season serious truck tent that will help you camp in almost any condition.

Pros:

• Duck Canvas with silicone finish for a waterproof yet breathable tent
• 5 Ft tall ceiling height throughout the tent
• Double awning for ventilation
• Steel clamp-on system for a sturdy setup
• 5 windows
• Cab pass-through
• 2 Gear pockets
• High-quality zippers that won’t bind

Cons:

• None we would find

Does it Fit?	5ft Bed	6ft Bed	6.5ft Bed	8ft Bed
Jeep Gladiator – Only 5ft	YES	NO	NO	NO
F-150 – 5ft, 6.5ft, & 8ft	YES	YES	YES	NO
Tacoma – 5ft & 6ft	YES	YES	NO	NO

FAQ

Are truck tents any good?

Depends. If you are looking for a two-person tent, want to sleep off the ground, and have great weather protection, a truck tent might be for you.

What is the advantage of a truck tent vs a conventional tent?

• The tent fits in the truck bed
• Off-the-ground camping
• Weather protection
• Great for camping for two

Are truck tents comfortable?

Yes. Truck tents keep you off the ground and easily fit an air mattress or cot for comfortable sleeping.

Can you use a truck tent as a regular tent?

You can use a regular tent but chances are it’s not the right size, has no straps to attach it to the truck, and is probably not a good idea.

Is a truck tent worth it?

Yes, if you own a truck and need a solution for two people that keeps you off the ground, dry, clean, and away from wildlife.

Do truck tents scratch your truck?

The straps used by most truck tents can scratch your truck if your truck is dirty and the straps rub against your paint. But, in general No. Truck tents do not scratch your truck.

Conclusion:

We have explored lots of options in the Truck Tent world and found a lot of great solutions for any budget, truck bed size, height, and features. There are options for multiple campers and even all-season campers. Whatever your camping style is, I am sure you’ll find something in this blog that will suit your needs.

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