Best Truck Tent – Expert Review

Updated: February 12, 2024
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In the market for a truck bed tent?

If it's just for two people, then I was really impressed with the FOFANA truck tent (especially as it offers 6-feet of interior standing room and it's so easy to setup).

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If you're on a budget, the Napier Backroadz or the SportZ tent (both 2-person tents) are great options.

For families, I would check out the Napier Outdoors Sportz (5-person Tent).

And no truck tent review would be complete without mentioning the versatile Quictent Pickup Truck Tent.

Let's jump into the details.

Best Truck Tents (Top Picks)

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Top Truck Tent Choices

We reviewed over 14 truck tents for this article. Below are the best truck tents that made our shortlist.

  1. Rightline Gear Full-Size Long Truck Bed Tent (8 foot) - Best 2-Person
  2. Napier Backroadz Truck Tent
  3. Quictent Pickup Truck Tent - Best Canvas
  4. Napier Outdoors Sportz 5 Person SUV Tent - Best Family
  5. SportZ Truck Bed Tent - Best Value
  6. Guide Gear Compact Truck Tent - Best Compact
  7. Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent

Read our complete buyers guide for best truck tents.

Best Overall Truck Tents

1. Rightline Gear Full-Size Long Truck Bed Tent (8 foot)

Rightline Gear Full-Size Long Truck Bed Tent, 8 Foot, 2 Person, for Hunting

5/5 Overall Rating

The Rightline Gear Full-Size Long Truck Bed Tent is my favourite 2-person truck bed tent as it offers 8 feet of interior standing space.

I found the setup for the Rightline Gear to be really easy and convenient. All the attachment points are accessible from outside the truck bed, and you can do all the installations vertically (no need for a step stool). 

Its nondescript colours make it ideal for hunting season. It's also a great choice for camping in rainy weather. As a tailgate tent, you can stay dry for longer and sleep comfortably off the ground inside your vehicle. 

The Rightline Gear Truck Tent is the perfect choice for weekend warriors and seasoned professionals, turning any virtually spot into a cozy campsite. 

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Main Features
  • Sleeps 2 adults
  • High-quality water-resistant with a floorless design
  • 2 gear pockets to hold small personal items
  • Overhead lantern hook
  • Glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls 
  • Ceiling vent for panoramic sky views
What we like
  • Really spacious
  • Versatile across different bed sizes
  • Very user-friendly
  • Easy to assemble with its handy color-coded poles and pole pockets
  • Good performance in all weather conditions
What we dislike
  • Rainfly material is not as robust as I would have liked

2. Napier Backroadz Truck Tent

Napier Backroadz Truck Bed with Waterproof Material Coating, Comfortable and Spacious 2 Person Camping Tent, Waterproof Tent, Durable and Sturdy Tent - Green/Tan, Full Size Regular Bed (6.4'-6.7')

4.5/5 Overall Rating

The Napier Backroadz Tent is made from high quality materials, and is quick and easy to assemble. This tent works with a number of trucks, so you'll be sure to find one the right size for yours.

It also comes with a full floor so that you’ll stay dry and clean the whole time.

In addition, the tent has storm flaps on the windows and door for added privacy and protection from the elements. The tent also has a large door, which can be opened wide to increase ventilation.

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Main Features
  • Sleeps 2 adults
  • Rainfly and storm flaps on door and windows
  • Full tent floor
  • Gear loft
  • Gear pockets
  • Lantern holder
  • Mesh windows for ventilation
  • Color-coded poles for easy assembly
What we like
  • Spacious
  • Good quality
  • Leak-proof
  • Handy gear pockets
  • Durable in all weather conditions
  • Easy to set up
What we dislike
  • Ventilation could be better
  • Zippers are weak

3. Quictent Pickup Truck Tent

Quictent Pickup Truck Tent for Full Size Regular Bed (6.4'-6.7'), Waterproof PU2000mm 2-Person Sleeping Capacity Truck Bed Tent with Removable Awning, Rainfly & Storage Bag Included

4.5/5 Overall Rating

The Quictent Pickup Truck Tent is my favourite 2-person truck bed tent as it offers 8 feet of interior standing space.

If there is one thing I hate, it's getting in and out of truck beds on the horizontal. The Quictent solves this. 

In addition to being pretty spacious, it sets up and disassembles very easily and quickly (in 5 minutes or less) due to its user-friendly gear and pole structures. It really is very simple to use.

It's made to fit all 6.4' - 6.7' truck beds, albeit with a small gap at the cab or tailgate end. It boasts a width of 71'' and height of 63'', making staying indoors an unexpectedly comfortable option.

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Main Features
  • Made from water-resistant fabric with tape sealed seams
  • Extra large awning for shade or keeping out the rain
  • Fully sealed floor, keeping the car clean and dry for a more comfortable sleep
  • Easy-to-use gear and pole pockets
What we like
  • Breathable
  • Strong
  • Durable
  • No leaks
  • Good ventilation
  • High quality
  • Easily stored on car door when not in use
  • Good performance in all weather conditions
What we dislike
  • Doesn't fit smaller trucks (5" and below) that well

4. Napier Outdoors Sportz 5 Person SUV Tent

Napier Sportz SUV Tent 10'x10' Waterproof Camping Tent with 6'x7' Screen Room and Awning 6 Person Blue/Grey Car Tent

4.5/5 Overall Rating

The Napier Outdoors Sportz 5 Person SUV Tent isn’t your conventional truck bed tent. It links up to the back of your SUV via a tent sleeve, and the main sleeping area lies on the ground.

The Napier Outdoors Sportz provides space for 5-6 people to sleep on the polyester-floored area, as well as additional sleeping space in the SUV cargo area if required.

The tent can also be converted into a ground tent only by removing the sleeve. In addition to ample sleeping space and a high ceiling, this tent comes with a separate screen room for bug-free relaxation. 

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Main Features
  • Sleeps 5-6 people
  • Floorless screen room
  • Easy one-person set up
  • Versatile: ground tent or truck bed tent
  • Storm flaps
What we like
  • Spacious interior
  • Inexpensive
  • Simple to set up and take down
  • Waterproof
  • Convenient
  • Sturdy
What we dislike
  • Not compatible with all campsites
  • Zips are flimsy
  • Not very compact

5. SportZ Truck Bed Tent

Napier Sportz Truck Bed Camping Tent - Waterproof 2-Person Tents - Easy to Install in 15 Minutes - Storage Case - Sturdy Camp & Adventure Shelter - Spacious, Secure Accessories - Full Size Short Bed

4/5 Overall Rating

This tent sleeps two adults comfortably and is well ventilated with three mesh windows, a large access door, and two ceiling vents.

The SportZ Truck Bed Tent is kitted with a full tent floor made of polyester oxford to keep you clean and dry.

This tent is spacious, and has an optional 4’x4’ awning that can be attached to your truck tailgate for some extra shade.

It’s easy to set up and convenient to use, with a rear access panel to the truck, allowing you to access all your belongings. 

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Main Features
  • Full tent floor
  • 3 mesh windows
  • 2 ceiling vents
  • Optional awning
  • Color-coded poles for easy assembly
  • Rear access panel
  • Rainfly
What we like
  • Spacious interior
  • Rainfly works well
  • Simple setup
  • Spacious
  • Very waterproof
  • Durable in many weather conditions
What we dislike
  • Top pole is too long
  • Poles break easily

6. Rainfly Truck Bed Tent

Pickup Truck Tent for 5.5-6 FT Truck Bed, 2 Person Truck Bed Tent for Camping, Waterproof PU2000mm Double Layer with Rainfly, 5.5 6 Feet Pickup Truck Bed Tent (5.5ft - 6ft, Blue & Green)

4/5 Overall Rating

Like the Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent, this tent suits Chevy, Ford, Nissan, GMC and Toyota pickups. The Rainfly Truck Bed Tent is compact, but still spacious with a ceiling height of 4.75 feet.

Since you're not camping on the ground, I enjoyed the freedom of camping outdoors without worrying about bugs crawling into my tent during the night. I had a very good night's sleep!

The truck bed tent is easy to set up and has storage pockets for your convenience. It is fully waterproof with a sewn-in polyethylene floor and polyester walls coated in 1500mm water-resistant coating.

With its durable rainfly material, you can set up camp anytime and anywhere. There's waterproofing to endure camping during heavy rainfall, a light spattering of drizzle or even a mist day.

The unit is also pretty light, at 10 lb (4.5 kg).

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Main Features
  • Sleeps 2 people
  • Sewn-in polyethylene floor
  • Large interior
  • 1500mm water-resistant coating
  • Dual layer door and window
  • Large mesh windows designed for enhanced airflow
  • Zippers on inside and outside of tent
What we like
  • Lightweight
  • Simple setup
  • Lasts long
  • Waterproof and wind-resistant
  • Spaciousness and security while sleeping
  • Easy to disassemble when finished camping
  • Good ventilation
What we dislike
  • Instructions aren’t very clear
  • Straps break
  • Poles are brittle

The Bottom Line

Each truck tent has some advantages and disadvantages. If you’re a material purist, and like a canvas tent, then the Rainfly Truck Bed Tent is the one to go for. The only thing about this tent is that it can be difficult setting it up alone.

On the other hand, if you want something light and compact, the Rightline Gear Full-Size Long Truck Bed Tent is your best bet, although there have been some complaints about the sturdiness of the poles and straps on this tent.

If you’ll be camping in a big group then a traditional truck bed tent won’t cut it. You’ll need to get something like the Napier Outdoors Sportz SUV Tent, which sleeps up to 6 people. However, it might be difficult to find a place to set it up – not all campsites allow cars to be parked directly next to the tents.

The Guide Gear Full Size Truck Tent, SportZ Truck Tent and Napier Backroadz are all 2-person, polyester tents. If you're on a budget, the Guide Gear Full Size tent is a great option, but may not last as long as more expensive products. Another issue with Gear Guide tents is that suppliers constantly run out of stock due to its immense popularity. 

The SportZ Truck Bed Tent has the added benefits of an awning and a rear access panel. However, it isn’t as highly rated as the Backroadz Truck Bed Tent, which is durable, sturdy and withstands all weather conditions.

Best Truck Tent - Buyer's Guide

Can a truck tent be used on the ground?

Truck tents are designed to fit into the bed of a pickup truck. They are budget friendly options for campers with trucks and save you the discomfort of sleeping on the ground - although you would still need to pack a sleeping pad to sleep on.

Some truck bed tents have built-in floors while others simply attach to the sides of the truck and form a shelter. Truck bed tents with built-in floors will help you to stay clean and dry, but can they be used on a ground as traditional camping tents?

Truck bed tents with floors generally aren't made for ground use unless otherwise specified. There are some with a ground tent attachment so that you can sleep more people. 

What size truck tent should you get?

The size of your truck bed tent depends on the size of your truck, naturally. Most truck bed tents only sleep two adults, due to the limited width of trucks.

However, there are certain truck bed tents that link to a ground tent, which means you’re no longer limited by space.

Another important factor is the interior height. These tents can be pretty cozy, so it’s important to ensure that you have enough space and don't feel claustrophobic.

Material

Truck bed tents, like all tents, are usually made of polyester. However, some truck bed tents are made of canvas. Canvas tents have the added benefits of being waterproof yet breathable, usable all year round, and lasting a lifetime. However, they tend to be pretty heavy and difficult to set up. Polyester tents, on the other hand, are strong, light and easy to move around and set up. 

Ventilation

Ventilation is a key factor when camping, especially in summer. Large entrance doors, many windows, and ventilation flaps are some ways to ensure that your truck bed tent will be adequately ventilated.

Set Up

Setting up a tent on the ground is difficult enough, so finding an easy-to-assemble truck bed tent is useful. If you’re going to be traveling around while camping, you will need to disassemble the truck bed tent before heading off, so the ease of assembly and disassembly becomes an important feature.

The weight of the tent is a factor in how easy it is to assemble. Some tents have useful tools, like color-coded poles, to make assembly as simple as possible. 

Tent Floor

Not all tents come with a built-in tent floor. Generally speaking, a truck bed isn’t the comfiest surface, so having a layer between yourself and the truck bed makes everything a bit nicer. Having a tent floor also adds a layer of insulation, and can be useful in protecting you from bad weather. 

Storage Pockets

Storage pockets are an underrated feature of tents. Everything can get a bit chaotic when camping, and it’s useful to be able to easily reach for your torch, cellphone, or toilet paper when out in the wilderness. Some people even use the storage pockets to hold their iPads to watch a movie on. While not essential, gear pockets surely are helpful. 

Accessibility

Climbing in and out of a truck bed tent can be a bit awkward. Some tents only have a single access point from the rear of the pickup, but others allow you to link the tent to the truck. The latter style is useful when you need to grab something from the front of the pickup. 

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About the author 

Adie Marais

Adie is a nature and wildlife lover living in Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up, she had many opportunities to explore the outdoors by hiking, going on safaris and venturing into the karoo with her family. This led to her love of animals, the environment and discovering new places to explore.

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