The Best Truck Tents: Comfortable Camping on the Go

Bed Tents vs. Roof Tents

Bed tents are like your average tent. They’re often dome-shaped, they have poles, they can come with a rain fly, and they fit inside your truck’s bed. Super-familiar styling, but prepare to empty your truck’s bed to use them. Setup requires multiple poles, fabric flies, straps, and buckles. You must purchase a mattress separately for the truck bed inside the tent. In short, they can be cheaper and more familiar than rooftop tents but require significant setup/teardown.

Roof tents are much different in that they require a roof rack or bed rack to install. These tents can open into a wedge shape or unfold along multiple axes. Some have hard shells, and others are canvas/synthetic. Most come with foam mattresses built into their floors. Once installed to a rack, setup is very simple and quick. In exchange for a difficult one-time installation and a higher initial cost, you get quick deployment in camp, style points, a hard shell when closed, and cargo bed space left open.

Regardless of which option you choose, the best truck tents are designed to be durable, weather-resistant, and easy to use, and while several of the best are affordable for family budgets, well-designed models with extra comfort features can be worth the added cost. Be sure to consider your truck’s specs and individual needs before making your final decision.

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