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Greatest Truck Tents Abstract Factors
- Whether or not it’s for a tenting journey or overlanding, road-tripping, or an evening outdoor below the celebrities, a truck tent can present an unforgettable expertise.
- Rightline Gear, RealTruck, Thule, and Napier make a number of the greatest truck tents in the marketplace. Value can differ from as little as $200 to as excessive as $3,000. Relying in your wants, it’s possible you’ll not want to spend so much in an effort to get a pleasant tent.
- We’ve examined a number of the hottest truck tents and consulted with an business skilled on the absolute best suggestions. On this assessment, we cowl every tent’s options based mostly on our firsthand expertise and supply a shopping for recommendation part close to the top.
Truck Tents & Our Testing Course of
When evaluating truck equipment, be it tonneau covers or truck tents, we assess ease of set up and use, sturdiness, and total performance. Our workforce members examined every tent featured on this record on a Ford F-150 and a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT.
Hit the “present extra” arrow if you want to see our full testing methodology, together with how we rating truck tents.
What Is The Greatest Truck Tent?
Based mostly on our firsthand expertise, Rightline Gear, RealTruck, Thule, and Napier make a number of the greatest truck tents in the marketplace.
| Model/Mannequin | Value | Total Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rightline Gear Truck Tent | From $200 | 4.5 | Greatest Total |
| RealTruck GoTent | From $2,000 | 4.6 | Best to Use |
| Thule Basin Wedge | From $3,000 | 4.5 | Most Sturdy |
| Napier Backroadz Truck Tent | From $200 | 4.1 | Greatest Funds Choose |
Truck Tent Model
The Rightline Gear and Napier BackRoadz are extra of a standard tent model that covers the mattress of your truck versus the “pop-up” perform of the RealTruck GoTent and Thule Basin Wedge, that are rooftop-style tents.
Value Issues
Along with model, it’s essential to contemplate how a lot you need to spend. After testing the tents above, we discovered the choices on the decrease finish of the pricing spectrum have been simply fantastic for our wants.
The Rightline Gear and Napier BackRoadz are budget-friendly but nonetheless dependable and sturdy sufficient for overlanding or tenting. With considered one of these tents, the one added value you may incur is an air mattress for sleeping in your truck mattress when you don’t have already got one. When you solely do the occasional tenting or fishing journey, the Rightline Gear and Napier BackRoadz gives you a pleasant tent with out breaking the financial institution.
Against this, with the RealTruck GoTent and Thule Basin Wedge, you’ll need a suitable rack to raise them above your truck mattress. After all, that is much less of a priority when you already personal a suitable rack, however when you don’t, you’ll add the additional expense of buying a rack.
Under is our assessment of every truck tent proven within the chart above, beginning with the Rightline Gear. This can allow you to decide which one is greatest to your wants.
#1: Greatest Total: Rightline Gear Truck Tent
Rightline Gear Truck Tent Quick Details
- Value: From $200.
- Accommodates: Two adults.
- Tent Materials: Vinyl.
- Guarantee: One yr.
The Rightline Gear Truck Tent is our prime decide as a result of it’s simple to put in and well-constructed. Constituted of sturdy and sturdy vinyl cloth, it options well-stitched seams, together with high-quality zippers and buckles. This two-person truck tent is on the market in sizes to suit almost any truck mattress and has confirmed to be one of the safe truck tents we examined.
The Rightline Gear Truck Tent stands out as a result of it’s designed to be arrange straight within the truck mattress, not like different tents assembled on the bottom and lifted afterward into the mattress. Though constructing a tent on the bottom could also be simpler, lifting a heavy tent above your head might be difficult.
You possibly can see how the Rightline Gear tent carried out in every of our testing classes under:
| Overview Class | Rating (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Sturdiness | 4.5 |
| Weatherproofing | 4.0 |
| Ease of Use | 5.0 |
| Consolation | 4.5 |
| Total Score | 4.5 |
Professionals
- Fast setup and straightforward to safe.
- Excessive-quality zippers and seams.
- Sky vents present extra air flow.
Cons
- No awning over the doorway.
- Solely obtainable in an orange and grey coloration sample.
Our Expertise With The Rightline Gear Truck Tent
As with most truck tents we examined, the included directions are mediocre (the images are usually not detailed sufficient as an instance every step). Thankfully, the setup course of just isn’t that troublesome when you get going (the directions are sewn contained in the storage bag).
Sturdiness: A singular characteristic of this tent is that it has extra straps for securing the tent to the truck than different truck mattress tents, notably close to the tailgate. Nonetheless, you could get beneath your truck to connect these.
Weatherproofing: As talked about, Rightline Gear supplies sturdy buckles and straps for securely attaching the tent to your truck, enhancing its wind resistance. All seams are designed to stop water leakage, whereas the rainfly and glow-in-the-dark zippers are good added extras.
Ease of Use: What stands out listed here are the color-marked tent poles for an easy setup. The metallic sheaths connecting the fiberglass segments are longer than different tents. This makes the tent simpler to disassemble, as you don’t want to fret about by chance pulling out a joint. There are additionally solely three poles to insert, which is fewer poles than different tents, making setup faster.
Consolation: The within is spacious, with ample headroom for you and one different individual. There isn’t any backside liner, so it’s possible you’ll want to scrub your truck mattress beforehand. Nonetheless, with any truck tent, you’ll want to use a sleeping pad, cot, or blow-up mattress anyway. For the latter, when you want a conveyable inflator, here’s a record of our prime picks.
What Prospects Are Saying
RealTruck Overview Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (round 30 opinions).
Constructive buyer opinions on RealTruck’s web site communicate to the benefit of meeting and disassembly, ample headroom, and the truth that it retains rainwater out of the mattress. Not-so-positive opinions embody feedback on fitment and complicated set up directions, the latter of which was additionally our expertise.
#2: Best to Use: RealTruck GoTent
RealTruck GoTent Quick Details
- Value: From $2,000.
- Accommodates: Two adults.
- Tent Materials: Oxford Material.
- Weight: 169 Lbs.
- Measurements: 7-ft. x 4.3-ft. x 5.25-ft. (open place).
- T-Slot Rails: Built-in on the tent’s exterior.
The RealTruck GoTent is a bit totally different from our different suggestions. Slightly than establishing within the mattress, this truck tent is connected to a rack and crossbars (that are bought individually). We used Rhino-Rack Vortex Cross Bars for our set up.
You too can set up the GoTent on the rooftop of an SUV or different giant automobile with the crossbar setup. Common mounting brackets are included for set up onto your cross bars.
Different key options embody a telescoping ladder to entry an LED-lit inside, an artificial fiber floorboard, and a two-inch thick foam mattress that sleeps two.
Whereas the GoTent is considered one of our favourite choices, it’s considerably costlier than most different truck tents. We expect the GoTent deserves the elevated value and is an effective selection, however relying in your wants and price range, an alternative choice on this greatest truck tents record is likely to be higher for you.
You possibly can see how the RealTruck GoTent carried out in every of our testing classes under:
| Overview Class | Rating (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Sturdiness | 5.0 |
| Weatherproofing | 4.0 |
| Ease of Use | 5.0 |
| Consolation | 4.5 |
| Total Score | 4.6 |
Professionals
- Simple setup and set up.
- Distinctive design makes the tent simple to fold away.
- Sturdy supplies backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Cons
- Might get moist if not closed correctly.
- Could must buy a suitable rack.
Our Expertise With The RealTruck GoTent
The GoTent rivals our prime decide, the Rightline Gear Truck Tent, by way of sturdiness, weatherproofing, and luxury. We like how the GoTent requires just about no setup time: you merely open the latches, and the tent unfolds.
Sturdiness: When not open, the GoTent is protected by a hardshell case that folds right down to a small measurement for aerodynamics on the street. When it’s opened, the tent supplies and zippers are all the highest high quality and may final for a lot of outings.
Weatherproofing: The wedge form of the tent helps forestall rain accumulation on the highest, and the Oxford cloth is sufficiently weather-resistant. An included rainfly can be utilized, and two mesh home windows might be opened for extra airflow if essential.
When closing the tent, we seen that one a part of the seal tended to catch on either side. If we hadn’t stored a watch on the seal throughout this step, it might have allowed water into the tent—but it surely was simple to right as soon as noticed.
Ease of Use: The one troublesome side of the set up is that it’s heavy and must be lifted up onto your truck mattress crossbars initially. We don’t advocate doing this alone, so have a buddy or member of the family assist.
Consolation: Though comparatively small, this tent is without doubt one of the most comfy choices we examined. The underside is lined with a foam mattress that’s each smooth and supportive. Nonetheless, since it isn’t as spacious as a full truck mattress tent, it will not be your best option for greater than two folks.
Set up Notes
The GoTent is available in a flat black field and is nearly absolutely assembled upon supply. There are non-compulsory rack bars you may connect to the highest of the tent, but when these aren’t one thing you propose to make use of, the one setup required is to safe 4 brackets that join the underside of the GoTent to your truck mattress crossbars.
As soon as bolted into place, the tent pops open like an accordion and is able to go (it takes lower than one minute to arrange and put away the GoTent).
We now have examined different tents of comparable design, and typically, there’s issue closing the tent and making certain all the fabric is tucked inside. The GoTent consists of useful bungee cables that collect the fabric and simplify the stowing course of.
What Prospects Are Saying
The GoTent is a comparatively new product from RealTruck, and as of this writing, there aren’t many buyer opinions obtainable on its web site. Nonetheless, different RealTruck merchandise are sometimes well-rated, and on-line reviewers typically reward RealTruck’s buyer assist.
Having examined a lot of RealTruck’s merchandise, we now have contacted their buyer assist on a number of events. We will affirm that RealTruck supplies a number of the greatest product assist within the business. In every occasion, we have been linked with somebody educated concerning the product or rapidly transferred to a consultant with extra data.
#3: Most Sturdy: Thule Basin Wedge
Thule Basin Wedge Quick Details
- Value: From $3,000.
- Accommodates: Two adults.
- Materials: 1500WP 260g Coated Cotton Polyester.
- Weight: 156 lbs.
- Static Weight capability: 600 lbs.
- Measurements: 84″ x 55″ x 52″ (open place).
- Guarantee: Two years.
The Thule Basin Wedge is a hardshell rooftop tent for campers and overlanders who need one thing they’ll use year-round. The exhausting shell roof cowl protects the tent from the weather when not in use whereas additionally permitting it to function a cargo provider (Thule refers back to the Basin Wedge as a “hybrid” because it doubles as a tent and cargo provider).
The shell of the Basin Wedge is constructed from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a sturdy materials generally utilized in varied shopper merchandise corresponding to golf golf equipment, baggage, instances, and toys. Given its out of doors purposes, the Thule Basin Wedge additionally options coloration fade inhibitors and is produced from a 260g cotton and polyester cloth that has a water-resistant score of 1500mm.
Our solely preliminary hesitation right here is value, although there’s a lot to love concerning the Thule Basin Wedge. You possibly can see the way it carried out in every of our testing classes under:
| Overview Class | Rating (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Sturdiness | 5.0 |
| Weatherproofing | 4.5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 |
| Consolation | 4.0 |
| Total Score | 4.5 |
Professionals
- Rooftop tent and cargo provider.
- Mosquito screens and cargo netting.
- Aerodynamic design when folded away.
Cons
- Costly.
- Could must buy a suitable rack.
Fitment
- Matches Thule Xsporter Professional (no further elements required).
- Matches Thule TracRac—Truck Adapter/s Required: Thule Adapter Package (PN: XADAPT14).
- Matches Thule TracRac—Van Adapter/s Required: Thule Adapter Package (PN: XADAPT14).
Our Expertise With The Thule Basin Wedge
We took the Basin Wedge out with a 2016 Chevy Colorado, utilizing the Thule Xsporter Professional truck rack. Let’s simply say it was good to get away from our computer systems and e-mail for a weekend!
Sturdiness: We proceed to be happy with the heavy-duty materials high quality, the consolation of the mattress, and the way simply it pops open. As talked about above, the Thule Basin Wedge is produced from the identical materials as many different exhausting and protecting instances, together with baggage. To the contact, the shell of the Basin Wedge has an identical really feel, which we admire.
Weatherproofing: Whereas we didn’t see any rain on our weekend outing, we did use the zippers across the tent to open up the home windows. This offered further airflow whereas letting in loads of mild. We just like the awnings that hook into place if you wish to hold the window screens closed but nonetheless have a pleasant view of your vacation spot.
Consolation: As soon as opened, the tent mattress is plush and comfy. Nonetheless, the inside of the Basin Wedge just isn’t as roomy as a consequence of its angular form. Individuals taller than six ft could not match, besides diagonally, making it successfully a one-person tent.
Ease of Use: Whereas compact, the Basin Wedge is heavy and requires no less than two folks to hoist. As soon as resting on the crossbars, it’s simple to put in, requiring solely the tightening of some screws.
Placing every little thing away is barely extra sophisticated however nonetheless manageable. You might want to tuck within the tent materials across the edges as you go, which can require repositioning the telescoping ladder. The lid closes simply sufficient, though it could pop open on one facet whilst you shut the opposite.
When folded, the Basin Wedge creates minimal wind resistance, even at freeway speeds, though you must hold your pace modest with one thing like a tent connected to your truck or SUV.
What Prospects Are Saying
Though there are usually not many Google opinions of the Thule Basin Wedge, the bulk are optimistic. House owners have commented on the construct high quality, mattress consolation, and quick set up. Others notice that the shell is heavy and requires an additional set of palms to elevate it onto your automobile, which was additionally our expertise.
#4: Greatest Funds Choice: Napier Backroadz
Napier Backroadz Quick Details
- Value: From $200.
- Accommodates: Two adults.
- Tent Materials: Polyester taffeta.
- Guarantee: One yr.
- Conservation: Napier crops a tree through its Bushes for the Future partnership with each buy.
The Napier Backroadz truck tent makes our record for its sewn-in polyethylene ground, a sizeable door opening, and two mesh home windows with a ceiling vent for airflow. We admire the rainfly and the “storm flaps” on the home windows, making it a wonderful selection when you get caught in a downpour throughout your subsequent journey.
Colour-marked poles and sleeves make setup simple, and your complete tent is mild at simply 16 lbs. You possibly can see how the Napier Backroadz carried out in every of our testing classes under:
| Overview Class | Rating (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Sturdiness | 4.0 |
| Weatherproofing | 4.0 |
| Ease of Use | 4.0 |
| Consolation | 4.5 |
| Total Score | 4.1 |
Professionals
- Features a storage bag for simple transport.
- Sturdy poles and clips with waterproof seams.
- Contains a small inside gear loft, pocket, and lantern holder.
Cons
- Decrease-quality zippers.
- Not to be used in the course of the winter.
Our Expertise With The Napier Backroadz
We discovered the Backroadz pleasing to check on a latest outing, because it was simple to move and arrange. It additionally included a couple of distinctive options that enhanced its consolation, versatility, and resistance to the weather.
Sturdiness: The outer tent materials is produced from 68D polyester taffeta with a 185 thread depend, whereas the poles are produced from fiberglass. The clips that hold the tent connected to the truck are produced from thick and durable plastic. Nonetheless, the zippers are plastic relatively than metallic, which is one factor we’d change if we may.
Weatherproofing: Napier recommends not utilizing the Backroadz truck tent within the winter as it could probably freeze to your automobile. In any other case, the waterproof seams seem thick and sturdy all through the tent, and though we didn’t see an excessive amount of rain throughout our outing, we felt it may stand up to a heavier bathe. The tent is secured to your truck with 9 adjustable straps, which is able to hold it in place on a gusty day.
Ease of Use: The Backroadz Truck Tent is straightforward to arrange and is available in a handy bag with the directions. With the color-coded poles, it took about 10 to fifteen minutes to place up. If you find yourself prepared to move dwelling, it’s simply as simple to take down, roll up, and retailer again within the bag.
Consolation: The BackRoadz tent contains a sewn-in polyethylene ground liner, not like the floorless design of the Rightline Gear tent, which can be extra interesting to some. The total ground liner additionally helps hold bugs out of the tent. Moreover, we discovered that the home windows and ceiling vent present ample breathability throughout scorching afternoons. A useful characteristic for late-night outings is the lantern holder, which may accommodate a small LED tenting mild.
Tonneau Cowl Compatibility
Napier supplies a couple of FAQ clarifications concerning tonneau covers and the Backroadz truck tent.
For instance, whereas the tent is suitable with a retractable tonneau cowl, it doesn’t work for exhausting folding tonneau covers. On the Backroadz product web page on RealTruck’s web site, the tonneau covers compatibility record is printed in additional element.
What Prospects Are Saying
RealTruck Overview Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (about 50 opinions).
#5: Rightline Gear Truck Tailgating Cover
Whereas we didn’t have the chance to check the Rightline Gear Truck Tailgating Cover, we needed to incorporate it as a doable different to the tents listed above.
In contrast to a truck tent, it’s a correct awning that attaches to the rear of your pickup truck. It has a water resistant cloth prime, fiberglass poles, and sandbags to maintain the cover in place. We might probably use it for tailgating throughout soccer season, a household reunion at a park, or every other out of doors occasion or event.
The images on RealTruck’s web site present that it has sufficient attain to cowl a picnic desk, so you must have loads of room below the cover.
Truck Tent Shopping for Information
| Model/Mannequin | Materials | Capability | No. of Home windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rightline Gear Truck Tent | Vinyl | Two | Two |
| RealTruck GoTent | Oxford Material | Two | Two |
| Thule Basin Wedge | Polyester | Two | Two |
| Napier Backroadz | Polyester Taffeta | Two | Two |
Truck tents, because the title implies, are designed to slot in the mattress of pickup vans. In contrast to customary tenting tents, that are staked to the bottom, truck tents are secured with straps that connect to the physique of your truck. Most truck tents can be found in a number of sizes, however not all, so it helps to know the manufacturing facility size of your mattress forward of time.
Mounting Versus Mattress Utilization
Hunter Gill, proprietor of truck accent retailer TEQ Customs in Raleigh, North Carolina, stated customers want to contemplate the tent’s mounting place versus utility.
For instance, Gill defined that types just like the Rightline Gear truck tent and Napier Backroadz take up all of your mattress house as soon as setup is full, that means your mattress just isn’t essentially usable for cargo. Nonetheless, you may nonetheless use your mattress in case you have one thing just like the Thule Basin Wedge that mounts up within the air with a suitable rack.
Gill added that tents supposed for truck beds typically have longer setup and breakdown occasions.
Crossbars & Racks Would possibly Be Wanted
Crossbars are essential for putting in “pop-up” tents just like the Thule Basin Wedge and the RealTruck GoTent.
In contrast to the Rightline Gear and Napier Backroadz tents, that are designed to slot in the mattress of a truck, the Basin Wedge and GoTent require a suitable rack. When you’re contemplating the Basin Wedge or GoTent and don’t presently have a suitable truck rack, you’ll need to buy one.
Chris King, Director of Advertising at RealTruck, defined that crossbars are essential for types just like the Basin Wedge and GoTent, no matter whether or not they’re mounted over a truck mattress or on the roof of an SUV.
“What crossbar system you employ is as much as you. In case you have an OEM system, you’ll must examine its dynamic and static load scores to make sure they’re ample. The identical goes for any aftermarket system, however in my expertise with Thule, Yakima, and Rhino Rack, most of their load bars can be fantastic for many customers. Keep in mind that how the bars are connected to the automobile issues—as Thule factors out, the roof clamp-style attachment factors are a no-go.” ~ RealTruck Director of Advertising Chris King.
Truck Tent Materials
Most truck tents are produced from polyester and use fiberglass assist poles. Nonetheless, not all polyester is created equal. The perfect truck tents are made with sturdy polyester that gained’t simply tear and are protected by a water resistant coating to face up to all climate circumstances.
One other widespread truck tent materials is canvas. Canvas is extraordinarily sturdy and might be waterproof. The draw back to canvas tents is that they are often heavier and tougher to retailer. Canvas tents are additionally much less breathable than polyester, that means they’ll get a lot hotter on scorching days.
When researching the standard of a truck tent, take into account not simply the tent materials but in addition the seams, zippers, and buckles. Properly-stitched, taped seams assist forestall water from entering into the tent. Zippers are probably for use quite a bit, and one damaged zipper can render a whole tent unusable—when you can’t shut the entrance flap, for instance.
Truck Tent Options
Some truck tents, just like the Napier Backroadz, have a sewn-in ground. The benefit is that sewn-in flooring can higher seal your tent towards the weather and even bugs. Nonetheless, regardless of good climate safety throughout different occasions of the yr, Napier doesn’t advocate utilizing the Backroadz for winter tenting.
One other non-compulsory characteristic is an awning. An awning supplies an additional house exterior the tent, shielded from the solar and rain. This lets you hold the entrance flap open for air circulation, even when it rains. An awning additionally supplies an area to dry moist boots and socks. In the meantime, a rainfly is an extra tent topper that helps repel the climate.
Different customary truck tent options embody storage pockets, lantern hooks, or an identical lantern holder for an LED tenting mild. Some tents include a carry case or storage bag, which makes transporting them simpler.
Benefits & Drawbacks
A truck tent has benefits as a result of it could elevate you away from the bottom (particularly when it’s moist) when tenting or overlanding. Whereas you could park your truck on a principally stage floor to make use of a truck tent, your mattress with an air mattress or sleeping bag may nonetheless be extra comfy than the bottom.
Nonetheless, a truck tent will not be the most suitable choice, relying on the place you hope to camp, the variety of folks you could accommodate, and the way a lot cupboard space you require. Whereas choices just like the RealTruck GoTent and Thule Basin Wedge supply premium options and ease of setup, there’s not sufficient room for greater than two. Keep in mind that with a truck tent, you may solely camp in locations the place you may entry your truck.
Among the many largest downsides to a truck tent is that your truck can’t be used whereas the tent is put in. Relying on the tent model, it’s possible you’ll must empty your truck mattress earlier than setting the tent up, and also you gained’t be capable of drive till you’ve taken it down. Additionally, relying on the tent model, it’s possible you’ll must take away any tenting gear out of your truck mattress earlier than it’s time to sleep.
Greatest Truck Tent: Backside Line
- Greatest Total: Rightline Gear Truck Tent.
- Best to Use: RealTruck GoTent.
- Most Sturdy: Thule Basin Wedge.
- Greatest Funds Choose: Napier Backroadz Truck Tent.
- Various Choice: Rightline Gear Tailgating Cover.
Truck Tents FAQ
What’s the greatest truck mattress tent?
Based mostly on our testing, we predict the Rightline Gear truck tent is one of the best total possibility. This tent is fairly priced, simple to arrange, and produced from high-quality supplies. In case you have a bit extra to spend and a truck mattress rack to mount it, we predict the RealTruck GoTent is essentially the most premium, easy-to-use possibility.
What tent suits in a truck mattress?
When you plan to put in a tent in your truck mattress, you’ll want to buy a purpose-built truck tent. These tents are particularly designed to suit right into a pickup truck mattress and can’t be used on the bottom. Since there are vans with shorter beds than others, you’ll need to buy a truck tent sized to your particular mattress size. Some truck tent manufacturers supply extra sizes than others.
What measurement tent will slot in a truck mattress?
Truck tents are bought by measurement, not by truck make and mannequin, so you should know your manufacturing facility mattress measurements. Figuring out this may assist you choose the best tent that matches your truck mattress.
What’s the benefit of a truck tent?
The first benefit of a truck tent is that it’s elevated from the bottom. This will help hold rain from pooling in or below your tent and supply safety towards animals and crawling bugs. Truck beds additionally present a extra stage floor than the bottom, particularly in case your campsite or overland vacation spot has a whole lot of rocks.
Can a truck mattress tent be used on the bottom?
Truck mattress tents are designed to suit inside a truck mattress and can’t be used on the bottom like a backpacking tent. In contrast to a typical floor tent, a truck mattress tent is stabilized utilizing clips relatively than stakes. You gained’t be capable of forestall a truck tent from blowing over until you put in it in a truck mattress.
Are you able to drive with a truck tent?
You shouldn’t drive with a truck tent that’s arrange in your truck mattress.
