There’s a reason why camping is more popular than ever. Traversing the beautiful picturesque sceneries Mother Nature has to offer is the ultimate way to disconnect from day-to-day life and these days from the often-confining social and living conditions of the past year. But even if you’re hitting the trails on your own doesn’t mean you have to sleep on the ground with the nightcrawlers. Truck owners are turning to truck bed tents for convenience and convenience while traveling.
The ease of setup makes these tents ideal for quick weekend getaways, and they are ideal for longer trips, too: Wherever the truck fits, you sleep. Just make certain your truck is parked on level ground or risk rolling about all night. Truck bed tents also tend to be less costly than their rooftop-mounted opposite numbers geared towards SUV owners.
When shopping around for a truck bed tent, there are many possibilities, from various sizes (short bed, regular cab, extended bed) to overall quality and special features. Read on for five top-rated tents that will convert your truck bed into a personal, safe slumbering expanse.
Q&A:
Are truck bed tents worth it?
Truck bed tents present more camping spots in that they do not require a flat surface like a ground tent. They keep you nestled safely and conveniently in your vehicle away from threatening weather, rocks, roots, insects, or predators. The added convenience, sanitation, and peace of mind are worth the small expense for many campers. It’s also worth noting that said investment is usually a lower outlay than a more specialized rooftop tent.
Are truck bed tents easy to set up? How long does it usually take?
Most truck tents come with color-coded poles for easy matching and setup. It could take around 20 minutes to construct a truck bed tent with two people, though this time may be reduced with more experience. When trying out a new truck bed tent for the first time, it’s best to set it up at home when you have some time to spare, as there’s a learning curve to some of the more elaborate tents.
How do truck bed tents work?
Truck bed tents are constructed inside your truck bed, which allows you to use the truck bed as a safe and elevated sleeping platform. Depending on which product you choose, the tents typically attach to your truck’s bed rails or into the fender wells with non-scratch straps.
How can I make my truck bed tent more comfortable?
A properly sized, high-quality air or memory foam mattress will go a long way for producing a truck bed tent more comfortable to sleep in. If ridges in your truck bed liner can still be felt within the mattress, placing a thin layer of plywood on the bed under the bed will help to flatten the outside.
Can a truck bed tent be used on the ground?
No. Truck bed tents are specially designed to be installed in a truck bed. If used on the ground, there will be no way to keep it upright because it depends on the truck bedsides to hold it in place.
METHODOLOGY
To discover the best truck bed tents available to campers within the U.S., we narrowed hundreds of options down to these top-five choices by considering a broad range of end-user ratings, studying critic reviews, researching quality tent material types, and pulling knowledge from our camping and vehicle tent adventures, including with both rooftop and truck bed tents. Each product is rated on durability, comfort, convenience, and overall value.
Are truck bed tents easy to set up? How long does it usually take?
