Best Truck Bed Tent Models
Truck Bed Tent: Turn Your Pickup Into a Campsite
A truck bed tent transforms your pickup truck into a ready-made campsite. Instead of sleeping on the ground in a traditional tent — dealing with rocks, ground moisture, insects, and uneven terrain — you sleep elevated in the bed of your truck, off the ground, with shelter over your head and a flat surface underneath you. No flat ground required. No tent stakes. No crawling in the dirt. Park your truck, set up your truck bed tent in under 10 minutes, and you're sleeping above it all.
Truck bed tents are the most affordable way to start truck camping. Prices range from about $115 to $770 depending on the brand, materials, and design — a fraction of the cost of a rooftop tent, and with none of the permanent mounting, rack requirements, or weight concerns that come with an RTT. If you own a pickup truck and want to camp without buying a trailer, renting a cabin, or sleeping on the ground, a truck bed tent is the simplest solution that exists.
At Off Road Tents, we carry truck bed tents from Overland Vehicle Systems (OVS), Napier, and C6 Outdoor — covering everything from budget-friendly pop up truck bed tent options under $150 to premium lightweight designs built for serious overlanding. We stock sizes for short beds, standard beds, and long beds that fit popular trucks including the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Colorado, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, and more. Whether you're searching for a truck bed tent tacoma, truck bed tent f150, truck bed tent tundra, or any other pickup truck bed tent — we carry it. Every truck bed tent we sell ships free.
📞 Not sure which truck bed tent fits your truck? Call us at 844-200-3979. Tell us your truck model, bed length, and how you plan to camp — we'll match the right tent for truck bed in minutes.
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Our Truck Bed Tent Models
We carry bed tents across every price point — from a $115 OVS LD TACT truck bed tent for your first camping trip to the $769 C6 Rev truck tent for overlanders who want a lightweight, packable shelter they can use on the ground or in the truck bed. Here's what we stock.
OVS LD TACT Truck Bed Tent
Price: $114.99 $149.99
Capacity: 2–3 people | Material: 420D nylon
Fits: Mid-size (5.0 ft) and full-size (5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, 8 ft) beds
The best truck bed tent for anyone testing the waters of truck camping. The OVS LD TACT truck bed tent gives you everything you need and nothing you don't — 420D nylon construction, a removable rainfly for rain protection, color-coded poles for fast setup, large mesh windows for ventilation, and padded elastic anchor points that protect your truck bed from scratches. Setup takes about 10 minutes solo. The reinforced floor and perimeter skirt keep ground moisture and bugs out. At under $115 on sale, this is the most affordable way to turn your pickup into a campsite. The ovs ld tact truck bed tent is backed by OVS's 4-year limited warranty.
Standout features: Color-coded poles for easy setup • Removable rainfly • Padded anchor points • Large mesh windows • Compact carry bag • 4-year OVS warranty
C6 Rev Pick-Up Truck Tent
Price: From $539 (Scout) / $769 (Element)
Capacity: 2 people | Design: Lightweight, dual-use
Fits: Most mid-size and full-size truck beds
The C6 Rev Tent is a different kind of truck bed tent. It's a lightweight design that mounts in your truck bed but can also be removed and used on the ground as a standalone tent — true versatility that no other truck bed tent camper offers. Users report that the Rev Tent's design allows for easy removal, facilitating drying and storage after use. The lightweight construction also improves fuel economy by roughly 1.7 MPG compared to heavier truck bed tent options. Customers report it stays completely dry during heavy rain, making it a reliable shelter in adverse weather. Available in Element ($769) and Scout ($539) versions.
Standout features: Dual-use — truck bed and ground • Lightweight design improves fuel economy • Easy removal for drying/storage • Waterproof in heavy rain • Versatile camping solution
Napier Sportz Truck Tent
Price: $329
Capacity: 2 people | Material: Polyester taffeta
Fits: 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, and 8 ft truck beds
The Napier Sportz truck tent is America's best-selling truck bed tent with over 15 years of proven performance. The Napier truck bed tent lineup has earned its reputation through durable construction, intuitive color-coded pole sleeves for fast setup, and a design that fits a wide range of truck models. The Sportz model features a full floor that keeps bugs and elements completely out, large mesh windows for ventilation, and a sewn-in floor for maximum protection against critters. It clips directly to your truck bed without needing additional hardware — the Rightline and Napier approach of strapping to the bed rails keeps installation simple. The truck bed tent napier Sportz fits F150, Tundra, Silverado, RAM, and other full-size truck beds in both standard and long bed configurations.
Standout features: 15+ years of proven performance • Color-coded pole setup • Sewn-in floor • Full weather protection • Fits wide range of trucks • Carry bag included
Napier Sportz Camo Truck Tent
Price: $229
Capacity: 2 people | Material: Polyester taffeta
Fits: 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, and 8 ft truck beds
Same proven Napier Sportz truck tent platform in a full Mossy Oak camouflage pattern. Built for hunters, anglers, and outdoor activities where blending in matters as much as staying dry. Same color-coded poles, same sewn-in floor, same durable construction — just wrapped in camo. At $229, the Sportz Camo is one of the most affordable truck bed tents that still delivers serious weather protection and durability. If you're looking for a truck bed canvas tent alternative at a lower price point, the Napier Camo is an excellent entry-level option.
Standout features: Mossy Oak camo pattern • Same Napier Sportz build quality • Sewn-in floor • Budget-friendly at $229 • Great for hunting trips
Looking for more sleeping space? The SofTopper Camper Top Tent Extension ($249.99) adds a tent structure that attaches to a SofTopper truck bed cover, creating an enclosed living space that extends beyond the tailgate. It's not a standalone truck bed tent — it's an extension that pairs with the SofTopper system to give you extra room for sleeping, changing clothes, or storing camping gear.
Why Choose a Truck Bed Tent
A truck bed tent solves problems that ground tents create and that rooftop tents solve at 5–10x the price. Here's what you get.
Elevated sleeping — no ground contact. Your truck bed is a flat, stable sleeping surface that's 2–3 feet off the ground. That means no rocks digging into your back, no ground moisture soaking through your floor, and no insects crawling into your shelter at night. You sleep above the mud, the puddles, and the critters. The truck bed provides a built-in platform that a ground tent can never match — you don't even need flat ground. Park your truck anywhere it fits and your campsite is ready.
Affordable entry into truck camping. Truck bed tents are generally more affordable than rooftop tents, typically costing between $115 and $770. A quality rooftop tent starts at $1,200 and goes well past $4,000. A truck bed tent gets you off the ground and into shelter for a fraction of that investment — and you don't need a bed rack, roof rack, or any permanent mounting hardware.
Fast setup. Many truck bed tents can be set up in under 10 minutes with no tools required. Color-coded pole systems mean you spend less time wrestling with poles and more time enjoying the great outdoors. Setting up a truck bed tent can often be managed by a single person due to the lightweight materials — most weigh under 30 lbs. Pack it in the carry bag, toss it in your truck bed, and set it up when you arrive.
Weather protection from above and below. Truck bed tents provide superior protection against rain and wind with built-in rainflies and durable, waterproof materials. The truck bed itself acts as your floor — no rain can seep up from underneath. Combined with a quality rainfly overhead, you're sheltered from sun, rain, and wind. Many designs also feature mesh windows for ventilation that keep bugs out while letting fresh air circulate.
Cab access. Many truck bed tent designs allow you to access the truck's cab through the rear window for easy storage or charging electronics overnight. Grab your phone charger, plug into the truck's outlets, or stash your clothes and valuables inside the locked cab while you sleep.
Truck Bed Size & Fitment Guide
This is the most important factor when choosing a truck bed tent: the tent's fit must match your truck's specific bed length to prevent gaps that let in rain or bugs. Selecting a tent that matches your specific truck model and bed size is crucial — a tent designed for an 8 ft long bed will not seal properly on a 5.5 ft short bed, and vice versa.
| Bed Size | Approximate Length | Common Trucks |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Size Short Bed | 5.0–5.5 ft | Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, Honda Ridgeline |
| Full-Size Short Bed | 5.5–5.8 ft | Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, RAM 1500, Toyota Tundra, GMC Sierra |
| Full-Size Standard Bed | 6.5 ft | Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, RAM 1500, Toyota Tundra, Ford F250 |
| Full-Size Long Bed | 8.0 ft | Ford F150/F250, Chevy Silverado 2500, RAM 2500/3500 |
All of our truck bed tents come with size options to match your bed length — select the correct variant at checkout. Whether you need a truck bed tent short bed option for your Tacoma, a standard 6.5 ft truck bed tent long bed for your Silverado, or a full truck bed tent 8ft model for a long bed F250, we carry the right size. If you're unsure of your bed length, measure from the inside of the tailgate to the bulkhead (the wall behind the cab). Don't measure from the outside. And don't worry — if you call us, we can confirm the right size for your exact truck model and year in seconds.
Looking for a Tacoma-specific truck bed tent? We have a dedicated Tacoma Bed Tent Collection with fitment guides, product recommendations, and setup tips specifically for Toyota Tacoma owners. The tacoma truck bed tent is our most searched-for truck bed tent by vehicle — because there are that many Tacoma owners who camp.
Truck Bed Tent vs Rooftop Tent
This is the question every truck owner asks eventually: should I get a truck bed tent or a rooftop tent? Both give you elevated sleeping. Both keep you off the ground. But they serve different budgets, different camping styles, and different levels of commitment to the truck camping lifestyle.
| Factor | Truck Bed Tent | Rooftop Tent |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $115–$770 | $1,200–$5,000+ |
| Setup Time | 5–15 minutes | 30–90 seconds (hardshell) / 3–5 min (softshell) |
| Rack Required | No — mounts directly in truck bed | Yes — requires bed rack or roof rack |
| Bed Access While Camping | No — tent occupies entire bed | Yes — bed stays open for gear storage |
| Driving With Tent | Must pack away before driving | Stays mounted permanently |
| Insulation | Minimal — 3-season use recommended | Better — many RTTs rated for 4-season use |
| Mattress Included | Rarely — bring your own air mattress | Usually — built-in foam mattress |
| Weight Impact | Negligible (15–30 lbs packed) | Significant (120–270 lbs permanent) |
| Durability | Good — nylon/polyester construction | Excellent — aluminum shells, heavy-duty canvas |
| Best For | Weekend trips, budget camping, testing truck camping | Frequent camping, overlanding, 4-season use |
Our honest take: If you camp fewer than 10 nights a year and you're not sure truck camping is for you, start with a truck bed tent. Whether you call it a truck bed camper tent, a truck bed tent pop up, or just a pickup tent — the concept is the same: affordable, elevated sleeping with no permanent modifications. It's the lowest-risk way to find out if sleeping in the back of your truck is something you enjoy. If you love it and want faster setup, year-round capability, and better security for your gear, upgrade to a rooftop tent later. If you already know you'll camp frequently, a rooftop tent is the better long-term investment — but it requires a rack, adds permanent weight, and costs 5–10x more upfront.
Setup Tips & What to Know Before You Buy
Bring Your Own Mattress
Truck bed tents typically do not come with a mattress. You're sleeping on the metal truck bed floor, which is flat but cold and hard. An air mattress designed for your truck bed size is the most common solution — you can find truck bed air mattresses cut specifically for short beds or standard beds. Truck bed tents can be colder than ground tents due to air circulation underneath the bed, so an insulated air mattress or a sleeping pad with a high R-value makes a significant difference on cold nights. Don't skip this — sleeping directly on the metal bed floor will have you packing up at 2 AM.
Gear Storage Requires Planning
Truck bed tents must typically move gear to the cab or outside while you sleep, as the tent occupies the entire bed. This is the most common drawback people mention. If you carry a lot of camping gear — coolers, camp chairs, cooking equipment, firewood, storage bins — you'll need to either stash it in the cab, strap it to the tailgate, or leave it outside under a tarp. A rooftop tent avoids this problem because the bed stays open for gear storage underneath, but at 5–10x the price.
You Can't Drive With It Set Up
A truck bed tent must be packed away if you need to use the truck for driving during your trip. Unlike a rooftop tent that folds closed and stays mounted, a truck bed pop up tent has poles and fabric that catch wind and will be damaged at highway speeds. If you're spending a week at one campsite, this doesn't matter. If you're moving camp daily, the 10-minute setup and teardown at every stop adds up. For daily movers, a rooftop tent is the more practical solution.
Tonneau Cover Compatibility
Whether a truck bed tent works with your tonneau cover depends on the cover type. Folding covers, soft roll-up covers, and retractable covers that can be opened or rolled back completely out of the way will not interfere with your tent setup. Hard one-piece tonneau covers that don't fold or retract will need to be removed before you set up a truck bed tent. If you have a truck bed cap or camper shell, a bed tent won't work — but you might consider the SofTopper tent extension instead.
Weather Limitations
A pickup truck bed tent is a 3-season shelter. These tents handle rain, wind, and cool nights well — the built-in rainfly and durable materials keep you dry in downpours, and the elevated sleeping position keeps you above puddles. But truck bed tents are not built for winter camping. The thin nylon or polyester walls don't provide sufficient insulation for freezing temperatures, and the open truck bed underneath allows cold air to circulate beneath you. For winter camping, a rooftop tent with insulation or a truck bed camper shell setup is the better choice.
Quick Product Comparison
| Model | Price | Capacity | Material | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OVS LD TACT | $114.99 | 2–3 | 420D nylon | Best value, first-time truck campers |
| Napier Sportz Camo | $229 | 2 | Polyester taffeta | Hunting trips, budget camping |
| Napier Sportz | $329 | 2 | Polyester taffeta | Proven reliability, wide truck fitment |
| C6 Rev Scout | $539 | 2 | Lightweight design | Overlanders who want ground + truck versatility |
| C6 Rev Element | $769 | 2 | Premium lightweight | Serious overlanders, best weather protection |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up a truck bed tent?
Most truck bed tents can be set up in 5–15 minutes depending on experience and design. Many manufacturers use color-coded pole systems to make setup faster — match the colored pole to the matching colored sleeve and you're done. Pop up truck bed tent designs are even simpler, often deploying in under 5 minutes. The first time may take longer as you figure out the rigging, but by your second or third trip, setup becomes routine. One person can handle most truck bed tents solo due to the lightweight materials.
Will a truck bed tent fit my specific truck?
Truck bed tents are limited by the size of the truck bed, so you must select the correct bed length variant. Most truck bed tents we carry come in mid-size (5.0 ft), full-size short (5.5 ft), full-size standard (6.5 ft), and long bed (8.0 ft) options. A truck bed tent ford f150 setup uses the 5.5 ft or 6.5 ft variant depending on your cab configuration. A truck bed tent for tacoma or tacoma truck bed tent uses the 5.0 ft or 6.0 ft variant. A truck bed tent for toyota tundra uses the 5.5 ft or 6.5 ft model. A truck bed tent for chevy silverado, truck bed tent for honda ridgeline, or truck bed tent for nissan frontier each has specific sizing — call us at 844-200-3979 if you're not sure which size matches your truck.
Can I drive my truck with a truck bed tent mounted?
No. A fully set up truck bed tent will catch wind and sustain damage at driving speeds. Pack the tent into its carry bag before driving. Some campers move their truck short distances around camp with the tent deployed at very slow speeds, but this isn't recommended for any real distance. When it's time to move to a new campsite, tear down takes 5–10 minutes, and the tent packs into a compact bag that fits easily in your truck bed for the drive.
Do I need an air mattress for a truck bed tent?
Strongly recommended. Truck bed tents rarely include a mattress, and sleeping directly on the metal truck bed floor is cold, hard, and uncomfortable. A truck bed air mattress or self-inflating sleeping pad transforms the experience. Look for mattresses specifically designed for truck beds — they're cut to fit around wheel wells and match standard bed dimensions. An insulated mattress is particularly important because the open air beneath the truck bed allows cold air to circulate underneath you, making you colder than you'd be in a ground tent where earth provides some insulation.
Can a truck bed tent handle rain and storms?
Yes — truck bed tents provide solid protection against rain and moderate wind. The built-in rainfly creates a waterproof layer overhead, while the truck bed itself acts as a waterproof floor. You're elevated above ground puddles and runoff. However, truck bed tents are not designed for severe winter storms. Heavy snow can overload the pole structure, and the thin fabric walls don't insulate against freezing temperatures. For 3-season camping — spring through fall — a quality truck bed tent handles rain, wind, and cool nights reliably. Higher-end options like the C6 Rev use heavier-duty materials that customers report staying completely dry even in heavy downpours.
What comes in a truck bed tent kit?
Most truck bed tent kits include the tent body, a rainfly, structural support poles, straps or clamps for securing the tent to your truck bed rails, tie-downs for wind stability, and a compact carry bag for storage and transport. Some kits also include smaller accessories like interior storage pockets, gear lofts, or insect netting. A mattress is almost never included — you'll need to purchase a truck bed air mattress separately. Check the product description for your specific model to confirm exactly what's in the box.
How durable are truck bed tents?
Durability depends on the materials and how you care for the tent. Nylon and polyester truck bed tents (like the OVS LD TACT and Napier Sportz) last 2–5 years with proper care — always dry the tent completely before storing it in the carry bag, avoid leaving it set up in sustained sun or storms, and check poles and seams periodically. Canvas truck bed tents last significantly longer — 5–10+ years — because the heavier fabric resists UV degradation and tears better. The poles and anchoring system are typically the first components to show wear. Sturdy aluminum pole systems last longer than fiberglass. Store your truck bed tent in a dry, cool space between trips and it will serve you well for years.
Is a truck bed tent worth it?
For the price, absolutely. A truck bed tent gives you elevated sleeping, weather shelter, and bug protection for $115–$770 — a fraction of the cost of a rooftop tent. Truck bed tents provide a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy the outdoors, allowing you to camp directly in your vehicle's bed without any permanent modifications to your truck. They're the ideal solution for weekend warriors, first-time truck campers, hunting trips, fishing weekends, and anyone who wants to test the truck camping lifestyle without committing thousands of dollars to a rooftop tent and rack system.
Why Buy Your Truck Bed Tent from Off Road Tents
We're not a marketplace — we're an overlanding gear shop run by people who camp in their trucks. When you call us about a truck bed tent, you're talking to someone who can tell you whether the 5.0 ft OVS LD TACT fits your 2023 Tacoma short bed or whether you need the 5.5 ft model, whether the Napier Sportz will clear your bed-mounted toolbox, and whether the C6 Rev Tent makes more sense for your camping style than a traditional pickup truck bed tent. We carry trusted brands — OVS, Napier, and C6 Outdoor — because we've tested them and stand behind the quality. Every order ships free.
Related Guides
Tacoma Bed Tent Collection
Toyota Tacoma-specific truck bed tent models, fitment guides, and setup tips for every Tacoma generation.
Truck Bed Camping Guide
Everything about sleeping in the back of your truck — insulation, condensation management, mattress options, and camp setups.
Roof Top Tents
Ready to upgrade from a truck bed tent? Browse our complete rooftop tent collection — hardshell, softshell, and clamshell models for every budget.
Truck Bed Racks
If you decide to go the rooftop tent route, you'll need a bed rack. Browse our full collection from RCI, Leitner, CBI, Front Runner, and more.
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