The Best Tailgate Tents

Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent

The Best In-Tent-ions

Combining a unique, floor-less design with weatherproof construction and optimal ventilation, this truck bed tent ensures a comfortable night.

Best Overall

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Not only is Rightline’s truck bed tent durable and weatherproof, but it’s easy to set up, too. The floor-less design means there are no tent attachments to the truck bed itself, so you don’t have to move anything around that you may have stored. The Rightline includes color-coded poles and pole pockets for quick and easy setup, and with the heavy-duty straps and nylon buckles, you won’t damage your truck’s finish in the process. This truck tent sleeps two adults comfortably and even has a zippered sky view vent to allow for more light, better views, and increased ventilation.

Pros:

• Includes convenient carrying sack
• Set-up instructions are sewn into the storage sack
• Also includes rainfly covering

Cons:

• Thin material is not insulated
• Rainfly does not extend over front opening

Rightline SUV Tent

Shop & Order SUV

For families that camp with their SUV, this add-on hatchback tent is perfect for even the most remote locations.

Best for SUVs

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Perhaps the coolest feature of an SUV tent is that you can use it to either extend sleeping space to the back of your SUV or create convenient access to the back of your car while you’re inside the tent. The tent’s vehicle sleeve attaches to many different makes and models of SUVs, minivans, and even pickup trucks with caps. The sleeve is constructed with water-resistant fabric with tape sealed seams to protect you from the elements, while the sewn-in, bathtub-style tent floor keeps out water and four-legged night visitors. It’s watertight enough that you won’t even need a ground tarp.

Pros:

• Universal-fitting vehicle sleeve
• Can be used as a standalone tent
• Easy to tear down

Cons:

• Tight fit in the included carrying bag
• Not easy to set up alone

Guide Gear Full Sized Truck Tent

More Tent, Less Spent

Here's a great way to try out truck camping without spending a fortune.

Best Value

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If you’re looking to get started with truck camping, Guide Gear provides a rugged yet economical truck bed tent. Easy to set up in just a few minutes, its quality construction, excellent ventilation, and adaptable options make it a great choice. Guide Gear’s tent fits full-sized pickups from all brands and features sewn-in polyethylene flooring, water-resistant coating, large D-shaped door mesh windows for ventilation, and two storage pockets. Shock-corded fiberglass poles and tension straps keep the tent anchored firmly to the vehicle, while the attached rainfly keeps you dry and comfortable at night.

Pros:

• Includes heavy-duty, weather-resistant polyester carrying bag
• Fits most full-sized beds from 79″ – 81″
• Tent floor lines your truck’s bed

Cons:

• No access to back cab windows
• Instructions can be a bit vague

Sportz Link Ground 4 Person Tent

Gimme Shelter

For families that need a sleeping solution for up to six people, this truck bed tent holds the whole family.

Best For Families

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This adaptable ground tent is perfect for families and parties on a camping trip. Sportz Link features a 4-person, 8′ x 8′ ground tent, which connects to a truck bed tent with a rugged, water-resistant attachment. You can sleep six people or use one compartment for sleeping and the other for storage. It comes with a full rainfly with taped seams to provide rain resistance, and a built-in storm flap in the windows to provide privacy. Three mesh windows and a large entrance door offer optimal ventilation.

Pros:

• 6′ – 5″ of headspace in the ground tent
• Two-pole construction for easy setup
• Perfect for storage

Cons:

• Mesh screens do not include covering flaps
• Check the size of your truck before purchase

Kodiak Canvas Truck Bed Tent

Don't Rain on My Parade

This truck bed tent is 100% waterproof while still staying breathable.

Most Waterproof

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While most truck bed tents claim to be waterproof or water-resistant, Kodiak means business. Their rugged canvas tent is made with Hydra-Shield, a 100% cotton duck canvas that is durable and watertight while remaining breathable. The tunnel-shaped design maximizes interior space and provides 5′ of ceiling height. It even extends the length of your tent space by incorporating a tailgate-down design. A sturdy, steel tube frame connects the tent clamp-on rails that easily mount on most truck beds for a secure fit. Five windows provide excellent ventilation, and it even includes a cab access window.

Pros:

• Compatible with most Fords, Chevys, GMCs, Dodge Rams and Toyota Tundras
• Two convenient gear pockets
• Large, D-shaped door with reinforced zippers

Cons:

• Not designed for heavy snow accumulation
• Very secure but takes twice as long to set up

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a truck bed tent be used on the ground?

Truck bed tents are specifically designed to be used in a truck bed or SUV of a specific size. While you could set it up on the ground, there is no way to stake the tent or keep it upright by using the clipping system that works with your vehicle.

How do you measure the length of your truck bed for a tent?

First, put the tailgate up. Measure from the edge of the bed nearest the cab and extend the measuring tape until you reach the inside of the tailgate. Don’t measure along the top of the bed — measure along the bottom.

Will the SUV tent work on a car with a side-opening hatchback?

For the most part, yes. The straps and buckles that attach to your bumper can also be adapted to attach to the side of your car. However, the best-case scenario is that your SUV has a rack on top, which can be used to latch down the side of the tent opposite of your hatchback door.