Overlanding (off road travel camping) is becoming increasingly popular these days. Truck bed tents are an effective way to have a more wild experience as compared to your typical rv camping which is generally confined to paved or dirt roads.
Are truck bed tents worth it? Truck bed tents are definitely worth it for those who are wanting an inexpensive way to sleep above the ground and for those truck owners who would prefer to have a greater feeling of security while sleeping. A truck bed tent also lifts you off of any uneven ground giving you more pitching options while using your vehicle.
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The Pros and Cons of Truck Bed Tents
PROS:
- inexpensive truck mounted tent as compared to other options such as roof top tents and more practical and versatile than ground attachment tents.
- easy to pitch the tent since it is mounted on the truck bed rather than searching for level ground to pitch. There are no overhangs or ladders to worry about when pitching, takes up the same space as your trucks footprint.
- easy way to utilize your pick up truck bed for sleeping
- they are light weight and pack away into a small space
- you sleep above the ground away from smaller wildlife and the truck can help shelter you from the wind.
- useful for hunting and fishing
- good way to introduce kids to camping
- keeps you higher and drier
- utilizes a work truck for recreational use
- inexpensive way to get into overlanding
- clean set up and take down (tent doesn’t come into contact with dirty, muddy, wet ground)
CONS:
- you must unload all gear out of the bed of the truck each time you want to set up your tent. The exception would be possibly building up the bed above storage.
- tent will still be subjected to wind and rain. Rain water has been known to run down bed underneath the tent floor.
- one size does not fit all you must look for a tent that fits your truck bed.
- tent is limited to pick up truck mounting only
- you cannot drive away with a truck bed tent set up (only slow short moves are feasible)
Truck Bed Tent Construction Materials
The primary material used to make truck bed tents is polyester. This fabric is waterproofed with a coating such as PU. The fabric must meet fire resistant standards in both Canada and the US. Some tents such as those manufactured by Napier also integrate taffeta weave technology.1 Polyester is a commonly used fabric in tent construction and is relatively light weight and can be waterproofed with a coating such as PU. These tents can range from one season to four seasons. Most of these tents come with a separate fly that is to be attached to the tent so it can resist rain and wind.
The more expensive material used in truck bed tents is canvas. Canvas is a natural material that has the advantage of being extremely breathable, durable, waterproof and has insulating properties. It is a really good choice if you are wanting to camp comfortably during colder shoulder season and during winter but is also a good choice for staying cool during summer.
Search for a tent that has a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of at least 1000mm. This is the minimum legal requirement for a tent to be called waterproof. It will resist light rain showers. A much safer range for most situations is for your tent’s HH rating to fall between 2000-3000mm. It is important to check that all the tent seams are properly taped or sealed in some way. If the seams are not sealed than the tent will leak.
The poles used in constructing truck bed tents range from aluminum, steel or shock-corded fiberglass. Straps are polypropylene ropes.
Set Up Difficulty
Setting up a truck tent bed is relatively straightforward, however mounting times vary depending on the tent. Compared to traditional camping tents a truck bed tent is generally more difficult and time consuming to set up.
Truck Bed Tent F.A.Q.
what size air mattress fits in the bed of a truck?
Most air mattresses are 8 ft long, 6.5 ft, or 5.25 ft for really short beds. Most truck beds are short since the room is taken up by an extended crew cab. Make sure you first measure the length of the inside front to the inside rear with the tailgate up. The majority of truck bed mattresses fit over the wheel wells.
How do truck tents work?
Truck bed tents are similar to regular tents with tent poles and a fly. The difference is that the tent utilizes the truck bed for sleeping and is mounted and secured to the truck using tension straps rather than secured to the ground like with a regular tent.
Can you put a regular tent in a truck bed?
Yes you can however if you just place a regular tent in the truck bed you will need to find a different way to secure it. If it rains and the entire bed is not sheltered water can easily pool underneath your tent. Ideally using a truck bed tent is the best choice with the least unforeseen problems.