When it comes to picking the best truck canopy for camping, people get more confused and often make more mistakes than picking ground tents.
A truck canopy or truck tent is very different from regular ground tents you cannot just place it anywhere.
but don't worry, we are here to help you with that. Today, in this article we will be talking about the best truck canopy for camping.
But before that, let's talk about the differences between ground attachment tents, truck tents, and rooftop tents. Jump To Best Options!
If you are in a hurry we would recommend the JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent as it is one of the most durable truck canopies and also had double-layered mesh windows and doors for privacy. The fiberglass poles of this tent are durable and the company offers one-time free replacement as well.
Ground Attachment Tents vs Truck Bed Tents vs Roof Top tents
1. Ground attachment tents
These tents are the most cost-effective and also being very lightweight and easy to setup. You don't have to take them down constantly when you have to drive your car, instead, you can just unstrap them.
On the contrary, you will be more exposed to wildlife and have to find large level ground for both your vehicle and tent. Also, they don't work well with pickup trucks.
2. Truck bed tents
These types of tents are 4-6 kg and take very little cargo room. It allows you to maintain a height limit to keep away from wildlife. It's very easy to set up as well and doesn't require extra space to stand.
They can also be carried along with you for small distances. The biggest disadvantage is that you won't be able to use your truck bed while camping.
The size the capacity of the tents is often mistaken and you might not get the perfect fit on the first go and they can be only used for pickup trucks.
3. Rooftop tents
With rooftop tents, you don't need to worry about ground moisture and you can see the world from a higher perspective.
They have a built-in mattress and the fabric is more durable than ground or truck bed tents. You can camp on uneven ground and you will also have access to your truck bed at the same time.
The downside is that they are expensive and you will also need to buy other accessories like ladders. They are not easy to set up and require at least 2 people and again you will always have to use a ladder to get inside.
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Quick answer:
Best Truck Canopy For Camping
Check out this quick list of our favorite TRUCK CANOPY tents if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews
1- JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent
2-Guide Gear Premium Truck Tent
3-Sportz Truck Tent Blue/Grey
BEST TRUCK CANOPY FOR CAMPING
1-JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent
Coming to our no.1, we have the JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent, Waterproof PU2000mm Double Layer for 2 Person.
The tent dimensions are 90.5 x 62.9 x 66.9 inches and do not weigh more than 4.1 kg.
The tent has a versatile design and is compatible with F150, Ram, Silverado, Tundra, Sierra, Titan, and many other trucks.
The tent is made of 150D polyester oxford, with h PU2000 water-proof coating and the bottom of the tent also has a waterproof layer to avoid rainwater infiltration keep the interior clean and dry.
The package include 4 durable fiberglass poles and the company provide a one-time free opportunity to replace the poles.
For privacy protection, the tent has 3 windows, 2 for sightseeing and 1 for hunting or observation.
All windows are double layered and you can pull down the shading layer during daytime and can effectively prevent the sundries from falling into the tent.
Highlight features
High-quality material: Made of 150D polyester oxford, with PU2000 water-proof coating and can protect you from rain even without the canopy extra. The bottom also has a waterproof layer for keeping your belongings dry.
Privacy protection: Features 3 windows, 2 for sightseeing and 1 for hunting or observation all of which are double layered for proper ventilation and privacy protection.
Versatile comparability: Compatible with F150, Ram, Silverado, Tundra, Sierra, Titan, etc and this truck bed tent will fit for pickup truck with 5.5-6ft bed.
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Reason to get this: Best OVERALL
2-Guide Gear Premium Truck Tent
At our no.2 spot, there is Guide Gear Premium Truck Tent.
The package dimensions of the tent are 27.5 x 8 x 6.75 inches and the package weight is 3.8 kg.
The full-size premium tents fit most full-sized mattresses measuring 79-81 inches with the tailgate down.
It is compatible with Chevy, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, and more full-sized pickups.
The fabric of the tent is made of 190T polyester with a 1500mm water-resistant coating and also comes with a full rainfly to keep you dry.
The tent is comfortable and has ample space to fit 2 adults and it's very easy to set up with a total of 4 durable poles that deploy quickly and fit securely to your vehicle.
The floor of the canopy is made of polyethylene and it has mesh windows for added visibility.
Also, the tent comes with a heavy-duty polyester carrying bag making it very convenient for travel and usage.
Highlight features
Compact and lightweight: Compact design and comes with a heavy-duty water-resistant polyester carrying bag which makes it very convenient for travel. It is lightweight and perfect for carrying in your car.
Water-resistant coating: Made of 190T polyester with 1500mm water-resistant coating, this truck tent camper comes with a full rainfly to keep you dry.
Easy to set up: Easy to set up with 4 total poles that deploy quickly and fit securely to your vehicle making the right full-size bed tent easy.
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Reason to get this: perfect for all seasons!
3-Sportz Truck Tent Blue/Grey
Moving on to our no.3 canopy in our list, Sportz Truck Tent Blue/Grey perfect for all of your get-up-and-go adventures.
The package dimensions of this canopy are 30.5 x 9.3 x 9.2 inches and weigh around 10 kg.
The outer material is made of high-quality polyester and has an exclusive sewn-in floor to keep you and your belongings dry.
The interior is large and gives you 5.7 feet of headroom and 2 adults can sleep comfortably inside.
It is super easy to set up and requires only 15 minutes of your time.
Also, you will find a gear loft, gear pocket, and a built-in lantern holder in the interior of the tent.
The tent has mesh doors and windows which can be zippered up for added privacy and weather protection.
Another cool feature is that it has rear access panels which allow you to access your truck's interior for storage and make a connection with the power outlets.
Highlight features
Large rear access: The truck has a large interior space and has a rear access panel for accessing your truck's interior for storage and connection to the power outlets.
Exclusive fully enclosed floor: It features a sewn-in floor that keeps you clean and dry from the elements
Expandable carrying bag: It includes a carrying bag that makes for quick and easy storage. Also, it has color-coded poles which make the storage process faster.
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4-Napier Backroadz Truck Canopy Tent
Moving to no.4 pick, Napier Backroadz Truck Tent, Grey/Green, Full Size Regular Bed creates the ultimate camping oasis and is perfect for beach trips, road trips, and hiking trips as well.
The canopy package dimensions are 27 x 9 x 9 inches and weigh just about 6.8 kg.
Speaking of comparability, it is compatible with Silverado, F series, RAM, Sierra, Titan, Tundra, and many other pickup variants.
The outer fabric is very lightweight and breathable and built from Tafetta and has a full tent floor that keeps you clean and dry.
The interior is spacious having a headroom of 5 ft and comfortably sleeps 2 adults.
It features a gear loft, gear pocket, and lantern holder for added convenience.
On the front side, there is a large mesh door for easy entry and exit and the mesh door also features sewn-in storm flaps for weather protection.
You will also find color-coded poles and sleeve assembly which makes the 10-minute set-up a breeze.
Highlight features
Spacious and comfortable interior: Spacious interior with lots of space for your gear and comes with a gear loft, gear pocket, and lantern holder for added convenience and accessibility.
Mesh windows and large entrance: 2 large mesh windows allow airflow through the tent offering optimal ventilation. It also has a double-layered large entrance.
Foolproof security: The mesh windows can be closed with zippers and comes with additional storm flaps which give you both privacy and weather protection.
Pros:
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Reason to get this: very Easy to Set-Up!
5-DAC Full - Size Truck Canopy Tent
Coming to our no.5 pick, DAC Full - Size Truck Tent.
The tent dimensions are 12.2 x 9.3 x 5.5 inches and the overall weight is 1.7 kg.
The canopy can be easily stored behind the truck seat. It fits perfectly with trucks with camper tops, hard shell caps, soft caps, and SUVs with a split rear door.
The tent is made from durable and long-lasting polyester. The fabric is water-resistant and flame retardant and can withstand strong winds and snow.
The tent is very lightweight and the setup and takedown processes are very easy and can be done under 3 minutes.
This canopy has a spacious interior with mesh pockets inside to keep your belongings and provides enough space for 2 adults with some amount of gear.
The door is lined with a zippered mesh wall which prevents bugs from entering and also gives you some private space.
Highlight features
Heavy-duty fabric: Built from durable and high-quality polyester making the fabric water resistant and good for standing fast winds. The material is double-coated and flame retardant.
Lightweight and compact: Very lightweight design and can be carried away easily with the convenient carrying bag. It is good for camping or hiking and keeps your belongings protected.
Easy to store and setup: The setup process is super easy and can be done in less than 3 minutes. It can be easily stored behind the truck seat as it can be packed into the size of a shoebox.
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Reason to get this: Best for value & Perfect For All Seasons!
6-Rightline Bed Truck Canopy Tent
Standing at the no.6 spot of our list, we have the Rightline Bed Truck Canopy Tent.
The package dimensions of this truck canopy are 23.3 x 14.2 x 14.2 inches and weigh only 1.7 kg.
The tent is made up of water-resistant materials and features a floorless design that allows you to set up and take down the tent very easily and without removing your gear from your bed.
If your truck floor is greasy, you can use a standard tarp and can keep your tent away from the mess.
All the tent poles are marked with colored tape that corresponds with its matching pole pockets for ease of set-up.
All windows and doors have no-see-um mesh and storm covers along with heavy-duty zippers which are glow-in-the-dark.
In the interior, you will find 2 gear pockets and a lantern hanging hook for your convenience.
The soft polypropylene straps and plastic buckles won't damage the truck's finish.
Highlight features
Lightweight and sturdy: weighs only 1.7 kg and can be easily carried with the polyester-made carrying bag. It features color-coded poles which give the tent a sturdy structure.
Unique floorless design: Features a floorless design that allows you to set up and take down the tent without removing your gear from the bed while keeping your tent clean.
Quality weatherproof construction: Water-resistant fabric with tape-sealed seams (Pu 2000Mm) keeps you dry. It comes with an extra rainfly which is easy to connect and adjust to your vehicle.
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7-VEVOR Truck Canopy Tent
Moving to our no.7 canopy tent, let's take a look at the VEVOR Truck Canopy Tent 6.5 ft, Truck Bed Tent, Pickup Tent for Full-Size Truck.
This truck canopy has dimensions of 31.5 x 10.2 x 8.3 inches and weighs around 5.8kg.
This pickup bed tent is constructed by water-proof fabric with tape-sealed seams (PU 2000mm) which keeps your tent clean and dry.
It features a rainfly and has a fully sealed floor which allows you to sleep comfortably.
Another cool feature is that the package comes with a flashlight making it the ideal truck tent for camping and hiking.
The belt and knuckles of the tent are made with soft materials and will not damage the paint of your truck.
For ventilation purposes, the tent has a large viewing window and the flaps can be closed by zippers for privacy.
"Also, it comes with a convenient storage bag for storing and portability."
Highlight features
Spacious inner space: Features sizeable inner space and provides ample headroom for 2 adults to sleep comfortably. With this truck canopy, you can turn any spot into a campsite.
Weatherproof structure: Constructed by waterproof fabric with tape-sealed seams (PU 2000mm), which can keep your car clean and dry, while the heavy-duty belt and buckles of the tent will not damage the paint of the truck.
Large viewing windows: The large windows allow you to enjoy the outside view from the comfort of your tent. For privacy purposes, you can close the window flaps with zips for privacy.
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8-Truck Bed Canopy Tent
Last but not least, at no.8 the Truck Bed Canopy Tent, 6.5' Box Length with Front Awning is regarded as one of the most luxurious truck tents available out there.
The truck canopy package dimensions are 28.9 x 9.5 x 9 inches and weigh only around 7.8kg.
It is designed for 6.4’-6.6’ truck beds and fits nearly any truck including the Ford F series, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra, and more.
It is made from high-quality materials and has a sewn-in floor that keeps you clean and dry.
The fiberglass poles are durable and color-coded for easier setup.
The rear access window opens fully and also features a Storm Guard flap allowing you to easily access your truck’s cabin and outlets while providing additional protection from the rain.
It features 3 large-sized mesh windows and zippered door for privacy and protection from insects.
The rubberized scratch-free clips feature elasticized straps which makes it easier to fit with your truck.
Highlight features
Large capacity with front awing included: The interior is spacious and fits nearly any short-bed pickup truck with a 6.5’ box and comfortably sleeps 2 adults. Also includes a front awing to keep you cool and dry while entering and exiting.
Three privacy windows: Each window is double layered and features mesh windows that protect you from insects and dirt. Windows can be zipped up for ultimate privacy even without the rainfly on
Waterproof and integrated floor: Built from high-quality materials and has a sewn-in integrated floor that is waterproof and keeps you dry while you can rest in your tent.
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Other Consideration
We have discussed the best truck canopy for camping but the term "best" is relative and cannot be assigned to any particular thing.
So, you must know about the key criteria before you make your decision. That way you can find out which one works best for you.
Durability
First things first! Consider where you are planning to go. Is the area very windy? Does the area experience rainfall often?
In our article, we have talked about different types of tents all of which have different levels of weather protection.
Some tents are lightweight and have breathable fabric but can't stand too much wind or rain.
On the other hand, others are designed with heavy-duty materials and give you the perfect weather protection.
However, these heavy-duty tents are generally not lightweight and might cost you a little extra.
Capacity and Compatibility
The durability part is done. Now, consider how many people are going or how much gear you are planning to carry.
It is worth mentioning that an oversized truck tent cannot increase the capacity of your truck but an undersized tent can significantly decrease the interior space.
Am oversized tent is also more difficult to set up and is more prone to getting damaged.
So, whatever you are planning to buy, be double sure that the truck canopy is compatible with your truck. If you are not sure about the size, ask the seller.
Mesh and other features
If you are in a crowded place, it's natural that you will need more privacy. For privacy, and ventilation, make sure that the tent has zippered mesh windows.
During the daytime, you can enjoy the outside view and take in the fresh air and at night you can close the windows for privacy.
Another feature that you should look for is a back panel that can be used for accessing your truck from the tent.
Talking about the floor, floorless tents are way easy to set up and take down and don't require you to pull out your bed and other accessories while demounting.
On the other hand, a tent with a floor will act as a heat insulator and will keep your belongings dry and clean.
FAQs
Can you use a truck canopy on the ground?
Truck canopy or truck tents are designed specifically to be used in a truck bed of a specific size.
The buckles and straps of the tents should be connected to the vehicle so that the tent can stand up.
Of course, you can set up the truck tent on the ground but there's no way of keeping it upright or staking it as you will not get the clipping system that is present in a truck.
However, thanks to innovation, you will find some special types of tents which can be used both on the ground and on a vehicle
Does the truck canopy work well in cold weather?
Truck canopy tents are made from different fabric materials each having its resistance. Unlike regular cotton tents, most truck bed tents are made from polyester which has good heat-insulating properties.
Polyester fabric also makes the tent more resistant to strong winds. If your vehicle can stand cold weather, your tent also can.
However, if the temperature gets too low, you need to add some covering over your tent for keeping out the cold.
does truck canopy tents stand a long journey in highways?
If you are planning to set up your tent on your truck and zoom through the highways, then you should reconsider. Tents are not designed to be dynamic.
That goes for both ground and truck tents equally. On a highway, you will have to take the speed and if your tent is up at that time, it might get torn away from the strong winds.
The tent might also get loose and get detached from your truck and you will reach the campsite with an empty truck.
For shorter and comparatively low-speed journeys you can keep your tent upright. Also, be aware that the tents cannot be set up while the vehicle is running.
conclusion
So this was all about the Truck Canopy tents.
If you are looking for an option that is best overall, I would recommend the JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent as it is comfortable, durable, and have well built interior and floor with good storage pockets.
I hope this article has resolved all your queries about the BEST TRUCK CANOPY FOR CAMPING. and we wish you a very happy journey!
For more guides & reviews read my other posts:
About the Author
Hussain is a passionate hiker and traveler that love the outdoor and enjoys what nature has to give, whenever he can he love to write and give tips & honest reviews to help others get out there and just seek more unforgettable experiences.
