Have You Ever Used a Truck Bed Tent with Your Toyota Tacoma?
Hey Tacoma owner, I’m curious to hear if any of you have ever taken the plunge and tried out a truck bed tent with your rig. How was your experience? Did it live up to your expectations for camping trips or outdoor adventures? I’d love to hear about any standout moments or challenges you faced while using it. Also, what did you do with all your gear, did you find a clever way to organize everything or did you have to make some sacrifices? Kindly share your tips and stories, I’m sure they’d be super helpful for anyone considering a truck bed tent.
I had a Napier truck bed tent and really enjoyed it, at least until the zippers started breaking and the poles cracked. That’s where rooftop tents have an edge. Setting up a bed tent is like dealing with a traditional dome tent, complete with poles and all the hassle. Plus, you have to clear out the bed and shove everything into the front of the truck, which can be a real pain if you’re camping frequently. Still, it’s a budget-friendly way to dive into the world of truck tents.
I ordered replacement poles from TentPoleTechnologies.com after they bent in a coastal storm. I opted for the rush order, which cost $90 and has a two-week turnaround time. For any zipper problems, local seamstresses can handle the repairs.
I wasn’t a fan of the truck bed tent. When you’re tent camping the usual way, you can leave the cooler, drinks, and most of your gear (like daypacks, hiking, or fishing equipment) in the bed of the truck while you just set up the tent and chairs.
But with the truck bed tent, you have to unload everything from the truck to set up camp. Plus, if you want to drive to a nearby trailhead, swimming hole, or fishing spot, you have to take the tent down each time.
After a season with the truck bed tent, we switched back to a ground tent. And after five years of that, we moved to a teardrop trailer, which is now my favorite way to camp.
