Still don’t have a particular truck tent in mind for your next outdoor fun? If picking a truck tent is challenging for you, then it’s time you relax for a bit and weigh your truck tent options!
In this article, we’ll guide you through a brief history of truck tents as we help you decide which truck tents on today’s market are worth buying.
How Truck Tents Came to Be
Before, there’s only the basic ground tent that we all came to love. It was estimated to have started around 40,000 B.C., when early nomadic people used animal skin and bones as improvised shelters and adapted by Indian tribes. Later on, this has been Henry Hopkins Sibley’s inspiration for his Sibley Bell Tent in 1856.
Although the benefit of ground tents in terms of on-the-go type of living is pretty obvious as they let people instantly set up a particular place they can call home, almost about anywhere that’s habitable, they still lack protection against crawling insects and requires a sufficient land area for building.
Then, in 1937, the first rooftop tent officially appeared in public. However, there are some claims that it was invented in 1958 by Stefano Stogl. Nevertheless, the rooftop tent served as an alternative to the traditional tent that you can mount on your 4x4s, which provides you with elevation and breezy feeling. Sure, a rooftop tent keeps ground insects at bay but it’ll also be physically tiring to climb back and forth to it using a ladder. Not to mention, using a rooftop tent won’t be advisable if you have a child age three or below.
Such considerations and other factors led to the rise of a truck tent in 1990 under Roman Napieraj. It’s a hybrid of the first two types of tent that lets you rest in the comfort of the great outdoors with adequate ground elevation. The downside to it though is you need to own a pickup truck or any similar 4WD, to use it.
Overview
Table could not be displayed.1. Napier Truck Tent
buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/B00ASYOUFE
If you’re looking for a truck tent that can certainly protect you during a sudden downpour, the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is an excellent choice.
As a leading proponent of truck tents since the early times, Napier ensures this truck tent is Polyurethane (PU)-coated at a minimum of 800 millimeters, enough to prevent water from seeping through its polyester fabric.
Plus, if you’re a newbie camper who happens to easily get confused during the setup, its color-coded poles and sleeves will guide you in the process.
Napier Truck Tent Pros & Cons
- Doesn’t leak.
- With a headroom of 5.6.’
- Upper interior part has a net for holding gadgets.
- Condensation can occur.
- Takes 10 minutes to setup with a partner.
- Very expensive.
2. Kodiak Canvas Truck Tent
Breathability and comfort takes center stage once you get your hands on Kodiak Canvas Truck Tent.
This truck tent consists of 5 windows that ensure air properly flows through to help you relax on your down time.
Its funnel design can also reach to a maximum of 8’ to allow a very high headroom in moving in and out.
Kodiak Canvas Truck Tent Pros & Cons
- Cotton duck canvas composition further enhances ventilation.
- Easy to install on a truck bed.
- With 2 sleeved interior pockets for valuables.
- Has the highest maximum headroom.
- Most expensive of all truck tents.
- Dirt are easily blown inside.
- Only compatible to certain truck models.
- Can’t withstand too much snow.
3. Rightline Gear Truck Tent
buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/B00FSBE7MI
When moving your stuff becomes a hassle, count on Rightline Gear Truck Tent to get rid of such a task.
This truck tent’s floorless design eliminates the need to remove your valuables every now and then for a quick setup.
It’s also equipped with a sky view vent that lets you have a breathtaking sight of the sky at night, especially if you’re in the mood for star gazing.
Rightline Gear Truck Tent Pros & Cons
- Has the highest waterproof rating at 2,000 millimeters of PU coating.
- Floorless feature for fast construction.
- With color-coded poles for easy assembly.
- Quite expensive.
- Floorless design can make you feel cold.
- Higher waterproof rating means heavier truck tent.
4. Guide Gear Compact Truck Tent
When truck tent security concerns you the most, the Guide Gear Truck Tent’s one that doesn’t disappoint.
This truck tent’s composed of fully-enclosed fiberglass poles and tension straps making it properly cling to your truck.
Moreover, its sewn-in floor protects your back against the hard, cold truck bed when you sleep at night.
Guide Gear Compact Truck Tent Pros & Cons
- Most inexpensive of all truck tents.
- With 1,500-millimeter PU coating.
- Tension straps are elastic.
- Can endure 65 mph of wind current and rain.
- Instruction manual is confusing.
- Compatible to selected truck models.
- Has the smallest headroom at 4.75.’
5. Offroading Gear Truck Tent
The finest privacy and insect protection is what you can expect from Offroading Gear’s Granville Truck Tent.
This truck tent’s equipped with 3 zip-up windows that’s useful if you’ll be changing clothes or if you don’t want to be disturbed during a nap.
The BUG-BE-GONE mesh screen on the windows is an added bonus for keeping flies and other insects out.
Offroading Gear Truck Tent Pros & Cons
- Rear window gives full access to cabin area.
- Sewn-in floor provides protection from heat and cold temperature.
- With color-coded poles for easy assembly.
- Very affordable.
- Poles and sleeves should be reinforced.
- Should have sewn pole brackets.
- Not meant for heavy rains.
D.I.Y. Truck Tent
If you’re not interested in buying truck tents and would rather let your inner creativity speak for itself, you can always come up with your own truck tent. Follow the steps below and you’ll be good to go. Click here for the complete instructions.
Conclusion
Buying for your desired truck tent can be a tough choice too but carefully weighing the pros and cons should help you get back on your feet. At the end of the day, the one that works mostly to your advantage is what matters; if not, you can just create your own truck tent. Share us your ideas by commenting below.
References:
- https://trucktentcenter.com/
- https://www.carbibles.com/best-truck-bed-tents-reviewed/
- https://thegearhunt.com/best-truck-tents-reviewed/
- https://www.turas.tv/2018/07/a-brief-history-of-tents/
- https://www.autohome-official.com/en/azienda/storia/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_tent
- https://www.circoinnovations.com/single-post/2018/05/16/PVC-Truck-Tent-Camper-Quick-and-Easy
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