If you’ve ever longed for the freedom of camping anywhere you can park your rig, but dreaded sleeping on the cold, hard ground or dealing with uneven terrain, you’re not alone. I faced this exact problem for years. Trying to find perfectly level ground for a traditional tent after a long drive, or worse, waking up to puddles inside because of poor drainage, really took the fun out of spontaneous trips. Solving this wasn’t just about comfort; it was about making quick getaways truly possible without the hassle and potential misery of a bad campsite setup. Leaving it unresolved meant continued frustration and limiting where I could realistically camp.
Truck tents are designed to elevate your camping experience, quite literally. They solve the fundamental problem of needing flat, dry ground by utilizing the bed of your pickup truck as a foundation. This makes them ideal for dispersed camping, tailgating, music festivals, or any scenario where finding a traditional campsite isn’t feasible or desirable. The ideal customer for a truck tent is someone who owns a pickup truck, enjoys flexibility in their camping locations, and wants a relatively quick and comfortable setup that keeps them off the ground and away from most ground-dwelling critters and morning dew.
Who shouldn’t buy a truck tent? If you don’t own a truck, obviously this isn’t the right solution; a ground tent or RV would be better. Also, if your camping trips frequently involve packing up and moving locations every single day, the process of setting up and taking down the tent each time might become tedious. For continuous travel, alternative setups might be more convenient.
Before purchasing a truck tent, you’ll need to consider several factors: compatibility with your truck’s make, model, bed size (short bed, standard bed, long bed), and whether you have any bed liners, toolboxes, or tonneau covers that might interfere with the fit. You should also think about ease of setup, weather resistance, ventilation, durability of materials and poles, included features like storage pockets or lantern hooks, and the overall cost.
- ▶︎ CONVENIENT CAMPING ANYWHERE YOU PARK IT: The Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is the ultimate camping truck accessory that transforms your truck bed into a cozy, comfortable campsite, regardless of...
- ▶ ULTIMATE WEATHER PROTECTION: Full rainfly, reinforced taped seams, secure fit to truck with 9 adjustable straps, and high-quality weather resistant fabrics provide full protection from the...
- ▶ SIMPLE SET-UP: Color-coded pole system makes set up a breeze in under 10 minutes
Presenting the product
The Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is essentially a classic dome-style tent specifically designed to pitch inside the bed of your pickup truck. It promises convenient camping wherever you park, transforming your truck bed into a comfortable sleeping space. When you purchase it, you get the tent body, a full rainfly with taped seams, a color-coded pole system, adjustable straps for securing it to the truck, a carrying bag, and a gear loft with a lantern holder.
Compared to the market leader, often considered the higher-end Kodiak Canvas Truck Tent known for its robust canvas material and unique tailgate sleeve design, the Napier Backroadz offers a more budget-friendly and lighter-weight nylon option. It’s targeted at the casual to moderate camper looking for an easy-to-use, off-the-ground solution without the significant investment or bulk of a canvas tent. It might not be for someone seeking maximum privacy from windows or absolute stormproof performance in extreme conditions, where a heavy-duty canvas or ground tent might excel.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my time using it:
Pros:
* Keeps you off the ground, away from dirt, bugs, and water.
* Relatively quick and easy setup once you’ve done it a couple of times.
* Excellent use of truck bed space for comfort and headroom.
* Full rainfly offers decent weather protection.
* Compact and lightweight when packed away.
* Fits a wide variety of truck models and bed sizes with different versions.
Cons:
* Strapping system, particularly around the tailgate, can be cumbersome.
* Window ventilation is limited without the rainfly; adding the fly reduces airflow and privacy.
* Elastic in straps may stretch over time.
* Requires emptying the truck bed before setup.
* Must be taken down to drive the truck.
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Features & Benefits
Having used the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent for multiple seasons and various trips, I can speak to how its features perform in real-world scenarios.
Convenient Camping Anywhere You Park It
The core principle of the Backroadz Truck Tent is its ability to turn your truck bed into a campsite. This is incredibly convenient. I’ve pulled off onto forest service roads, found a relatively level spot, and had camp set up in minutes without scouting for perfect ground. This is a game-changer for spontaneity. If you’re tired of crowded campgrounds or just want to explore more remote areas, being able to camp where your truck is parked provides unparalleled freedom. It removes the stress of finding a clear, flat spot and ensures you’re always on a known surface – your truck bed. For someone like me who loves road trips that aren’t tied to reservations, this flexibility is the biggest benefit. It means less time searching and more time enjoying the destination or the journey itself.
Easy and Quick Setup
Napier claims a 10-minute setup time, and I’ve found this to be pretty accurate after a couple of practice runs. The key here is the color-coded pole system. Each pole and its corresponding sleeve on the tent have a matching color, which eliminates guesswork and speeds up the process significantly. The instructions are sewn into the carrying bag, which is handy, though I quickly developed my own preferred method: laying the tent out flat in the truck bed first, then inserting the poles. This avoids having to lift and maneuver the tent with the poles already bent, making it much easier, especially solo. While one person *can* set it up, having a second pair of hands, especially for the first few times or when dealing with the rainfly, makes it even quicker and smoother. The ease of setup means you spend less time wrestling with gear and more time relaxing or exploring. It’s perfect for arriving at dusk or in less-than-ideal weather when you just want to get shelter pitched quickly.
Ultimate Weather Protection
The Napier Backroadz Truck Tent comes with a full rainfly and reinforced taped seams, which are crucial for staying dry. The material itself has an 800mm PU coating, which is standard for many recreational tents. I’ve weathered several rain showers, including some steady downpours, and the tent has kept the interior dry. The full rainfly is necessary to cover the windows and door completely for maximum water resistance. The 9 adjustable straps that secure the tent to the truck also help keep the fabric taut, allowing water to run off effectively. While it might not be rated for extreme weather or heavy snow loads (it’s listed as a 1-season tent, typically suitable for warmer months), for typical spring, summer, and early fall camping with moderate rain, it performs well. Being off the ground provides a significant advantage in preventing water from seeping in from below, which is a common issue with ground tents in wet conditions.
Unmatched Comfort and Space
Sleeping elevated in a truck bed is surprisingly comfortable compared to a sleeping pad on the ground. The tent design maximizes the space within the truck bed, offering good headroom (up to 67 inches in some configurations) and a large entry door. It’s advertised as a 2-person tent, and my experience confirms it comfortably fits two adults. The floor utilizes the entire bed area, and with the tailgate down (which the tent accommodates), you get extra length, great for taller individuals or for storing gear. I highly recommend investing in a truck bed air mattress or a thick sleeping pad for added cushioning. I’ve also found that laying down a moving blanket or tarp before setting up the tent helps protect the tent floor from the truck bed’s potentially rough surface and makes kneeling inside more comfortable. The sewn-in floor also means you don’t have to worry about dirt or bugs coming up from the bed itself.
Optimal Ventilation
Ventilation is managed through the large entry door and two large windows on the sides. These feature mesh screens to keep insects out while allowing airflow. Good ventilation is vital to reduce condensation, which can be an issue in any tent. Without the rainfly, you get excellent cross-breeze. However, one minor drawback is that the side windows lack privacy screens or flaps on the inside. If you want privacy or need to block wind or rain, you have to put the rainfly on. This completely covers the windows, significantly reducing airflow. This can make the tent feel a bit stuffy, especially on warm, humid nights or when it’s raining heavily. Ideally, I’d prefer internal flaps on the windows for adjustable ventilation and privacy without needing the full rainfly.
Durable Craftsmanship
The Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is constructed from high-quality polyester taffeta and features a rugged polyethylene floor. Napier has over 30 years of experience, and that shows in the general build quality for this price point. The seams are well-stitched, and the zippers on the door and windows feel sturdy enough for regular use. The fiberglass poles are shock-corded, which aids in assembly, but like all fiberglass poles, they need to be handled with care – push them through the sleeves rather than pulling on the cord. While the main fabric feels durable for typical camping, it’s not a heavy-duty material like canvas, so avoiding sharp objects in the truck bed is important.
Secure Fit and Compatibility
The tent secures to your truck using 9 adjustable straps with plastic clips. These strap around various points on your truck bed and wheel wells to hold the tent taut. Napier offers different models to fit specific truck bed sizes (short, standard, long) and body styles, ensuring a good fit. I found the fit on my full-size truck bed to be quite good, utilizing the space well. However, securing the tent, particularly the three straps that go around the tailgate, can be a bit awkward. You often have to thread these straps between the folded-down tailgate and the truck bed, which can be tricky and requires careful maneuvering to fish them out. Also, the elastic section in these straps, while adding some flexibility, seems a bit too stretchy and might lose its elasticity over prolonged use, potentially reducing the tent’s tautness in wind. Despite this, the straps generally hold the tent securely in place, even in moderate winds.
Included Accessories
The tent comes with a few thoughtful additions that enhance the camping experience. The gear loft inside the ceiling is great for stashing lightweight items like phones, keys, or a headlamp, keeping them off the floor and easily accessible. There’s also a loop (often a carabiner) in the center ceiling for hanging a lantern, which is essential for nighttime visibility inside the tent. A carrying bag is included for storage and transport, and everything packs down reasonably small. While the bag is spacious enough to get everything back in without struggling too much, neatly folding the tent helps keep it compact.
One significant consideration, as mentioned earlier, is that if your camping involves moving spots frequently, you’ll need to take the tent down each time you want to drive. This can interrupt the flow of a trip compared to simply leaving a ground tent pitched at a base camp. However, for static camping or road trips with longer stays at each location, the convenience of the pickup truck bed camping tent outweighs this drawback. Also, remember you need to empty your truck bed entirely before setup, which is something to plan for when packing.
Social Proof
Scrolling through online reviews, it’s clear that many users share my positive experiences. People consistently praise the tent’s ease of setup after an initial practice run and its effectiveness in keeping them dry during rain, noting that being off the ground is a major advantage. Many reviewers highlight the comfortable space inside and how well the tent fits their specific truck models. While some mention minor issues similar to mine, like the complexity of the tailgate straps or the window privacy, the overall sentiment points to high satisfaction and value for money, with users recommending it for various camping and outdoor events.
Conclusion
The problem of finding level, dry ground for comfortable camping is a persistent one that can dampen any outdoor adventure. Waking up cold, wet, or sore from uneven terrain significantly detracts from the joy of being outside. The Napier Backroadz Truck Tent offers an excellent solution by utilizing your truck bed as a stable, elevated platform. This 2-Person Truck Tent is a great fit because of its relatively easy and quick setup, its reliable protection from moderate weather thanks to the full rainfly, and the comfortable, off-the-ground sleeping experience it provides. For anyone looking to add flexibility and comfort to their camping setup without the fuss of ground tents, it’s definitely worth considering. To check out the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent and see if it’s right for your next trip, Click here.
Last update on 2025-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API