If you have a Toyota Tacoma you know it’s something you can rely on.
This storied truck has ingrained itself deep into the hearts of practical and sensible drivers everywhere.
It just doesn’t quit, and if we could say the same for some major truck brands in the USA then everyone would be a lot happier except for mechanics!
When you want to treat yourself and your Tacoma to an adventure, getting a truck tent is a great way to do it. And they don’t have to break the bank either.
Let’s take a look at the 4 Best Truck Tents for Toyota Tacomas:
1. KODIAK CANVAS Mid Size 5-6ft Truck Bed Tent 7211
The Kodiak Canvas tent is the fancy upper echelon tier in this category, with a price to match.
Where most other brands use polyester, they’ve opted to meet the need with more expensive material. This is a watertight cotton canvas all the way around.
You can probably even get a feel for the looks of it just by the pictures, compared to the wrinkles in other designs this will remain taut. It’s not “water-resistant”, it’s waterproof so you won’t have to worry about the occasional drip on a misty morning.
There are a total of five windows, including a cab access window. This attaches to your truck with a clamp/strap combo and the ceilings are 5 ft high.
A knock that some customers had on this model was that the included clamps weren’t up to par. Those can be switched out at a hardware store if you feel the need.
2. Guide Gear Compact Truck Tent
From one of the most expensive tents in the Kodiak, we transition to one of the most affordable.
The Guide Gear tent is one of the best sellers in this category. For a cheaper price than nearly all competitors, you get a decent polyester setup with a proper overhang.
They even have sewn in flooring in this model. Something that other, more expensive options often leave out. With four fiberglass poles for support and mesh windows for ventilation, you should be good to go.
They also include a polyester carrying bag with it. This holds up incredibly well in windy nights. We think for the price, this is is the best value overall for Tacoma owners!
3. DAC Full - Size Truck Tent (2005 and newer Tacomas)
This is a truck CAP tent. Meaning, if you don’t have a truck cap it’s not going to work.
But for those of you who do, we wanted to add this to the list.
The Full-Size Camper tent from DAC allows you to enjoy the feel of camping without having to take the top off.
Standing height will of course be very limited in this design due to the height of your truck cap.
This is basically an end opening and a top covering. It secures to your truck bed with straps and since it already has a support structure overhead to attach to, it holds very well. They use bungee cords to hold the sides in place.
4. Sportz Truck Tent Blue/Grey
The Sportz Truck tent is a roomy design with a built in camper porch.
You’ll be able to sit from the comfort of your polyester cabin and watch nature unfold.
If you’re a taller person, this has some of the best headroom we’ve seen at 5.6 feet.
This will fit two people with ease and straps to the side of your truck frame for support. There are mesh windows and side vents for air. This is one of the pricier options, but people are happy with the quality of the SportZ tent!
FAQS
Truck tents are great, but how can I make my camping trip better?
Well tents are just that, tents. But when you’re sleeping on your bare truck bed you’ll be wondering why you subjected yourself to such an experience! That is, unless you get some padding.
A sleeping bag will offer you a bit, but we recommend bringing lots of blankets or some way to have a base for your back. Or you could even bring a blow up mattress/truck bed mattress. Something like the Rightline air mattress.
Any recommendations of other stuff to bring?
Yep! Buy yourself an inexpensive bottle of bug repellent. Something like this plant-based option won’t break the bank. But another benefit you might be happy to realize is that being elevated helps keeps bugs away. When you’re not on the ground it’s not as easy for them to get close and personal!
Conclusion
Hey campers! We hope this guide has helped you make an informed decision on what to get for your Tacoma. There are plenty of great options at different price points to keep you dry.
But for us, we think one brand and design stood out as being the best value. That is the Guide Gear Compact Truck tent.
If you end up choosing anything from this guide or another tent, follow up with us and let us know how it worked out. We love hearing from our readers and thank you for stopping by.