I secretly love tonneau cover, though my wife doesn’t want one on our truck. My friend has a nice one, and he wondered if it was possible to use a truck tent with a tonneau cover.
I didn’t see why not, but I was wrong—sort of.
I researched the different types of tonneau covers and truck tents, and here’s what I found on the question: Can you use a truck tent with a tonneau cover?
It’s possible to use a truck tent with a tonneau cover as long as it’s the right kind. Retractable tonneau covers work the best, but rolled-up ones need to be less than 6” inches high. Folding and hinged tonneau covers need to be removed altogether.
Let’s take a look at the types of tonneau covers and truck tents for more details.
Table of Contents
What Is A Tonneau Cover?
A tonneau cover is a fancy word for a truck bed cover.
This is the kind you see where it fits against the sides of the truck to protect the truck bed only.
They’re often cheaper and easier to use than full cabs, but they protect less room.
They come in different varieties:
- Retractable – These fold up into each other and then press flat against the back of the truck cab. They save the most room but often cost the most.
- Roll-up – These ones are usually a softer material and save money, but they have less protection and are more of a pain to roll up.
- Folding/hinged – These ones offer great protection without breaking the bank, but you won’t be able to open up the truck bed all the way.
What You Need In A Tonneau Cover For Using Truck Tents
The exact type you get depends on your truck bed size and what you’ll use it for.
Looking specifically at covers for truck bed tents, we need two things:
- Low profile
- Retractability
The tonneau cover needs to be able to get under 6” inches of clearance. If it’s over this distance, it’ll be in the way of your truck tent.
When you look for a cover to buy, check out the profile or clearance.
The retractability is the even bigger one.
The cover needs to get up and out of the way.
This is why folding/hinged tonneau covers don’t work. They take up a quarter up to one-half of the truck bed.
There’s no way you can put a truck tent up with this type.
Retractable covers are perfect for truck tents.
They pop right up against the truck.
Rolled-up ones will work, but again, you have to check with this clearance of the cover.
Tonneau Cover And Different Types Of Truck Tents
Now, let’s look at this topic from the point of view of different truck tents.
Truck Bed Tents
Truck bed tents are specially designed tents that sit in the bed of the truck.
Some of them sit flat to the bottom of the truck bed, and some are lifted slightly off the ground to provide some room for storage.
As such, these need the tonneau covers to be up and out of the way.
Retractable will work best with this, and roll-up covers with less than 6” inches of clearance will work too.
For covers with more than 6” inches, it’s possible to try it by pressing the tent up against the cover instead of over it, but this won’t work with every tent.
If you have the option, test out the covers with your tent or vice versa before buying it.
Save yourself money and frustration with truck bed tents by reading our buyer’s guide of different ones at the link.
Rooftop Tents
Rooftop tents are the way to go if you’re interested in keeping your tonneau cover no matter what.
There are many variations in the types of rooftop tent, and many of them don’t need to take up any space in the truck bed.
Several use platforms either directly above the truck or off to the side.
Look into the individual type and setup of the rooftop tent to figure out if it’ll work for you.
If it does need some truck bed space, figure out how much. But it’s likely you’ll be safe with a retractable or roll-up tonneau cover.
One of the main benefits of rooftop tents is how quick it is to set up.
Read more in our article on how long it takes to set up a truck bed tent.
Can You Put A Tent On A Tonneau Cover?
It’s worth a shot, but I wouldn’t if I were you. Your tonneau cover may not be meant to handle such weight.
I’m not saying you weigh a lot, but the covers are built to protect things under them, not bear weight on top.
While one person weighing 100 lbs would probably be OK, you have to remember, most of us weigh more than that, and you have to add the weight of the tent in too.
Also, consider the type of cover you have.
Does it have any supports running perpendicular to the truck sides?
If it doesn’t, don’t even try putting a tent up there.
If it does, feel free to try, but I’d still be skeptical.
It’s just not what they were meant for.
Truck Bed Covers For Camping
There are a few people who use their truck bed covers as a sort of tent for camping.
They leave the tonneau cover on and sleep inside the truck bed.
It seems odd, but it works in most cases.
Tonneau covers protect the contents of the truck bed, so it shouldn’t leak water.
It’ll keep out critters, so no worries there either.
It isn’t very good at blocking winds, and it’s not well-insulated, but neither are tents.
The biggest drawback is how little space there is. You’ll only have what your truck bed gives you as far as height.
If you’re fine being a little cramped, go for it.
But if you want any headroom, opt for an actual tent.
Comfort-wise, it’s as comfortable as any truck bed tent, which is to say it’s really comfy.
The flat bed of the truck is a perfect place to put down a sleeping mat.
For more details on sleeping, check out our list of ways to make your truck tent more comfortable.
How To Set Up A Truck Tent With A Tonneau Cover
Setting up your truck tent with a tonneau cover is much like setting up any truck tent, and it largely depends on your exact product.
Still, there are a few big steps to keep in mind, so you don’t forget anything.
Park And Level Your Truck
First, you need to park your truck on as level ground as possible.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, but the closer you get to level, the better you’ll sleep.
If you can’t get it even, do this.
- Park your truck when you want it to be.
- Look at the low sides or sides of the truck.
- Pull forward 6” inches.
- Put blocks or pieces of wood under the low-side tires.
- Back up onto the blocks of wood.
- Check for level.
Note: If it’s still low, add another leveling block or a thicker piece of wood.
Don’t stack pieces of wood. Leveling blocks are fine to stack as they’re designed to interlock.
Roll Up The Tonneau Cover
Now, roll up or retract your tonneau cover according to the instructions on your individual product.
If you’re rolling up, take care to get it as tight against the truck as it allows.
This will give you more room for the tent.
Set Up The Tent (According To The Specific Tent)
Set up your truck tent according to the instructions of the individual product.
It stinks we can’t give you more specific information here, but there are so many variations, it’s impossible.
If you’re using a truck bed tent, push it up against the tonneau cover to give yourself as much space as possible.
Strap It Down
Strap down your tent to keep it secure.
If you’re using a rooftop tent, you may not need as much of this because you already attached it to the rails or racks on top of your truck.
For truck bed tents, make sure it’s nice and tight. If it’s loose, it’ll move around in the wind, potentially denting or scratching your truck.
Sleeping on a truck bed is one of the best ways to camp.
Check out these tricks for making a truck bed more comfortable to sleep on.
