If you love the convenience of camping with a tent but you want to be a bit more comfortable as with a camper, a truck bed tent may be the right option for you.
We recently got into camping with this type of tent, and it surprised me with how easy and comfortable it manages to be.
As I researched into them, I noticed there wasn’t a lot of info on truck bed tents with AC, and I always encourage people to do what they need to get comfortable and enjoy the outdoors.
So I looked around and tested some things out on my own tent, and here’s what I found.
The best truck bed tent with AC compatibility is the Napier Backroadz tent. It’s durable, comes in many different sizes, doesn’t break the bank, and features windows for easy installing of AC units.
To be clear, no tents come with AC, but some have better connectivity to hook up AC easier.
Let’s dig into the best 5 options in detail, including a buyer’s guide at the end of the article.
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Table of Contents
Best Truck Bend Tents With AC In A Nutshell
| Product | Best For |
|---|---|
| Napier Backroadz Truck Tent | Best Overall |
| Quictent Waterproof Truck Tent | Affordable Choice |
| Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent | Easiest Setup |
| Fofana Truck Bed Tent | Most Space |
| JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent | Easiest For AC |
By the way, all of these options also fit the bill for the best truck bed tents in general.
Whether you’re worried about air conditioning or not, check out these options for truck camping.
Napier Backroadz Truck Tent
The Napier truck tent is a great option for anyone looking to get into this style of camping.
Best of all, for people who want ACs, this tent has two large windows to make mounting a window unit easier.
While it’s not the most spacious tent on our list, it has a good amount of headroom, around the 5’ foot mark, depending on the exact size you get.
As with many tents, there’s a full rainfly to keep the rain off and protect a bit from the sun.
The Napier tent does one better by offering some added storm flaps around the windows and door.
They do include a color-coded fiberglass pole and sleeve system to help make setup easier.
The setup is pretty easy in our experience, and while the company claims it only takes 10-minutes to set up, it’s probably closer to 15 or 20.
For those who love nature (and what camper doesn’t?), Napier has a cool partnership with Trees For The Future. Every tent purchased helps plant a new tree too.
Extras include:
- Gear loft
- Gear pocket
- Lantern holder
Quictent Waterproof Truck Tent
The Quictent truck tent is quite affordable and easy to set up. If you’re not sure if you want a truck bed tent or you don’t care if you have had it for years, this is the one to check out.
It keeps a decent amount of space for 2 people and has just over 5’ feet of space for headroom.
One neat feature it has is an extra-large awning for protecting more space past the end of your truck bed from the rain.
This same awning folds down and stores easily if you don’t need it.
The Quictent has good waterproofing and taped seams for durability around the most vulnerable parts of the tent.
As the name implies, setting up the tent is quick and easy, though it’s not easy to move around.
It’s not the easiest tent to set up on our list, but it’s close.
They also have a two-year warranty on the tent and replacement parts.
This is probably a good thing because people who have used it have said some parts break off fairly easily.
The lower price makes it a bit easier to cut an E-port or spot for your AC unit too. You don’t feel as bad doing it.
Rightline Gear Truck Bed Tent
Rightline gear’s truck bed tent is a nice one for anyone to check, but it’s perfect for those who typically struggle with setting up their tent.
It’s not always about speed; sometimes, it’s about clarity.
It features a color-coded design and clearly printed instructions that make it super easy to set up.
I helped another camper set one of these up, and I was kind of jealous of how clear and easy it was.
Besides the coded system, they also feature a floorless design to make setting up even easier.
This does cut down on the durability of the bottom of the tent a bit, but fortunately, truck tents don’t sit on the ground, so they last longer anyway.
As with the other tents, it’s weatherproofed and seam-taped.
Size-wise, it’s pretty good, but you’ll wish you had more headroom if you’re tall.
For AC compatibility, it doesn’t offer much in terms of e-ports or windows, though the sky vent does give some airflow.
Warning: Each tent in this line is vehicle-specific for size. It’s less adaptable and adjustable than the others, so be sure you get the right one for your truck.
Fofana Truck Bed Tent
If the least favorite part of tent camping is the lack of space, the Fofana truck bed tent is for you.
It features a 6’ feet standing space in the center of the tent.
This is unheard of, especially in truck tents.
When it comes to airflow and AC options, this tent also has full-length windows and a sky window for looking at the stars.
The Fofana tent also has a super easy setup as the tent poles are already all attached. They just automatically pop up.
You don’t have to wrestle with any loose poles or sleeves.
It also has a premade access port or e-port to run a power cord through for a floor AC unit.
It’s also quite durable and waterproof.
Sounds perfect, but it does have some drawbacks.
First, it has a higher price than a lot of the other options on our list.
It also only has a couple of different sizes for matching truck beds instead of many.
For this reason, it may not fit your bed exactly, but it’ll be pretty close.
JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent
If you want an affordable and good all-around option without any extras, the Joy Tutus is for you.
It has great waterproofing and decently durable material.
The bottom of the tent is reinforced for preventing damage and letting water in (though being in the truck bed, you don’t have to worry about this as much).
The tent poles work well, but it’s the hardest to set up on this list.
If you’ve struggled with tent poles and poor instructions before, you’ll have a hard time with this one too.
The fiberglass poles are pretty good, but they do tend to break if too much pressure is used.
It’s got decent size and is pretty lightweight for storage.
So why is it on this list if it’s only OK?
The tent has 3 windows, two of which are for looking out and encouraging airflow.
But there’s a third window for hunting, and it opens completely.
This is perfect for using an air conditioner.
In terms of ease of AC tenting, this may take the cake if you can live with the rest of it.
How To Add AC To A Truck Bed Tent
No tents come with AC, though some come with windows or ports which fit AC units in them easily.
If it comes with one of these, you’re golden! Simply get a unit and stick it in the port or window.
Often, the hardest part of installing an AC is finding the log or box to put it on to get it at the right height.
With truck bed tents, the windows and ports are designed to be at the same or higher height as the sides of the truck.
Now, you just have to rest the AC unit on the side of the truck. At most, you’ll need to strap it down for a bit of extra security.
When ports aren’t there, it gets a bit trickier.
You have to cut out the space yourself and then reinforce the edges yourself.
It’s a bit tougher, but not impossible.
This quick video helped me out a lot when I first tried it.
Any good window AC will do, but the smaller, the better.
If you’re looking for a good ground AC unit for tents and don’t want to cut any holes at all, we recommend this Black and Decker portable AC.
Keep in mind; you’ll have to run a hose out of the tent, though it fits out e-ports easily.
Benefits Of Truck Bed Tents
Truck bed camping is a less common way to go about it, but there are some reasons to give it a shot.
I do all sorts of camping with my family and on my own, and we seem to always do different types to match specific situations.
Here is why you may want to get a truck bed tent.
Off The Ground
Truck bed tents are well off the ground.
You won’t have to worry about animals being near you on the ground, and it’ll often stay warmer than being on the ground.
At the same time, being up high will also allow for better air circulation if it’s hot.
Easier To Take Anywhere
One of the big downsides of campers is how you’re limited to areas where you have access and space to get there.
Pull behind campers are the most limited of all, but even truck bed campers can’t go everywhere.
Too rough of roads or too much coverage can stop a truck bed camper though a truck could get through.
With a truck bed tent, you’ve got a tent anywhere your truck can get, and if you’ve got a good enough truck, you’ll be able to get to a lot of different places.
And it’s so simple. Just park the truck, pop up the tent, and enjoy camping!
No need to worry about getting the ground ready as you do with a traditional tent.
Stays Dryer
If you’ve camped in tents for any length of time, you’ll know the top and sides of the tent aren’t as important in waterproofing as the bottom.
Rain falls on the ground and pools around the tent, plus the bottom of the tent rubs on the ground.
Just this last summer, we went camping, and my cousin had a decent tent with crappy bottom material.
It rained and poured for a day and a night, and I bet you’ll guess what happened.
The top of the tent never leaked, but he was soaked through from the groundwater.
In a truck bed tent, you don’t have to worry about this.
The rain falls off the tent top and sides to the ground.
It doesn’t pool up in the bed at all, and there’s no soaking through.
And remember the first rule of tent camping: dry tents make happy campers!
Security
Truck bed tents are a lot more secure than regular tents.
First, you’ll often be able to pass your items right through the back window of your truck from the tent.
For another, people are less likely to mess with a truck than a lone tent.
Things in your tent are more secure from animals too.
Being on the ground, tents are more likely to get messed with by critters than by a tent up in a truck bed.
More Comfortable
I like to think I’m pretty good at roughing it, but as I get older, I have a harder and harder time sleeping on the ground.
The last time I did it with my kids, I was sore for days.
Even with an air mattress or cot, it isn’t level enough for my comfort level.
But put your air mattress up in a truck bed, and it’s so comfy.
Even my wife (who hates sleeping in tents) admits it’s pretty nice since we’ve started doing this.
Honestly, a truck bed tent is the comfiest option for camping outside of an actual camper.
What To Look For In A Truck Bed Tent
When shopping for a truck bed tent, there are some specific things you’ll want to watch for.
These are great to keep in mind when looking for a truck bed tent with AC, and make sure you get what you want and need.
Durability And Waterproofing
The first element I always look for in any kind of tent is durability and waterproofing.
Tents aren’t cheap, and while they aren’t nearly as expensive as campers, you don’t want to replace your tent every year.
Look for thick materials, sure, but also check for features like double-taped seams, reinforced zippers, and a thicker bottom of the tent.
Even on a truck bed tent, the bottom will be rubbing against the truck bed the whole time. It does the most work, and it needs to be the toughest.
Waterproofing has come a long way in the tent world, and almost every tent, even the cheap ones, is great at preventing most rains from seeping into your tent, at least from the top.
Even so, make sure the tent has some extra waterproofing and consider waterproofing extra on your own if you like to camp when it’s really rainy.
The Right Fit For Your Truck Bed
Outside of durability, the other element I never considered at first was making sure the tent was the right fit for your truck bed.
As any truck owner will tell you, there’s a huge amount of variety in bed sizes.
While I knew this, I didn’t realize that the tent should also be a length and width to fit your truck bed too.
Yes, most sizes will “work,” but if you want to get the most out of your tent, you’ve got to match them as closely as possible.
If you don’t know the size and length of your truck bed, get out a measuring tape and figure it out.
Then, go to the tent options and select the right size.
They all come in different sizes with a range, so no tent will make a “perfect,” but it’ll be pretty darn close.
Common options include:
- Compact Short – 5-5.2’ feet
- Full-Sized Short – 5.5-5.8’ feet
- Compact Regular – 6-6.3’ feet
- Full-Sized Regular – 6.4-6.7’ feet
- Full-Sized Long – 8-8.2’ feet
Compact and mid-sized generally refer to a slightly more narrow and shorter bed.
If possible, get the measurements of the tent (often in the specs), and keep it as close to your truck bed as possible.
Ease Of Setup
As I get older, I tend to prefer things that are easier to set up.
One complaint I’ve noticed about some truck bed tents is how they’re a bit tougher to set up.
In reality, they’re no harder than a regular ground tent, but it’s a bit harder because you have to be up and climbing around your truck bed to set it up.
It requires a bit of balance and stretching, whereas a traditional tent requires more kneeling.
It’s purely a matter of preference, but you may want to check out the reviews of people who own the tent you’re looking at. They’ll offer unbiased opinions of how easy it is to set up.
Check out our article on if you can drive with a truck bed tent.
AC Ports, E-Ports
For truck bed tents with AC, this is a feature you’ll want to look for.
Having an AC port and E-ports is a huge help.
As we’ve said before, tents don’t actually come with an AC installed, so you’ve got to get some on your own.
While it’s possible to install one for your tent (and it’s not too hard), getting tents with premade ports saves you a lot of time and stress.
These ports don’t just allow for easier connection; they’re also reinforced at the edges to help keep the tent in good shape for a longer time.
If you want to learn more about this, check out our article on what an e-port is on a tent.
Overland Vs. Truck Bed Tent
This article deals with the best truck bed tents with AC compatibility, but if you do your own research, you’ll come across a type of tent called overland tents.
Overland tents are a special type of truck tent that attaches to rails and racks installed on the roof of your truck, not the truck bed.
It sits up high, and they’re usually more expensive and harder to set up.
The big plus to this overland tent or overlanding tent is that they leave the bed free for storage.
If you’re interested in this tent, remember you need to have racks installed on the top of your truck already.