Gone are the days of cumbersome RVs and complicated tent setups—with a well-equipped truck bed, you have everything you need to soak up the great outdoors. Truck bed camping has emerged as a convenient base camp alternative for the modern explorer.
The ability to camp virtually anywhere, from remote mountain peaks to secluded forest glades, unlocks a new level of freedom and discovery. Plus, setup is a breeze! Simply pop open the truck's tailgate, unfurl a cozy sleeping platform, and you're ready to settle in for the night—no complex assembly required. As an added bonus, this compact, streamlined approach makes for a smaller environmental footprint, allowing campers to Tread Lightly and immerse themselves more fully in nature's embrace.
Are you feeling the FOMO yet? Don’t worry, in this article, we’ll get you set up with the essential camping gear for pickup trucks that will have you looking like a long-time pro in no time flat.
Truck Bed Tent
It probably goes without saying that if you’re going to camp in your truck bed, you need a specific truck bed tent. Designed to fit snugly into the bed of your truck, most well-made options comfortably accommodate two people. They also feature a floorless design, allowing you to set up the tent without having to remove every piece of gear from your truck bed.
When shopping, look for features like water-resistant or waterproof fabric with sealed seams, heavy-duty zippers, reinforced anchor points, plenty of ventilation, a rear-access window to the back of your truck cab, a solid rainfly or storm cover, and easy-up pole set-up so you don’t struggle forever trying to put up the tent.
Two excellent and affordable options are made by Rightline Gear and Pittman Outdoors. Both are ruggedly made, smartly priced, and intuitive to set up. Just be sure to get one that is compatible with your truck’s specific make and model.
Rooftop or Overland Tent
If you prefer a more elevated camping experience, consider purchasing an overland or rooftop tent. These options rest on an aftermarket platform that installs over your truck bed or on the cab’s roof. While they come with a higher initial investment, they are ideal for those who want to camp off the ground while keeping their truck beds completely free for storing gear.
A few go-to brands include Overland Vehicle Accessories, Ironman 4x4, WILCO Off-Road, ARB, Body Armor, and Thule. These all come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are typically able to accommodate anywhere from one to three people, so there’s truly something for everyone.
Overland Rack
Of course, if you’re opting for an elevated tent layout, you’ll need a reliable platform for it to rest on and anchor securely. Enter the trusty truck bed or overland rack. These aren’t just any old platforms; we’re talking about heavy-duty, purpose-built systems designed to handle the weight and structure of your lofty sleeping quarters.
Stand-out features on these racks include rust-resistant materials, adjustable mounting points, and a weight capacity that’ll make your tent feel like a feather. Some models even come with built-in accessories like lighting mounts or extra storage options.
The Fab Fours Overland Rack is a fantastic blend of form and function. Made from rugged, rust-resistant 12-gauge steel, it features an expandable design, multiple mounting and tie-down points, and an integrated roof access step. Another great option, the Putco Venture TEC Rack offers a wealth of options for customization thanks to its variety of accessories like molle panels, gear mounts, and tent mounts. Plus, with a weight capacity of up to 1,000 pounds static and 600 pounds dynamic, it’s designed to handle heavy loads.
Truck Bed Mattress or Sleeping Pad
If you’re planning to sleep in the bed of your truck, you’ll definitely want some kind of padding—because if you’ve ever seen a truck bed, you know that sleeping on it without a buffer could pass as a form of Medieval torture.
Fortunately, well-constructed truck bed mattresses, like those from AirBedz, make the most of your truck bed’s space. These mattresses are designed to fit snugly around and over the wheel wells, turning your entire truck bed into a comfortable sleeping area. Made with heavy-duty nylon and featuring a specially designed comfort coil system, they evenly distribute weight across a substantial 12-inch-thick mattress. Plus, they come with a built-in rechargeable and detachable NiMH battery air pump, ensuring super-fast inflation and deflation.
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit less of a commitment—more compact, portable, and budget-friendly—consider the Klymit Sleeping Pad. This minimalistic yet comfortable insulated all-season pad features a body-mapped shape and cleverly designed V-chambers that minimize air movement, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout the night. Integrated side rails keep you securely on the pad, so you won’t find yourself waking up on the other side of the truck bed in the middle of the night.
Auxiliary Lighting
As nighttime descends, having reliable lighting inside your truck bed tent is essential. With the wide range of LED technology and innovative designs available today, you can find the perfect lighting setup for any camping adventure.
For example, the compact and rugged Coghlan's Tent Light provides 360 degrees of light through a soft, durable silicone shell, with up to 40 hours of run-time and four brightness levels. Another excellent choice is the Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Core Lantern, which delivers 210 lumens of bright LED light. This lantern not only offers adjustable brightness and direction for extended runtimes—up to 500 hours on low—but also doubles as a USB rechargeable lantern and phone charger. It features fold-down legs for maximum light dispersion, built-in hooks, and magnets for versatile mounting, making it a versatile addition to your camping gear.
To complement your lantern setup, consider adding some cargo lighting, like tube lights or LED strips, to your truck bed. These lights can be installed around the bed, under the rails, or along the tailgate to provide extra illumination where you need it most, ensuring that your campsite is both functional and well-lit.
Gear Up for Adventure with Parts Via
While these essentials are key to successful truck bed camping, PartsVia.com offers even more great gear to enhance your outdoor experience (and pickup truck!). From coolers and chairs to portable camping stoves and barbecues, you’ll find everything you need to fully equip your campsite. Don’t forget to take advantage of our FREE ship-to-store option at checkout for added convenience. Head over to PartsVia.com and round out your camping supplies today.