A truck, a tent, and a weekend outside. That is an appealing place to start when you want a little more adventure without taking on a permanent camper build.
Our older truck-bed camper ideas still draw readers from Pinterest. For this new guide, we are looking at three ways to turn a parked pickup into a campsite: a simple sleeping space, a setup with an awning, and an attached room for more space on the ground.
The examples below come from Napier’s current range. This is a planning guide based on manufacturer specifications, rather than a hands-on product test. Photos are supplied through Napier Outdoors’ public media resources.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Start with the truck you already have
A truck-bed tent uses the pickup bed as its sleeping platform. It packs away between trips, leaving the truck available for hauling, garden projects, and everyday life.
It is different from a slide-in camper, a pop-up camper shell, or a rooftop tent mounted above a rack. Those systems have their own weight, installation, and load requirements. Here, we are talking about fabric tents fitted to an open pickup bed.
Before you fall in love with a campsite photo, measure the actual bed with the tailgate closed. Check the exact truck year, model, and bed length against the manufacturer’s fit guide. Then check accessories. A tonneau cover, toolbox, rack, or camper shell can change what fits.
1. Keep it simple with a truck-bed sleeping space
For one or two people who want a straightforward weekend setup, the Napier Backroadz 19 Series is a useful starting point. Napier lists it for two people, with a sewn-in floor, rainfly, two mesh windows, and about five feet of center height. Bed-specific versions serve several compact and full-size trucks.
Build the rest of the campsite around a sleeping pad or mattress that fits your usable floor space, bedding for the forecast, a battery light, and a place to put shoes. Measure between the wheel wells and allow room for the tent’s shape before ordering a mattress.
Decide where your cargo goes while you sleep. A bed full of coolers, tools, and camping totes becomes a very different space after you add two people. Pack bedding in one bag and keep the items you need at night within reach.
Check Backroadz specifications and fit · Compare Backroadz sizes on Amazon (paid link)
2. Add an awning for a more comfortable basecamp
If the truck will stay at camp for the weekend, an awning can make the area around the tailgate more pleasant. The Napier Sportz Truck Tent adds a four-foot awning, a rear cab-access panel, and a listed center height of five feet seven inches. It still has a two-person capacity.
Think about how you will use that space. A chair, a boot mat, and a tote that doubles as a small surface may be enough. Leave the entrance clear so nobody has to climb over gear to get out during the night.
An awning adds shade and some shelter, but it does not turn the site into an all-weather room. Follow the model’s anchoring instructions, watch the forecast, and plan to take the setup down before moving the truck.
Check Sportz specifications and fit · Compare Sportz sizes on Amazon (paid link)
3. Give the family more room on the ground
A two-person truck tent is a small sleeping space. If you are camping with children, pets, or more gear, work out the sleeping arrangement before you buy.
One option is the Napier Sportz Link, an eight-by-eight-foot ground attachment with a listed capacity of up to four people. It connects to a compatible Sportz or Backroadz truck tent, which is sold separately. The extra capacity belongs to the ground room; it does not make the pickup bed bigger.
Use the extra room for sleeping or for getting dressed and storing gear. Floor dimensions are a better planning tool than the capacity label alone. Sketch out your actual sleeping pads, bags, and walking space.
Napier says the Link must stay connected to a truck tent while in use, and the truck tent’s awning must be disassembled when you attach it. Its product page gives conflicting guidance about lifted trucks, so get confirmation for your exact setup before ordering. If you need to drive away while someone stays at camp, a separate freestanding ground tent may suit your routine better.
Check Sportz Link details · Find the Sportz Link on Amazon (paid link)
Compare the tent costs before adding gear
| Setup | Manufacturer list price | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backroadz 19 Series | $200 | Truck-bed tent for two |
| Sportz Truck Tent | $300 | Truck-bed tent for two, with awning |
| Sportz Link | $250 extra | Ground attachment; truck-bed tent sold separately |
These are Napier’s displayed U.S. list prices checked November 8, 2026, before tax and shipping. Prices, promotions, and stock can change. The Amazon links above open search results so you can compare current listings and choose the correct size.
Budget for the whole campsite: tent, sleeping pads or mattress, bedding, lighting, storage, campsite fees, and any cover or accessory changes. Start with what you own and add the pieces that solve an actual problem.
Pack for a good night outside
- Try the complete setup at home. Fit the rainfly, open the screens, and practice getting in and out.
- Keep bedding dry and pack for overnight temperatures. A truck bed is still an outdoor sleeping platform.
- Leave ventilation openings available to help manage condensation. Damp bedding can spoil an otherwise lovely morning.
- Bring a battery-powered light, drinking water, and a simple overnight bag so you are not searching through the whole truck after dark.
- Make a plan for wet gear. Dry the tent thoroughly before long-term storage, following its care instructions.
Park before you set up
Use an allowed campsite, park on stable, level ground, and follow the tent and vehicle instructions. Never drive with one of these truck tents deployed. Napier explicitly warns against driving with its truck tents mounted.
Keep the engine off while the tent is attached. Keep stoves, grills, fuel-burning heaters, and other combustion equipment outside and away from the tent. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that camping equipment can cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in enclosed spaces.
A fabric tent also does not provide the protection of a substantial building during severe weather. Check conditions before the trip and know where you can shelter if the forecast changes.
Choose the setup that fits your weekend
For a simple overnight escape, start with a bed-sized tent and a comfortable place to sleep. For a longer stay at one campsite, consider an awning or an attached ground room. Let the people, the truck, and the way you travel decide what you need.
Explore our earlier truck-bed tent guide for more camper inspiration, or browse RV and alternative living stories.
Sources and photo credits
Product specifications and list prices: Backroadz 19 Series, Sportz Truck Tent, and Sportz Link. Fit and travel guidance: Napier truck-tent FAQ. Carbon monoxide guidance: CPSC camping safety.
Photography and product imagery: Napier Outdoors, supplied through its press and media resources and product asset library.
