Looking for a quick answer? We recommend the SportZ SUV Tent with Screen Room as the best option.
While it’s true that tents were once limited to ground setup, the popularity of SUV tents is on the rise and we’re all for it!
Whether you’re taking off on a long road trip or planning for a camping weekend, you need a handy tent to give you a reliable shelter on the go.
Today, we’ll be reviewing the following 7 best SUV tents and covering all the ins and outs of how to choose the perfect tent.
- SportZ SUV Tent with Screen Room
- Napier Backroadz SUV Tent
- Rightline Gear 110907 SUV Tent
- Napier Sportz Cove 61500 SUV/Minivan Tent
- Hasika Multifunction SUV Tent
- Ozark Trail SUV Tent
- DAC Full-Size Truck/SUV Tent
Top 7 SUV Tent Reviews
The SportZ SUV tent offers all the features you need to transform your vehicle into a full-blown camping base.
This tent is the best choice if you’re planning to set off with a group of friends. It has an extra-large design measuring at 10 × 10 × 7.25 feet. This is enough room to accommodate up to 6 or even 7 people at once.
Another impressive aspect of the SportZ SUV tent is how much space you can get out of it. Besides the extensive trunk area, there’s also a 7 × 6 feet floorless screen room where you can set up chairs or keep some gear.
This is also a freestanding tent, so while you can attach it onto your vehicle like an SUV tent, you can also make it into a ground tent by simply removing the vehicle sleeve.
As for the construction, this SUV tent adopts steel and fiber poles to ensure stability and durability. The GoBe Dry system allows for maximum protection from rain, while the floor is bathtub style to enhance waterproofing.
The SportZ SUV tent is made of sturdy polyester fiber. It’s easy to set up within minutes and it includes 3 mesh windows to support adequate ventilation.
PROS
- Lots of space
- Highly waterproof
- Ample ventilation
- Strong construction
- Extra screen room
CONS
- On the heavier side
The tent is equipped with 3 large mesh windows to provide adequate ventilation for cooling and refreshing air influx inside the room. They also serve to keep out annoying insects at night.
The design is also quite spacious, measuring at 9 × 9 feet to accommodate up to 5 adults. The 7-foot headroom allows you to move freely around the tent without having to bend your back.
The Napier Backroadz SUV Tent is constructed from polyester taffeta fabric, offering a stylish design and a sturdy performance. It comes with an additional storm flap for better protection during harsh weather.
The large door allows easy access into the tent, while the sleeve is built to fit all SUVs, CUVs, and Minivans. Once you remove the vehicle sleeve, the tent simply becomes a standalone ground tent.
If we had to pick one bone with the Napier Backroadz SUV Tent, it’d be the tie-downs since they aren’t exactly reliable.
PROS
- Extensive ventilation
- Additional storm flap
- Fits all sorts of SUVs, CUVs, and Minivans
- Lightweight
- Great for families
CONS
- Tie-downs can be better
- Waterproofing can be improved
This tent features a universal fit, which means that the vehicle sleeve can connect to any SUV, Minivan, Jeep Wrangler, pick-up truck, or wagon. The inside of the tent includes upper and lower sleeve straps so you can easily adjust it to perfectly fit your car.
The Rightline Gear SUV Tent offers highly effective protection against rain, with a waterproof rating of 2000mm that’s far superior to any standard tent. Moreover, the sloped design directs water to slide away from the car as well as the tent canvas.
As for the size, this tent itself provides enough space to accommodate 4 adults. It comes with a rainfly, a carry bag, and a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.
PROS
- Superior water resistance
- PE bathtub floor eliminated the need for ground trap
- Glow in the dark zipper
- Easy to store
- Universal fit
CONS
- Can be a hassle to fit
A more compact and economical alternative to the previous family-sized options, the Napier Sportz Cove 61500 SUV/Minivan Tent is a perfect choice for a solo getaway or a trip with a small group of friends.
This tent is made of premium-quality polyester taffeta fabric to guarantee a long service time throughout the years. The large polyester mesh screen also ensures durability, adequate ventilation, and protection against bugs.
The tent offers a secure fit around most small to medium-sized CUVs and SUVs. Additionally, it features more than 2 feet of awning attachment to provide a decent area of shade where you can set up a couple of camping chairs.
The Napier Sportz Cove SUV Tent is easy to set up, transport, and store away. The included carrying bag makes the task even simpler. At an affordable price, this tent is a wonderful choice if you’re on a tight budget.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Through ventilation
- Great for solo adventures
- Affordable price
CONS
- Limited tent space
If you’re mainly concerned about versatility, the Hasika Multifunction SUV Tent is definitely the solution. It serves as a handy shelter for all sorts of outdoor activities such as camping, boating, and sports events.
With a universal attachment mechanism, you can rope this tent to any SUV, MPV, hatchback, truck, and sedan. It has a convenient humanized design that allows you to adjust the height of the outboard end to suit your privacy requirements, even if you want all the way to the ground.
It also very durable thanks to the Ripstop 210T polyester fabric construction combined with 19mm poles and sturdy stitching. It provides a large area of shade, extending up to 76 square feet or more. This means it’s spacious enough to cover a table, a few chairs, along with some gear.
There’s a large mesh side window that delivers good ventilation underneath the shelter, as well as air vents in the peak for efficient air circulation.
PROS
- Multipurpose use
- Adjustable height
- Durable construction
- Budget-friendly
CONS
- No flooring
The Ozark Trail SUV Tent offers all the basics to make your getaway more comfortable at a bargain price.
It’s designed to be compatible with various models of both Minivans and SUVs, with a big interior to accommodate up to 5 adults. The headroom gives you sufficient space to stand and move freely around the tent.
It offers ample storage solutions including a ‘media’ pocket inside the tent to keep your electronics safe, as well as multiple compartments and pouches to hold your essentials.
The Ozark Trail SUV Tent comes with a mud hat attachment to boost interior cleanliness and a removable rain cover for maximum protection. Moreover, this is a standalone model so you can set it up independently from the vehicle in case you need to drive off the camping site.
Given its lower price, you shouldn’t expect the tent to last for years or withstand harsh conditions, but it still makes a good option for families on a budget.
PROS
- Compatible with a wide range of vehicles
- Comes with mud hat attachment and detachable rain cover
- Multiple storage pockets
- Very affordable
CONS
- Lacks ventilation windows
- Not the most durable option
- Could use some instructions
This tent offers a snug fit over your vehicle, so it leaves no room for insects to make their way inside. You can adjust the door panels up and down to regulate ventilation as you please or go for privacy.
The DAC Full-Size SUV Tent will fit any SUV or large vehicle as long as it has a tailgate that at least 58 inches wide. It’s also compatible with flat back and high back camper tops, making it quite handy.
This tent is easy to install and it has 2 mesh windows to boost airflow. It comes with a coated polyester construction and a carry bag for convenience.
PROS
- Sturdy build
- Good ventilation
- Fits flat back and high back camper tops
- Fits over airfoil or carrier bag
- Lightweight
CONS
- Not for vehicles with an external read mounted tire
What’s an SUV Tent?
Also known as a hatchback tent, an SUV tent is basically a regular tent that’s been tweaked so it can attach onto the back of your SUV, Minivan, Jeep, truck, or any other variety of large vehicles.
Just like any regular tent, an SUV camping tent is designed to provide extra space where you can sit, sleep, and seek shelter. It’s a way for you to go on camping or road trips without giving up the convenience of home.
SUV tents are usually equipped with a funnel-like attachment that you fasten onto the backside of the vehicle. Depending on the design of the tent, you can either sleep in the cargo area or in the tent itself.
Typically, a truck tent will have some sort of hatch for direct access into your vehicle so you can make use of the air conditioning or heating system, power small electronic devices, and seek shelter in the interior of the vehicle during bad weather conditions.
How Does an SUV Tent Work?
As we mentioned above, a truck tent attaches to the back of just about any large vehicle.
This is possible through the connection of Velcro straps or Bungee cords around roof racks and wheel arches. However, some tents models use magnets to attach on the sides, which means they don’t require roof racks to be compatible with your vehicle.
Still, you’ll need to stake the truck tent to the ground as you’d do a conventional ground tent. You may also need to reinforce stability using guy cords where necessary. For extra security during poor weather, some models include additional storm flaps.
You may be wondering whether or not you can use an SUV tent on its own without attachment to a vehicle. Well, the answer is probably yes.
You see, most truck tent models can be separated from the vehicle and used independently. These models are called free-standing or standalone tents, which are capable of supporting themselves just like a regular tent.
Why Buy an SUV Tent?
Some people are hesitant about buying an SUV camping tent for their vehicle, that’s until they realize the full spectrum of benefits such tents can offer. Here are some of the reasons you can use a truck tent.
Extra Space
This may seem like an obvious point, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who underestimate the convenience of having extra space away from the luxury of home.
With an SUV camping tent, you get to sleep on the ground or in the trunk of your vehicle. Having both sleeping options is particularly important when you’re on the road with a larger group of people. You’ll probably need every bit of space to accommodate them, making an SUV tent a valuable resource.
Added Comfort
Again, with the option of sleeping in the trunk of your car or on the ground outside it, you can choose whatever spot feels more comfortable.
Protection Against Weather
When compared to a standard tent, you’ll find that SUV tents provide better protection against rain and wind. Moreover, these tents are equipped with mesh windows to ensure proper ventilation on hot summer days.
Easy Access
SUV tents offer plenty of room for you to keep all your gear within reach, so you can easily access them whenever you need to. This applies to anything placed in the tent itself or located inside the vehicle.
Possible Detachment
The fact that most SUV tents can be used on their own as regular tents, makes them a win-win deal. You can use your tent even if you don’t bring your car. It’s also pretty convenient if you need to drive off for some reason but still want to keep your camp intact.
How to Choose the Best SUV Tent?
When shopping for an SUV tent, there are some factors you need to consider so you can make the right purchase.
Size
The size of the tent is a crucial aspect of your choice. Not only do you need to pick a suitable size that accommodates the number of people you’ll be sharing this tent with, but you should also think about how well it’ll fit over your vehicle.
Luckily, SUV tents come in various sizes so you pick the most suitable size. Be sure to carefully check the sizing specifications of the tent before sealing the deal.
Material
Choosing an SUV tent made out of sturdy materials is key for reliable performance outdoors.
Typically, manufacturers use polyester and nylon blends since they offer impressive endurance with repeated use and high resistance against rips and tears. Such fabrics are also lightweight and easier to clean.
As for the framework of the tent; steel, aluminum, or fiberglass are all solid choices. Fiberglass, in particular, is great for campers on a budget.
Ventilation
Of course, you want an SUV tent with adequate ventilation to keep you cool on hot days and provide a fresh stream of air to keep alive on any day!
So, look for a tent equipped with multiple mesh windows to allow clean air inside while keeping insects outside.
Waterproof
Finally, the best SUV tent should deliver the highest possible degree of waterproofing.
Obviously, the level of water resistance will vary from one model to another, so you’ll need to look at the waterproof rating for better insight. The higher this rating, the more efficient the tent is in blocking out water.
Wrap Up
If you’re looking for the best SUV tent that offers plenty of room, ample ventilation, and superior waterproofing, then go ahead and check out the SportZ SUV Tent with Screen Room.
Another wonderful option for big families is the Napier Backroadz SUV Tent, offering decent ventilation and sturdy construction for overall reliable performance.
However, if you’re in the market for a more affordable SUV tent, then we highly recommend the Hasika Multifunction SUV Tent. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also durable, adjustable, and can be used as a shelter for the whole family.