Truck tents are a way to provide increased comfort and safety for campers, and the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent is an excellent example of that. Built for longevity and featuring lightweight, high-quality materials, this 2-person truck tent can be fitted to any size truck for a comfortable night’s rest.
Its an easy to pitch, fully waterproof shelter that can hold up against high winds and wet weather, as it comes with a water-resistant rain fly, and multiple straps that secure the shelter to your truck.
Designed for 3-season use, (winter viable with the right precautions) there is plenty of airflow for 24/7 ventilation, and it’s compact and lightweight enough to store in your truck or garage.
Coming in 2 main designs, the compact and full-size backroads models, today we will review both. The Backroadz Truck Tent is one of many on the market right now, given the popularity, so how good is it really? We get to the bottom of it in our article below.
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Backroadz Truck Tents Reviewed
Our First Thoughts
We are big fans of the Napier line of tents, and their Backroadz model does a good job at providing an intermediate level tent at entry level pricing. A quality truck tent that is compact enough you can store it indefinitely in your pickup, and it can be set up with a minimal amount of fuss.
By throwing a mattress into your truck’s bed, you can dial up the comfort level over a traditional tent. Sleeping on the truck’s flat surface bests sleeping on the lumpy, cold ground any day of the week, and those who are looking for some added luxury will enjoy this style of tent.
Additionally, being elevated means you avoid creepy crawlies and any wild animals that may roam into your campsite in the middle of the night. We love that you can choose the correct size for your truck, providing you with a tent that is perfectly formed to your pickup’s bed. With enough room for 2, the large interior and tall height make it easy for you and your fellow camper to enjoy your next outdoor adventure in style.
| Type
Dome Truck Tent |
Dimensions
Dependent on Model |
| Weight
16 lbs. |
Height
58” – 62” Center Height |
| Capacity
Full Size / Compact: Sleeps 2 |
Truck Bed Sizing
Between 5’ – 8.2’ Dependent on Model |
| Seasonal Use
3 Seasons (Spring / Summer / Fall) |
Waterproof
Rain Fly / PE Floor |
| Materials
Shell / Rain Fly: 68D Polyester Taffeta Floor: Polyethylene Poles: Fiberglass Windows: Polyester Mesh |
Extra Features
Gear Storage / Holders Lantern Hook Expandable Carrying Bag |
Overview of Features
- Dome Truck Tent Available in Multiple Sizes
- Excellent Build Quality
- Full Use of Truck Bed
- Over 5.5’ Of Interior Headroom
- Color-Coded Poles for Easy Setup
- Waterproof (Fly & Floor)
- 2 Windows for Cross-Ventilation
- 9 Straps for Stability
What We Love – Our Top 3 Features
GOLD QUALITY – Molded For Your Truck
The Backroadz model makes sure you get the most square footage your truck can handle. This means molding it to the dimensions of the truck bed, with the tent’s lining hugging the walls for a perfect fit.
The peak height of this dome style shelter is large as well. At over 5.5 feet, you have plenty of room to move around inside the tent, so you won’t ever feel constricted. This increased headroom also simplifies getting in and out of the tent’s large door, with minimal crouching required.
Additionally, sitting upright for reading or watching devices is possible, and you can change clothes without bumping into the walls and ceiling. This Napier Backroadz Truck Tent model comes in 5 different sizes to fit small, medium, and large pickups:
- Full Size Long Bed (8’ – 8.2’ bed length)
- Full Size Regular Bed (6.4’ – 6.7’)
- Compact Regular Bed (6’ – 6.3’)
- Full Size Short Bed (5.5’ – 5.8’)
- Compact Short Bed (5’ – 5.2’)
Find your truck here or a similar sized truck to find the right tent size
No matter what size truck you have, you can find the right fit with this tent. It also has 9 straps that attach easily to the underside and wheel wells of your vehicle. You can tighten them to make the tent nice and taut, ensuring it performs well in the windiest of weather.
SILVER FEATURE – Crafted with Care
Like all Napier products, this tent is well-designed and has been crafted with care and precision for a long-lasting outdoor shelter. Fiberglass poles make up the frame of the tent. These are color-coded to aid in setup, shock-corded for easy dismantling, and flexible enough to give you a sturdy shelter.
They are also lightweight so you won’t be weighed down by them when carrying the tent in its portable case. 68D polyester taffeta is used for the shell. This is a durable fabric that breathes well and stays rigid even when wet.
It also waterproofs easily, and provides you a decent amount of UV protection when camping during the day. The rain fly is made of the same fabric, and waterproofed to withstand downpours, keeping you dry at all times.
Polyester mesh can be found on 2 side windows, and on the large entry door. This mesh is dense enough to keep out any bugs that might be buzzing around you, while letting air cycle in and out of the tent.
The tent has been designed to take advantage of the truck bed’s full size, resting on top of the bed’s walls, and having the door located on the opened tailgate.
BRONZE HIGHLIGHT – Survive The Flood
The last thing you want when you are camping is to be rained out. Napier provides some basic waterproofing features on this tent to keep you dry around the clock. A polyester taffeta rain fly is included and has a water-resistant coating on it to help deflect moisture away from the campers under it.
The rain fly must be used during a downpour, as the tent’s windows do not have storm flaps, although the door does. The tent’s dome rests on top of the walls of the truck bed, it makes it easy for rain to roll off the entire structure, with little room for water to seep in.
If that does happen, Napier has you covered by including a tarp-like polyethylene-lined flooring. This material is extremely durable, and it lines the bed and walls of the truck, for a form-fitted floor to reduce the chances of water getting in.
If any water pools in the bed of the truck, this lining will also keep it from soaking through. Tent floors see plenty of foot action and friction, so the inclusion of this rugged flooring is a big bonus when it comes to the longevity of your tent.
Main Overview – Breaking Down Every Detail
The Backroadz model is a well-rounded truck tent with many features adding up to a big value. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Easy Pitching
While this tent does require some work to put together, it shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes once you know what you’re doing. After taking it out of its carrying case, you will have to assemble the fiberglass poles to make the frame.
Rest easy, they are all shock-corded, interlocking for a quick setup, and they are also color coded, so you know which poles slip into which sleeves on the tent’s fabric. Once you have the dome and door frame pitched, you can attach the rain fly over the structure by simply clipping it on with the provided buckles, and tightening it for a taut fit.
Finally, lock it all down by strapping it to the truck. There are 9 straps (3 on each side) that can be secured to the underside and wheel wells of the vehicle, ensuring the shelter won’t be blown away by any unexpected wind gusts.
Sizing It Up
By consulting Napier’s sizing chart, you can figure out which tent is the best one for your truck. This attention to customer satisfaction shows how committed Napier is to providing the best outdoor experience you can afford.
No matter what size your pickup is, as long as you purchase the correct tent, it will perfectly fit your bed, form fitting to the side walls and giving you a large sleep space. All models have over 5.5 feet of headroom for excellent maneuverability inside the tent, and they sleep up to 2 people at the same time.
Air Everywhere
With 2 windows and a large entry door, plenty of ventilation means you will never suffocate in this tent. The windows and door are covered in dense mesh, which provide you with a barrier against bugs like mosquitoes, while allowing oxygen to flow freely through the tent.
You can also regulate how much air is being cycled by zipping up the entry door’s storm flap. The dual windows do not have flaps, but attaching the rain fly will keep water out, while still allowing for air to enter the shelter.
Add Seasoning
This tent is thin enough to keep you comfortable in the summer, while cool nights can be cozy as it does a decent job holding in heat. It’s a surefire 3-season tent, with winter being the only exception as it has no thermal insulation to endure the minus temperatures.
Additionally, the windows are always somewhat “open” (even when covered by the rain fly), so you will need to make sure you pack the right kind of clothing and blankets depending on what time of year it is. Still, it easily excels is in the spring, summer, and fall months, standing up to wind and rain with little or no problems.
Interior Essentials
Accenting the interior are storage pockets, and an overhead gear loft. These can both be used to keep essential items near you so you don’t have to go far to reach them. At the roof’s peak is a hook that can be used to hang a lantern or light, which is a must when camping at night.
The entire tent breaks down into an easy to carry bag, which makes transporting and storing it really simple. In fact, it’s so compact that many campers leave the tent in their cab so they can pitch it at a moment’s notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which size Backroadz Tent will fit my truck?
Napier produces the Backroadz tent in multiple sizes. You will need to consult their sizing chart above, which can advise you which is the proper size to fit your pickup truck.
Are the measurements with the tailgate open or closed?
The measurements provided in the sizing chart are with the tailgate closed, so measure accordingly to proper choose the correct tent model.
Can I drive my truck with the tent attached?
If you are only going a few feet, and at low speed, it should be fine. We wouldn’t recommend driving long distances with the tent attached as it would surely get damaged, also a potential hazard for other drives if parts were to fly off.
How can I access the truck’s cab with this tent?
This tent only has side windows, so you won’t able to access the cab while inside the tent. However, you can always run any charging cables from the cab window through one of the tent’s side windows. Napier makes a step-up model, the Sportz Truck Tent, which has a few upgrades – one of which is a rear window for easy access to the cab.
Is there an awning I can purchase as an add-on?
Unfortunately, there is no awning or awning support for this tent. We recommend upgrading to the Sportz Truck Tent if you require an awning.
What is the warranty term on this tent?
Napier Outdoors provides a 1-year warranty on this tent. It covers any material defects that may arise during the manufacturing process.
Conclusion on Napier Backroadz Truck Tent
Napier has made a really nice Napier Backroadz Truck Tent with their Backroadz model. While it is lacking a few options that can be found in their Sportz Truck Tent step-up model (awning, cab access panel, storm flaps), this one still provides you with all the basics you need for an excellent foundation and outstanding performance.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tent for beginners in truck tent camping, or seasoned campers who want to upgrade their outdoor adventure to include a little more luxury. After all, just because you are “one with nature”, you shouldn’t have to “rough it” when there are more comfortable options available.
