The Toyota Tacoma is arguably the most popular overland platform in North America, but its true potential is only unlocked when you turn the bed into a bedroom. The right Tacoma tent setup transforms your truck from a simple daily driver into a self-contained mobile basecamp, provided you choose a system that respects the vehicle’s unique composite bed limitations.
Whether you are a weekend warrior with a stock SR5 or building a fully rigged TRD Pro, understanding the engineering behind truck tents is critical for safety and comfort.
Table of Contents
- What are the main differences between a truck bed tent and a roof top tent (RTT)?
- Can a roof top tent fit on a 5-foot short bed Tacoma?
- Do I need to reinforce the Tacoma’s composite bed for a heavy tent?
- How does a roof top tent affect the Tacoma’s gas mileage?
- Is it safe to sleep in a truck tent during high winds or storms?
What are the main differences between a truck bed tent and a roof top tent (RTT)?
The primary difference lies in utility and storage: a truck bed tent sits inside the bed, requiring you to unload all cargo to set it up, whereas a roof top tent mounts above the bed on a rack, allowing you to sleep comfortably while keeping your gear secure and accessible underneath.
The Truck Bed Tent (Ground-Style)
This is the entry-level option. It is essentially a traditional nylon tent without a floor (or with a sewn-in floor) that pitches inside your open truck bed.
- Pros: Extremely affordable, zero impact on aerodynamics/MPG, and keeps you off the cold ground.
- Cons: You lose your “garage.” Every night, you must remove your coolers, recovery gear, and bags from the bed to make room for sleeping. It is ideal for occasional campers but inefficient for multi-day overland trips.
The Roof Top Tent (RTT)
This is the professional standard for overlanding. It mounts to crossbars or a bed rack.
- Pros: Setup takes 60 seconds (for hard shells), bedding can be stored inside the tent, and your truck bed remains fully usable for storage.
- Cons: Higher upfront investment and adds dynamic weight to the vehicle.
Can a roof top tent fit on a 5-foot short bed Tacoma?
Yes, virtually all standard roof top tents are compatible with the Tacoma’s 5-foot short bed, provided you use a properly rated bed rack that elevates the tent above the cab or extends rearward.
Understanding Footprint vs. Bed Length
A common misconception is that the tent cannot be longer than the truck bed.
- Overhang is Okay: Most RTTs are 70–85 inches long. On a 60-inch (5ft) bed, the tent will simply overhang the tailgate slightly or extend over the roof of the cab, depending on your rack height.
- Rack Selection: For short-bed Tacomas, a mid-height or cab-height bed rack is recommended. This raises the tent high enough so that any forward overhang clears the truck’s roof antenna (shark fin) and allows for full visibility.
Data: Tacoma Bed Dimensions Reference
| Feature | 5-Foot Short Bed | 6-Foot Long Bed |
| Length (Interior) | 60.5 inches | 73.7 inches |
| Width (Tailgate) | 53.4 inches | 53.4 inches |
| Best Tent Type | Fold-out Soft Shell or Compact Hard Shell | Full-size Hard Shell or Pop-up Wedge |
Do I need to reinforce the Tacoma’s composite bed for a heavy tent?
Yes, for long-term durability with heavy loads, we strongly recommend installing “bed stiffeners” because the Tacoma features a composite (plastic-based) inner bed that lacks the rigidity of steel and can flex or crack under heavy static weight.
The “Composite” Challenge
Unlike F-150s or Silverados with steel beds, the Tacoma uses a Sheet Molded Composite (SMC) bed. While durable against rust, it is prone to flexing.
- The Risk: Heavy bed racks and RTTs put outward pressure on the bed rails. Over time, or during aggressive off-roading, this can cause the rear bed channels (near the tailgate) to widen, making the tailgate hard to close or causing stress cracks.
The Solution: Bed Stiffeners
- What they are: Simple L-shaped steel brackets that bolt into the rear corners of the bed (near the taillights).
- Why you need them: They tie the flexible bed sides to the rigid frame of the truck. According to overland safety standards, reinforcing the load-bearing points is a critical safety step when approaching max payload.
How does a roof top tent affect the Tacoma’s gas mileage?
Installing a roof top tent typically reduces a Tacoma’s fuel efficiency by 1 to 3 MPG, depending on the tent’s profile (hard shell vs. soft shell) and the mounting height relative to the cab roof.
Aerodynamic Drag
The boxy shape of a folded soft-shell tent acts like a brick in the wind.
- Cab-Height vs. Mid-Height: Mounting the tent below the roofline (using a mid-height bed rack) saves significant fuel because the cab deflects the wind over the tent. Mounting it above the cab (on a roof rack or tall bed rack) creates maximum drag.
- Hard Shell Advantage: Sleek, fiberglass or aluminum hard-shell tents (like Everlead’s wedge series) are significantly more aerodynamic than bulky canvas soft-shell covers, mitigating the MPG loss.
Weight Factor
It isn’t just wind; it’s weight. A 150lb tent plus a 70lb steel rack adds ~220lbs of constant payload. For a V6 Tacoma, this is manageable, but drivers should ensure their tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure for the load to maintain efficiency.
Is it safe to sleep in a truck tent during high winds or storms?
Generally, sleeping in a truck tent is safer and more stable than a ground tent, as the vehicle’s suspension absorbs wind buffeting and the elevated position prevents flooding from ground water.
Stability in Wind
- Vehicle Orientation: If high winds are forecast, park the nose of the Tacoma into the wind. This allows the aerodynamics of the truck to deflect the air around the tent rather than hitting the broad side of the tent fabric.
- Suspension Sway: You may feel the truck rock slightly in gusts. This is normal. To minimize this “seasickness” feeling, generic stabilizers (jacks) can be placed under the rock sliders or tow hitch.
Lightning Safety
While a rubber-tired vehicle offers some isolation, a rooftop tent is not a Faraday cage like the metal cab of the truck. In severe electrical storms, the safest place is inside the metal cab of the Tacoma, not in the tent on top of it.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tent for your Tacoma is a balance of payload management, convenience, and budget. While a simple bed tent offers a low-cost entry point, a properly mounted Roof Top Tent unlocks the true “Go Anywhere, Camp Anywhere” capability that the Tacoma is famous for.
By reinforcing your composite bed with stiffeners and choosing an aerodynamic hard-shell design, you can build a rig that is as capable on the highway as it is on the trail.
About Everlead Outdoor
Everlead Outdoor is a premier OEM/ODM manufacturer of high-performance camping gear, specializing in Aerodynamic Hard Shell Roof Top Tents and Vehicle Awnings.
We understand the unique engineering challenges of mid-size trucks like the Tacoma. That is why our Explorer Series hard shells are constructed from Aviation-Grade Aluminum Honeycomb panels. This material reduces roof load by up to 30% compared to traditional fiberglass shells, helping Tacoma owners stay within their payload limits without sacrificing durability.
Building a brand for the modern overlander? Contact our team for OEM/ODM inquiries to develop your own line of lightweight, precision-engineered truck tents.
