Car Camping in A pickup truck: Setup, Space and Gear

Updated 2026-09-24 · Researched from published specs and verified owner reviews

Quick answerA pickup gives you two good options: sleep in the bed under a cap or a truck bed tent, or use the bed as a giant gear locker and pitch a ground tent. A couple's load takes about 18.7 cu ft and a family of four about 32.2 cu ft, against roughly 38 cu ft of usable space.

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A truck bed tent turns the bed into a raised, dry bedroom. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.

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A pickup gives you two good options: sleep in the bed under a cap or a truck bed tent, or use the bed as a giant gear locker and pitch a ground tent. Either way the gear capacity is huge; the question is weather protection.

pickup truck car camping numbers
Cargo behind row 2	bed: about 5 ft (short) to 6.5 ft (standard) cu ft
Cargo with rear seats folded	cab only
Typical sleeping length	about 5 to 6.5 ft in the bed depending on bed length, more with the tailgate down
Couple's camping load	18.7 cu ft packed: it fits, with 19 cu ft spare
Family of four load	32.2 cu ft packed: it fits, with 5 cu ft spare

Typical ranges for the class, not a specific model. Load volumes are estimates from typical packed sizes, via the cargo calculator.

How do you set up a pickup truck for camping?

A truck bed tent needs the right bed length: short, standard and long beds each have their own size.
Bed liners are cold and hard: use a thick pad or a bed-sized air mattress plus insulation.
Strap coolers and bins down; an open bed is a windy, dusty place for loose gear.

Truck bed tents

What should you sleep on in a pickup truck?

Measure the floor with the seats folded before buying anything. A thick self-inflating pad (3 to 4 inches) follows small slopes and steps in the folded seats better than an air mattress, and insulates the cold floor. SUV-specific air mattresses that fill the rear footwell suit people who want the widest bed and do not mind the pump. Either way, add a foam layer when nights drop below about 50F: the car floor is cold.

Pads and mattresses for the cargo floor

Screens, shades and comfort

Includes listings made for the pickup truck; confirm the model years on the listing.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you sleep in a pickup truck?

Yes. Typical sleeping length is about 5 to 6.5 ft in the bed depending on bed length, more with the tailgate down. Measure your own from the tailgate to the back of the front seats with them slid forward, then pick a pad or mattress about 2 inches shorter. Ventilate with two windows cracked behind mesh screens, and never idle a gas engine for heat while you sleep.

Will a family camping load fit in a pickup truck?

A family-of-four load of a 6-person tent, two coolers, four chairs, bags, pads, stove, table and duffels comes to about 32.2 cu ft packed. pickup truck usable cargo is about 38 cu ft by our estimate, so it fits, with care.

Is it safe to run the engine while sleeping in a pickup truck?

Do not idle a gas or diesel engine for heat or air conditioning while you sleep. Exhaust can leak into the cabin, and snow or a nearby wall can trap it, and carbon monoxide is odourless. Use insulation, a warm bag and a pad for cold, and a battery fan and window screens for heat. Carry a battery carbon monoxide detector either way.

Get the car camping checklist

One printable page: the full packing checklist plus our three complete setups with current prices. No sales sequence.

Used only to send the list. You can also read every setup free on this site.

Safety: Never idle a gas engine or run a fuel-burning heater while sleeping in a vehicle: carbon monoxide is odourless and can build up in the cabin.

Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.