Ground, SUV, Truck & Rooftop: How to Choose the Right Camping Tent

Not all tents are created equal — and not all campers camp the same way. Whether you're backpacking into the backcountry, pulling up to a trailhead in your SUV, sleeping in your truck bed under the stars, or mounting a rooftop tent for overlanding adventures, there's a tent built specifically for how you camp. Here's how to find yours.

Ground Tents: The Classic Choice

Ground tents are the most versatile option and work on virtually any flat surface. They range from ultralight backpacking shelters to spacious family cabin tents, and they're typically the most affordable entry point into camping.

Best for: Backpackers, hikers, festival campers, and anyone who wants maximum flexibility on where they pitch up.

What to look for: Capacity, packed weight, seasonality rating, and setup time. A 2-person backpacking tent and a 6-person family cabin tent are both "ground tents" — but they serve very different purposes.

Popular options at All Seasons Camping include the ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person Tent — a proven four-season performer built for real conditions — and the Quick Setup Hexagonal Camping Tent, perfect for 2–4 people who want fast, reliable shelter.

SUV & Minivan Tents: Camp From Your Vehicle

SUV tents attach directly to your vehicle's liftgate, connecting your cargo area to a spacious ground tent. You get the best of both worlds: a comfortable sleeping area on the ground plus easy access to your vehicle for gear, snacks, or extra sleeping space.

Best for: Families, road-trippers, and car campers who want more space and convenience without sacrificing comfort.

What to look for: Universal fit (most quality SUV tents fit all CUVs, SUVs, and minivans), interior height, number of doors and windows, and rainfly coverage.

Pair your SUV tent with a DikaSun Universal SUV Air Mattress for a flat, comfortable sleeping surface that fills your cargo area perfectly — available in Grey, Navy, and Black.

Truck Bed Tents: Your Truck Is Your Campsite

Truck bed tents turn your pickup into a portable campsite. They mount directly in the bed, keeping you elevated off the ground and away from moisture, insects, and uneven terrain. Setup is typically under 15 minutes, and most models pack down into a compact carry bag.

Best for: Hunters, anglers, overlanders, and anyone who already drives a truck and wants a no-fuss camping solution.

What to look for: Bed size compatibility (short bed vs. regular vs. long bed), headroom, waterproofing rating, and whether you need a camo option for hunting trips.

We carry two great options from Napier's Backroadz line — the Napier Backroadz Truck Tent and the Napier Backroadz Camo Truck Tent — both sleeping 2 with 5' of headroom and a bathtub floor design. Perfect for hunters who need to blend in or overlanders who want a rugged setup.

Rooftop Tents: The Overlander's Choice

Rooftop tents mount to your vehicle's roof rack and unfold into a sleeping platform above your rig. They're fast to deploy, keep you off the ground entirely, and have become the go-to choice for overlanding and 4x4 adventure travel.

Best for: Overlanders, 4x4 enthusiasts, and campers who want a premium, always-ready sleeping setup.

What to look for: Hard shell vs. soft shell (hard shells open faster and are more aerodynamic; soft shells pack smaller), weight capacity, mattress thickness, and vehicle roof load rating compatibility.

All Seasons Camping carries a strong rooftop tent lineup: the Napier Rooftop Tent for a reliable soft-shell option, the Tuff Stuff Alpha II 2-Person Hard-Shell for fast deployment and a bomber build, the 4-Person Hard Shell Rooftop Tent for families, and the Wild Land Orthframe Hard Shell Rooftop Tent for a premium overlanding setup.

Quick Comparison

• Ground Tent — Most versatile, widest price range, works anywhere
• SUV Tent — Great for families, connects to your vehicle, easy access to gear
• Truck Bed Tent — Elevated sleeping, fast setup, perfect for truck owners
• Rooftop Tent — Premium overlanding setup, off-ground, fast deploy

Still Not Sure? Shop the Gear

Think about how you actually camp — do you hike in or drive in? Do you move campsites often or stay put? Are you solo or bringing the family? Your answers will point you to the right tent type every time. Here's the full lineup to get you started:

⛺ Ground Tents

• ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person Tent — four-season, built for real conditions
• Quick Setup Hexagonal Camping Tent — UPF50+, waterproof, fits 2–4 people
• Single Layer Camping Tent — 3–4 person outdoor shelter

🚙 SUV Air Mattresses

• DikaSun Universal SUV Air Mattress – Grey — extra-thick, 4-chamber design
• DikaSun Universal SUV Air Mattress – Navy
• DikaSun Universal SUV Air Mattress – Black

🛻 Truck Bed Tents

• Napier Backroadz Truck Tent — sleeps 2, fast setup, fits most truck beds
• Napier Backroadz Camo Truck Tent — perfect for hunters

🌄 Rooftop Tents

• Napier Rooftop Tent — reliable soft-shell option
• Tuff Stuff Alpha II Hard-Shell – 2 Person — fast deploy, bomber build
• Tuff Stuff Alpha Hard-Shell – 4 Person — great for families
• Wild Land Orthframe Hard Shell Rooftop Tent — premium overlanding setup