Ultimate Truck Bed Camping Setup: Tents, Air Mattresses & Everything You Need

Truck bed camping is one of the best ways to get outside without hauling a trailer or pitching a ground tent in the dark. Your truck is already there — why not sleep in it? Whether you're overlanding, tailgating, or just chasing a weekend adventure, the right setup makes all the difference. Here's everything you need to build the ultimate truck bed camping rig.

Step 1: Start with a Truck Bed Tent

A truck bed tent transforms your pickup into a weatherproof sleeping shelter in minutes. No ground prep, no rocks under your back, and you're elevated off the ground for better airflow and security.

We carry several DikaSun truck bed tents designed to fit 5.5–6.7 ft beds:

• DikaSun Pickup Truck Bed Tent with Awning – Green — includes a built-in awning for shade and rain coverage, perfect for extended stays.
• DikaSun Pickup Truck Bed Tent – Blue — a clean, lightweight option for weekend warriors who want fast setup.
• DikaSun Portable Pickup Truck Bed Tent – Green — compact and packable, ideal if you're tight on storage space.

All three fit standard short and long beds (5.5–6.7 ft) and set up without tools.

Step 2: Add a Truck Bed Air Mattress

Even with a tent, sleeping on bare truck bed liner is rough. A purpose-built truck bed air mattress fills the wheel well gaps and gives you a flat, comfortable surface — something a regular camping pad simply can't do.

DikaSun makes mattresses for nearly every truck configuration:

• DikaSun Pickup Truck Bed Air Mattress – Fits 5.5 to 6.5 ft Beds — versatile fit for most half-ton trucks.
• DikaSun Full Size Truck Bed Air Mattress – Fits 5.5 to 6.5 ft Beds | Red — full-size comfort for longer beds.
• DikaSun Full Size Pickup Truck Bed Air Mattress – Fits 6.0 to 6.5 ft Beds | Black — optimized for standard long beds.
• DikaSun Dodge Truck Bed Air Mattress – Fits 5.5–5.8 ft & 6–6.5 ft Beds — specifically shaped for Dodge Ram wheel well geometry.

Pro tip: Always match your mattress to your exact bed length. Truck bed mattresses are shaped to fill wheel wells, so fit matters more than with a standard air mattress.

Step 3: Layer in Comfort and Gear

Once your tent and mattress are sorted, a few extras take your setup from functional to genuinely comfortable:

• Sleeping bag or blanket — rated for the temps you'll encounter. Truck beds can get cold at night even in summer.
• Pillow — compressible camping pillows pack small and make a big difference.
• Lantern or headlamp — for reading, gear organization, and late-night bathroom runs.
• Tailgate pad or mat — protects your truck bed and gives you a clean surface to sit on.
• Cooler — keep it in the cab or truck bed depending on your setup. A 12V plug-in cooler is a game-changer for longer trips.

Step 4: Know Your Truck's Bed Size

Before you buy anything, measure your truck bed. Most pickups fall into one of three categories:

• Short bed: 5.5–5.8 ft (common on crew cab trucks)
• Standard bed: 6.0–6.5 ft (most common overall)
• Long bed: 6.5–8 ft (full-size work trucks)

Measure from the inside of the tailgate to the inside of the cab wall. That's your usable sleeping length.

Why Truck Bed Camping?

Truck bed camping hits a sweet spot that ground tents and rooftop tents can't always match:

• ✅ No tent stakes or ground prep needed
• ✅ Elevated off the ground — away from moisture, bugs, and critters
• ✅ Fast setup and teardown
• ✅ Your gear stays in the truck — no hauling everything out
• ✅ Works at campsites, trailheads, overlanding spots, and tailgates

If you already own a pickup, truck bed camping is one of the most affordable ways to get into camping without buying a lot of new gear.

Ready to Build Your Setup?

Here's everything you need — all available at All Seasons Camping:

🛻 Truck Bed Tents

• DikaSun Truck Bed Tent with Awning – Green — built-in awning, fits 5.5–6.7 ft beds
• DikaSun Easy Setup Truck Bed Tent – Green — quick pitch, great for solo campers
• DikaSun Truck Bed Tent – Blue — classic design, fits most full-size pickups

😴 Truck Bed Air Mattresses

• DikaSun Truck Bed Air Mattress – Fits 5.5 to 6.5 ft — fits most half-ton trucks
• DikaSun Dodge Truck Bed Air Mattress — shaped for Ram wheel well geometry
• DikaSun Full Size Truck Bed Air Mattress – Red — extra comfort for longer trips

Not sure which fits your truck? Browse our full camping gear collection — every product includes fit specs by truck make and model.