Car Camping in A Toyota Tacoma: Setup, Space and Gear
OPL5 Electric Inflatable Truck Bed Tent,Pickup Truck Tent with
$233.99A truck bed tent turns the bed into a raised, dry bedroom. Check the listing's fit notes against your exact model.
Check price on AmazonThe Tacoma is the default adventure pickup. The 5 ft short bed is tight for sleeping unless the tailgate is down; the 6 ft bed fits most adults under a cap or a truck bed tent.
| Cargo behind row 2 | bed: about 5 ft (short) or 6 ft (long) cu ft |
|---|---|
| Cargo with rear seats folded | cab only |
| Couple's camping load | 18.7 cu ft packed: it fits, with 15 cu ft spare |
| Family of four load | 32.2 cu ft packed: it fits, with 2 cu ft spare |
Manufacturer-published figures for the 3rd generation, 2016 to 2023 Toyota Tacoma, rounded; they vary by trim, moonroof and year, so check your manual. Load volumes are estimates from typical packed sizes, via the cargo calculator.
How do you set up a Toyota Tacoma for camping?
- Buy the truck bed tent for your exact bed length: a short-bed tent will not fit a long bed and vice versa.
- With a short bed, sleep diagonally or with the tailgate down inside a tent that covers it.
- Use the bed for coolers and bins and pitch a ground tent if you are a family.
Truck bed tents
Truck Bed Tent 6.4' ~ 6.7' Easy Set Up Umburato Pickup Truck Tents$108.26Check price
Umbrauto Truck Bed Tent with Awning$125.95Check price
Napier Backroadz Truck Tent$179.99Check price- OPL5 Electric Inflatable Truck Bed Tent,Pickup Truck Tent with$233.99Check price
BravArrk Inflatable Truck Bed Tent with Detachable Zippered Awning$299.99Check price
KODIAK CANVAS Long Truck Bed Full-Size Tent$549.99Check price
What should you sleep on in a Toyota Tacoma?
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
Keep planning
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep in a Toyota Tacoma?
Yes. 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 Toyota Tacoma?
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. Toyota Tacoma usable cargo is about 34 cu ft by our estimate, so it fits, with care.
Is it safe to run the engine while sleeping in a Toyota Tacoma?
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.Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.