Well, I finally took the plunge and got an SUV tent for my camping trips. I’ve always been jealous of those folks with camper vans and their fancy setups, but I wasn’t about to drop that kind of cash. So, I did some digging and found these SUV tents that seemed like a good compromise. I ended up going with the Joytutus brand pop-up tent – heard some good things about it, and the price was right.
Setting it up the first time was a bit of a head-scratcher. The instructions weren’t exactly crystal clear, but I managed to figure it out after a few false starts. It basically attaches to the back of my SUV, and you gotta make sure the elastic fits snug around the tailgate opening. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy to put up and take down.
I also watched some reviews about the Napier Sportz, which apparently is pretty popular. Looks solid but I preferred my pop-up for convenience.
- First Trip Out: I took it out for a weekend trip to a nearby lake.
- Weather Woes: Of course, it rained the first night.
- Dry as a Bone: But I’m happy to report that the tent held up great! No leaks, and I stayed completely dry.
The tent extends the space from my SUV. And it’s got plenty of room for my sleeping bag, a small table, and some chairs. It is not huge, but it’s definitely more comfortable than a regular tent. Plus, I like that I can access the stuff in my car without having to go outside.
Some Tips
- Practice Setup: Definitely set it up at home a couple of times before you head out. Trust me, you don’t want to be fumbling around with it in the dark or the rain.
- Get a Good Mat: Since the tent doesn’t have a floor, it’s good to have some kind of tarp or mat to put down. I used my old yoga mat and a couple of blankets, and it worked out fine.
- Power Up: One of the coolest things is that I can run an extension cord from my car into the tent to charge my phone and use my electric kettle. Morning coffee in bed, yes, please!
I saw that there are a few other types of SUV tents out there. There are those roof tents that give you an elevated sleeping space, but I felt like they are a bit too hardcore for me. And the tailgate ones were pretty much what I got. Overall, I’m pretty stoked about my SUV tent. It’s made camping a lot more enjoyable, and I don’t have to deal with the hassle of setting up a traditional tent anymore. Plus, I can sleep in it too.
I’m already planning my next adventure!
