Tonneau Cover Compatibility: Here’s What You Need to Know

So, you’ve got a truck. You’ve got a tonneau cover. And you’ve got dreams of sleeping under the stars in your truck bed. One of the most common questions we get from truck owners looking to camp in their vehicle is: “Can I use a truck tent if I have a tonneau cover?” The short answer is: it depends on the type of tonneau cover you have. In this guide, we’ll break down which tonneau covers are compatible with Napier Truck Tents, which aren’t, and offer tips to help you set up your truck bed for the ultimate camping experience.

What is a Tonneau Cover?

If you’re new to the truck life (welcome!), a tonneau cover is a protective cover that sits over your truck bed. It protects your gear from weather and theft, improves aerodynamics, and keeps your truck bed looking sleek. However, not all tonneau covers are created equal - and not all will work with a truck tent. Spoiler: our tents need access to those side rails to do their job.

Tonneau Covers That Do Work with Napier Truck Tents

These covers are tent-approved and camp ready!

•           Hard and Soft Roll Up Covers: If the cover can roll up tightly against the cab and measures less than 6 inches in height, you’re good to go. Important note: there may be a small gap between the truck tent and the tonneau cover that could allow water to enter between the two. If you want to avoid wet gear inside the tent (which we recommend), close this gap as much as you can.

•           Retractable Covers: These slick covers disappear into a canister near the cab. As long as they retract fully inside the canister and don’t leave any bulky components sticking out, you’re ready to camp. Bonus points if your canister is low-profile.

•           Removable Covers: If your type of cover isn’t listed above but you still want to join the #NapierNation with your truck tent, you have the option to remove the cover! As long as the bed rail components that are permanently secured to the truck are 3 inches or less, our Truck Tents would be a perfect fit.

Tonneau Covers That Don’t Work with Napier Truck Tents

These covers are great for daily use, but when it comes to camping with truck tents, they’re more of a roadblock than a companion.

•           Hard Folding Covers: They’re sturdy, sure - but not easy to remove. Since they sit on top of the bed rails and don’t retract, there’s no way to install the tent poles properly without taking the entire tonneau off.

•           Soft Folding Covers: Although they’re lighter than hard folding covers, soft folding covers still obstruct the side rails and can’t roll away like other compatible options. The result: tent pole system won’t work.

•           Hinged Hard One-Piece Covers: These covers lift like a trunk lid and usually stay attached permanently. They block most of the bed space, which means a truck tent would have nowhere to go. Unless you plan on completely removing this, it unfortunately won’t work.

Tonneau Cover Compatibility in a Nutshell

Why Bed Rail Access is So Important

We’re always stressing how important it is to have full access to your truck’s bed rails and corners when setting up a Napier Truck Tent—so let’s break down exactly why that matters.

•           Our truck tents rely on the bed rails for the pole system to stay secure.

•           Our truck tents should ideally line up with every corner of your truck bed for proper fitment, and a tonneau cover may interfere with this.

•           A poor fit can cause the tent to sag or expose you to the elements.

Other Truck Modifications to Keep In Mind

While tonneau covers are one of the most common truck modifications, it's also important to keep in mind how other modifications affect tent fitment, such as:

•           Truck Toppers: Truck tents will not work as long as the camper shell/cap is assembled. However, Napier SUV Tents are a compatible option for trucks with toppers as long as the height from the ground to the highest point of the cap window/door does not exceed 80”. (Pro Tip: Check out Softopper for premium, lightweight truck toppers.)

•          Back Racks: This one is a bit more tricky as some are compatible, and some aren't. As long as the back rack does not intrude onto the rails of the truck too far, it should not impact the functionality of the tent. For fitment assistance, please email customerservice@napieroutdoors.com with a photo or the exact model of your back rack to determine if the rack is compatible.

•           Lift Kits: While a lift kit can make it more challenging to enter and exit your truck tent due to the added height, Napier Truck Tents are compatible with this modification. However, if you're looking to upgrade your setup to include a Sportz Link or Backroadz Link, life kits aren't compatible as the added height may pull the tent floor off the ground.

Whether you're a seasoned truck camper or just getting started, we know figuring out gear compatibility can be a bit... much. But hey - that's what we're here for! If you ever find yourself scratching your head at our compatibility chart or second-guessing your set up, just reach out. Seriously, we love talking tents.

We'll help you get everything sorted so you can focus on the fun part: hitting the road, setting up camp, and making your truck the coziest cabin on four wheels.