M KARMATER Tailgate Tent

I used this SUV tailgate tent for a four-week cross-country road trip through 24 states and 8 national parks, and I’m genuinely grateful I had it. This tent was worked hard—dust, pine sap, frost, curious critters, extreme heat, chilly nights, and a bit of rain—and it handled everything beautifully. Setup and breakdown are extremely simple once you understand your vehicle’s attachment points. Full transparency: my best friend and I did one dry-run setup before leaving (probably should’ve done one in the dark), and our very first real setup was in pitch black at a national park—which was tough that one time. After that learning curve, it became effortless. I’ve since had it fully set up in under 90 seconds in the dark at NP and BLM sites. Solo setup takes about 3 minutes since you go back and forth a bit. Overall, it is very easy to assemble and remove. When parked near trees or existing gear, I often didn’t even use the poles for the awning—I just tied it off and went. Huge win after long driving days. Durability really impressed me. The fabric handled pine sap balls in Yellowstone (which wiped off more easily than expected), desert dust, frost, and general wear. Zippers are smooth and sturdy—no flimsy hardware—and nearly a year later they still look great with no rust or damage. The included ropes and stakes are solid and long enough to secure the tent well in variable conditions. I didn’t personally use the poles or stakes on this trip, but I appreciate having them and will update if I do. Ventilation is where this tent truly shines and was a big reason I chose it. You have multiple configuration options: full hatch open, partially zipped with side ventilation, or fully closed for warmth. I often used a half-open setup for privacy and airflow, which was ideal. I camped everywhere from scorching Sedona to Yellowstone nights in the low 40s. When it got cold, I could easily close the hatch from inside the SUV—without waking my sleeping travel partner—which turned out to be a surprisingly important detail. In warmer areas like NM, AZ, and UT, the large hatch opening and side vents paired perfectly with a small camping fan. Privacy was also excellent. Being able to angle the awning and zip panels strategically based on neighboring campsites made sleeping and changing much more comfortable, especially in busy areas. Weather protection was solid for what we encountered—light rain stayed out, the fabric didn’t soak through, and it dried quickly enough to pack up and roll out without stress. One practical note for first-time car campers: if you’re staying at parks where you need to drive to trailheads or viewpoints, you’ll either need to detach the tent and leave it with your gear at the campsite, or pack it up before heading out. That’s just part of how car camping works with any vehicle-mounted setup. We often stored items in bear boxes and had no issues setting everything back up when we returned. One unexpected bonus: the adjustable strap design created a real sense of safety. In a worst-case scenario (wildlife or otherwise), we could hop in the driver’s seat and leave without fully taking the tent down—and still have visibility while driving. I also love how compact this tent repacks. It’s not one of those products you can never get back into the bag. I had no issues, and it stores small enough that I keep it in my spare tire well—very thoughtful design. Fit-wise, this tent has worked across multiple vehicles so far: a 2009 Honda CR-V, a 2019 Honda CR-V, and a 2021 Dodge Durango. If you have a hatchback SUV—or even a hatchback-style sedan like a Subaru—this should be a solid fit. For me, the value far exceeds the cost. I would absolutely purchase this tent again and can’t wait to use it on my next off-road adventure. If you’re car camping, road-tripping, or spending time off-grid, this tent is absolutely worth it.

SO FAR I LOVE THIS THING. I CAMP ALONE MOSTLY. IT FITS MY 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE NICELY. IT IS EASY TO USE. IT CAN TAKE I FEW TRIES AT FIRST. BUT ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS, ITS FREAKING AWESOME. MAYBE TAKES ME 10 MINS ALONE. GOES ON IN LESS THAT 5 MINUTES IF YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE. PLENTY OF AIR WITH NO BUGS. ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THE ZIPPER PLACEMENT. PART OF IT GOES UNDER THE BUMPER, WHICH CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO PEE. I HAVE TO LEAN PRETTY FAR OVER THE BUMPER AND REACH UNDER TO OPEN. WHICH MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR GOING TO FALL OUT. AND YOU MIGHT IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR BALANCE. I MIGHT PUT SOME SHOE STRINGS ON THE ZIPPERS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO PULL FROM DOWN LOW.

This tent is well made! It for perfect on my 2020 Jeep. The zipper was the same as I've used on most tents... because be careful with it, and it should last. The size was perfect, and I loved having the awning in the back - it function well to keep the Sun out of the back of the vehicle. I would recommend this product, I find it to be a great value for my money. I am an avid SUV camper, and this is a game changer! Set up is super fast and easy, so if you have to go somewhere it's no big deal - just stuff it in the back and go and set it up again when you return to your site. If it's going to be windy, I do recommend some sandbags for the bottom of the poles.

Only giving 3 stars. Have used this product 3 times. Very limited use. First was a basic set up in my driveway to see if it would fit my SUV. It does (Kia telluride). Then this past weekend twice for camping. The second time I put the tailgate tent back on, the electric strap on the tent (sown in) to the tire strap completely broke (shredded). I was actually shocked since this is brand new. I made it work and luckily no bugs got in. Will have to use a magnet going forward to secure to my car. I tried to contact the seller but there is no option to. Maybe the seller can please reach out to me?

I do Iove this! It has made car camping much more fun. I Love that it has the side openings as it makes it feel less enclosed. The only thing I didn't consider about those side windows is that it makes it useable to keep open in the rain. I wish it had zip up sides so you can keep it up and open during light rains. I am also considering punching holes on the underside of the car, as water seems to pool, and drainage holes would alleviate that issue... These small vimprovements would make this an incredible must have product for car camping. However, I still reccomend this above all others I have seen. It looks great and works great.