Day Camping at Kickapoo State Park

Not long ago while watching camping and van life videos on YouTube, I came across a man who did an SUV tent review. I was immediately intrigued and knew an SUV tent would help me feel more comfortable camping alone or with my children. I wasn’t interested in a complicated tent and wondered if an SUV pop-up tent was available.

After a Google search, I found the answer to my question on Temu. It was the Outdoor Extension SUV Tail Tent which has recently been discontinued, however, there are several variations by different sellers on both, Temu and Amazon.

Below are 3 different versions found on Amazon using my affiliate links.

After I found the tent, I placed my order and waited for its arrival. After a few weeks of it being propped up along the wall in the dining room, I decided that it was time to put this SUV pop-up tent to the test.

The pop-up tent comes in a large black bag with handles and is a bit heavy to carry, but it isn’t unmanageable. The tent easily lays flat in the back of the SUV allowing plenty of space to pack other things needed.

The Saturday after Independence Day, we headed to Kickapoo State Park to enjoy some day camping (without the overnight stay). After all, we were just testing it out. If you have never been to Kickapoo State Park, it is one of my favorite state parks for camping, tubing, and pedal boats, and is located in Oakwood, Illinois.

Once we were checked in at the campground and settled into our spot, we started with the tent set up. From reading the description of the tent on Temu, it was explained that it was designed to attach seamlessly to the back of an SUV, creating a versatile and spacious shelter that enhances the outdoor adventure – which is true based on our experience putting this tent up.

However, getting the tent opened and popped up was a bit challenging even with the two of us working together, and took approximately 30 minutes. In hindsight, 30 minutes for new beginners isn’t that bad. I anticipate that in the future, we can have this tent set up in less than 20 minutes. If I’m alone, it may very well be another 30 minutes.

Quality, Design, and Function

Now, let’s talk about the quality, design, and function of this SUV pop-up tent. Based on what I paid, which was less than $150, it was worth it and our needs and expectations were met. However, it is not the best quality tent. I’m sure that there are better options out there on the market at a higher price point.

I appreciate the tent’s modern design and cube shape. The tent shape alone is very unique and attractive. The tent fabric is waterproof, UV-resistant, and feels like decent quality, however, I do not have confidence in the claim that it is meant to withstand various weather conditions.

Here’s why.

Each side of the tent has two layers. One layer is the mesh screen and the other layer is the tent that can be pulled up as an extended canopy to provide additional shade and space to relax under or perhaps even set up a small outdoor kitchen if needed.

We attempted this, but the canopy and tent poles could barely withstand the wind of the day. When the wind picked up and grew strong, it blew the canopy up and off of the tent poles each time. After a while, we decided to put some rubber bands at the top which kept the canopy in place, but the poles continued to sway.

I’m going to be optimistic with this and say that with the tent staked in, it did hold steady, so if we had used the strings to stake down the poles and put on the rainfly we may have had better success. Either way, I’m unsure at this point if this tent would provide peace of mind during unexpected rain showers or other unexpected weather conditions.

Spaciousness and Comfort

Aside from that, I loved having the screens with the tent sides pulled up because my daughter could safely play while we got the coals hot for the mini grill and prepped our food. We could see her and she was getting plenty of fresh air and the screen kept the insects out. So, if nothing else, this works for having a toddler along camping. It is spacious, and comfortable inside, and provides a safe and enclosed shelter for toddlers to run, play, and nap.

With one of the standout features of this tent being its spaciousness, I would say that it easily accommodates two adults and a child with ample room for gear and supplies, especially if you are sleeping in the back of the SUV. In the future, I do plan to set up the inside of the tent with gear that we would be using for overnight camping, but for day camping, it simply wasn’t needed.

Versatility

Speaking of day camping, the tent’s versatility is a major plus. Whether you’re using it for camping, a beach trip, or as a makeshift shelter at a tailgate party, it adapts to various scenarios effortlessly. I can easily see us taking this on our next trip to Indiana Dunes National Park when we visit West Beach, again. The ability to detach and use it as a standalone tent adds to its practicality, as well.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Outdoor Extension SUV Tail Tent from Temu has met my expectations. It’s a decently-designed and versatile shelter that enhances the camping experience. If nothing else, I would say that it is a must-have for SUV owners with toddlers who love the outdoors.

This post contains affiliate links.