Toyota Tundra for the Long Haul: Gear Up for Road Trips and Full Weekends Outdoors
2022 Toyota Tundra accessories can convert your truck into an adventure base camp.
As with any truck, the Tundra allows for a big market of add-on equipment to outfit it for more adventure. Below, take a look at bed racks, tents, and other add-ons that can customize your Tundra to carry more gear for day trips, road trips, and weekend camping.
We’ve written about the redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra as well as the TRD Pro model and add-on packages.
Accessorizing Your 2022 Toyota Tundra
Eventually, accessory brands will list the 2022 Tundra in their drop-down menus. Some websites, like RealTruck, will sort through available rack options for the third-generation Tundra, but you’ll want to double-check that they fit the truck’s new dimensions before ordering.
Of course, a lot of rack types are adjustable, and you can always reach out to an accessory brand directly and ask whether an existing rack will fit.
Tundra Cabin & Bed Configurations
Only the SR, SR5, and Limited models can be built with a Double Cab and a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot truck bed. They’re also available in CrewMax configurations.
The Platinum and 1794 Edition models are available with the CrewMax cabin and a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot truck bed.
The TRD Pro and Capstone models are only available as a CrewMax with a 5.5-foot bed.
- Bed length: 65.6″ (5.5′), 77.6″ (6.5′), 96.5″ (8.1′)
- Bed width: 58.7″ (48.7″ between the wheel wells)
- Bed depth: 20.9″
Add-Ons for More Fun
A Toyota Tundra, especially one outfitted with an off-road package, is more than capable of getting you to most trailheads. Really, it’s capable of getting you closer to remote campsites, crags, or mountain retreats.
Of course, it’s not just about getting there, but about what else you can bring. The addition of a rack or two can help convert a Tundra into a kayak-carrier, bike-hauler or, in the case of a rooftop tent, your home for the night.
Some campers prefer to keep food and camp kitchen supplies in the truck bed away from where they sleep. A truck bed is also a nice rest spot after climbing and a cleaner place to sort ropes.
Adding on racks leaves more room in the truck bed for carrying other gear. And chances are you could use the extra room if you’re carrying three or four passengers for an outdoor adventure.
Roof Racks
A roof rack is an option for low-lying gear that works in addition to, or instead of, a bed rack. Some may prefer to haul gear on top of the Tundra’s CrewMax cabin and keep the bed free for oversized items like bikes or kayaks.
The Tundra doesn’t have a roof rack option from the factory, so any added rack systems may require drilling and installing rivets.
One of the first accessories we’ve seen designed for the 2022 Toyota Tundra is a roof rack by upTOP Overland. The brand makes two roof racks, the Alpha and Bravo, that measure 53 inches wide and 72 inches long.
The upTOP Overland Alpha roof rack comes with two plates: an inner plate that can be color-matched to your Tundra and a black outer plate with built-in handles and light mounts. The space between the plates allows room for running cables to the side and front lights that can be mounted on the outer plate.
At half the price, the Bravo uses one plate and thus excludes the lighting and handles found on the Alpha.
Bed Racks
XTR1 BedRacks fit several Tundra and Tacoma models. Note that there are bed bracket options that allow room for a tonneau cover, so you can have both at the same time.
The 2021 Tundra bed was just over 22 inches deep and Xtrusion Overland lists its 23-inch rack at cab height. Because the 2022 Tundra is 20.9 inches deep, you might opt for the 21-inch or 18-inch height racks to keep it below the cab.
That should help with aerodynamics, and thus gas mileage when the racks aren’t loaded.
Thule and Rhino Racks make bars and platform decks that fit above the bed. Rhino’s Pioneer platform is an example of these modular racks with space for carrying off-road staples like traction devices and a shovel.
Truck Bed Tents
If you’re already car truck camping, why not just own it and enjoy the comfort and convenience of a bed-mounted tent? Rooftop tents are designed to fit many cars, and you could mount one to the roof of the Tundra. However, we’d recommend a tent that sits atop a truck bed rack.
For better aerodynamics and gas mileage, the top of your tent (when closed) should sit beneath the roof of the cabin. So you should add its height to your calculations when deciding on the height of a rack.
A tent mounted on top of a truck bed rack can round out an all-in-one base camp. These tents typically use sturdier materials than traditional tents, as weight is not a concern. They also allow for built-in mattress padding, and the floor that it rests on is flatter and thicker than what you’d experience on the ground in a traditional tent.
Our guide to the best rooftop tents can help you navigate the pros and cons of these tents as well as recommend models that will fit atop your truck bed. If you plan to live out of your Tundra in all sorts of weather, a hardshell tent may be your preference.
Hitch Racks
If you want to keep your truck bed wide open for other gear or work projects, a hitch rack will give you a bit more hauling space that can be removed when you don’t need it.
There are hitch racks for carrying extra fuel or gear. More commonly, a hitch rack is made for hauling bikes. Our editors loved the Thule T2 Pro XTR in our guide to the best hitch bike racks.
Haul More Wisely
The Toyota Tundra has a maximum payload capacity of up to 1,940 pounds when configured properly so you can carry gear for cookouts, camping, biking, and more.
Additional accessories like the racks above each have individual payload capacities you should check out. In general, you want to keep heavier loads inside the truck bed and use the racks for lighter, compact items like packed bags and off-road tools.
Obviously, if you want a tent atop your racks, you’ll need a model designed with that in mind.
If you’re a first-time truck owner, there’s no need to rush out and start tacking on racks for the Toyota Tundra. Spend some time with it and see how it handles what you throw at it, and then look for accessories that will bring convenience and functionality to your outdoor plans.
This article is sponsored by Toyota. Explore the 2022 Toyota Tundra models and packages at Toyota.com.
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