When putting together a truck camping setup, you need two key pieces: shelter and a sleeping solution. RealTruck sent over both the Napier Backroadz truck tent and the Pittman Outdoors Airbedz Pro3 truck bed air mattress for testing. Over several nights of testing this combo, I discovered some interesting things about truck bed sleeping – particularly how those wheel well cutouts make more sense than you might think.
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Specifications: Airbedz Pro3 Truck Bed Air Mattress
The Airbedz Pro3 is built around a 12-inch thick mattress with an integrated air coil system that distributes weight evenly across the entire surface. The patented wheel well-cutout design lets you use your truck bed’s full width without sacrificing comfort or stability. Heavy-duty fabric construction aims for puncture resistance while keeping weight reasonable. The built-in DC air pump system comes with a 19-foot cord that plugs into your truck’s 12V outlet, handling both inflation and deflation duties. While my test unit was the PPI-303 mid-size version (73″ x 55″ x 12″), they make these for pretty much any modern truck bed configuration.
- Height: 12 inches
- Construction: Heavy-duty fabric with integrated air coil system
- Pump Type: Built-in DC air pump with 19′ cord
- Power Source: 12V vehicle outlet
- Weight Capacity: Up to 1000 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year limited
- Package Contents: Mattress, DC pump, storage bag, patch kit
- Optional wheel well inserts are sold separately
Truck Bed Compatibility:
- Mid Size 6′-6’6″ Standard Bed
- Full Size 6′-6’8″ Standard Bed
- Full Size 8′-8’2″ Long Bed
The Airbedz Pro3 runs between $229.99 and $249.99 depending on your truck bed size. While that’s definitely more than your standard air mattress, you’re paying for truck-specific features like those wheel well cutouts and the built-in 12V pump system. Having tested it alongside the Napier tent, I’d say the price makes sense for what you’re getting.
“The Airbedz® Pro3 Truck Bed Air Mattress is comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors. Great for things like fishing, camping, beach trips and more, the patented design makes for an enjoyable use of the truck bed. This patented design allows the mattress to fit around and over the wheel wells for complete bed use. Optional Pro3 Inflatable Wheel Well Inserts will turn this truck bed mattress into a regular air mattress (inserts sold separately).
The 12 inch thick mattress has an integrated air coil comfort system that covers the entire mattress. This allows for even weight distribution throughout the entire truck bed. Heavy-duty industrial cloth construction keeps this mattress as comfortable as it is durable. This mattress is highly resistant to punctures, and comes with a built-in DC air pump with a 19′ cord that plugs into a 12 volt socket.
The Airbedz® Pro3 Truck Bed Air Mattress will only fit trucks with a 6′ to 8′ bed, but does fit Chevy and GMC trucks with a 5’8″ bed with the tailgate down. A handy storage bag with easy-to-carry shoulder strap and a patch kit with glue come with the Pro3 air mattress, and is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. – RealTruck”
First Impressions: Airbedz Pro3 Truck Bed Air Mattress
The first thing you notice is this isn’t just a regular air mattress with some wheel well holes cut in it. The construction feels properly thought out, with reinforced areas where they need to be. The included storage bag with shoulder strap is a nice touch, and the 19-foot power cord shows they actually thought about real-world use – you might need to reach a power source that isn’t right next to your truck bed.
Testing Experience: Airbedz Pro3 Truck Bed Air Mattress
Setup is surprisingly quick – we’re talking about 7 minutes from packed to ready-to-sleep. Roll it out, position it around your wheel wells, plug it in, and inflate. Speaking of inflation, the built-in pump does its job in about 2 minutes. Pro tip: when breaking camp, use the separate deflation valve in tandem with the pump system for quicker air release.
Let’s talk about those wheel well cutouts – they’re actually brilliant. Beyond just making use of the full truck bed width, they serve as natural anchors that keep the mattress from sliding around when you’re getting in and out. It’s one of those features that makes more sense in practice than on paper.
Air retention was solid throughout testing. While I did top it off the second night, that was more preventative maintenance than necessity. Between two people using it and normal temperature changes, it held up just fine. Comfort-wise, it’s comparable to any quality air mattress – no better, no worse, but it gets the job done.
One thing worth mentioning – the power setup. The 19-foot cord is great, but I wish it came with both 12V and standard AC adapters. My truck has a built-in 110V outlet, which would have been handy to use. The extension cord they include proved useful when one of my 12V outlets wasn’t working, but having multiple power options would make this even more versatile.
Final Thoughts: Airbedz Pro3 Truck Bed Air Mattress
The Airbedz Pro3 delivers exactly what it promises – a proper air mattress solution specifically designed for truck bed camping. While the price point is higher than standard air mattresses, features like the wheel well design, built-in pump, and robust construction justify the cost. When paired with a truck tent like the Napier Backroadz, it creates a solid setup for comfortable truck bed camping. Just remember – if you’re planning to use it outside the truck bed, you’ll need to grab those wheel well inserts separately.
In closing, I want to say thank you to RealTruck for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out the Airbedz Pro3. That is always greatly appreciated. The last question that remains is what do you think? Is the Airbedz Pro3 something you would be willing to invest your money in? What trips would you plan with it? What would be the first destination? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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