J.C.
I do not think there is necessarily a "right time". I transitioned both of my boys at 16 months to a toddler bed, and they did great. I am guess your is already older than that if you are needing a tent. I would transition now before going to a new place, it will be easier to get used to in his normal house than in a new place I would think. It can be difficult to keep them in bed at first. I put a gate at the door so they could not leave their room. The first couple of nights he fell asleep at the gate, and the third night I found him under the bed, but after that he got it figured out and has been great at going to bed ever since.