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For overland adventures, life on the road, or just an elevated and more comfortable campout experience, here are our picks for the best rooftop tents.
If you’ve never slept in a rooftop tent, it’s hard to imagine how different it is from sleeping in a traditional tent. In general, we’ve found that rooftop tent sleeping has certain key advantages over sleeping in a tent on the ground.
Rooftop tents offer a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings, airflow that’s unheard of in a ground tent, protection (and peace of mind), and generally superior comfort for sleeping.
The drawbacks: Unlike a ground tent or a tow-behind camper, when your tent is on your roof, you have to break camp before you drive away. And, for those who make nighttime visits to the loo, there’s a ladder to negotiate between you and relief (unless you’re willing to get creative).
Also, if your dog gets to share the human bed, practice your one-handed ladder climb before you attempt to hoist them up. Multiply that effort if you have more than one dog.
Not every rooftop tent fits every vehicle or every budget. But some tents work for almost every car or truck. Rooftop tents are all pricier than even the plushest backpacking tent, but if you’re able to invest, you won’t regret it.
Once you’ve decided if a rooftop tent is right for you, it can be tricky to pick out the right model. In recent years, the GearJunkie team and our greater network of expert gear testers have researched and sampled all of the leading styles on the market. We’ve used these tents for overlanding, car camping, and cross-country roadtripping. We’ve closely examined their features at trade shows and expos in far-flung corners of the globe.
After hundreds of nights of elevated sleeping and hours of poring over specs, we’ve decided that the rooftop tents on this list are the best of the best. Rooftop tents are still a young development in the world of life on the road. We expect that they’ll only get better.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended models. Our handy comparison chart, buyer’s guide, and FAQ will help you make an informed purchase.
Editor’s note: This guide received an update on April 8th, 2024, and now includes five additional awesome rooftop tents. We’ve added the Sparrow 2 and the four-season Falcon 3 EVO from Roofnest to the lineup, along with the rugged iKamper BVD Duo. We’re also excited to introduce two new brands to our guide with the inclusion of the unique Dometic TRT 140 Air inflatable RTT and the Sylvan Sport Loft.
This aerodynamic and lightweight rooftop tent will fit any car you want to put it on, right down to a Mini Cooper. It’s also one of the easiest rooftop tents to deploy — setup takes less than a minute, and so does takedown.
The Skycamp Mini 3.0 ($3,979) has a hardshell cover that flips open to become one wall of the tent, the only wall without a window. That wall is lined with a quilted panel printed with a world map.
The quilting helps manage condensation, while the world map inspires tent dwellers to dream up their next adventure. Plus, the sidewalls, front, and ceiling of the tent all have oversized canopy windows for weather-protected airflow and great views.
The Skycamp Mini 3.0 is made from breathable blackout polycotton canvas with a waterproof polyester rainfly. The fly detaches for better airflow and uninterrupted views.
In a storm, you’ll appreciate the fly’s waterproof zippers. And because there’s no vinyl coating on the tent or the fly, this tent is more breathable with less condensation than many others. It’s also quieter in the wind.
The base of the tent is made with honeycomb aluminum panels that capture air for extra insulation. A 2.25-inch firm polyfoam mattress rests on top of the honeycomb floor.
If you like a firm mattress, you’ll love this setup. But if you don’t, buy a softer aftermarket mattress and swap it out.
To get into the tent, climb iKamper’s integrated telescoping ladder. With the ladder attached to the tent, its rungs run parallel to the ground. This makes climbing the ladder both safer and more comfortable than climbing other rooftop tent ladders. On other tents, when the ladder leans against the tent, the ladder rungs are angled.
The Skycamp Mini 3.0 gives customers a choice of tent shell finishes. No matter which finish you choose, the 3.0’s shell is made from insulated, fiber-reinforced, double-layer plastic that’s soundproof and condensation-resistant.
The Skycamp Mini mounts to a roof rack with iKamper’s quick-to-tighten version 3.0 brackets that are compatible with a broad range of crossbar sizes. For higher crossbars, use iKamper’s version 1.0 mounting brackets.
You can also personalize your Skycamp Mini 3.0 with accessories. Options include an annex or awning, storage racks, and bracket locks that secure the closing straps.
If you drive a small car, are shopping for a tent for a short-bed truck, or want to mount a rooftop tent on your truck cab, the iKamper Skycamp Mini 3.0 is one of the best options available.
Check out our full review of the iKamper Skycamp Mini 3.0.
Thule’s spacious two-person Foothill ($2,000) is a rooftop tent that deploys compactly, so there’s still plenty of space on your roof rack for bikes, kayaks, and cargo. The symmetrical Foothill, which Thule says is half the width of other rooftop tents, can be mounted on either side of your rack.
Folded, it’s low-profile, with a soft cover and a new base that cuts weight but adds strength and stability. Unzipped and unclipped, it’s easy to set up with telescoping internal poles that click into place.
The Foothill’s wide door left plenty of space to climb in and out of this tent while carrying a duffel bag. Paired with its panoramic rear window and dual skylights, the tent had superb airflow, even on sweltering hot nights. And it provided stargazing from every angle.
You can leave a bike or boat on the roof while you have the tent deployed and one side of the awning folded down to make space.
Inside, Thule outfits this tent with a high-density foam mattress that practically guarantees sweet dreams. Four internal pockets hold a book, headlamp, and other small items.
If you want to get fancy, buy Thule’s 310-thread-count fitted sheets that fit the mattress perfectly. You can also choose Tepui’s insulator, a quilted liner that gives the tent extra insulation for four-season use. Both are sold separately.
The Foothill’s canopy fabric is UV- and mold-resistant, designed to be used year-round. In wet weather, the rainfly attaches quickly. And when you just want air and to see the stars, it folds down and away.
When you’re not using it, the Foothill takes about 10 minutes to remove from the car. It attaches and detaches with four brackets that tighten with a 13mm wrench. Packed for travel, it sits about 9.5 inches taller than a car’s roof rack.
For more information on the Thule Tepui Foothill, check out our full review.
Recently redesigned, Roofnest’s two-person, pop-up Sparrow EYE 2 ($2,995) has a taller peak than tents that lift in all four corners. This one is also super easy to open, even with gear storage on top.
By opting for a wedge shape instead of a tent that lifts in the tip and tail, you save weight and complexity. A wedge tent only needs lifting struts at one end. Plus, the wedge stands up better against heavy wind and rain. Unclip the latch on the back, and the Sparrow EYE 2 opens with a gentle nudge to activate the struts on the front end. There are no tent poles to fiddle with and only one awning to prop.
The massive door and side windows keep the inside of the tent breezy and cool, even without a fourth wall. Both side windows can also be used as doors, although they don’t have awnings. Zip them closed in a rainstorm, and you do lose some airflow.
The tent’s fiberglass-reinforced ABS shell is molded to be aerodynamic for best-in-class gas mileage and reduced road noise. The inside of the shell is insulated and lined with a quilted, condensation-busting fabric that also reduces noise and gives the inside of the tent a cozy den-like feel. Also inside is a 2.8-inch foam mattress that Roofnest claims will rival the comfort of your bed at home.
The tent portion of the Sparrow EYE is a breathable polyurethane-coated polyester and cotton blend that’s touted as three times more waterproof than most backpacking tents. It gives the tent a sturdy, protective, and secure feel, more like a safari tent than a backpacking tent.
In cool temps, the rugged side walls are insulating, and in the wind, they cut down on noise. The Sparrow EYE 2’s dual side windows and its door have zippered mesh and zippered canvas covers for customizable bug-proofing, rain repellency, and airflow.
An 8.5-foot telescoping ladder clips onto the tent under any window or door opening. While it doesn’t store inside the tent for travel, it comes with a storage bag.
This bag attaches to the roof gear storage zone on top of the tent for travel if you don’t want to pack it into your trunk. The rooftop bag can also be used to hold cooking gear, wet clothes, and other things you don’t want inside your car.
Also, on the roof of the Roofnest Sparrow EYE 2, there’s a dedicated spot to mount a solar panel. Mount one, and then park strategically so that the roof faces south and you’re generating max wattage.
Two of the biggest barriers to entry for campers considering rooftop tents are weight and price. Yakima’s SkyRise HD ($2,499) is not only relatively light, but it’s also competitively priced for a three-person tent. And it’s the most similar to backpacking and car camping tents that many backcountry enthusiasts are already familiar with.
The SkyRise is made from the same stuff as most tents you’d pitch on the ground. The 600D nylon tent body is light and breathable, with mesh ventilation panels that double as windows into the Milky Way. All the windows and the two skylights have solid and mesh panels that zip open for ventilation and views.
Much like a standard ground tent, the SkyRise’s waterproof fly is polyurethane-coated, and the tent can be set up with the fly on or off. Aluminum poles give the tent structure. They’re strong, preset, and easy to engage once you manually flip this tent open.
Consider a three-person tent if you’ll be sleeping with a child. This is also a good option if you’re a dog owner whose dog climbs ladders, or if you’re willing to shuttle your pooch into your rooftop nest. Everyone will appreciate the plush, 2.5-inch-thick, wall-to-wall mattress.
And after this tent gets some use, you’ll also appreciate that the mattress has a removable cover for easy cleaning. The Yakima SkyRise HD is one of the easiest tents to mount on a roof rack. It goes on and comes off tool-free. It also locks to your roof with the same system used in all Yakima bars and mounts, SKS lock cores, which are included with the tent.
The shortest, slimmest, sturdiest, warmest, roomiest, and most aerodynamic Roofnest clamshell the company has ever made, Roofnest’s Falcon 3 EVO ($3,495) is also exceptionally aerodynamic with more liveable space once it’s set up than other comparable tents, according to Roofnest.
Flick open the new easy-to-use and super-secure cam-over latches, push the tent open, and flip up the new U-bar, the same used in Roofnest’s Falcon Pro, and enter your home away from home. Inside, the living space is more than a third larger than the Falcon 2, five inches shorter, and 20 pounds lighter. The tent fabric is a thick 320 GSM with a blackout coating perfect for sleeping in whatever time zone or latitude you find yourself in. The standard 2.0-inch-thick memory foam mattress has a quilted cover over a standard anti-condensation mat. Two side windows, an overhead moonroof, and twin meter-long dimmable LED light strips provide light.
The Falcon 3 EVO combines the best features of the all-aluminum Falcon 2 and Falcon Pro clamshell rooftop tents with the weather-proof and rugged construction previously only found in Roofnest’s Condor 2 foldout tents. It’s shorter, lighter weight, with a pleasantly large living space, and a more aerodynamic shape when packed. It can sleep campers up to 6’2”.
Falcon 3 EVO’s top shell is PC-ABS plastic finished with a scratch, dent, and UV-resistant Line-X coating. On your roof, it’s three inches thick at the edges and eight inches at its peak. The molded, convex shape of the top shell increases this tent’s structural rigidity and internal space while achieving new levels of aerodynamics for a rooftop tent.
Forming the top shell from PC-ABS plastic instead of aluminum has multiple advantages. Extruded plastic makes the shell flexible and naturally weather-resistant, and it lowers the overall tent weight. What’s more, PC-ABS is ten times more insulative than aluminum. Not only does this keep campers warmer, but it also reduces condensation build-up.
To make sure you have what you need to fully enjoy this tent in all seasons, Roofnest is now selling a “Tent Insulation” kit for the Falcon 3. It zips into the interior of the tent without blocking LED light strips, gear grids, or storage pockets. It also has ports for heating and cooling.
Both the Falcon 3 EVO’s PC-ABS top and honeycomb aluminum bottom shells each feature an exterior accessory channel. The top channel is compatible with the optional 6-Channel Crossbars, which can hold up to 150 pounds of gear. The Falcon 3 EVO’s aluminum bottom shell’s single accessory exterior accessory channel can support awnings up to 75 pounds, using Roofnest’s new accessory awning brackets.
A true four-season rooftop tent, iKamper’s BDV Duo ($2799) impressed us with its comfort, its ruggedness, and how quick it was to set it up and break it down. Of the tents we tested for this roundup, it was the fastest to set up and pack up, though it also took the longest to install the first time we put it on the truck roof. This tent is best suited for rugged overlanding use but is just as awesome for casual campers as long as your roof rack can handle the tent’s weight plus people.
iKamper’s BDV Duo has the fastest tent to set up we’ve seen. Two heavy-duty clips at the back of the tent unclip, and with a nudge, the ABS shell top pops up boosted by two large, external hydraulic lifters. An external bungee slides down. It assists in pulling the sides of the tent down when it’s time to pack it up. Two knurled awnings stay inserted into machined holes in the back of the tent to prop out the awning/rainfly. It’s built on a rugged aluminum frame with a strong, scratch/UV-resistant fiber-reinforced plastic shell, and attached to the tent base with massive aluminum hinges.
Inside, the tent is spacious with loads of headroom, and enough length that one 6’4” sleeper who tested this tent said it was awesome. Windows and doors create a fully blacked-out environment when closed. The tent fabric is breathable, black-out, 300gsm poly-cotton canvas. With the windows open, being in the tent is like being outside, but high up and in the shade. The awning is also a rainfly. It’s made from waterproof polyester 75D ripstop material with an eco-friendly water-repellent (DWR) coating. Toggles let us tighten it for wind resistance when needed.
Inside this tent is plush with a quilted mattress cover, and cottony-feeling fabric throughout, which seemed to trap condensation less than in other tents. Large wedge mesh pockets helped us keep track of clothing we weren’t wearing. But there was plenty of space for a couple of small duffels or a dog not too greedy with space inside as well as two occupants. Because the gas struts that lift the camper roof are on the outside, all the inside space was usable.
The ladder can be moved to either side or the back of the tent, but there is only one set of quick-release ladder pins that lock on the ladder, so the process takes a few minutes of uninstalling and reinstalling those pins for the switch.
iKamper makes loads of accessories for this tent, and we were lucky enough to test several. The annex is spacious and turned the BDV Duo into a full basecamp setup that was pleasant to use during sunny days and frosty nights. The annex, which zips to the BDV Duo, vented or sealed up as preferred, is quite spacious inside. For cold weather, we recommend getting iKamper’s clear windows. They zip over the mesh and light-blocking window panels so that you can have light and block the weather. The clear windows have center zips so you can also use them as doors. We look forward to loading up iKamper’s BDV Accessory rack, which can hold up to 110 pounds.
This tent is best for trucks or SUVs. It includes rubber tubing that needs to be inserted into channels in the aluminum to reduce wind noise.
The first air-inflated rooftop tent to meet our tough standards for durability, ease of use, and comfort, Dometic’s 140 Air ($2,500) is a light and compact tent that’s as good for compact vehicles as it is for trucks. It has comfortable internal space for two, a super fast setup, and clever weatherproof external pockets for storage. At just over 100 pounds, it’s a modest lift for two people, especially if you’re putting this tent on a lower-roofed car. It folds into thirds, so it takes up less room on the roof than other RTTs. And installation is tool-free. Once the ladder is installed–it attaches with two spring-loaded pins–it can stay outside the tent under the RTT cover, which slides over the folded tent and bungees to the attachment thumbscrews on the underside.
Unlike other RTT ladders, this one has a bottom section that deploys first and extends to its full length. The upper section of the ladder, which is adjusted with separate release buttons, can be set to any of four heights depending on the height of your roof. This is the first air-inflated tent we’ve used, and once the cover is off and the side clips unclipped, the two sides of the tent unfold like unwrapping a burrito. That takes about a minute. And the tent takes about two minutes to inflate. The included 12v pump plugs into your car’s outlet. Once the pump is on, it hits 3 PSI in about a minute, and the recommended 9 PSI within two minutes. The pictographic installation instructions are easy to follow. If you need better instructions, the internet has plenty of video tutorials on installing this tent.
Though 140 Air takes up less space on the roof, the remaining space isn’t usable like it is with an RTT like Thule’s Tepui Foothill, which leaves room for a bike or a narrow roof box depending on the length of your roof rack bars.
This is an extremely airy and breathable RTT. The 30D brushed ripstop polyester shell traps condensation less than a standard nylon or polyester tent shell. Side mesh picture windows, the highly vented front door and back window, and a large roof vent provide more airflow than any other tent I’ve used. The two side windows take up the full wall. The tent gives its occupants a 360° view. Overhangs on the windows pop out when the tent is inflated. They’re waterproof to keep the weather out.
The tent has four smaller internal storage pockets big enough for an iPad, a headlamp, or a small water bottle. It also has two weather-resistant oversized outdoor pockets, one at either side of the entrance. If you’ve ever wondered where to put your shoes when you’re in the tent, now you have another option. Having shoes up high makes descending the ladder a lot more comfortable.
The roof has a massive mesh roof pocket that’s also a roof vent. Ceiling hooks hold a small lantern or string of lights.
The included mattress is thin and extremely comfortable. It stays inside the tent when you pack it up, and there’s room to leave a sheet on it too. But you’ll need to take out your comforter/sleeping bags and pillows when you pack the tent to drive away.
In hot weather, this tent fully ventilates, and in cold and rain, it buttons up to keep you sheltered from the storm. Adding Dometic’s aftermarket awning gives this compact tent living space for cooking and hanging out that the tent itself doesn’t provide.
A compact pod of a rooftop tent, Sylvan Sport’s Loft ($2,195) is a lightweight rooftop tent with a near-instant setup and an aerodynamic molded, composite ABS shell that protects the tent inside from weather when it’s on top of your car.
The tent opens in seconds with four hydraulic assist arms. The arms are inside the tent and covered in fabric. They hold up the ceiling of the tent, which has vertical sidewalls. Once you’re inside, large openings on every wall provide ventilation and views. The windows aren’t quite as large as in most other tents, so Sylvan Sport includes a fan to keep air circulating. Awnings over the side windows provide shade and weather protection.
The Loft tent material is lighter than most of the other tents in this guide, though it has a polyurethane coating for weather resistance. Inside, the Loft comes with a covered two-inch thick foam sleeping pad. Because of the mattresses’ low profile, there’s plenty of room inside to use it almost like a roof box for storage. As is becoming more common, the Loft’s mattress comes with an anti-condensation mat underneath the mattress to keep it from trapping moisture and getting moldy.
One of our favorite features of the Loft is the massive two-bay storage mesh against the ceiling of this rooftop tent. We took one side down so that we had full headroom. But we left the mesh hammock on the foot side of the tent to hold clothes and more.
Packing up the loft was just as easy as setting it up. Front and back buckles clip. Extra fabric tucks in, and the sides clip and velcro shut.
The hardshell, pop-up Roofnest Sparrow 2 ($2,995), a staple in Roofnest’s lineup has recently been upgraded. It still has the 360° views and venting, and the delightfully spacious and livable, interior. Vertical sidewalls make it super livable inside. Most other tent features have been redesigned, improved, and overhauled. The tent fabric is now 320 GSM blackout material for a good night’s sleep in any time zone at any time of day. The tent shell has been ruggedized with internal ribs for increased structural integrity. That makes it compatible with Roofnest’s crossbar accessory, which can support up to 160 pounds. The shell has been treated with a Line-X coating that adds durability and resists scratching.
Inside, there are just as many upgrades. The tent now comes with a 2.8” high-density foam mattress with a washable cover.
HVAC ports make the Roofnest Sparrow 2 climate-controllable. The tent can be both heated and cooled, and the ports can also be used as a cord passthrough if needed. The tent comes with three dimmable LED light strips.
Unique to the Roofnest Sparrow is the option to lock your tent closed. The shell has heavy-duty lockable latches so you can secure whatever you left inside–bedding, pillows, and more.
The tent attaches to a car roof rack tool-free. Once the tent is on the rack, the aluminum extruded bars in its base don’t need endcaps because they’re hidden below the tent.
A goliath of a rooftop tent, Smittybilt’s Gen 2 Overlander Tent XL ($1,632) sleeps four and costs less than other rooftop tents, but it requires more initial assembly.
The Generation 2 Smittybilt Overlander Rooftop Tent is a good option whether you just like your space or you actually want to load four people into this tent. This mondo condo gives campers with larger vehicles maximum sleeping space for minimum cash.
The inner tent is made from heavy-duty, waterproof ripstop polyester with a polyurethane-impregnated top. Anodized aluminum tent poles create the tent frame. The tent folds open and on stainless steel hinges.
A lightweight, waterproof Oxford rainfly installs with 4mm spring steel poles. And the tent flips open with a telescopic anodized aluminum ladder, which also provides access to your rooftop abode.
Once the tent — which has a king-size mattress inside — has been assembled, it takes just 10-15 minutes to set it up. Windows are all covered with no-see-um mesh as well as waterproof fabric covers that keep the weather out. And when you’re chilling inside, an LED strip lights your cocoon so you don’t have to fiddle with headlamps or lanterns.
When it’s time to pack up, your bedding and accessories stay inside, and the ladder levers the tent closed. Updates to the Gen 2 include a telescoping ladder, an improved rainfly, a better mattress, and a redesigned veranda that won’t collapse in heavy rain.
The Overlander is built on a light and strong 1 3/16-inch aluminum/polyurethane sandwich base. When the tent is folded for travel, a heavy-duty PVC cover with Velcro straps protects it.
This tent rings up at such a great price for several reasons. Some assembly is required, such as installing brackets for the ladder and mounting brackets on the underside of the tent.
It’s made from less expensive materials than other tents. And it’s not as quick to set up and break down as other tents. For example, the rainfly has to be fully staked out.
If you’re on a budget or packing a whole family into a single tent, buying this one won’t require a second mortgage. And if you need more space, or want to turn the Smittybilt Gen 2 Overlander XL into a compound, add Smittybilt’s Annex for more covered space.
The GearJunkie team is composed of overlanders, auto experts, and seasoned car camping fanatics. Over many years, we have tried and rigorously tested nearly every kind of camping gear on the market — including rooftop tents.
Our lead tester for rooftop tents is Berne Broudy. Based in Vermont, Berne has amassed over 20+ years of hiking, cycling, climbing, ski touring, and overlanding. Berne’s broad portfolio of outdoor activities has added up to many nights of camping outdoors — many spent in a rooftop tent.
To compile this list of the best rooftop tents of 2024, Berne and the rest of our team combed the market and compared the pros, cons, and specs of dozens of models. We’ve mounted tents on rigs of all shapes and sizes — from compact sedans to full-sized trucks. We’ve spent many nights — some glorious and others full of tosses and turns — testing the quality and comfort of rooftop tent mattresses.
Our assessment process is detail-oriented. No subtle feature or flaw goes unnoticed. On this list, we’ve included a wide variety of excellent rooftop tents to meet all sorts of needs. From compact SUV drivers to large-family road trippers, at least one of the models on this list should be a good fit.
For more info on car camping options, take a look at GearJunkie’s guide to truck campers and motorhomes.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Rooftop Tent
Not every rooftop tent will fit every vehicle. Know the load capacity of your roof rack, and the distance between your roof rack bars to determine if a specific rooftop tent will fit. The spread of the bars is the distance between the front roof rack crossbar and the back one. Most rooftop tents have a “minimum bar spread” spec. Before purchasing a rooftop tent, be sure to physically measure your rack’s spread to ensure your rack and tent are a match.
When in doubt, contact the rooftop tent manufacturer and verify that your planned setup will be safe and sound. Many tents on this list can work with sedans, trucks, trailers, and everything in between — provided you’ve got the proper rack and mounting system.
Some rooftop tents require you to carry the access ladder inside your car. Other tents incorporate the ladder directly into the tent’s packed-away design. Some tents have accessory options, including awnings and extensions. Typically, these will need to be stored separately inside a car or truck bed.
As for sleeping bags, and pillows, many rooftop tents can be fully folded and tucked away with the bedding stored inside. This feature is more common in hardshell models. Some rooftop tents with smaller footprints leave extra space on your roof for bikes, boats, and other gear. Of course, the square footage of your leftover roof space will depend on the size of the tent and the dimensions of your rack.
Some hardshell rooftop tents provide gear storage on top or space to mount a solar panel. In most cases, you’ll need to purchase additional racks to utilize the roof of your tent’s shell for storage space.
Hardshell rooftop tents are sleeker looking when compressed and more aerodynamic. They also tend to be lower clearance when packed — an important consideration for those planning to park in a garage.
In general, hardshell rooftop tents are quick and easy to set up and pack up. Most come use hydraulic struts that do most of the heavy lifting for you. Softshell tents typically come with traditional aluminum or fiberglass poles that require assembly. Inflatable tents are relatively new to the market. They’re almost as quick and easy to set up as a hardshell, and can be spacious inside. Some hardshells have useable storage space on top of the outer shell. But many are wedge-shaped and don’t give you 360-degree views.
Softshell rooftop tents are generally similar to traditional camping tents. They tend to be less expensive and harder to set up. But they usually have great airflow and some are large enough to accommodate three to five people.
Rooftop tents typically sleep two to five people and fit a double to a king-size mattress. The bigger the tent and mattress, the heavier and more cumbersome the rooftop tent.
Most rooftop tents weigh between 100 and 200 pounds — an important spec to know, especially in relation to your roof rack’s recommended capacity.For a family of three or a couple with a dog, we like the Roofnest Falcon 3— a roomy and comfortable option with a plush wall-to-wall mattress.
If your roof space is limited and you’re looking for a svelte on your roof, full size when unfurled sleeper, the Dometic TRT 140 Air is compact and well suited to smaller rooftops.
Some hardshell rooftop tents lift with a gentle nudge, whereas most softshells have to be flipped open manually and the awning bars inserted. Rooftop tents with gas struts that lift the tent open are becoming more common. They often cost more, but they’re convenient — especially when you’re setting up your tent in the rain.
Whatever tent you buy, initial assembly can be challenging with a steep learning curve. Some tents offer the option to ship fully unassembled. That can save you up to $400, and it can take hours and tools to build the tent platform and attach the tent to it before you load it on your roof.
Once assembled, rooftop tents require a heavy lift to get the tent onto a vehicle’s roof rack. Pan to get a hand from a friend or two depending on the weight of the tent and the height of your roof. While you can repeatedly install and uninstall, it’s always an awkward operation.
Rooftop tents are a major investment — they can cost up to $5000. Take care of your investment, and it will last for many years.
We recommend storing your rooftop tent in a dry, covered place when not in use. When the tent isn’t on your roof, place 2x4s or 4x4s on saw horses to mimic your roof bars and store the tent on top in the same orientation that the tent was on your roof. Go easy on the zippers, struts, ladders, and poles — these intricate mechanical components tend to break first. And always thoroughly dry the inside of your tent after use.
In our experience, all of the rooftop tents on this list offer competitive durability when properly cared for.
Rooftop tents get you off the ground, providing a great view. In most situations, they also provide more airflow than you’ll get when you’re sleeping in a tent on the ground.
When your tent is on the roof of your vehicle, you’re also out of the dirt and away from creepy crawly things on the ground. That makes a rooftop tent feel more secure.
Most rooftop tents are super quick and easy to set up. And when your tent is on your roof, it’s always with you, which can inspire some great impromptu adventures.
Rooftop tents typically come with a mattress and some can store bedding even when the tent is packed.
Many rooftop tents are designed to be mounted on cars. But not every tent will fit every car. The size and weight of the tent need to match the size and carrying capacity of your car’s roof rack.
For best results, use aftermarket bars, not standard factory-installed racks. Also, check the automaker’s and the roof rack manufacturer’s websites for compatibility.
Rooftop tents are more expensive than most ground-staked tents because of the materials required to build them. Rooftop tents are built on a strong and stable base. In some cases, that base folds for storage without losing structural integrity. Rooftop tents must withstand weather off the ground, where winds and rain can be severe. And they have to be weather-proof as a semi-permanent fixture on your roof. That’s a whole lot more complicated than creating a structure with a fabric floor that gets placed on the ground. They come with a mattress and a ladder too.
You can buy a rooftop tent for under $1,000. It’s also possible to pick up a used one at a significant discount. As with campers, some people get excited about the idea of owning a rooftop tent, but they end up selling the tent because they don’t use it as much as they thought they would.
If you’re buying used, don’t forget that not every tent will fit every vehicle.
Yes. In our testing, we saw up to a 20% drop in fuel efficiency with a rooftop tent on the car and a mix of highway and local driving.
Historically, the best way to get your dog into the rooftop tent with you is the one-handed underarm carry or a harness carry. Keep in mind that once your dog is up, you’ll need to get it down too, both when you’re breaking camp and when your furry friend has to pee. If you have a big dog or a squirmy dog, consider letting it sleep in the car.
Rooftop tents all come with a ladder that clips or hooks to the tent. If it feels harsh on your feet, or you’re not 100% comfortable climbing a ladder, get iKamper’s HC Steps. The HC Steps are a fabric covering that Velcros over the rungs of your rooftop tent’s ladder, turning each ladder rung into a step
Depending on the tent, an awning can turn your rooftop tent into a full basecamp, providing an enclosed area out of the wind, sun, rain, and other weather for cooking, gearing up, and hanging out. The biggest downside besides the cost is that adding an awning adds setup and breakdown time.
How hard it is to install a rooftop tent on your vehicle depends on the tent, and what you’re driving. Plan to have at least one other helper, and preferably three to lift your tent onto the roof of your vehicle. If you drive a truck and the tent is going on top of the cab or cap, make sure to recruit tall friends.
Once the tent is on top of your vehicle, you’ll have to install brackets and bolts. Many rooftop tents now boast tool-free installation. Some still require ratchets or wrenches. To install bolts in the rooftop tent frame you’ll need to lift the corners while sliding those bolds into their designated slots. It’s helpful to have a second person to help.
Depending on the tent model, some assembly is often required. For example, some tents come with noise-reducing inserts you only have to install the first time you use the tent.
Yes! Many rooftop tents have a special port for a diesel or electric heater. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe heater use inside your rooftop tent. Some electric climate control units will heat and also cool your tent.
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Berne Broudy is a contributing writer at GearJunkie.com.
Broudy has been writing about cycling, skiing, and outdoor gear for more than 20 years. Before that, Broudy spent time guiding hiking and cycling tours in South America, Europe, and the U.S.
Based in Vermont, Berne Broudy is a core user of and expert in outdoor, cycling, and ski gear, as well as overlanding and powersports gear. She has been writing about outdoor products, business, and issues for more than 20 years. She has written and photographed for more than 20 publications and has served as a contributing editor at many of them.
Broudy currently sits on several nonprofit boards in her home state of Vermont. She is an avid mountain biker, gravel biker, backcountry skier, overlander, and adventure traveler.
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