The 7 Finest Automotive Roof Tents of 2024

The Skycamp 3.0 Mini is the newest two-person rooftop tent from fashionable model iKamper. It’s the mannequin Titus recommends for {couples} who’re new to rooftop tenting and likewise the one which his firm rents to prospects who wish to set up a tent on their very own car. That’s as a result of at 125 kilos, it’s mild sufficient to be suitable with most hatchbacks and compact automobiles. Even SUV and truck homeowners might desire this tent’s smaller footprint for its gas effectivity, or for the area they will save on their roof rack for different gear. The tent might be put in utilizing iKamper’s personal Raconteur racks or utilizing the included common mounting {hardware}.

Regardless of its small dimension, a fold-out extension means the tent nonetheless feels surprisingly spacious for as much as two individuals. It’s straightforward to arrange (the method takes roughly three minutes), with a tough shell that may accommodate sleeping baggage and pillows even when closed. This protects time at camp and likewise leaves you with extra free area inside your car.

The tent can be constituted of sturdy 300gsm polycotton canvas that blocks out mild for an undisturbed evening’s sleep. The fabric is breathable in summer time, with convertible canvas/mesh home windows for added air flow. Rated for all 4 seasons, the tent’s insulated inside shell and comfy high-loft, polyfoam mattress present heat whereas minimizing condensation. A ripstop polyester rainfly and waterproof zippers additionally make the tent impervious to rain. Our favourite characteristic? The signature Skyview window for non-compulsory stargazing. Lastly, iKamper ensures free repairs or alternative of faulty elements for 2 years from the date of buy.

The Particulars: 57.5 x 54.75 x 48 inches open | 57.5 x 54.75 x 13 inches packed | 125 kilos | Polycotton canvas, ripstop polyester, and aluminum | Waterproof

The Eezi-awn Collection 3 Roof High Tent is the one which sparked my love of rooftop tenting after spending three weeks in a single on a highway journey round Namibia. It’s the go-to model for a lot of African safari outfitters, and the truth that ours was nonetheless in nice form after tons of of outings on a few of the roughest roads round is testomony to its sturdiness. The supplies are fine quality. I’m speaking 420-gram polycotton canvas woven with impregnated wax thread, a PVC rainfly with strengthened mounts, YKK zippers, and stainless-steel {hardware}.

Even the thick PVC cowl is constructed for journey with welded seams and an built-in ratchet for securing every little thing firmly in place. The folding platform design makes for a simple single-handed setup (I did it myself many occasions whereas my husband was busy making a campfire), whereas the inside is made mild and ethereal by 4 giant home windows and doorways. Each options mesh panels that successfully retains out mosquitoes, even within the humid Caprivi Strip. Different highlights embrace 4 inner pockets and a cushty, 2.5-inch foam mattress.

The Particulars: 96 x 55 x 51 inches open | 48 x 55 x 11 inches closed | 130 kilos | Polycotton canvas, PVC, stainless-steel, and aluminum | Waterproof

Though hardshell RTTs are beloved by many specialists for his or her compact, aerodynamic design, there are nonetheless a number of causes to decide on a standard softshell tent. Most significantly, they’re lighter and significantly cheaper than their hardshell equivalents. The Yakima SkyRise HD Medium is a good soft-sided alternative constituted of sturdy 600-denier ripstop polyester with a robust aluminum body. It weighs in at 115 kilos, can accommodate as much as three individuals, and combines a PU coating and waterproof rainfly to offer full safety from the weather.

It takes roughly three minutes to arrange and take down, with an auto-close ladder perform and man traces for securing the tent in excessive winds. In summer time, air flow is supplied by giant, mesh-paneled home windows and doorways, making it appropriate for year-round use. And whilst you’ll be capable to admire your environment and revel in loads of mild when the home windows are open, the tent can be fully darkish after they’re closed. The tent options tool-free, lockable car mounts and requires a crossbar unfold of between 26 and 40.5 inches.

The Particulars: 96 x 56 x 48 inches open | 58 x 48 x 17 inches packed | 115 kilos | PU-coated ripstop polyester, and aluminum | Waterproof

If, like me, you’re keen on the concept of a rooftop tent that may have as little influence as doable on the aerodynamics of your car, the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO is a good alternative. Its fully redesigned, low-profile prime shell stands simply eight inches tall when closed, making it straightforward to go away on with out affecting your gas consumption an excessive amount of. It additionally makes it a greater match for garages with restricted clearance. The shell is constituted of sturdy ABS with a Line-X coating for max scratch, influence, and UV resistance.

The tent sleeps two and makes use of an progressive U-bar design to extend head and foot area by over 30 % as compared with conventional clamshell types. When touring in between campsites, you’ll be able to retailer your bedding contained in the closed tent field. Outsized, mesh-screened home windows present most visibility and air flow, whereas the polycotton material is totally waterproof. The tent comes with a two-inch reminiscence foam mattress, a telescoping ladder, and removable pockets. You’ll want a crossbar unfold of between 30 and 50 inches.

The Particulars: 80 x 58 x 47 inches open | 83 x 50 x 8 inches packed | 140 kilos | ABS, aluminum, and polycotton canvas | Waterproof

I like the distinctive design of the Thule Tepui Foothill, which has been specifically developed to take up restricted area in your roof racks, leaving sufficient room for bikes or even a kayak to be mounted alongside. It’s symmetrical (which means you’ll be able to mount it on both aspect of your car,) aerodynamic, and roughly half the width of different rooftop tents when closed. When open, it extends over the sting of your automobile roof to offer a comparable quantity of inside area appropriate for as much as two individuals.

The tent comes with a 1.5-inch foam mattress. Realizing how grubby tenting gear can get on a multi-day wilderness journey, I like that the mattress has a detachable, machine-washable cowl. Panoramic home windows and two skylights present loads of air flow and the flexibility to stargaze from mattress; whereas inner pockets and exterior attachment factors preserve your belongings organized and simple to seek out at midnight. The tent is rated for 4 seasons; nevertheless, keep in mind that it’s water resistant reasonably than waterproof.

The Particulars: 84 x 47 x 37 inches open | 84 x 24 x 9.5 inches closed | 122 kilos | Ripstop polyester and aluminum

Softshell RTTs are the best way to go in case your price range is proscribed. The Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander Tent is way inexpensive than different choices, but it nonetheless sleeps two comfortably and gives the same quantity of inside area. It’s sturdy too, with an anodized aluminum body and a 600-denier ripstop polyester cover. The latter is impregnated with polyurethane for spectacular climate resistance whereas a water-resistant rainfly gives an added layer of safety from the weather.

Inside, beneficiant home windows with fine-mesh mosquito screens present loads of visibility and airflow. At evening, you’ll be able to shut the privateness screens to close out any ambient mild and nonetheless use the LED strip to find issues at midnight. The tent features a telescoping ladder and is totally self-contained, which means you can retailer all bedding and equipment inside it whilst you journey. This frees up area in your car and reduces the time wanted to arrange camp. Lastly, a two-year guarantee gives peace of thoughts.

The Particulars: 95 x 56 x 51 inches open | 154 kilos | PU-impregnated ripstop polyester, polyurethane, aluminum | Waterproof

The most effective issues I ever did was head out on a three-week tenting journey round South Africa’s nationwide parks with my husband and 18-month-old daughter. Youngsters love the liberty of life on the highway and also you’ll make a few of your highest household reminiscences in the event you take them with you. Titus recommends the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 for households of 4 (it’s the mannequin he has put in on all of his rental Land Cruisers). With a king-sized footprint and loads of head room, he calls it the perfect alternative for individuals who need most area.

The aerodynamic hardshell is constituted of fiber-reinforced plastic with area inside for storing bedding — an enormous plus when you will have gear for a number of individuals to slot in your car. The tent is 4 season rated, with a water-resistant ripstop polyester rainfly, an insulated shell, and mattress to maintain you heat in winter, and convertible mesh home windows to offer air flow in summer time. I like the stargazing window, and the privateness blinds that block out the sunshine when wanted. The tent comes with common mounting {hardware} for many vans and SUVs.

The Particulars: 129.5 x 101 x 48 inches open | 85.5 x 55 x 13.5 inches closed | 165 kilos | Fiber-reinforced plastic, polycotton canvas, ripstop polyester, and aluminum | Waterproof