The Best Roof Top Tents for Your Vehicle
1. Thule Tepui Ruggedized Kukenam Roof Top Tent - Editor's Pick
This tent is built for the toughest off-road adventures you’ll find yourself in. The Tent itself can sleep up to three people and setup is quick and easy with its built-in internal frame. The Bottom of the tent features a diamond plate base with an anti-condensation mat to mitigate moisture buildup on the mattress.
The Tent itself features extra large internal pockets, built-in screen sky panels and weighs just 159 lbs. The materials the Kuknam is made from make wind and rain a virtually non-existent problem and takes only about 8 minutes to fully set up from its stowed configuration and about 12 minutes to repack. The Kukenam roof top tent is compatible with just about any roof-rack equipped truck or SUV.
2. Raptor Series Offgrid Voyager - Budget Pick
If you’re always on the go and hate spending a lot of time setting up and taking down your tent, the Raptor series rooftop tent is the way to go. The Tent will comfortably sleep two people and features a double size mattress and can handle up to 750 pounds as its max load.
The Raptor’s canopy both opens up and closes in seconds with only the heavy duty cover needing to be secured to the frame of the vehicle under tension meaning that this rooftop tent can adapt to any type of terrain. The tent packs down very snugly and only adds about 10 inches of extra bulk on top of your vehicle meaning there will still be room for your other gear if needed. The Raptor Series rooftop tent is available for $1,069.99.
3. KingCamp Hard Shell Rooftop Tent
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I was always faced with one constant obstacle when it came to camping – rain. If you’re in an area of the country that receives a lot of rain or thunderstorms then this will be the roof top tent for you. The KingCamp rooftop tent features a breathable hard top with side mesh ventilation sides to keep things both dry and comfortable.
The KingCamp can also be used as a ground based tent if the situation calls for it and it is also incredibly lightweight and can comfortably sleep two full sized adults and can support a total weight of 880 pounds on its decking. The KingCamp only takes 60 seconds to self-assemble with its hydraulic struts which open and set up the tent without any aid from the end-user. The KingCamp Hard Shell Rooftop tent is available for $2,909.99.
4. Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent - Lightweight Pick
The SkyRise rooftop tent comes with an integrated 2.5” foam mattress, tool-free SpinVice clamps for attaching the tent to your roof top and a highly durable and easy to attach rain fly. The SkyRise is by far the lightest roof top tent we have on this list (100lbs) and can be easily installed with no complicated tools.
The Yakima SkyRise tent will sleep 3 people comfortably in all but the most cold of conditions and can even accommodate an additional higher quality mattress on top of its integrated mattress for added comfort. The Yakima Skyrise has the distinction of being the only fully toolless rooftop tent on the market meaning it’s perfect for beginners who want an affordable yet durable rooftop tent for their adventures. The Yakima SkyRise tent is available for $1,599.00.
5. Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4 Tent - Most Space
For those of you who like to travel with family we’ve got the perfect rooftop solution. Rooftop tents tend to have the same limitation all generally – space. Because of the limited weight capacity of roof racks and vehicle frames every pound counts when it comes to capacity. However, the Autana 4 can sleep up to 4 people and also has the distinction of being an all season tent.
The internal floor features 48 square feet of space for sleeping and a 56” tall peak height meaning there is plenty of room to get everyone’s stuff inside for a good night’s rest. The Autana also features an extended canopy entrance with a detachable annex area for additional privacy when getting into or out of the tent via its aluminum ladder. The Autana 4 person Roof Top tent is available for $2,699.95.
Advantage of a roof top tent
Unlike traditional tents, rooftop tents give you the freedom to set up camp virtually anywhere. Whether that’s in the parking lot of a rest stop along the highway or out in the middle of the high desert you can safely and comfortably sleep knowing if you need to pack up and go, you’re not far from your method of transportation.
Besides mobility, there is another advantage of being up off the ground. Ever been in a tent during a downpour and had the floor start to float? It’s not fun. It also helps when the ground is really cold, or rocky.
Roof top tent dangers
When I first saw a roof top tent, I couldn’t see how it could be safe. I was wrong. In fact, I, personally, would almost argue that rooftop tents are actually safer than their ground-based counterparts. Not only are you sleeping on a level piece of hard decking topped with a mattress, you’re also elevated away from the heat sucking ground as well as any critters that might make their way into your tent at ground level.
The biggest danger to a rooftop tent is the elevation and the ladders that people need to climb up and down to get in and out of the tent. Other than that, rooftop tents are as equally as safe ground based tents when properly used.
Expense to a roof top tent
This should come as no surprise but Rooftop tents are extremely expensive compared to traditional Truck Bed tents. This is largely due to the fact that a Rooftop tent needs to feature a durable and lightweight deck so that you and your camping party don’t put any new dents in the roof of your car. In addition, most of the frames of rooftop tents are made from larger pieces of extruded and welded aluminum meaning the premium components required for the structure of the roof top tent will also fetch a similarly higher price.
How fast can I drive with a roof top tent?
It varies by manufacturer, but the average speed limit you should drive with a roof top tent is around 70 miles per hour according to most roof top tent makes. Of course, you can always find ways around that, but keep in mind that you’re basically adding a wing to the roof of your vehicle, so better to err on the side of caution and stay safe.
Can my roof support a roof top tent?
More than likely, the answer is yes, your vehicle can support a rooftop tent, as long as the rooftop load limit is over 165-pounds. Many SUVs, trucks, and larger automobiles are safe, but smaller cars and sedans may not have a structural capacity to support a rooftop tent, rack system, and the campers themselves. Check your owner’s manual for specifications if you’re not sure.
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