Rooftop tents have gone from niche to nearly mandatory in the overland scene, and for good reason. There is something genuinely great about popping the tent at camp in two minutes and sleeping up off the cold, wet, critter filled ground. After a full season of trips living out of one, we have a clear eyed view of the tradeoffs.
The good stuff
Setup speed is the headline. A hardshell tent goes up in the time it takes to unlatch it, and a comfortable mattress is already inside. You are off the ground, away from runoff and crawling things, and you wake up with a view most ground campers never get.
What we liked
- Lightning fast setup and takedown, especially hardshell models
- Comfortable built in mattress, far better than a thin pad
- Sleeping up high keeps you dry and away from ground pests
- Frees up bed or cargo space for the rest of your gear
Where they fall short
This is where you need to be honest with yourself. A rooftop tent is heavy, it lives on your roof all the time, and it tanks your fuel economy and raises your center of gravity. Once it is set up, you cannot drive anywhere without packing it back down, so day trips from camp mean leaving it behind or breaking it down. They are also expensive.
A rooftop tent is a want, not a need. If you camp in one spot for multiple nights, you will love it. If you move every day, it may frustrate you.
The verdict
Rooftop tents are excellent for the right style of travel. If you basecamp and run day loops, the comfort and speed are hard to beat. If you move constantly or watch every mile per gallon, a quality ground setup might serve you better for far less money. Match the tool to how you actually travel and you will be happy either way.
Hero photo: Unsplash