There are few things as wonderful as the freedom to drive where you want and be comfortable when you get there. For people who love the overland lifestyle, the right shelter is a critical part of this. A rooftop tent is a great choice to turn your ride into your home. Finding the best rooftop tents for Jeeps can change the way you travel and explore.
The Best Rooftop Tents for Jeeps
When you start looking for a new rooftop tent for your truck, the best option will depend on your needs, including how many people are on the trip and how light you are trying to pack. Weigh those factors into your choice as we run through the list.
iKamper Skycamp 3.0
For one of the most high-quality tents for your Jeep, the Skycamp 3.0 from iKamper is easily a top contender. It’s built with strong materials that will last as you travel and use it night in and night out. This model is meant to improve on previous Skycamp versions with a number of upgrades.
iKamper improved the hard shell of this tent, so it’s more durable. The rocky black shell version will also protect against UV rays, which can start to break materials down as the years go by. It is also made with breathable fabric for the body and walls that have a water-repellent coating. This makes it great for a lot of different climates and weather conditions.
If you want a comfortable sleeping experience, the Skycamp 3.0 is worth your time. The mattress is thicker than with previous versions. It also features more sleeping space. It’s advertised as being able to fit four people. However, keep in mind that sleeping capacities for most rooftop tents for Jeeps may reference children as some of the people who can be housed. Four adults may be a tight squeeze.
If you need more space and flexibility, you can add an annex that comes down to ground level. There is also an available awning for the Skycamp. Be warned, these may be pricey additions for a tent already at a pretty high price point.
Overall, the Skycamp is a great tent for your Jeep if you are willing to make the investment.
OVS Nomadic 3
For another strong tent option, take a look at the Nomadic 3 from OVS. It’s a high-end model that offers relatively easy installation and setup, while still being very comfortable for a night out in the wilderness.
This tent is insulated and weather-resistant, making it one of the best rooftop tents for Jeeps if you plan to go into rougher climates or travel in the late fall or late winter. It has a removable rain fly that keeps water out of the tent when the weather turns but can be taken down when you need to increase the air circulation inside.
As you may have guessed from the name, the Nomadic 3 has a three-person sleeping capacity. Test out the dimensions carefully, since this could mean two adults and a child. The mattress is 3 inches thick, offering plenty of comfort. Some reviewers noted a standard queen-sized sheet was too small for this mattress, which shows how much space you’ll get.
While the rain fly is convenient, some users note that it has a tendency to flap in the wind, which could become annoying when you are trying to sleep. Overall, it’s still a great choice, and at less than $1,600, it is a solid option for people looking to spend a bit less.
Thule Tepui Kukenam 3
Thule Tepui has a reputation for making some of the best rooftop tents for Jeeps, and the Kukenam 3 adds to that history of quality. It has easy setup instructions while still being durable, making it convenient to take on all types of overland camping adventures.
The Kukenam 3 comes with a tough canopy that will keep you protected in many different weather situations. It’s made to take a beating in harsh weather, and the rain fly will keep the water even in a downpour, so you can easily stay comfortable and dry.
Although it is a softshell, it is still one of the easiest rooftop tents for Jeeps to convert between travel and camping mode. The telescoping ladder easily self-collapses while still extending to more than 8 feet when needed. The polls that hold up the tent go into place easily with minimal work.
This tent has a comfortable memory foam mattress, so you won’t feel as though you are sleeping outdoors even in the most remote places. The interior is spacious, with 52 inches of headspace at the highest point. You can sit up if needed and be comfortable. The space technically allows for three people to sleep, but is probably most suited for two adults and a child at most.
At most retailers, the Kukenam 3 comes in at below $2,000. That’s not the most budget-friendly of prices, but it’s a good value for this quality of tent.
Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha
When you’re looking for a hardshell tent for your Jeep, the Alpha by Tuff Stuff Overland could be a good solution. It is a bit less costly than some other hardshell rooftop tents for Jeeps while still offering good quality and ease of use.
Users often highlight the convenient setup and takedown of this model. As with other hardshells, you don’t need to deal with extra covers to put on and take off. The outer shell can stand up to rough weather while off the grid so you can count on it as you travel. Keep in mind that this model doesn’t have rain-flys so you need to take a few more precautions when things get stormy.
The Alpha is meant to sleep four people, making it a pretty roomy option for your next trip. The mattress is more than 2 inches thick, well within the range of similar competitors. You also get more headroom in the Alpha than typically available with hardshell rooftop tents for Jeeps.
The price for this option comes in a bit on the high end, closer to $3,000. It’s a big cost for some campers, but you can rely on the tent to last for years to come.
Roofnest Condor Overland
The Condor Overland from Roofnest rounds out this list of tents to add to your Jeep. It has an innovative design that combines the benefits of hard and softshell tents into a great camping experience. It may take a bit more setup than some other options, but you get a nice interior space for your efforts.
An aluminum shell is one of the defining features of the Condor Overland. It’s lightweight but still super strong. That makes it easier to travel into rough territory without worrying about maneuverability or durability. Just go where you want.
The mattress is a nice thickness of 2.5 inches and is a good size. It easily sleeps two adults with space for a child as well. Things may get cramped if you try to fit three adults into the space, but that is common with most rooftop tents. The interior is also illuminated with LED light strips so you can read at night or just enjoy the evening.
This is another pricey option among rooftop tents. The cost is more than $3,500, so it’s definitely meant for a traveler who is going to get a lot of use out of it and keep it for years to come, as opposed to the casual overland camper who only takes a few trips a year.
Choosing Between Rooftop Tents for Jeeps
Finding the right tent for you depends on different factors about your trips and preferences. Weigh all the factors carefully to make sure you get what you need, since good tents are such big investments and may require special modifications for your vehicle.
Your Jeep’s Weight Capacity
Start by investigating the weight capacity of the roof of your model of Jeep. Most hardshell rooftop tents weigh well over 100 pounds even when they are empty. You need to account for this and the weight of any additional gear you plan to put on the roof and the people who will be sleeping in the tent. If needed, you can explore the idea of getting your Jeep’s roof reinforced to avoid problems.
Roof Rack Configuration
Roof racks come in various configurations and strengths, and not every setup is compatible with rooftop tents for Jeeps. Carefully research what kind of rack your desired tent needs and see if it works with what you have. If your current setup works, then you are in business.
If it doesn’t, you may need to go to a customization company that specializes in overlanders. These experts can build and install the racks you need or reinforce the ones you have. They can also help with the installation of your new tent, as some of them can be a bit complicated for beginners.
Other Gear
Make a list of the other gear you intend on taking with you on your trips and how you normally transport it. Many items are usually placed on the roof rack, but that space may not be available once you have a rooftop tent installed. Decide what you need and what you don’t and if there are other ways to carry all that gear.
Some rooftop tents for Jeeps come with bars of their own so you can place other items on top of the tent and increase your carrying capacity. However, keep in mind that this will increase the weight your Jeep is hauling around as well as the height of the overall rig.
Height Clearance
Speaking of height, start measuring how tall your Jeep is with just its racks, and how much height your tent will add. There are a few important concerns here. First, check that you can make it down roads and trails without bumping into things above you. The paths to some of the best remote locations will take you past low bridges or even through wooded areas. Hitting something above you could cause damage and be a big snag in your plans.
The second consideration is storage. Where will you park your Jeep between trips? A garage is best to protect everything from the elements, but if your rooftop tent makes your Jeep too tall to clear the doors, you’ll have to come up with another plan. That could include taking the tent down every time you get home, which is inconvenient, or leaving it outside, which could add more wear and tear.
Group Size
Think about how many people typically join you on your trips. As we said, most sleeping capacities are a bit inflated for most rooftop tents for Jeeps because they typically count children as some of the potential occupants. With more adults, plan on how you’re going to get more space, either with an annex or by having multiple tents on different vehicles.
Don’t forget to make sure everyone on your trip is comfortable climbing ladders and maneuvering in and out of the tent. A rooftop tent is a bit high up and can be jarring for people who are used to on-the-ground tents. Finding ways to make sure the ladder is steady or using a ground annex can help.
Start Exploring With the Best Rooftop Tents for Jeeps
Rooftop tents can offer a lot of convenience and protection for campers who want to go deep into remote areas and start exploring. You get a comfortable sleeping area protected from bugs and animals on the ground, and it’s easy to transport. Many models also make it a breeze to set up your tent once you park, so you have more time to enjoy your environment.
There are so many ways to make use of rooftop tents for Jeeps once you find the features and qualities you want and pair it with other great gear. Take a look at all the information Nomadist has for you, and hit the road.
