Hardshell roof top tents have such a sleek and polished design, who wouldn’t be tempted to buy one?
Choosing the right roof top tent (RTT) can be difficult because of the many factors one needs to take into account. If you’re going to be spending thousands of dollars any toy, you want to be sure it’s exactly what you want.
We will be going over the many considerations to take into account before buying a hardshell RTT, as well as some of the best models you can find. By the end of this article you should have the knowledge necessary to pick out the perfect RTT for your next camping excursion.
Hardshell RTT considerations
This style of tent provides luxuries that other RTTs simply can’t. That being said, they do have some limitations and won’t be the perfect fit for all campers. So lets get into it!
1. Size
One of the standout limitations of a hardtop is its limited sleeping space. If you typically camp by yourself or one other person, you’re in luck. This is a couple’s dream because they are plenty spacious and a breeze to setup.
Where a foldable RTT doubles in size when you unfold it, the footprint of the popup stays fixed. This is particularly an issue for families looking to buy a hardtop. You’re limited to about a 3 person max, maybe four if you want to push it.
Now, with recent innovation in the industry this can be avoided. A really cool option to get around this and find a four person hardtop is a hybrid style design. For example, the iKamper 2.0 by Skycamp shows off this patented design.
It maintains a hardshell top, while also having a foldable section of the tent for the added sleeping area. So if you’re looking for a hardtop RTT but need to accommodate four people, this style RTT is your best bet!
2. Price
Plain and simple, hardtops come at a premium. The tops are usually made up of fiberglass that are specially designed for the RTT.
The tops vary in strength depending on which manufacturer you go to. Some brands double, or even triple the layers of fiberglass on the top for better overall strength. This also reinforces the tent’s ability to keep the cold out, and trap the warm air inside.
3. Gas mileage
Anytime you put a RTT on your vehicle you can expect to see a significant drop in fuel efficiency. The main reason being, there is more drag on your car as you cruise down the highway.
A surefire way to mitigate this loss is by choosing a hardtop RTT. They sit low, are sleek, and way more aerodynamic than other styles. It’s not crazy to think that cutting down your gas expenses wouldn’t become a large amount over time.
I dedicated a whole article to this exact issue. How To Prevent Fuel Loss with a RTT is all about the simple steps to stopping unnecessary fuel loss!
4. On the road
The sleek and aerodynamic design of hardtops make driving a pleasure. Putting a brick of a tent on top of your roof makes it easy to catch winds, which will make your car sway at higher speeds.
Hardtops will provide you with a smooth and quiet ride to your next destination. The low profile nature of this style will get you to your next destination a little bit quicker.
5. Weight
Hardtops weigh in on a wide scale. You can find some ranging from 125-175 pounds. Nonetheless, you should check both your vehicle and roof rack owners manual to be sure they can handle the weight.
Buying a tent on the lighter side is a smart move especially if it is just you and your partner. Trying to lift a 200 pound bulky tent on the roof of your vehicle is no walk in the park. Before you press the “buy” button, give this some consideration.
6. Quick and effortless setup
Without a question this is a massive strength for this type of RTT. Wedge and popup tent are just effortless to open and close. Usually all it takes is unlocking the clamp holding the tent down, a slight push upwards, and the gas struts do the work from there.
No more worrying about an exhaustive process setting up your tent. Best of all it’s fast. Manufacturers have gotten more innovative over the years and many can be setup and ready to go in less than thirty seconds.
7. Looks
Okay, I’m probably stating the obvious here but they look awesome! I mean seriously, these tents are sexy.
They are so slim you can hardly notice them sometimes. If you see one on the road, you will instantly be attracted to it. Hardtop RTTs will maintain a clean look on your vehicle at all times.
8. Inclement weather
Hardtops often handle harsh weather like snow, rain, or high winds really well. The shell provides a nice waterproof top along with a thick layer of insulation. It is much better than having an all fabric tent for these instances in my opinion.
You don’t need to worry about too much snow or rain puddling up on certain parts of your tents roof. Usually, with a soft tent you need extra support and need to knock off the water or snow frequently.
9. Insulation
Piggy backing off of the point of the hardshell protecting from bad weather, it also serves as a barrier from cold weather. The layered fiber glass acts as a form of insulation, optimizing the amount of warm air it holds inside the tent.
While the walls are made up of fabric on any RTT, you can upgrade to a 4-season tent which implements a thicker material.
10. Leave bedding
This is a super underrated perk in my opinion. Oftentimes, foldable RTTs will not close all the way if you leave a pillow or mattress topper in them.
With a popup RTT you can simply leave your pillow, bedding, or sleeping bags inside the tent. You might think this isn’t a big deal, but it’s really annoying consistently having to move all of the bedding in and out when you need to use the tent.
It is safe to keep your bedding in the tent, but you should be cleaning your tent and bedding periodically to keep it fresh. Certain chemical solutions work better for some stains than others. Click here for a step by step guide on how to properly clean your RTT and the bedding.
11. Attachable racks
Roof racks are used for more than just RTTs. They are probably used more for hauling gear like bikes, skis, or cargo boxes.
There are plenty of hardtop tents that can have a rack placed on top of them. You will have to pay a couple hundred bucks for the added attachment but it is well worth it. This would be awesome for any camper that is active on camping trips and needs to bring extra equipment.
12. Durability
RTTs are made of high quality materials that are meant to last. For foldable tents, the weak link is definitely the cover. It’s not rare for the cover to weather away after a few years from being in the sun.
Ditching the cover helps keep the tent seal more tightly. With a velcro or zipper cover, debris and dust slowly make their way into the tent over time. While a hardtop secures tightly minimizing dirt build-up. All of these adds up to a longer-lasting RTT than almost any softshell.
13. Storage
Some hardtop RTTs can be converted into a cargo carrier. All it takes is a simple zipper to switch from storage to camper!
Take for example the Thule Tepui Hybox Wedge. This feature is nice because many people need cargo boxes on their vehicles. Rather than unmount the tent ever time you need the cargo box, just unzip the fabric of the tent and you’re ready to go!
14. Headroom
One thing that all RTTs lack is the ability to stand and walk around in them. When using a ground tent, you can easily walk around the tent with no problem.
Some roof tents have a low clearing above you. For foldable tents, the center of the tent will provide a good amount of headspace. A wedge tent will give you a lot of room near the entrance, but little to no clearance near the wedge itself. Popup RTTs tend to be the have the most clearance.
Clearance will vary from tent to tent, but if you’re a taller guy or gal, give this consideration because you don’t want to be doing the army crawl in and out of the tent. Being able to comfortably sit inside your RTT will make it that much better.
15. Style Selection
I touched on it a bit throughout the article, but they are many hardtop styles and designs to choose from.
If you’re looking for a very sleek design and simple setup, the clamshell design is probably best for you. These tents can be as slim just a few inches thick. Here are a couple of pictures I took of a clamshell RTT at a camping expo I recently went to.
Then you have your classic popup RTTs. Having no fabric on the roof of the tent gives these tents an edge when it comes to harsh weather. You can find some solid 3 person popups and be plenty comfortable.
Last but not least is a hybrid between a foldable and wedge tent. The Skycamp 2.0 by iKamper is the best example of this design. It has a hardshell but has a foldable component for the extra sleeping space. If you’re looking to fit four people into your RTT and need a hardshell, this is the design best suited for you.
My favorite hardshell Roof top tents
- Skycamp 2.0 by iKamper: this is a great choice for families or couples seeking more comfort inside the tent. iKamper is a very reliable manufacturer in the industry and continues to be on the front lines of innovation. You will also be able to add just about any accessory you can think of with this brand’s product line.
- Roofnest’s Falcon XL: has a beautiful, sleek design that’s hard to tell it’s even there. Looking to maintain a clean and minimalistic look on your vehicle? The Falcon XL is just that. Its quick, convenient, and has the option to add a rack for the adventures looking to haul mountain bikes and kayaks with their RTT.
- Tepui Hybox: this versatile RTT always for 23 cubic feet of storage space, more than most in the industry. If you need a cargo box or storage space but also want a roof tent, this might be your answer. This tent can keep up with all of your adventures since it is rated for all season use. Tepui also has a long list of accessories for this tent that reinforces its comfort for those brutal winter nights.
- Skycamp Mini: This a two-person version of the previously recommended Skycamp RTT. It can be quickly setup in just 60 seconds and can be mounted to any car! It has all the great features you would come to expect from a Skycamp tent, just miniaturized. This is the ideal RTT for a couple or anyone with a sedan looking to add a RTT to their car.
- Alu-Cab Gen 3 Expedition Tent: Is an absolute monster of a tent coming in at just under 200 pounds. It is constructed out of lightweight aluminum and has built-in cargo rails. You can also add solar panels, bikes, and camping tables to store on the roof. A special feature in this RTT is the accessibility of electrical outlets. Not only is there lighting in the tent already, but there are also internal 12V plug and USB plugs within the tent. This rugged tent could last you a lifetime if you treat it right!
- James Baroud Grand Raid: James Baroud is top off the line manufacturer that offers very high-quality products. It offers 360-degree panoramic windows for the best viewing experience. A very unique spec on this tent is a solar-powered ventilation system for extreme climates! It weighs a modest 145 pounds and can withstand winds up to 72 MPH. You will be covered by a five-year warranty, but odds are you won’t ever need it with this top of the line RTT.
Final thoughts on hardshell roof top tents
It’s not easy to find the perfect RTT because your needs are individualistic. To be honest, you shouldn’t stress too much about making the “right” decision or not when picking between models. You’re specific needs change over time and what features were more important to you a few years ago may have completely changed.
My recommendation would be to buy a hardtop with plenty of sleeping space. I go camping with my girlfriend and our dog so a three person tent is plenty comfortable for us. With RTTs, you get what you pay for by having a hardtop tent. The quick and sturdy build of these particular models feel premium and leave buyers satisfied way more times than not.
If you find that you’ve outgrown your old RTT or simply want to upgrade, don’t sweat it. You can find plenty of potential buyers online. Just check your local Facebook, Offerup, and Craigslist listings. This is a toy meant to bring you joy and relaxation, no matter which tent you choose you will be happy to be in the outdoors enjoying fresh air.