Camping is the perfect hobby for finding solitude and spending quality time with your loved ones. Roof top tents (RTTs) have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. With good reason too, they are convenient, durable, and comfortable.
Finding the perfect RTT takes a lot of time and research. When you’re a family of three or four, your options become even more limited. Not to mention, trying to choose and identify added features that will be a game changer for the whole family.
That being said, there a plenty of great RTTs the whole family can enjoy. Let’s dive into what those options are!
1. iKamper Skycamp 2.0
This is an all-around amazing tent. It is one of the rare four-person RTTs you will find on the market. Skycamp’s unique design brilliantly unites the foldable and hardshell styles.
The tent comes with a cushy king-sized mattress that takes less than 60 seconds to setup! The effortless set up is assisted by gas struts that require a light push upward to pop the tent open. Then you simply pull the ladder towards you to fully extend the sleeping area.
This tent is also great for families because Skycamp offers so many RTT accessories. One of my favorites being the iKamper Movie Stand. An excellent entertainment option for kids and adults alike!
This is a truly special RTT that allows you to upgrade many features.
2. CVT Mount Denali
CVT’s Mount Denali is a softshell tent that comes in at a very reasonable price. CVT is a reputable brand that offers a variety of colors and models to fit each person’s preference.
A cool feature on this XL sized tent is the two in one ability. It has the option to split the tent into two separate bedrooms, each having its own door, ladder, and sleeping area. I could see this being useful for early risers, friends, or families with older kids!
The various editions offered can improve the tent dramatically. The pioneer edition is the base model and would suffice for many users. It comes with a comfortable 3″ mattress, insulated floor, and aluminum sliding ladder. This model is lightweight, durable, and sets the standard for RTTs.
For $600 you can upgrade to the Summit edition which comes with upgraded fabric, floor insulation, rainfly, and ladder. Along with some additional luxuries such as USB ports, LED lighting, shoe bags, water-proof cover, and an anti-condensation mat! That’s a mouth full, but a whole lot of value comes with that upgrade!
The additional upgrades offered by CVT are very attractive. This is a sure-fire way to extend your camping season while being cost-effective with the bundled accessories.
3. Tepui Explorer Series Autana 4
This high-quality tent made by Tepui is the largest in its fleet of RTTs. It measures in with a 6ft x 8ft sleeping area, plenty of room for the whole family.
This tent has a very modest price point and even comes with an annex, a must-have in my eyes. On top of that, this tent is rated for four seasons. No need to worry if this tent can handle cold weather.
A great feature for the kids is the two built-in screened sky panels which allow you to easily view the stars and surrounding trees. Lastly, you can choose between three different colors; tan, olive green, and Siberian camo.
Tepui is a great brand in the RTT market and this beast will provide comfort for all families! Check out the Tepui website for more details.
4. Smittybilt Overlander XL (model 2883)
If you’re looking to get the best value out of a tent, this is the one! This RTT is by far the most cost-effective one in its class.
I know you’re probably thinking to yourself, “well yea, it’s probably cheap”. That’s not the case! Smittybilt is a well known jeep accessory brand that has been in business for over 50 years. They are known for innovation and quality products within their space.
Smittybilt’s Overlander XL has all of the specs you would come to expect. It is very comfortable and built with a strong framework. Mosquito nets, waterproof fabric, and a sturdy telescoping aluminum ladder. A nice little add-on is the LED strip inside the tent too.
If I was a first time buyer, this would be my go to choice. It strips down the bells and whistles, while delivering a great XL sized RTT.
5. Tuff Stuff Alpha
Another hybrid design combining both a hardshell and foldable component to the tent for an optimal layout. This tent can be quickly setup in under two minutes with the assistance of its hydraulic mechanism.
The Alpha comfortably sleeps four people for a good night’s sleep. It also comes in black, white, and gray color schemes. This tent brings a large sleeping area to the table while also maintaining the sleek design you would expect from a hardshell RTT.
As a bonus, it is much more forgiving on the wallet compared to the iKamper Skycamp, which is priced around $2,000 higher than the Tuff Stuff Alpha model! You will be hard pressed to find a similar design such as this one at a competitive price point.
6. Tepui Ruggedized Series Kukenam 4
Another Tepui RTT that is well deserving to be on this list is the Tepui Ruggedized Series Kukenam 4.
The reason I have placed it below the Tepui Autana 4 is for a couple of reasons. The first being that that Autana is the largest tent in Tepui’s fleet. Second, it comes with a annex attachment which is great for storage, privacy, or even an extra sleeping area.
However, this doesn’t take away the fact that the Kukenam 4 isn’t a great tent. It offers a more symmetrical design while still accommodating all four family members. It is rated for all seasons since it is equipped with an anti-condensation mat, a diamond plate base, and a thicker fabric which is 40% heavier than other models.
All of these added features for just $100 more is quite the deal. This model provides comfort and the assurance you need to extend your camping season!
7. iKamper X Cover
iKamper has extremely innovative designs that make for great multipurpose tents. The X Cover is a foldable tent that requires no cover. Due to their patented design, you simply fold the tent up and go. You can even attach a rack to the top of the tent to carry skis, bikes, paddleboards and more.
This tent takes roughly three minutes to put together but eliminates that bulky PVC cover. It is also very lightweight at just 120 Ibs.
iKamper consistently delivers a premium product time and time again. If you’re willing to pay the extra money, this tent offers unique features you can’t find anywhere else.
8. Tuff Stuff Elite Overland
This Tuff Stuff tent is an absolute monster! I believe this is the best option for bigger families that want a RTT, but wouldn’t want to buy two of them.
The Elite Overland can fit four or five people inside the tent itself. Furthormore, it has the ability to pack in four more people in the lower room of its spacious annex. This thing is huge!
Touching on privacy, you can zip up a removable split wall to separate the two bedrooms. Each room having their own ladder and entrance.
It also weighs a hefty 288 pounds. You will need some strong hands to assist you with the setup and mounting of this tent there is no question about it.
For large families and friend groups, you won’t find a better RTT to squeeze everyone into!
9. FSR High Country 80″
This RTT will hold up to even the strongest rain, snow and wind. Its triple layer technology offers better protection from the elements and the inner layer helps with insulation, great for those cold nights.
The FSR High Country has a patented design allowing you to open and close the tent in less than a minute! The video below demonstrates the speed in which you can set this tent up.
It sleeps up to 5 adults comfortably and can even fit two adults and three children. The tent isn’t overly heavy either, weighing in at 178 pounds. To top it all off, it is equipped with a night light inside the tent which is nice for the little ones.
10. Guana Equipment Wanaka 64″
The Guana comes in at the bottom of the list because it’s really a three person tent. However, you can upgrade to an XL annex attachment for just $60 more.
I really like that the tent comes with an anti-condensation mat, far more useful than many realize. You can also buying an awning attachment which will provide a covered area to escape from the sun or rain.
You can’t go wrong with this pick. If you don’t mind sleeping on the ground in the annex, this tent provides a ton of space and flexibility overall.
RTT features to consider for the family
- Weight. The bigger the RTT the heavier it’s going to get. Consider how often you will need to take it off. Will you have plenty of helping hands to assist you every time?
- Vehicle type. Since four person RTTs area heavier, be sure your vehicle and the roof can handle the stress. Check your owner’s manual for both products just to be safe.
- Accessories. Some RTT brands have a huge selection of add ons and attachments. Lighting, annex, awning, movie, etc. All of these can rapidly improve your camping experience with the whole family.
- Space. The more obvious feature to concern yourself with is space. If a RTT is rated for 3-4, lean towards the one with 4 exactly. This will give you plenty of room. You should compare measurement between the tents you’re interested in so you don’t get duped.
- Privacy. As a family, privacy comes at a premium. Siblings or parents may need their space sometimes. A tent that divides into two bedrooms will be a game changer. Even an annex will add another sleeping area, and a place to change comfortably.
- Comfort. Some RTT mattresses are just better than others. When you narrow down your choices, look at the mattress thickness and material of which it is made. Granted you can always upgrade the bedding. I wrote another article on that exact topic, click here for more!
- Seasonality. Most tents are rated for three season use. If you plan on using it for winter sports or hunting during colder weather, take into account the tents fabric quality.
- Setup time. An often overlooked consideration is how long it will take to set it up. For some families, you want to get the tent up ASAP. Many tent manufacturers will list the time it takes to set one up. If not, look to Youtube for an example.
- Compatibility. If you buy a roof rack and RTT together you can almost guarantee some cool add ons you can buy. Whether it be a lock system for your rack or a quick release mounting system, brands matter here.
- Quite ride. Softshell RTTs can be loud when you’re on the road because the cover flaps in the wind. For a more quiet, smooth, and overall safe ride, look at hardshell tents. The aerodynamic design reduces drag on the road.
RTT safety for kids
Overall, RTTs are safe for kids if used properly. There are some additional steps you should take to ensure no accidents happen when enjoying a nice camping trip!
Ladder Safety
One of the biggest hazards for kids and a RTT is using the ladder. You should properly secure and test the ladder before allowing the kids to use it.
You should supervise the kids use and if they are younger than ten years old, it would be wise to stand behind them when in use. Teach them how to properly use a ladder.
The Occupation Health and Safety Administration lists exactly how to use a ladder safely. Mainly, the fact that you should maintain three-point contact on the ladder at all times. Some of the tips in here won’t apply to RTT ladders, but for the most part it is very helpful. They even have some illustrations if you’re kids are more visual learners.
Secure Doors/Windows
RTTs are often six or more feet off the ground. Avoid any accidents by leaving the mesh netting up. Many tents have mosquito netting, this is a great way to still enjoy the view and keep airflow throughout the tent while having peace of mind.
Lighting
It is really cheap to buy extra lights to put around the tent and campsite. Hang them on and inside your tent to ensure lighting is adequate. Some tents have special LED lighting installed in them and they are super bright.
The more important area to have lighting is on the ladder. You can buy a couple of Tepui’s Unilight and place a few around the whole tent. This item is priced fairly well and durability is not an issue.
Wrap up
In closing, RTTs are safe for the family as long as you’re smart about it. Take a few extra precautions, educate the kids, and everything will be okay.
Camping is a truly special time to bond with family and friends. RTTs offer a unique way to do that and every family should be able to enjoy themselves using one.
Now that you’re more informed, get out there and enjoy that fresh air!