The most popular time for people to go camping is during the Summer. The one downside is how hot it can get inside your roof top tent, or any tent for that matter! Sometimes it can get even hotter in your tent than it is outside.
That’s why I found it would be helpful to give my recommendations for roof top tents that have the best features equipped to handle hot weather. My picks are the James Baroud Grand Raid, the Skycamp 2X, Bundutec’s Bundutop, and the Alu-Cab Gen 3.
I will go into more detail for each RTT and show you the exact reasons why I picked them as the best options for summer use!
As someone that was born and raised in Las Vegas, I know a thing or two about hot weather and how it feels to camp in it. I wish I had known then what I know now! But enough about me, let’s get into my favorite roof top tents for handling summer heat!
Best hot weather features
- Fabric. There are a couple of specific things to look for in a RTT’s fabric. First, it needs to be breathable, such as a Poly-Cotton canvas. Avoid buying a tent that has a vinyl coating as this restricts its ability to breathe. Next, if the fabric has some level of insulation built into it, your tent will be able to stay cooler.
- Windows/Doors. The more windows and doors you have on your RTT, the more breeze you can let in to cool you down. Some RTTs only have two, while some have four or more!
- Mesh netting. The more mesh netting you have in the tent the more windows you can open up and not have to worry about bugs!
- Ventilation. Some models have built-in fans to circulate the air inside the RTT.
- Solar reflectance. This is the amount of solar energy that is reflected away from an object and sent back into the atmosphere. The higher this metric is, the cooler the object will stay.
- UV protection. It is important that the fabric of the tent is UV resistant. This will help keep your tent cool and protected from wear and tear by sitting in the sun.
Hot weather RTT recommendations:
James Baroud Grand Raid
My first recommendation would be the James Baroud Grand Raid. This tent comes in at $4,399.95. This particular model is James Baroud’s flagship model, which has enough room to sleep three adults.
My favorite feature the Grand Raid has is the solar-powered ventilation system for extreme climates. This electric-powered ventilation fan is fully waterproof and will run for 24 hours straight off of one charge. This will keep you cool on those scorching hot summer days! There are also additional air vents that have dust filters on both sides of the tent to provide optimal circulation of air when the tent is shut.
The tent is fitted with 360-degree panoramic windows, which have mesh netting and allow for air to flow throughout the tent. The mattress is extremely comfortable since it is three inches of high-density, moisture-resistant foam.
The fabric is waterproof, breathable, UV-resistant, and solar-reflective. The two key points here are UV-resistant and solar-reflective. Not only will your tent stand up to the brutal wear and tear brought by UV rays, but it will also reflect them making your tent much cooler. The last thing you would want is a RTT that absorbs UV rays and invites heat.
This tent is not cheap, but you get what you pay for! You won’t find another tent with built-in air ventilation included. Just as important, you have windows spanning 360 degrees around the tent and have a shell that can reflect UV rays. I really don’t know what else you could want in a RTT for hot weather use!
Bundutec Bundutop
This RTT screams durable and luxurious at first glance. The Bunutop is a prime candidate for summer camping due to its quality materials. With that said, this fully aluminum hardshell RTT starts at $3,975.
A feature that is great for winter camping is the inner 12V fan. There’s no better way to stay cool in the summer and this add on costs just $100. And no, it’s not just a fan clipped onto the roof. It is seamlessly integrated and can be wired to a solar panel!
You can also buy an added annex room with a specially made reflective roof to help repel the sun. I haven’t seen another product like this and it shows how creative this long-time company is.
This tent is also very capable of having a solar panel installed on it. The newer models even have the wiring pre-done, so all you have to do is attach a solar panel and then you have electrical ports in your RTT. The aluminum shell itself is a raw sheet of metal to maximize its heat reflection, which is one of the major factors you can get a cool night’s sleep in the Bundutop.
Another very unique feature this RTT has is the fully automated opening with the simple press of a button. There are four massive windows that can stay open at all times because the canvas is on the outside and the mesh is on the inside. This is perfect keeping your tent ventilated, even in tough weather.
You just don’t see many RTT brands boast about the tents ability to handle extremely hot weather. This particular model, the Bundutop is very unique in so many ways. There are plenty of great features I left out for the sake of time. While this is a pricey pick, it is one of the most premium RTTs in the world. I love these features, especially for summer camping.
Skycamp 2X iKamper
I love iKamper tents because they’re extremely high-quality, durable, and comfortable. I chose the Skycamp 2X model specifically because it accommodates two campers, which seems to be one of their more popular models, and it costs a relatively low $3,199.
However, the Skycamp Mini and Skycamp 2.0 have the same specs, just different sizing and a foldable component to their designs. So if you prefer one model over another, you can still get all of the great features I will be highlighting.
One of the best features for summer use an iKamper RTT offers is the breathable and water-resistant poly-cotton canvas. Most tents have a vinyl coating which makes it less breathable, but not with the iKamper. The thick and waterproof fabric is actually great for hot temperatures.
Another thing I like about iKamper’s specifically for summer use is the canopy windows. Each window has three components, a see-through vinyl window, a mesh cover, and a polyester layer on the outside. The outermost polyester layer can be rolled up, or used as a canopy to provide a shaded area.
The entrance to the tent is also covered by a canopy. Great for extreme weather but also keeping the sun off the entrance of your tent can prevent extra heat from coming in.
The shell is made of double-layered fiberglass construction with an inch of air insulation between each layer. I would recommend pointing the shell in the direction of the sun so it can take in most of the UV rays while helping keep your tent cool.
The mattress is made of memory foam and is extremely comfortable. Overall, I haven’t met or read about a camper that didn’t love their iKamper. Even as I read through the reviews for the tent, one person mentioned how well it worked as they camped and drove through Death Valley! If you’re not familiar with this area, it is a desert valley in California in the United States, and its all-time record temperature is 134°F (57°C) !
Alu-Cab Gen 3
The Alu-Cab Gen 3 is one of the absolute best RTTs on the market no matter what you need it to accomplish. The Gen 3 is made by a South African based company and after decades of being a leader in the market, they have made this amazing RTT for $4,099.
The best feature this RTT has for summer campers is undoubtably the option solar panels which can be easily integrated. Depending on the number of watts and the electrical kit you need, the cost can range from $500-$1000. I think it is well worth the cost since you can purchase this add-on directly from Alu-Cab.
The Gen 3 also has USB ports and a 12-volt plugin so you can direct power directly into your tent! This would be awesome for powering fans, cooling units, or any other accessories you use during your adventures. During the summer, your tent will stay powered up at all times with no effort needed on your end!
There are three massive windows and the entrance has a canopy for extra cover. The Gen 3’s fabric is dual-layered for better insulation. Alu-Cab built this RTT with the best insulation so it can withstand the brutal African heat. The roof and base are both generously insulated with a closed-cell foam lining which offers optimal insulation for every season.
This tent is ideal for any time of the year but especially summer because it was developed to handle the extreme heats in Africa. The fully aluminum body and double-layered canvas are so durable I wouldn’t imagine needing to buy another RTT after this one!
Adding A/C to your RTT
If you aren’t looking to buy a completely new tent at the moment, the best option is to find solutions other than a simple fan.
The best thing you can do is add an air conditioning unit to your camping set up! This option is much much cheaper than a brand new RTT. The main cost is A/C unit itself, which you can get as low as $250.
You really don’t have to make a super fancy setup, rather just have a hose that runs up to your RTT and provides you with cool air. I made a separate article on this exact dilemma. It will take you through a simple step by step guide to properly cooling your tent with helpful videos and required materials. Click here to read more!
Tips for hot weather camping
- Remove rain fly
- Fan
- Take advantage of the wind
- Look for a spot under trees
- Awning or annex add ons for more shade
- Bring a ton of water and stay hydrated
Conclusion
There are a handful of features to look for in a roof top tent so you will be comfortable when camping in hot weather. I believe some to be far more important than others, such as built-in fans and the tent’s ability to reflect UV rays.
While it may be pricey to be truly comfortable during summer camping, you know it is well worth the cost if you’re in some extremely hot conditions.
RTTs are so different and provide many more luxuries than any ground tent could. I hope you found my recommendations worth your time and helped point you in the right direction for buying the perfect RTT for those scorching camping trips.