The most important thing to check before buying a roof top tent is the weight. First, you want to be sure your roof rack and vehicles roof are rated to hold the weight of you and the tent. You also need to be sure the tent will support the weight limit of you and your companions.
Roof Tops Tents (RTTs) weigh around 100 pounds at the very least, but they can easily range all the way to the 200-pound mark. The style of tent and materials used to build it will drastically change a roof top tents overall weight.
With such a wide range of possible weights, it’s difficult to give a blanket answer. This article will compare different RTT models by weight and also detail which racks and vehicles would be best suited to handle them.
How much does a roof top tent weigh?
A fair and common question to ask is “how much do RTTs weigh?”. There is no blanket statement or one size fits all answer to give back.
Since RTTs can vary so drastically in weight, I have broken them into two categories. One for hardtop RTTs and one for softshells. I have put the categories into two different graphs illustrating tent dimensions, weight, and people capacity.
Hardshell roof top tent weights
| RTT model | Weight | Person Capacity | Dimensions (W x L) | Fits On |
| Roofnest Sparrow | 130 lbs. | 2 | 50″ x 84″ | All vehicle types |
| Skycamp Mini | 125 Ibs. | 2 | 80.7″ x 50.4″ | All vehicle types |
| Tepui Hybox | 155 Ibs. without ladder – 175 Ibs. with ladder | 2 | 51″ x 81″ | All vehicle types |
| Roofnest Sparrow Eye | 130 Ibs. | 2 | 49″ x 83″ | All vehicle types |
| Skycamp 2X | 120 lbs. | 2 | 76″ x 51 | All vehicle types |
| Roost USA Explorer | 163 lbs. | 3 | 57″ x 90.5″ | SUV/Trucks/Trailers |
| Roofnest Eagle | 135 Ibs. | 3 | 55″ x 82″ | SUV/Trucks/Trailers and some sedans |
| Alu-Cab Gen 3 | 194 Ibs. | 3 | 55″ x 90″ | SUV/Trucks/Trailers |
| Roofnest Sparrow XL | 160 lbs. | 3 | 58″ x 86″ | SUV/Trucks/Trailers |
| Skycamp 2.0 | 160 lbs. | 4 | 85.8″ x 82.6″ | SUV/Trucks/Trailers |
The average weight of the 2-person hardshell RTTs was 136 pounds. These tents are rated for all vehicle types assuming you have the proper roof rack to the handle the weight. With smaller sedans it is extremely important to space the racks properly so the weight can be distributed evenly.
Moving onto the 3-person hardtops, the average weight of this group came in at 163 pounds. Not only does this group average a higher weight, but they also have a larger footprint. This is the main consideration for trucks, trailers, and SUVs handling these tents, not sedans nor hatchbacks.
If you’re in need of a tent that can hold more people, but don’t want to upgrade to a bigger car, look at trailers you can tow and attach a RTT to.
The group of hardtops were the 4-person tents. These are much more difficult to find in the industry. The particular example I used, the Skycamp 2.0, is extremely lightweight and spacious at just 160 pounds. iKamper does a fantastic job of minimizing the weight of their tents by using only the best materials. Tents this size should not be used on sedans or hatchbacks.
These general statements should are not perfect in all cases. You should always check the owners manual of your vehicle to ensure that it can handle the weight of a roof rack and RTT.
Soft shell roof top tent weights
| RTT model | Weight | Person Capacity | Dimensions (W x L) | Fits On |
| CVT Mount Bachelor | 98 lbs | 2 | 48″ X 96″ | All vehicle types |
| Tepui Low-Pro 2 | 105 lbs. | 2 | 50 in x 84 in | All vehicle types |
| Tuff Stuff Delta Overland | 116 lbs. | 2+ | 56″ x 96″ | All vehicle types |
| Smittybilt Overlander | 116.5 lbs. | 3 | 95″ x 56″ | All vehicle types |
| CVT Mount Rainer | 145 lbs. | 3+ | 72″ X 96″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
| ARB Series lll Simpson | 154 lbs. | 3 | 55″ x 94.5″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
| Tepui Autana Ruggedized | 195 lbs. | 3+ | 56″ x 122″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
| Smittybilt XL | 168 lbs. | 4 | 122″ x 76″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
| CVT Mount Denali | 172 lbs. | 4+ | 87″ X 96″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
| iKamper X Cover | 125 lbs. | 4 | 91″ x 75″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
| Guana Equipment Wanaka 55″ | 125.5 lbs. | 4 | 56.3″ x 122″ | SUVs/Trucks/Trailers |
Now moving onto the softshell RTTs. The average weight of the 2-person soft tops is just over 106 pounds for the examples used in the chart. These RTTs are safe for all vehicle types and are perfect for couples or a solo. This is just about the lightest possible RTT money can buy. Making it undoubtedly the best option for sedan users not wanting to buy a truck or SUV!
About 152 pounds is the average weight of the 3-person RTTs. This group has a very wide range of weight. It is ill-advised to use a tent of this size on a sedan. Trucks and SUVs can haul these tents without a problem. While weight may not be an issue for a sedan, you should consider the footprint of the tent and how that will affect the drivability of your vehicle.
Last but not least, the softshell 4-person tents weighed an average of 148 pounds. This is slightly lower than the average of the 3-person tents but very similar. Three and four-person RTTs are often comparable in size and weight. These tents should not be put on a sedan, only SUVs and trucks that are rated to handle the weight.
Though weight is one consideration to make, it shouldn’t be the only one. You can find 125 pound 4-person RTTs on the market. Be cognizant of the footprint the tent has and how that will affect your cars weight distribution. The main objective here is to be safe and ensure you will get to your destination time after time.
Do roof top tents have a weight limit
Yes, RTTs do have a weight limit. The general rule of thumb for all RTTs is to allow about 200 pounds per camper. So if you have a 3 person RTT, you can have a maximum of 600 pounds inside the tent. This is standard across almost all RTT manufacturers.
This is just one consideration you should make before installing your RTT. Another measure to look at is your roof racks weight limit. By checking your owner’s manual you can easily see if your rack can handle the weight of you and your RTT.
Some factory-made racks will get the job done, but often times you will have to purchase an additional rack that is rated for this type of use. You need to confirm your vehicle’s dynamic and static weight limit before use.
The dynamic weight limit (DWC) is the weight the roof rack can handle while the vehicle is in motion. So if you’re hauling a 150 pound RTT, the DWC needs to be at least 150 pounds as well, preferably more!
The static weight limit is the measure taken while not in motion, which is much higher because it takes into account the frame of the vehicle. This weight limit considers the requirements of the car, roof rack, and tent all together.
For all of these factors, all you have to do is simply flip through your roof rack and vehicles owner manual to ensure a safe camping trip!
Why do roof top tents weigh so much
For years we have been used to ground tents which usually weigh around ten pounds and are supported by linking plastic sticks. So its fair to question what make roof top tents weigh anywhere from 100-200 pounds.
Many factors add up to make an RTT heavy but the most noticeable one is the shell of the tent itself. The baseboard is usually a couple of inches thick and made up of a lightweight medal. Not only is this durable but it is great for insulation.
Softshell tents are held up by medal beams or arms, while a hardtop is constructed of a thick fiber glass. This is the backbone of the design and uses high quality materials to ensure it can last the test of time.
The canvas used on a ground tent is extremely thin unless you buy a four-season tent. With RTTs, the canvas is made of a special non-rip polyester that is considerably thicker. You would be surprised just how much the material can weigh. If you look to buy a four-season RTT, the canvas may be 40% thicker but the weight of the tent skyrockets from that increase.
Without a ladder into a roof top tent you wouldn’t be able to use it. Most, if not all RTT ladders are made from aluminum. This material is lightweight but also very strong. You can expect a ladder to weigh roughly 20 pounds. The larger four-person RTTs sometimes have two separate ladders adding to the weight of the tent considerably.
The final component of the tent that adds to it weight is the built-in mattress. This is probably the best and most attractive feature about RTTs. The more high quality and comfortable the mattress you buy, the more it will likely weigh. In my opinion, this is completely worth every additional pound.
RTT manufacturers opt for the best materials and avoid cutting corners. They find a happy medium with a lightweight material that is also extremely strong. This will give you the peace of mind that you and your investment are safe for years to come.
Can you reduce the weight of your RTT
There are a few things you can do to reduce the weight of your RTT. For whatever reason you may have to do so, it is pretty simple to cut the extra “fat”.
Most RTTs have a removable ladder. As discussed in the previous section, they weigh around 20 pounds. If you can dismount your ladder, it can simply fit in the trunk of your vehicle. The ladder is usually equipped by just a couple of mounting brackets and shouldn’t require and tools.
Removing the bedding in a RTT should be done every month or so just to clean the inside of your tent. I even wrote an article on that exact subject if you want to learn more about cleaning and leaving your bedding in your RTT. The mattresses can usually fold in half. So if you have room in your vehicle you can toss it in their to loss the weight.
Other than that, I would just recommend looking at specs of RTTs and shopping for the lightest tent you can find. One thing to note, is that these lightweight materials will cost you more money. If you look at any of iKamper’s RTTs, you will notice how light they are in weight, but also how pricey they can get.
The most obvious answer to this question would be to just buy a smaller tent. As shown in the graphs above, unless you’re willing to fork over the money for a top of the line RTT, bigger tents just weigh more.
Can a roof top tent be mounted on any car
In short, yes they can! But not all RTTs can be mounted on all vehicle types. Many factors play into whether or not a car is fit to handle a certain RTT.
Weight of the RTT, its dimensions, your vehicle’s static weight limit, and the roof racks DWC are just some of the factors to account for. Just because a sedan can be used to camp with a 100 pound, 2-person RTT, doesn’t mean it is capable of a three or four-person tent being used also.
As long as you check the manuals for all of the products and do your proper research, you will be safe and have the right fit for your vehicle. I wrote an entire RTT Drivers Guide article which goes into further depth and detail about which cars work, how fast you can drive with one, and much more!
Do you need a mounting rack
Yes, you need to purchase a mounting rack for your RTT. This is a purchase you don’t want to skimp on.
You should buy a roof rack that is meant to handle a RTT and has cross bars. Depending on if you need to haul other equipment or care height of the rack (low profile), the cost can range from a few hundred dollars up to about $1,000.
Once you have your roof rack equipped to your vehicle, the installation of the RTT is simple. The tent will come with four mounting brackets and a couple of bolts/nuts for each bracket. From there, you simply put the tent on your roof and fasten it to the rack.
This process can become tedious and some RTT brands offer quick-release mounting brackets which are a game-changer if you find yourself constantly taking your RTT on and off.
A solid roof rack will guarantee it can handle the weight of you and your RTT. A nightmare would be your RTT falling off when off-roading or driving down the highway. That is why you should buy a roof rack that is plenty strong for any RTT.
Wrap up
Some RTTs weigh more than others because of size, materials, and design. These factors all play a role in the functionality of the tent itself. Just because a RTT weighs more does not mean it is due to higher quality. Oftentimes, the more lightweight tents use more lightweight and costly materials.
By checking your vehicle and roof racks owners manual, you can be confident the RTT will be secure. While roof racks are an additional cost that is pricey, you don’t want to be cheap with this purchase. So before buying any RTT, you can now be confident that your tent and roof rack will accommodate the weight!