6 Best Large Rooftop Tents (That Just Work!)

For families that love to get out into the world and camp just about anywhere, a large rooftop tent can be a great solution.

There are lots of things to consider when looking for a large rooftop tent, including how much you’re willing to spend, how often you’ll be camping, and whether or not you want an annex. You’ll also need to decide whether or not you’ll need a hard shell tent.

We’ve compiled a list of the 6 best large rooftop tents to help you make an informed decision. It won’t be long before you’re sleeping under the stars with your family!

Online Roof-Top Tent Stores:

Here are some of the most popular online stores to buy roof-top tents:

Stores	Price range	Models	Visit
iKamper	$$-$$$	4	Visit here
Thule	$-$$$	7	Visit here
CampSaver	$-$$$	24	Visit here
RoofNest	$$-$$$	7	Visit here

1. iKamper Skycamp 2.0 (Our Top Pick)

Our top pick for a large rooftop tent is the newly improved version of the best-selling iKamper Skycamp.

This large rooftop tent has a lightweight and aerodynamic design that makes it easier on your gas mileage and cuts down on noise when driving. The Skycamp 2.0 looks pretty cool, too, and you’ll be able to customize colors to fit your style.

There’s plenty of room for the whole family in the Skycamp 2.0, and 4 people should be able to sleep comfortably on the 1.8-inch thick polyfoam king size mattress. Plus, there’s an attractive world map graphic on an inside wall that adds a decorative touch.

This large rooftop tent is built to be tough and durable and features breathable poly-cotton canvas tent fabric, a waterproof polyester rainfly, and insulating honeycomb panels for the flooring.

The hardshell case is built tough, and customers love that it features locking straps to keep the tent safe.

It’s pretty hard to find negative reviews of the Skycamp 2.0, but some customers have complained that the tent off-gasses pretty badly when new.

Also, iKamper doesn’t recommend driving over 70 miles-per-hour with the Skycamp 2.0 installed.

Check out the iKamper Skycamp 2.0 here for more details!

2.Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 3+Annex (Our Budget Pick)

The Explorer Autana 3 is one of Thule’s most popular rooftop tents, and for a good reason.

Although this particular model only sleeps 3, it’s still a good size for families or couples traveling with their dog.

There’s plenty of airflow in this large rooftop tent with 4 mesh-covered side panels and 2 mesh-covered roof panels. The Autana 3 is built to be tough and durable, and good for all weather conditions.

4 large pockets and 2 ceiling pockets provide plenty of storage in the gear loft, but what’s really cool about this large rooftop tent is the inclusion of a removable annex. Although some customers have experienced some leakage issues with the annex, it’s an awesome addition that provides extra space when camping.

The Autana 3 weighs just 152 pounds and comes with a telescoping ladder and a built-in high-density foam mattress. The tent is built to last with UV and mold-resistant construction, making it an excellent budget choice for a large rooftop tent.

Click here to buy the Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 3+Annex!

3. Roofnest Condor XL

The Roofnest Condor XL is the company’s largest rooftop tent and sleeps up to 4 people comfortably.

This is a fold-out tent housed in an aerodynamic hard shell that can accommodate a solar panel and extra storage.

The Condor XL measures just 55 inches by 75 inches when closed, but when the tent is open, there’s plenty of room for the whole family, including 50 inches of headroom.

Although the Condor XL is fairly easy to set up, it’s a little more complicated than other large rooftop tents on our list, and some customers have complained that the process of folding out the attached ladder and awning poles can take a while.

The tent is really durable and well-constructed. The material poly-cotton material used for the tent has a 3000mm waterproof rating, which means you’re never going to have to worry about the rain when you’re camping.

Customers love the skylight, which is perfect for bedtime stargazing, and there are plenty of mesh-zip windows to provide ventilation on warm nights.

The Roofnest Condor XL comes with a built-in mattress with a waterproof cover designed to feel like a residential mattress, although some customers have complained that the mattress feels a bit too thin.

Click here to find out more about the Roofnest Condor XL!

4. iKamper X-Cover

The second iKamper large rooftop tent on our list is the X-Cover, which features a patented design that eliminates the need for a bulky PVC cover.

Weighing in at just 120 pounds, this lightweight rooftop tent can be ready to go in just 3 minutes. There’s room for 4 people to sleep comfortably in this family-friendly rooftop tent on a king-size mattress.

It should be noted, though, that some customers have complained about the mattress is on the thin side and that the hinges can push through.

The tent is constructed using breathable poly-cotton material, and then floor panels are made from durable and insulating honeycomb aluminum.

One of the most popular features of the iKamper X-Cover is the addition of 2 extra crossbars rated to carry 50kg of extra gear. This means you’ll be able to bring along the kayaks, bikes, or whatever else you’ll need.

You can purchase the iKamper X-Cover by clicking here!

5. Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 4+Annex

Next on our list of the best large rooftop tents is another Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana.

This model sleeps 4 people and has been designed as the go-to rooftop tent for those who want to camp out deep in the woods at any time of year.

The Autana 4 tent is made from reinforced poly-cotton ripstop fabric. The double-stitched seams, heavy-duty hinges, and heavy gauge internal frame all provide a rooftop tent that will keep you safe and dry in the worst weather conditions.

This awesome large rooftop tent comes with a detachable, fully enclosed annex vestibule that provides an awesome extra storage room. This could also be a great place for the dogs to sleep!

When it’s time to turn in for the night, there’s a high-density foam mattress to sleep on, with an anti-condensation mat underneath.

Although most reviews of the Explorer Autana 4 are positive, some customers have complained that the annex can be difficult to attach and can sometimes leak in heavy rain.

Click here to find out more about the Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 4+Annex!

6. Roofnest Sparrow XL

The Roofnest Sparrow XL is another awesome large rooftop tent that employs a hard shell popup design.

This aerodynamic shell uses reinforced fiberglass and cuts down road noise when driving, and improving fuel consumption.

The shell also has a solar panel mounting area and a built-in gear storage compartment. A bonus that customers love is the ability to store all bedding in the tent while it’s folded down, which makes it ideal for families on the move!

This large rooftop tent weighs only 145 pounds and provides 40 inches of headroom. Customers who have purchased the Roofnest Sparrow XL love the quick and easy setup time and the fact that all hardware necessary for installation is included. 

There are 3 large doors and plenty of windows, and a cool feature is the availability of ladder mounts on all sides of the tent. However, some customers complain that the ladder impedes access to a vehicle door, no matter which position it’s mounted in.

The Sparrow XL comes with a 7.5-foot ladder, an anti-condensation mat, and a comfortable mattress. There are also mesh screens on all doors and windows. 

The tent is constructed using thick and burly material designed to be used in all weather conditions, including high wind.

You can find out more about the Rooftop Nest XL by clicking here!

How Much Should You REALLY Pay for a Large Rooftop Tent?

How much you should really pay for a large rooftop tent depends on the features you want and how many people will be sleeping in a tent.

Another consideration is whether or not you want a hard shell for the rooftop tent.

Although the addition of a hard shell can drastically alter the price, it does mean that you’ll have a rooftop tent that’s more secure and usually more aerodynamic. Plus, you’ll get better mileage from your vehicle.

All of the large rooftop tents on our list offer similar features, and if you only need to sleep 3 people, the Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 3+Annex, our budget pick, could definitely be the way to go.

However, you can have a rooftop tent that will offer more comfort for a larger group for not too much more money.

Model	Sleeps	Price
iKamper Skycamp 2.0	3-4	$3,899.00
Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 3+Annex	3	$2,149.95
Roofnest Condor XL	3-4	$3,195.00
iKamper X-Cover	3-4	$3,199.00
Thule x Tepui Explorer Autana 4+Annex	3-4	$2,549.95
Roofnest Sparrow XL	3	$3,095.00

Sources:

Rooftoptrekkers.com