Discover here which types of vehicles are best suited for a roof top tent, including those with a roof rack or crossbars, and see some excellent examples of roof top tents.
Quite generally, roof top tents work with practically all roof types, and the only exception is a bare roof without rails or tracks, and a glass roof. There are plenty of options on the market, and you can always find a roof top tent that will fit your car.
The picture below is from iKamper brand, and it illustrates what I said above. This brand has roof top tents that fit a variety of cars shown here. So what you see in the picture are ordinary compact cars, SUVs, and truck cars.
There are some technical aspects to consider before you actually buy your roof top tent. But the point is that it is almost always possible to find one, no matter what kind of vehicle you have.
Roof top tents for small cars
It may be more difficult to find a roof top tent for very small cars. Though even here you have plenty of options, here are some.
Compact car option: iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini
This is a clamshell type expandable hard shell roof top shelter, and they claim it will fit SUVs, compact cars, and trucks. It is quite lightweight with its 125 lb (57 kg), yet it has plenty of space for two users.
Note also that here you can store all your bedding and transport it inside together with the included mattress and ladder. The picture below shows how it looks on a standard car. As you realize it is quite compact, low profile and aerodynamic.
The box in the picture is quite small, all the dimensions when closed and when open for sleeping are shown in the picture below. It shows it on a SUV vehicle but this is not important here.
This iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini is availabe at iKamper. Note that the word Mini in the name implies that this is a smaller out of two options they have. The other is just without the word Minin in the name and it is large enough for 4 people.
GT Roof 2 Person Roof Top Tent
This is a tent from GentleTent brand, hence the letters GT in the name. It is interesting that this is an inflatable roof top tent. If you follow this industry, you probably know that they are a bit rare. Observe how small the car is compared to the tent itself.
The picture above shows that this roof top tent offers even an awning so you have a dry entry. You can get into car and into the tent while being protected from the rain. But when it is packed, this roof top tent reduces to a very small box on the roof, see the picture on another car:
But see a bit more about this interesting shelter. They claim this is the world’s first inflatable roof top tent. It is incredibly light, only 55 pounds (25 kg).
It is very easy to use, you can have it ready within 10 minutes by using the included pump. Here are a few parameters:
- External dimensions: 130 x 59 in (330 x 150 cm).
- Base platform: 86.6 x 55.1 in (220 x 140 cm).
- Interior height: 51.2 in (130 cm).
- Packed size: 39.4 x 39.4 x 5.9 in (100 x 100 x 15 cm).
This roof top tent is available at GT Australia.
How about SUVs and truck cars?
You have seen already in the description of the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini that it fits anywhere. This holds for most of the roof tents on the market.
If they fit on such small cars, you will be able to use them on other types of vehicles as well. You have plenty of options shown here in the site within the category Roof Top Tents.
For a pickup truck bed you will need a bed rack or cross bars to mount the tent. So make sure you check tents’ dimensions and follow mounting instructions.
In the video below you can see several different models from iKamper used on different cars, please have a look:
What kind of cross bars or rack is needed?
As discussed in my another text about car requirements, it is important to check your vehicle’s manual so that you know the roof’s weight limit.
Roof top tents manufacturers normally suggest the roof/bed rack or cross bars dynamic weight load capacity. For example, iKamper suggests at least 165 lbs (75 kg) for the Skycamp 2.0, and 125 lbs (57 kg) or more for their Skycamp 2X, Skycamp Mini, and the X-Cover.
The same brand requests that crossbars should be at least 30 inches (76 cm) apart front to back, and with a maximum distance of 60 inches (150 cm).
But no need to memorize all these numbers, you will need them when you decide about your desired roof top tent. After that check the numbers and compare with what your car supports.
Summary
In conclusion, the question about the car needed for a roof top tent should not be discussed separately from the roof top tent. Assuming that you already have a car, check what kind of roof you have, and see if it is physically possible to have anything on the roof.
Most likely you have something. If so, then check the car specifications and start your search for an appropriate roof top tent. There are such shelters for practically any type of vehicle.
Thank you for reading. For more texts of this type just search around in the site. You will find them many. Check out my text about attaching a roof top tent to a vehicle.
Bookmark this site and keep a reference, this will keep you informed as you will always have new texts added here.
Hi, I am Jovo, the founder of this Off-Ground Tents site and several other outdoor sites. I have been mountaineering for almost 40 years already, and I have created this site to use as a reference for various types of above ground tents.