Jeeps have long been a top choice for adventurous individuals, with their off-road capability, rugged toughness, and affordable price tag. Most Jeep models can easily be paired with roof top tents (RTTs) to create the ultimate overland camping rig.
So, in this article we’ll take a look at the seven best roof top tents for Jeeps and hear from some current Jeep/RTT owners.
The 7 best roof top tents for Jeep owners:
1. Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha
Website: tuffstuff4x4.com
To get an idea of the best RTTs available for Jeeps, I spoke with Antonio (@derty_offroad featured photo top of post), who is a long-time Jeep, overland, and off-road enthusiast. He has a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S and a Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha RTT. I asked how he chose this vehicle and RTT combo over all others, and Antonio replied:
“Choosing to own a Jeep is an easy decision. It’s probably one of the most capable vehicles off the show lot. In addition to that, the aftermarket modifications you can add to a Jeep are almost endless. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, there is someone out there willing to make it.
Lastly, the community that comes with a Jeep is literally a second family. I have made so many close friends through Jeep events, meet and greets, and just bumping into them on the trail.
Choosing a roof top tent to add to my Jeep came down to several factors for me. First, the best bang for your buck. I first owned a soft shell RTT (Ranger by Tuff Stuff Overland). I chose this tent because it met the size I needed, sleeping 3 people, it came with an annex room for no additional cost, and it was a few hundred dollars cheaper than most tents at the time without a sacrifice to the build quality…
“After owning my soft shell for 2 years, I found myself wanting to upgrade to a hard shell for the ease of setup and takedown, specifically not having to deal with taking on and off the cover. After doing that a few times in the rain, snow, and mud, it just got old.”
…That’s where the Alpha from Tuff Stuff Overland came into my build. Again a hard shell tent, with great quality for a fraction of the price of its competitors. The rest has been history.”
Next I asked Antonio to share some pros and cons specifically of his Alpha RTT, and here’s what he had to say:
“Setup and takedown are seamless, taking only 2-5 minutes both ways. There’s no bulky cover to store or fight to get on and off. The second pro is it’s huge! Sleeping 4+ people, having the extra room just adds to the comfort level when off the grid. Lastly, the outer shell has held up to the test.
I have dragged it through the pines up north, the mesquite and palo verde in the desert, and the constant abuse from the Arizona sun. Aside from a few pinstripes, it’s been flawless.
I can only find 2 cons of my RTT, the first being the side windows do not have rain flys. One of our favorite things to do on a rainy day is open the windows and let the fresh air in while listening to the rain hit the canvas, but without the rain flys, we have to keep the windows closed.
The second con is that the Alpha sits at 15 inches tall. This is about 3 inches taller than its competitors. While not a huge issue, it has come into contact with tree branches and the occasional drive-thru warning poles a few times.”
This particular RTT checks a lot of boxes in that it is a hard shell tent that sleeps 4 people and it fits onto the ever-popular Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which puts it at the top of our list today.
2. Freespirit Recreation 55” Adventure Series Premium
Website: gofsr.com
I also spoke with Jeep owner and camping enthusiast Nicole (@nicolelivering), who has a Freespirit Recreation 55” Adventure Series Premium RTT on her 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I asked her how she decided on this vehicle and RTT combo, and here’s what she told me:
“Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to build a Jeep, so once I found the right deal I finally made that dream a reality in 2018. I purchased my rig stock and have built it from the ground up…
“As far as my RTT goes, I love driving long distances out to remote places with my Jeep so the need for an RTT was a no-brainer for me! I chose the 55” Adventure Series Premium from Freespirit Recreation because of its durability, comfort, and ease of setup. Even in the rain, wind, and snow this tent has kept me cozy, dry, and has always given me a great night’s sleep.”
And, of course, I asked her about the pros and cons of this tent:
“I would highly recommend any of Freespirit Recreation’s (aka FSR) tents to anyone looking for a great RTT! My 55” Adventure Series Premium RTT sets up and disassembles in seconds, making it extremely convenient to set up camp with. The special tri-layer technology built into this premium tent holds in heat in extremely cold weather but is still comfortable and breathable on a warm summer night.
This tent is also very spacious, I am 5’11” and my boyfriend is 6’5” and we sleep comfortably in it. As far as cons go, I don’t have any for this tent! It has been everything I have ever needed out of an RTT and more.”
This soft shell tent also gives you amazing panoramic views of your surroundings, with screened windows and doors on every side.
3. Smittybilt Overlander
Website: smittybilt.com
Smittybilt has essentially specialized in Jeep accessories, which makes their Overlander RTT perfectly suited for use with a Jeep. The soft shell tent comes in two sizes (standard and XL, which can both fit comfortably on a Jeep), and includes a high-density foam mattress, a sunroof, screened side windows, a heavy-duty rainfly, LED lighting inside, and an exterior shoe storage bag.
You can also opt to add the Overlander Annex, which attaches to the tent with heavy-duty zippers and provides an extra room that can be used for changing, cooking, or even for sleeping more people. An inner door flap allows you to easily access your vehicle without having to leave the tent.
4. CVT Mount Bachelor
Website: cascadiatents.com
The Mount Bachelor soft shell RTT from Cascadia Vehicle Tents has a super small footprint, which means it can fit even on your two-door Jeep. This tent is designed to sleep two people and weighs just 98 pounds, making it one of the lightest RTTs available. All of the screened windows and doors have awnings to keep out rain and direct sunlight, and the tent body is constructed from 280-gram poly/cotton.
The floor of the tent is lightweight aluminum, and each tent includes a rain fly, a 3-inch high-density foam mattress, and a sliding aluminum ladder. The Mount Bachelor can also be paired with an optional annex for additional space.
Also read: CVT Roof Top Tents: Review and Owner QnA
5. Tepui Ruggedized Series Kukenam 3
Website: tepui.com
If you are looking for the toughest RTT out there, the Ruggedized Series Kukenam 3 from Tepui is the answer. It features a beefy diamond plate base, 360-gram dual stitched rip-stop fabric (which is 40% heavier duty than Tepui’s non-Ruggedized tent fabric), a half-inch anti-condensation mat built in under the 2.5-inch high-density foam mattress, a heavy-duty fully wrapped ¾-inch internal frame, and rugged 3-bolt hinges.
Inside, the tent offers extra-large internal pockets, gear anchor points, and bedding straps so everything stays organized and in place while you crush the gnarliest off-road trails.
This soft shell RTT comes with an 8.5-foot telescoping ladder, and is contained in a 1000D PVC cover. You can add an optional annex for extra room, and Tepui offers other accessories like an interior insulating layer to keep you warm on even the coldest of nights. This tent is designed to sleep three people and can be used year-round.
Also read: Tepui Roof Top Tents: Review and Owner QnA
6. iKamper Skycamp 2.0
Website: ikamper.com
The hard shell Skycamp 2.0 RTT from iKamper offers a super quick 1-minute setup time and can sleep up to four people on the king-size mattress. The aerodynamic hard shell comes in three different colors/finishes so you can match it to your Jeep. It can also be locked closed, unlike soft shell tents.
The tent itself is made from breathable but insulating poly/cotton canvas and it comes with a 1.8-inch high-density memory foam mattress, a world map graphic design inside, triple-layer windows (clear plastic, mesh, and canvas) with the outermost layer easily converted to awnings, and a waterproof rain fly.
The Skycamp 2.0 has some improvements over the original version, including easy quick-tightening mounting brackets and an upgraded ladder with safer and more comfortable angled steps.
The tent also comes with a protective UV cover, gas strut locks to keep your tent safely open even in high winds, extra seam sealer, tension poles to create canopies for your side windows, and two keys to keep your tent securely locked up when you’re not using it.
7. ARB Simpson III
Website: arbusa.com
ARB has a legacy for making quality off-road gear, and the Simpson III RTT reinforces that legacy. The soft shell tent is constructed from waterproof poly/cotton rip-stop canvas and the windows and doors are screened to keep out even the smallest insects.
The all-weather-entry door features grab straps to make it easier to get in and out safely. The tent comes with a 2.5-inch high-density bonded chip foam mattress and a retractable anodized aluminum ladder.
The tent packs away into a UV-stabilized, laminated PVC cover when not in use. ARB has also implemented a unique bungee cord system to help keep the canvas walls tucked in as you pack up the tent, so you don’t have to spend time walking around the vehicle stuffing in the canvas. Add an optional annex to increase floor space dramatically.
Up Next In Roof Top Tents:
Are Roof Top Tents Safe from Bears?
4 Person Roof Top Tents: Our Top 10 Picks
How do you Make a Roof Top Tent? (9 Clever DIY Builds)
Go Fast Campers: Owner Q&A + Review
Cat is originally from Seattle, WA but has traveled around the US and Canada full-time in a self-converted school bus with her boyfriend Aaron since April of 2018. She enjoys rock climbing, paddleboarding, hiking, and generally being outdoors!
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