Rooftop tents allow you to make camp anywhere. High above the ground you are able to avoid the cold wet earth. Many campers appreciate the sturdy construction of these tents. These benefits lead many to prefer the rooftop tent. Before you consider investing in this type of camping abode you need to consider the weight of roof top tents and how much weight your vehicle and its rack can support.
There are many different models of rooftop tents and each different model will vary in weight. In general most models are between 100-200 pounds. Below find some examples of rooftop tent models and how much they weigh
Popular Rooftop Models and their Weight
* The Tepui Hybox is a two person rooftop tent that Popular Mechanics rated best overall. This model can act as both a cargo box during the day and a tent during the night. The versatility of this model makes it a good choice for many campers. This rooftop tent model features a hardtop construction. The materials used in construction are ABS, cotton and polyester. This model weighs 175 pounds. The weight may be a draw back because it is harder on the vehicle to transport.
* In 2019 iKamper released the Skycamp 2.0. The previous version received the Red Dot design award in 2018. This tent weighs about 155 pounds and can hold up to 4 people. When setup the tent support about 900 lbs. For this model it is recommended that your roof rack supports 165 pounds. This model boasts a one minute up time (though installation time is substantially longer). This model comes with a thicker mattress and has the ability to create a canopy.
* The TMB Motorsports Green Popup Rooftop Tent is one of the lightest tents you can purchase at 100 pounds. Many campers prefer this model because it can be attached to most vehicles. The tent is weatherproof and very durable. This rooftop tent can directly pull out from the roof rack for convience.
* Smittybilt’s Overlander 2783 has been designed with a jeep in mind; though with the right rack it should be able to fit almost any vehicle. This model weighs about 132 pounds. This model is designed for 3 occupants. The body of the tent is made out of 600D heavy duty rip stop poly. It also is waterproof.
Beyond the tent weight you will have to consider how much each camper weighs. Your vehicle will need to be able to support the tent weight and the additional weight of the campers. Most vehicles are designed to support a lot of weight so the main consideration will be the roof rack and how much weight in can support. It is essential that any rack used to set up a rooftop tent feature cross bar support.
Roof racks that have been designed to hold a rooftop tent will be a good investment because most roof racks are not capable of supporting a dynamic weight of 100-200 pounds (the weight of a rooftop tent). If your vehicle can manage a dynamic weight of 100-200 pounds it is likely your vehicle will be able to support your tent with people in it.
