The Benefits of Using Car Top Tent Manufacturers
Advantages choosing a Roof Top Tent - Autohome
The reasons that make the difference:
– The ladder is an integral part of the frame, this is directly connected to the backbone of the tent (i.e. to the hinging of the two halves of the planes) by 2 omega support profiles placed diagonally, so as to better distribute the weight of the occupants. The result is: less flexions, more resistance, more stability and reduced thickness to a minimum.
A patent born in Autohome that since many tried to imitate, without success. Its uniqueness is the result of several interrelated factors:
Sunday Campers supply professional and honest service.
– It is always ready and easily deployed.
– It is designed with a ladder block, to avoid slipping on slippery ground or floors.
– EASY USE telescopic adjustment is a very reliable smart solution, that has made the history of the roof tent. It is easy to adjust and is always functional.
– The ladder can be quickly extended to fit any height, within its maximum length of 2.30 m
– Compact and linear, it does not generate protrusions or malformations to the cover when the tent is closed while travelling.
– It is fitted with sturdy wooden steps, waterproof and water-repellent. Elegant, natural and of pleasant design, they offer a wide non-slip support. They also do not warm up in the sun and thus always allow you to climb barefoot.
COVER
Our Cover is even more sturdy.
A solidity which is the result of specific choices, starting from the materials: 600Gr/sqm PVC with 900gr/sqm reinforcements in the most stressed points. A solidity enhanced by a special shaping with internal seams, more resistant than normal welding. More precisely, they do not fall apart. A synergy to withstand even the highest climatic temperatures and offer superior aerodynamic stability.
With a regular parallelepiped shape, our covers have slightly rounded corners to enhance stability and safety, so they do not require upper ties with visible straps, affecting the tent aesthetics of the tent. The result is a clean and tidy line, to always travel with style.
Drawing on the experience of the most performing commercial vehicles, such as big lorries and curtain-sided trucks, Autohome covers also use a perimetral adjustable elastic rope for binding, in order to compensate for any expansion of the materials due to weather conditions: the cover remains well-fitted to the tent, without any zipper.
A choice of reliability made in and always confirmed, considering also that the elastic rope is easy to replace. 6mm in diameter and variable length according to the perimeter or model of the tent. The coupling and the regulation are carried out by two carabiners placed at the ends. Today the coupling and uncoupling is easier even when the tent is fixed on the roof bars or on baggage racks, thanks to the special tool supplied together with the cover.
This practicality is appreciated in every condition: you will have no problem in case of unfastening or coupling even in the desert, in marshy areas, on muddy roads, in the presence of foliage and shrubs, because the elastic tie rod always works and will never fail.
The quality of our cover is branded with the Autohome logo on the 110 cm short side, while on the long side there is a label representing the legendary paths of Nino Cirani. Black was chosen for the colour: always elegant and anti-stain.
COVER
Our Cover is even more sturdy.
A solidity which is the result of specific choices, starting from the materials: 600Gr/sqm PVC with 900gr/sqm reinforcements in the most stressed points. A solidity enhanced by a special shaping with internal seams, more resistant than normal welding. More precisely, they do not fall apart. A synergy to withstand even the highest climatic temperatures and offer superior aerodynamic stability.
With a regular parallelepiped shape, our covers have slightly rounded corners to enhance stability and safety, so they do not require upper ties with visible straps, affecting the tent aesthetics of the tent. The result is a clean and tidy line, to always travel with style.
Drawing on the experience of the most performing commercial vehicles, such as big lorries and curtain-sided trucks, Autohome covers also use a perimetral adjustable elastic rope for binding, in order to compensate for any expansion of the materials due to weather conditions: the cover remains well-fitted to the tent, without any zipper.
A choice of reliability made in and always confirmed, considering also that the elastic rope is easy to replace. 6mm in diameter and variable length according to the perimeter or model of the tent. The coupling and the regulation are carried out by two carabiners placed at the ends. Today the coupling and uncoupling is easier even when the tent is fixed on the roof bars or on baggage racks, thanks to the special tool supplied together with the cover.
This practicality is appreciated in every condition: you will have no problem in case of unfastening or coupling even in the desert, in marshy areas, on muddy roads, in the presence of foliage and shrubs, because the elastic tie rod always works and will never fail.
The quality of our cover is branded with the Autohome logo on the 110 cm short side, while on the long side there is a label representing the legendary paths of Nino Cirani. Black was chosen for the colour: always elegant and anti-stain.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
How many kilometres of road and how many years of history lie between Dallas in Texas and Rivarolo Mantovano, an ancient medieval town dominated by the Gonzaga family? A lot. And maybe just the idea of a journey, of sharing special experiences could lead me to choose to leave the US to move here. A decision that says a lot about what Autohome means to me, the mythical roof tents for big travellers, like Nino Cirani for example. In Texas we may not know Rivarolo Mantovano, but we know well what Autohome quality means: travelling quietly all over the world. Masterpiece tents, like the works of art that made Italy great. Like the creations of the most famous fashion designers.
Since I have been here in Italy, I have noticed that Italians are all a bit artists, and in Mantua even more: the taste of beauty is in their hearts, they carry it inside them, if only to judge by the monumental and architectural beauties that characterize their territory.
Today I am 37 years old and have been working in Autohome since . 19 years of working life in the midst of roof tents. So, I think I know these products very well, which allow you to have a rewarding holiday in complete freedom: you stop where you want, especially with the shell tents that remain more shaped to the car. The fabric tents are obviously not bad, also very habitable. But a little more binding when you have to make scope at least in different European nations. It is better to go camping or in equipped areas. At Autohome we are a big and beautiful family, all enthusiastic about the products we manufacture. If I have to say the product that I prefer for me is Maggiolina Extreme Forest. I really appreciate the colour green, perhaps also because I have always been looking for it. Texas is largely desert, while my soul is in the great forests… All to be covered with an Autohome tent on the roof.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
I introduce myself: I am Alessandro Spiridonica and in Autohome I am liable for the warehouse. I joined the company three years ago and I became manager, a result that naturally gives me great pleasure and many satisfactions. Although I am aware of the great responsibility that this role entails.
It is in fact a job that if on one hand I like a lot, on the other hand it requires an extraordinary effort, especially at some times of the year… For example, in the months of June and July I would rather be… somewhere else in the world, travelling with my Overzone, my favourite tent. I appreciate the military green colour. It is, among other things, a particular green, at the same time delicate and with a strong personality. Combined with the safari-coloured roof, it makes the tent a pass-partout for any destination and adventure: congratulations to the colleagues of the style office! In addition, the fabric is particularly consistent, because it responds to precise military specifications, another element that gives solidity to the tent. A safety that does not give up comfort and well-being: the degree of breathability is in fact high, equal to 53 mm/s, in line with ISO -97 standards. I do not want to be too “technical”, but they are decisive when choosing a tent. These are the factors that lead me to say: do not be “dazzled” by the mirages of low-cost products that seem of quality, but then result in low breathability. During travel they can become your worst nightmare!
Remember instead that Overzone is a real roof top tent, with a roof that is integral to the walls. It is 100% original Autohome and Made in Italy. That is all I have to say.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
Working with fibreglass I think is “an art”. A sort of alchemy, when human and technical skills are perfectly matched. It is a demanding job, which requires knowledge in different disciplines: physics, chemistry, mechanics… Supplemented by a lot of manual wisdom and patience as well.
Being in charge of one of the company departments that deals with “shells” (the first in order of time… we were real pioneers in our sector!) is always exciting, even if now there are many of us in the team. I am one of the oldest employees of the company, I started in and today I am proud to teach the job to young people willing to. I manage about 20 great people. Our activity is mainly related to shell painting. In other words, this is the first operation followed by the laying of the glass fibre using rollers and brushes, an almost entirely manual operation.
As I said, dexterity is matched with technology. I also mentioned patience, because the times for moulding a fibreglass product are very long. However, this attention plays a significant role in defining the superior quality of Autohome. Because our shells are not made of molded or thermoformed plastic, typical of certain serial productions made in Asia, where even more than 20 pieces per hour are mechanically manufactured… too many, but not very good quality as well!
While in Autohome, making a shell takes almost a lifetime, but it is the right way to get a more stable and durable tent. In short, fiberglass has always been the Top for 60 years, as we try to explain in our info. I smile when they tell us: “you in Autohome are geniuses, Italian geniuses…” While I simply think that we are a great family, certainly Italian, who loves things done well.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
If you think that dealing with fabrics in Autohome means taking care of only one type of material, it is better… that I explain who I am and what I do! I am liable for coordinating the entire fabric department. I am “the Trainer” of a great team, attentive and meticulous. Our job is to draw and cut fabrics, in particular by managing laser cutting machines. I constantly co-operate with the other production and packaging departments. Ours is a very demanding activity, sometimes really stressful, especially because we have to keep a pace to allow the entire production chain to proceed efficiently, without interruptions.
In addition to this task, I am also liable for the quality control of the raw material, I cannot afford mistakes or put into production a fabric that is not perfect. My company is very demanding and so am I.
We have different types of fabrics based on the model of the tent, a range that is based on multiple technical reasons, which would be long now to explain, but which I summarize as follows: quality.
And Autohome always aims to guarantee this goal: for each model a single fabric, at the top for quality. While those who standardize the raw material obviously reduce its production cost at the expense of quality. As you can imagine, many tents that come to the market, from Asia in particular, do not have fabrics suitable for the task they will have to do. While Autohome chooses only European-made fabrics, whose reliability is precisely defined and controlled. Also, for this reason Autohome means prestige. A fact of which I am truly proud of.
To the question “what is the best tent?”, I cannot give an answer, because anyone who knows this product well will tell you: it depends on many factors. Personally, I appreciate the shell models simply because I have a real roof over my head. Experts define these rooftops as “Active Hard Shell”. I think it is a perfect definition and it is worth more than many other words.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
In my life I have always dealt with graphics. I love aesthetics, image, beauty in all its forms, whether it is a work of art or a design product. It may be due to fate, but I am now working in a company that knows these values well and applies them in its products.
I am therefore very happy to have been part of the Autohome team for a few years. I am originally from Mexico, whose national colours are exactly like the Italian ones: white, red, and green. Our flags say so much about our characters, which are also a bit similar: passionate like red and nature lovers like green. The white in the middle says: we choose according to our desire to prefer one or the other according to the mood of the moment! Perhaps it is because of these similarities between Mexico and Italy that I immediately found a total symbiosis with the country where the real roof tent was born, the product that Autohome made known and appreciated to travellers around the world.
I am very accurate, and I try very carefully to scrupulously follow every creative and image detail that is indicated to me by my marketing manager, Valentina. A young but very demanding woman, who rightly wants me everyday commitment and creativity, even in the smallest details.
I do not have a roof tent for now but being in Autohome is like… living with these tents every day! The product has all our attention and must be known well. On a general aesthetic level, I particularly love black. So even for tents I prefer the colour black, which is a real colour and knows how to excite! While for the tent model I like to focus on rationality, essentiality, that is why for me I would choose the Black Edition Overcamp.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
Reading my name, you immediately understood that I am a person who recalls territories far from Europe, with the spirit of adventure in my blood. I was born in Persia. The rich Mesopotamia and the desert are my motherland, which I know well. Since I was little, I have been living in Germany, where I studied and grew up.
I personally manage the “Autohome DE” sales office. My clients are mostly Germans. In fact, I am liable for the commercial activity in Germany, and I support the Autohome central marketing office in the organization of our participation in the fairs that take place in Germany. My activity with headquarters is easy as I speak Italian.
Very often I also took part in research projects to develop new products, based on the experience I have gained both in the dealer field and with car manufacturers. For example, I was interested in the importance of mosquito nets for a roof tent, the selection of technical fabrics and the choice of some other materials that make up the tent. I believe, for example, that I reported to the Autohome staff how to obtain the best mosquito nets on the market: effective and at the same time rightly obscuring. I am constantly committed, with great passion, to providing advice to develop innovation on the products themselves, and this is thanks to the fact that I always interacted with a very demanding audience.
I am proud that my reports are taken seriously by Autohome Product Technical Management.
Although I am far from the company’s headquarters, I am always in contact with my Italian colleagues. My business can be said to have always been strongly linked to the outdoors. Already from my first job I worked in the sector, and I was an integral part of Bernd Woick for the management and sales and purchases of Autohome roof tents, founded and directed by a true master of adventure. I learned a lot from this formidable expert.
I personally used several Autohome models. I do not think I am “biased”, in saying that Autohome for me is number one. All those who really know a roof tent say so. My favourite tent is a special Overland, the Black Edition version. The reason for this choice is that I cannot stand the early morning lights. When I sleep, I only want the dark, I do not want to find myself in a tent that lets the first light of the morning pass. With Autohome the fabrics are always very thick and protect very well from light. To rest without limits of… light, choose Black tents! They are the best for me.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
What do I do in Autohome? Everything that is production and business organization. I do not even have a precise role: I am active in every direction and in every department to optimize production lines. Everyone knows they can count on my help and commitment. Because my mission is to make Autohome run in the best way! To be clear, I could be the field commissioner, trainer, or coach of a football team. Everything must work, productivity must not be slowed down even more when half the world is waiting to receive our tents. We are in a phase of great market expansion and therefore I have the task of understanding what to improve to push further on the accelerator. All without giving up even a detail of our renowned quality. The team must run, play well in each department and be winning; the product must be perfect from every point of view.
Moreover, I have always been concerned with the quality and suitability of the goods and raw materials we receive from trusted suppliers. This often means supporting our logistics activities too, so that everything is planned and carried out according to our plans.
Personally, the tents I prefer are those that remain in shape inside the mirrors, practically all the rigid tents with a Fiberglass roof. For example, even the expandable ones could be, if assembled, however, as the mythical Nino Cirani taught us. He rests the ladder on the front bonnet and the entire structure remains in shape. You can then stop everywhere without any problems. Life is already quite stressful, at least while travelling and on holiday we make sure to keep you relaxed to the fullest!
It was a challenging adventure, at times really hard, but we managed to get the roof tent appreciated all over the world. We have a planetary success, a new way of understanding the freedom to travel. We are proud of this result, even more than the important development of our company.
I remember that at the beginning of our activity there were many problems: in particular, the economic funds available were always few, but thanks to so much determination and desire to carry out our project, we were able to get the company off the ground.
A strategic factor was to decide to take part in the sector fairs: only in Italy more than 10 fairs per year. Every trade agreement we draft was always a win that filled us with satisfaction. However, sometimes we also happened to return to the site disappointed by the poor results. What bothered us morally the most was the fact that some people made fun of us for the “strange” product we offered. There were moments that seemed that we had to cross desert, an arid ground destined to make nothing grow. Other than adventures in the dunes in 4×4… it was us who saw success as a mirage!
Producing the first Maggiolina, then, was not easy. In the early years we did not have the technology necessary to combine the quality of craftsmanship to the speed of production. In short, we were not ready to make huge numbers of tents. I remember that we even cut the windows of the tent one by one, that is, the fabrics with tailor scissors!
I particularly like to remember two episodes that give a good idea of our development. Two parallel Italian stories, one in Mantua with Maggiolina in the land of the Gonzaga and the other in the great Milan, the city that has always been the productive and industrial heart of Italy. There would be many stories to tell, but in particular I remember these two episodes for the meaning they have. So, I always remember a German manager, owner of a large communication agency, who told to me: “You are Italian, therefore in a better place than me who am German. You are more inclined to fun and happiness, therefore more inclined to express creativity and imagination, unlike me who was educated to reveal less of my emotions”. Another episode that I always take with me is the dialogue with an important French manager who told me: “You are Italian so you are good at cooking, so you know that to make a great dish there are many ingredients that must be carefully dosed.”
Also, with regard to memory, it is important to stress the great satisfaction thanks to the collaborative dialogues with the Automotive manufacturers. I did not think I would get that high. A top manager of a very prestigious brand, in one of our meetings, told me: “In Autohome you are amazing with marketing.” In the second meeting, another manager at their headquarters added: “We appreciate Autohome very much and we want to continue to spread the story of the roof tent that binds us together”. Episodes of this type repeated several times and continue to happen. For example, another strong satisfaction at a recent Las Vegas fair, where many customers came to our booth saying: “Beautiful design, you can see that it is an Italian product”. What does my memory have to do with recommending a tent? I think they are consistent with those who are looking for a product that, in tune with the Autohome spirit, guarantees satisfaction, fun, serenity, well-being and, above all, freedom.
Suggesting a specific tent is not easy. Exactly like a father who has to say if one child is better than another… The personalities are quite different. The family values they interpret are important. If you choose to stay in the great Autohome family, you will certainly be satisfied, because those values are in every tent.
ROOF TENTS: MY RECOMMENDATIONS OF CHOICE
I’ve always had a great passion for travelling and having adventures, for exploring new territories, in particular I love to know far-away cultures and customs. With a similar anticipation, where did I go to work? Of course, in the Autohome Export Office! It was a great satisfaction for me to join the company team and the very office where I wanted to be committed to.
It allowed me to reach this goal, especially my ability to manage different languages: I have a degree in languages, and I speak English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. I learnt the extraordinary Chinese language, complex but fascinating, directly in the city of Chongqing where I studied for about 2 years. A fantastic experience, where I learnt a culture rich in contrasts and full of wild landscapes to discover.
You certainly understood: in Autohome I am perfectly at ease. In fact, I can continue, while working, to fuel my passion for geography and ethnography, discovering different cultures and speaking with customers of many nationalities. I learn their way of thinking and their behaviours. Many different people, but all united in the positive judgment on Autohome roof tents.
Autohome quality is… transnational! It has no borders. This is also why it is not easy to say which tent I prefer. When travelling I want to have a practical tent and no problems: therefore, my tent for the roof of the car must be the easiest to open and close, the most stable and safe, considering that you sleep about 2 meters from the ground. However, I would like to give you some advice: it is better to have a roof. A peace of mind that makes travelling even smarter. Now I know what you’re thinking, and I tell you that you’re right: for me the top is always Maggiolina! Any model is fine, but it is important to have the handle to open and close the tent. That gesture for me is a real symbol: I am travelling, I am free, I am myself.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
Sometimes I seem to exaggerate, but every day I would like to do my job in Autohome better. I think it is the result of the climate that we live in the company, where everyone wants to give their best, first of all because we love and respect the product we make.
Where do I do my job? My activity takes place in the fabric tent assembly department. My colleagues and I are in charge of assembling fabric tents, as well as scrupulously checking the quality of materials.
It is a real pleasure for me to participate in creating these tents, still today after 5 years since I have started working for Autohome.
It is always a thrill to think that the tent I am about to check is the same version Nino Cirani used in his ventures. For me, the adventure of Cirani is an extraordinary story, the reference for every travel-adventure enthusiast, masterfully told by the wonderful images it gave us.
I can tell you that the scale reproduction of the Defender 110 by Cirani, purchased in a model shop, is always on my home desk. It is true, the mythical Aziza is located instead at the Turin car museum, together of course with the Overland that stands on the roof. Sooner or later, I am going to see this vehicle, which for me is more than a means of transport: it is the symbol of a philosophy of life.
Roof tents: my recommendations of choice
I have been part of the Autohome staff for several years and I mainly deal with the construction of fiberglass shells. In truth, I also have another task, which I am very proud of – I am the “Master of keys” of the company. What does that mean? With my team we work on the real “heart” of the tents, that is, the opening and closing mechanisms.
We are liable for connecting the base of the tent with the roof, the most delicate phase of the entire construction, which requires experience and special attention. A roof tent is characterized by its ability to open and close quickly… and it is on this point that quality really makes the difference! As it happens, Autohome tents became so famous and appreciated for the quality of these mechanisms. They always work and do not give you any trouble. There are three systems of crank openings for Maggiolina, two with gas springs for Columbus and four with gas springs for Airtop.
All systems are guaranteed for five years. Tested mechanisms of total reliability consolidated in more than 60 years of history. It is consistently reported in our advertising because we invite those who want to buy a roof tent to check how these mechanisms work. In unreliable tents, breakages (in every way!) start from here… For the sake of completeness, I would remind you that there are also folding opening systems for fabric tents. Devices that are assembled and controlled by other colleagues of mine. About “companions of adventure”: in the company they call me “wild” because I am always to help in other departments when they need it most, especially just before the summer season, when the requests are very high.
These are times when you say, what am I doing here? No issue. Working at Autohome is challenging and sometimes I feel like I am having an adventure. It is nice to work in the environment of travel and holidays, but you cannot help but think that it is not… your holiday!
What tent to recommend? Choose instinctively the one that attracts you, the one that you feel you adopt as your own. Autohome tents are all beautiful and all work great. That is why many people want them and then it happens that you have to wait a while. But even this problem can be solved: book them in time!
The 5 Best Rooftop Tents of | Tested & Rated - Outdoor Gear Lab
Best Softshell Rooftop Tent
Thule Approach M
Weight: 128 lbs | Max Internal Height: 40"
SPECIFICATIONS Weight 128 lbs Seasons 4 Max Inside Height 40 in Pockets 2 Windows 4 canopy
While the majority of the most popular fold-out rooftop tents use three support bars to create a house-type shape, the Thule Approach M uses four support bars, which makes for a lot more space inside while maintaining the same travel size as the others. The Approach isn't quite as easy to install as a hardshell because it takes a few minutes to assemble the mounting clamps, but once they are put together, mounting or removing the tent from your rack is a cinch. In our testing, we've learned the hard way that overtightening mounting nuts can damage brackets, but if they aren't tight enough, the bit of play will lead to bent bolts from off-roading. Thule has addressed this problem by including a torque wrench to twist nuts to optimal tightness. One of the best features about this system is that it locks to your rack so that you can rest easy on the trail, knowing that your tent is secured to your rack at the trailhead.
“The mounting brackets take a few minutes to assemble, but once they're together, the Thule mounting system is by far and away the easiest to use. No comparison.”
While our list of gripes with the Approach is short, we have a few. First, our tests proved the rain fly was quite a pain to deploy, especially in high winds with a tall vehicle. The snaps that hold it in place are located on top of the tent's roof, so we had to crawl onto the top of the truck cab to reach one. Also, we weren't thrilled to learn that the Approach's travel cover gets completely removed and reinstalled for every use. In our tests, we found it easier and more convenient when covers have velcro or zippers that go three-quarters of the way around the tent base so it can get rolled up under the tent when camping. Minor drawbacks aside, for a softshell rooftop tent, this model is by far our top pick.
Read more: Thule Approach M review
Best Bang for the Buck
Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander
Weight: 154 lbs | Max Internal Height: 51"
SPECIFICATIONS Weight 154 lbs Seasons 3 Max Inside Height 51 in Pockets 5 Windows 3 side, 2 roof
If you're ready to dive into the world of rooftop tents but don't want to drain your bank account to get one, look no further than the Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander. Building on the platform of the original Overlander, the new model has been improved in a number of ways – the most obvious component being the rainfly. While many traditional models leave gaps between the window awnings, the GEN2's fly creates coverage for 360 degrees of the tent while it is deployed. One of our favorite features of the GEN2 is the bonus items that come with the purchase. The rubber boot bag is great for stashing muddy footwear outside of your sleeping area, and the LED light strip provides ample illumination for setting up your bed, changing clothes, or reading. Best of all, it is highly affordable compared to most other high-quality rooftop tents.
"If I were shopping for a rooftop tent on a tight budget, the Smitty GEN2 is absolutely the model I'd go with."
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Car Top Tent Manufacturers.
After testing the Smittybilt GEN2, we found its antiquated assembly process and mounting system to be the biggest pitfall. Undoubtedly, to save a few bucks on factory costs and shipping costs, the Smittybilt arrives without the mounting rails attached to the underside of the tent floor. If you've never been through the process of securing these rails, it can be time-consuming and frustrating. This isn't the end of the world, but models such as the Yakima Skyrise don't use any tools at all for mounting or removing the tent once it's assembled. Although Smittybilt has improved upon previous iterations of their ladder, the new telescoping version still requires two hands to break down, whereas many others we tested feature tabs that release the rungs in succession as the ladder is put away. Minimal gripes aside, you'd be hard-pressed to find a higher-quality rooftop tent at this price.
Read more: Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander review
Best Low-Profile Hardtop Rooftop Tent
Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO
Weight: 140 lbs | Max Internal Height: 58"
SPECIFICATIONS Weight 140 lbs Seasons 4 Max Inside Height 58 in Pockets 9 Windows 2 side, 1 roof, 2 heater ports
For many, looks and aerodynamics are key purchasing factors. If you want an ultra-thin hardshell rooftop tent that still houses a super comfy mattress and expands to have tons of room while camping, the best bet is the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO. While it has sleek ergonomics and a form-fitting that allows you to store basic bedding and gear while you're on the road, this model truly shines when it's time to camp. After opening the tent, the canopy is further expanded through the use of an innovative U-bar on a hinge that takes no more than a few seconds to deploy. Once fully set up, the Falcon 3 EVO has tons of space inside and includes features such as nine pockets, LED lights, a sky window, and two standard-size intake/exhaust ports for heaters or fans.
“This tent truly feels like a hotel on wheels when compared to some of the lower-end models I've slept in over the years.”
The glaring flaw with the Falcon 3 EVO is its price. For the cost of this tent, you could afford a budget-friendly model with enough money leftover to fund an awesome road trip. While it can store basic bedding inside, such as sleeping bags and pillows, there isn't much room for anything else. We also found that the closure shackles can sometimes be frustrating to use. Sometimes they close on the first try, but in our experience, you often need to walk around the tent a couple of times to close them opposite each other like you would tighten the lugs on a wheel. Despite these few drawbacks, it's undeniable that this is the best clamshell RTT for low wind drag, higher gas mileage, and tons of room inside while camping.
Read more: Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO review
Most Coverage
Thule Tepui Autana 3
Weight: 130 lbs | Max Internal Height: 52"
SPECIFICATIONS Weight 130 lbs Seasons 4 Max Inside Height 52 in Pockets 4 Windows 3 side, 2 roof
With a canopy that converts from open-air to complete weather lock-down, the Thule Tepui Autana 3 has more coverage than any model we tested. The added awning above the entrance and an included annex mean you'll never be climbing up and down slippery, wet steps, and the button-free ladder is handy. This tent includes some subtle yet great design features that improve user experience, like the sturdy straps that hold the cover up when you're in camping mode or the internal bungee system that assists in folding the canopy when you're converting to travel mode. We love the easy-to-use travel cover and the incredibly comfortable memory foam mattress. This is one luxurious rooftop home away from home.
“I love the annex; it's practically another tent. It's a perfect place to leave your clothing, change, sit in a chair away from bugs and heat, and it's a great place for the dog to sleep.”
The biggest downside is easy to see here — the price is relatively high compared to many softshell models we tested, and there are great options that cost significantly less. The other issue is that it takes a couple of extra minutes to convert the Autana to camping mode compared to other models we tested, most notably if you decide to deploy the annex. It might make more sense to go with something a bit more straightforward if setup time is important to you. In that case, if you don't mind trading in coverage for a quicker setup, you can't beat the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO. Nevertheless, our testers found many advantages to the Autana that made the one to two extra minutes of setup well worth it.
Read more: Thule Tepui Autana 3 review
Best for Fitting More Gear
Thule Tepui Foothill
Weight: 122 lbs | Max Internal Height: 47"
SPECIFICATIONS Weight 122 lbs Seasons 3 Max Inside Height 38 in Pockets 2 Windows 3 side, 2 roof
The best reason to purchase the Thule Tepui Foothill is that it only takes up roughly half of the width on your rack as most rooftop tents, thanks to its long rectangular design. This model flips out to the side of the vehicle like most rooftop tents, but you sleep parallel with your vehicle rather than perpendicular. This innovation leaves extra rooftop space for cargo boxes, bikes, kayaks, or whatever else you'd like to attach to the remaining room on your rack. This model is perfect for one or two people. We were also pleased to find out that the mounting tracks come installed on the tent floor right out of the box, so you can put it straight onto your vehicle in a matter of seconds and have it attached in a matter of minutes with the included ratcheting wrench.
“Having room on the rack for toys or a cargo box is a huge benefit.”
The slender design of the Foothill has some shortcomings. Most notably, you must attach the ladder every time you convert the tent from travel to camping mode since it has to rest parallel on top of the tent during transport; otherwise, it would be too wide for the cover to fit. Thanks to the incorporated handy quick-release system, this didn't bother our testers, but it's still an extra step. Another minor flaw we found during testing is that the mattress is a bit less comfortable than some top models, but still vastly more comfortable than any standard camping mattress. If you prefer a button-free ladder and a comfy memory foam mattress, the Thule Tepui Autana 3 is worth consideration. Even so, we think the Foothill's small caveats are well worth it if you need to keep space free on your rack to haul extra toys and gear.
Read more: Thule Tepui Foothill review
Compare Products
select up to 5 products to compare Score Product Price 84Best Low-Profile Hardtop Rooftop Tent $2,795 81
Best Softshell Rooftop Tent $2,500 79
Most Coverage $2,500 78
Best Bang for the Buck $1,632 77 $3,895 76 $2,000 74
Best for Fitting More Gear $1,700 74 $3,000 69 $1,900 67 $1,326 66 $1,575 43 $1,209
How We Tested
We started this project in with a genuine curiosity and interest as to what the rooftop tent (often referred to by its acronym, RTT) hype was about. What began with glancing at a few manufacturers' websites swiftly snowballed into hours of browsing current reviews, installation tutorials, and any RTT or off-road forum we could find. After studying dozens of different designs and applications, we narrowed it down to tents that stand out for specific features and price points while being similar enough to make valid side-by-side comparisons. We assembled, installed, converted, and removed these tents from our test truck for several months, camping at destinations from the foothills of California, up over the Sierra Nevada mountain range, across the Great Basin, and into Southern Utah. After several summers of research and testing, we've devised this comprehensive review to help you find the best rooftop tent possible. For more detailed info on our testing procedures, check out our full How We Test article.
To fully test each rooftop tent, we created a robust test plan that spans five rating metrics:- Space and Comfort (30% of overall score weighting)
- Durability (25% weighting)
- Ease of Conversion (20% weighting)
- Ease of Assembly and Installation (15% weighting)
- Cover Convenience (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Testing for these beasts was taken on by our Senior Review Editor Ross Patton. Ross grew up camping while living in Utah, Montana, Colorado, Nevada, and California. He now travels even further afoot and has spent countless nights in tents in Canada, Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean. Ross has camped by backpack, canoe, whitewater raft, bicycle, motorcycle, and snowmobile, so he's seen about every size and type of tent imaginable. He has spent six years now spearheading the rooftop tent category for GearLab, learning the ins and outs of these products and what makes one great. With a recent location change from Lake Tahoe to Southern Utah, he is closer to the wild than ever. With a love of 4x4 roads, exploring, and being an admitted gear nerd, he is a true expert on rooftop tents.
Analysis and Test Results
We are very hard on our camping gear. Sleep is essential, so when you depend on a tent to keep you warm, comfortable, and dry at night, you want to be sure that it can handle a lot. Rooftop tents are technical products, and there are many moving parts, so we were diligent in uncovering every detail when determining these products' overall value and performance.
The metric scores are meant to help you determine which tent is right for you. Some metrics, like Ease of Conversion, will encompass an average time along with other innovations or features that make this process easier. Other metrics, like Space and Comfort, combine quantitative measurements of the product, like maximum roof height, with a more qualitative description of how comfortable the mattress is.
What's the Best Value?
The idea of forking over thousands for a tent can seem daunting, but rooftop tents genuinely live up to the hype for the right consumer. Sleeping on a memory foam mattress while elevated off the forest floor makes camping as comfortable as sleeping in your bed. The general rule is that hardshell models are substantially more expensive than softshell models. The main trade-off between the two types is that hardshells are very easy to install, and converting them between travel mode and camping mode is extremely quick and simple, whereas most softshells require assembly and take a few more minutes to convert. That said, unless you get a hardshell/fold-out hybrid, hardshells are generally much bulkier than the bi-fold softshell counterparts when they are in travel mode. The right model for you depends on your individual wants and needs.
If you're willing to drop the extra cash, the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO is as comfortable as most models we've tested but has an ultra-thin construction that reduces wind drag and looks great.
If you don't mind the extra conversion time or dealing with rain flies, you may find the cheaper price tags of softshell models attractive. The Thule Approach M and Thule Tepui Foothill are both substantially less expensive than our favorite hardshell versions. The Approach has a very spacious sleeping area, is easy to attach and remove from your vehicle, and has a fairly easy conversion process. The “hot dog” rather than “hamburger” folding style of the Foothill allows you to fit more gear next to your tent on the same rack.
If you're shopping on a budget, the Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander offers a very comfortable mattress and some great accessories, such as a rubber boot bag and LED lights. With the lower price tag, there are some downsides regarding convenience and how much effort is required for assembly and installation. That said, as long as you can deal with a few less convenient parts of the process, you'll still get a quality tent that is built to last.
The Thule Tepui Autana 3 is more expensive than many softshells, but it comes with a four-season canopy, a large entrance awning, and an included annex, which doubles the tent's size. For these reasons, we consider this a high-value option.
Space and Comfort
One of the best things about rooftop tents is their added element of comfort as opposed to sleeping on the ground. Humans tend to have the natural inclination to climb up and into bed because it makes us feel more secure from things that go bump in the night. Rooftop tents bring this luxury to your campsite, which is an added comfort within itself. But if you're going to go through the trouble of climbing up a ladder to sleep on top of your vehicle, you'll want enough space to move around and a mattress that is thick enough not to feel the floor.
Every tent we tested includes a foam mattress, which we find much more comfortable than air mattresses or other sleeping pads. To compare, we took measurements of floor space and maximum interior height to give us some hard numbers to look at to determine scores for space.
Many rooftop tent brands and third-party manufacturers offer upgraded mattresses. For the sake of this review, we only use the base-model mattresses included with each tent.Regarding comfort, we find that the best way to gauge something that could be considered a matter of opinion is to get out into the field as much as possible. To test comfort, we did what we do best — we went camping. We slept in each tent for a minimum of five nights and were sure to pack the sleeping space with lots of gear, along with our 80-pound test dog, to see how comfy and spacious they truly are. Privacy is also factored into the comfort metric. In a rooftop tent, a lot of what you're doing is up in the air for everyone to see, so we scored tents that came with awnings or annexes higher.
The Tepui Autana 3 is at the top of the list for this metric. It has a very comfortable mattress, and one of our favorite features about this tent is the large entrance awning that makes the interior feel even bigger. If the mattress and the awning were not enough, Tepui also included an annex that hangs down to the ground from the entrance, adding an additional room.
The Tepui Kukenam lacks the added spaciousness of an annex but otherwise has the same great mattress and internal dimensions as the Autana, making it a completely comfortable option. Other models, like the Smittybilt Overlander, Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander, and Yakima SkyRise Medium, offer an aftermarket annex at an additional cost. However, the ladder remains outside due to the lack of an entrance awning, while the Autana 3 ladder is within the annex itself.
If you're looking to maximize cubic footage within your tent's sleeping quarters, the Thule Approach is the way to go. This model uses four structural poles to support the canopy rather than the three that most other softshell fold-outs use. This creates tons of extra headspace on both ends of the tent, making moving around inside the tent easier, as well as entering and exiting the tent.
The wedge-style pop-ups we have tested are considered two-person models, but they feel very roomy. With the sandwich wedge construction, the roof on one side of the tent is more than high enough to sit upright, but the other end hardly has any room at all. However, we found the low end to be the perfect place to stow travel bags and gear, and we never experienced the area being too small for our feet and legs.
Another top scorer for this portion of our overall score is the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO. Unlike clamshells we've tested in the past, this particular tent uses an innovative U-bar on hinges and an expanded canopy that extends the end of the tent, providing substantially more space, better use of the side windows/doors, and a sky window, which is a feature that few wedge pop-ups have. The high, tall point, along with the added lateral space, makes this the hands-down best RTT for changing, arranging, or entering and exiting the tent.
The 3 EVO also has a super comfortable factory mattress compared to the rest and several bonus features that add to its overall comfort, including LED light strips, nine pockets, condensation vents, boot bags that can be hung on the exterior, and two heating ports for attaching standard-sized heating or cooling ducting.
Symmetrical pop-ups such as the Thule Basin offer a good bit of interior cubic footage with their shoebox shape. The shape adds quite a bit of space in the corners of the tent for storing gear, as well as ample legroom for larger humans when compared to a wedge-style pop-up. However, the support pistons and canopy walls create a maximum height limit that is much lower than wedge pop-ups or even soft-shelled fold-outs. With a high point of only 36 inches, the Basin has one of the lowest ceilings of any tent we've tested. Comparatively, the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO is 58 inches at the high point of the wedge, which leaves substantially more space for changing clothes and stretching and generally reduces the mild claustrophobia that some people experience in tents.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini employs a hardshell fold-out design. We found it to have just as comfortable a mattress as the others, but not quite as much room as the top-scoring models for this metric because of its relatively steep A-frame design. We did, however, find this model to be exceptionally warm thanks to its thick canopy, and the hard shell is lined with some snazzy insulation.
When it comes to softshell two-person models, the CVT Pioneer Series Bachelor can feel a bit cramped when sleeping two, especially around the waist where the frame poles converge inside the tent. The Thule Tepui Foothill sacrifices a bit of mattress thickness to maintain its low-profile design, so it isn't quite as comfy as some others, but it is still much more comfortable than other camp mattresses we've assessed. When the poles are fully extended in camp mode, there is ample headroom for changing, setting up, and packing up bedding.
While the Foothill doesn't offer the most space inside the tent, it frees up room on your rack, which can often be more precious than sleeping space if you're traveling in a smaller vehicle or a truck that's packed to the gills. This model offers maximum cargo space for couples or those traveling alone to bring as much gear as possible.
Durability
When purchasing a piece of equipment with a price tag like a rooftop tent, you want to be sure that the product will last. Remember, this isn't a tent that you take out of the trunk of your car and put in your garage after a camping trip. Rooftop tents generally live on top of your vehicle for a while, which means when in travel mode, they will constantly be exposed to the elements as well as the vibration and rattling around from driving. When it's time to camp, the conversion between modes is more involved. Unlike most camping tents that get pitched on the ground, these are mechanical pieces of equipment with moving parts like ladders and hinges, so there's a lot more to consider than the canopy's durability, zippers, and poles. Because these are such bulky, massive objects, the wear and tear on the tent as a whole is amplified.
To assess durability, we applied several test methods. We went through the process of converting each model from travel mode to camping mode and back 25 times. We then completed the arduous chore of opening and closing each zipper on every tent 25 times. We were not gentle with these products.
To test the floors, we packed the tents with more than 500 pounds of humans, camping gear, and an 80-pound hound dog for at least five nights per tent. To put the mounting systems to the test, we went on some serious, rugged four-wheel-drive crawls — sometimes for many hours in remote locations. All of the tents in this review passed our durability tests except for one. Some have features that we feel will hold up better than others. Some also have features that will reduce wear and tear on the doors and mosquito screens, like hoops and hooks to roll them out of the way. This helps to ensure they aren't getting beat up while getting in or out of the tent.
The Autana 3, Kukenam 3, and Foothill have thick straps that hold the cover in place with metal D-rings and velcro sewn into the straps to ensure they don't come undone or flap around in the wind. The metal D-ring, combined with the straps, is less likely to break than plastic clips. The Kukenam and Autana are also 4-season tents, so they have thicker canopies. Also, the zipper on the Thule Tepui covers will likely hold up better in the long run than velcro, which is prone to wear out.
Another 4-season model, the Thule Approach, also uses a thick ripstop for the canopy. Additionally, this model uses ripstop-coated rubber for the cover, and the cover zips all the way around the platform without the use of straps. With its weather-resistant design and super burly zipper, we don't see this cover failing any time soon.
As an added feature, many Tepui models come with the option to purchase an additional interchangeable canopy. So, if you want to own something for gnarly adventures that's tougher than a light, warm-weather canopy, you can have both without purchasing an entire extra tent.
The wedge-style pop-up versions score fairly well for this metric. The hard top means that they're very sturdy while in travel mode. Roofnest's newest model, the Falcon 3 EVO, has an aluminum frame which has become the industry standard. The topshell, however, is made from ABS that's been coated in a third-party coating that is designed to add extra protection from the sun, scratches, and impacts. During our testing, we drove on some 4x4 routes that put plenty of pinstripes on the truck, but didn't put a scratch on the tent's upper shell.
The Thule Basin shell is made of a thick and durable ABS plastic, which does it no favors in terms of weight but is practically bomb-proof. Given the borderline over-engineered shell, we were a bit baffled by a few elements of the design of this model. Despite the plastic that could feasibly withstand golf ball-sized hail, it only employs a 260g ripstop for the walls, which is about as soft as RTT materials get. The velcro strips sewn on the main cam straps that secure the tent while in travel mode are way too long, and only about an inch of the velcro sticks. The straps were already losing their stickiness after a few weeks of regular use.
The lone hardshell fold-out model in our review, the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 Mini, has a bomb-proof fiber-reinforced plastic shell for travel mode with a 320G polyester/cotton blend canopy that unfolds for camping. This model might be the burliest while traveling, but it isn't quite as tough as the top-scoring models for this portion of our review, while it is in camp mode. However, it does have the strongest and best latch system out of the bunch, which also locks.
Ease of Conversion
One of the primary benefits of owning a rooftop is that once installed atop a vehicle, they are impressively quick and easy to convert from travel to camping mode. Even the models that take the longest to change over only take a few minutes to go from driving to nestling up into a warm and cozy bed. It may seem like we're splitting hairs when we say that one took a couple of minutes longer than the other, but when you're trying to set up in a storm, a few minutes can make the difference between a happy camper or a cold, wet night. For each model, it took us a bit longer to convert from camping mode to travel mode. Again, a minute or two may not seem like a big deal, but if you're breaking down camp in the rain, you're going to want this process to be as painless and simple as possible.
We converted each tent from travel to camping mode and back 25 times. We timed every conversion and took an average to gain some hard data for comparison. The main determining factor for this metric is the type of ladder each tent uses. Telescoping ladders are the fastest and easiest to deal with, except for models that must be completely detached from the tent for travel. Sliding ladders are not ideal because they only have certain settings, and sometimes you have to dig into the ground to get the ladder to a safe angle or, in extreme cases, drill holes if the shortest setting is still too long.
When it's time to camp, the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO is the easiest to convert of any tent in our review. To deploy the Falcon, you begin by opening the shackles, lifting the topshell, then the hydraulic pistons take over and do the work for you. Once it's fully erected, you extend the ladder, climb inside the tent, and rotate the U-bar that expands the extra canopy space, which is secured with a telescoping pole.
When it's time to get back on the road, the process is just reversed, except this time, gravity, a pull-strap, and your body weight compress the pistons. The only reason this model didn't earn higher marks for this metric is that sometimes we had to close the shackles in a certain order to get them all to shut, and that order seems to be random.
The Thule Basin is also among the easiest when it comes time to camp. It's very similar to the Falcon 3 EVO, except you'll need to lift and collapse the tent on each side, and there is no step to expand any extra canopies. This process takes slightly longer for both deploying and closing the tent than with the Falcon.
The Yakima, Thule Tepui, CVT, and Roofnest models all come with telescoping ladders along with Smittybilt's latest fold-out model – the GEN2. They all extend using the same process, but when it comes time to fold the ladder up, the Thule Tepui and Roofnest models have an innovative self-collapsing system that only requires the user to push two buttons. The lower steps push the rest of the release buttons on their way up.
The Thule Tepui and Smittybilt models have included bungee cords that string across the tent to keep the canopy from bunching up or bulging out of the side of the folding floor when it's time to convert from camping to travel mode. The Tepui Autana 3 includes an annex that hangs from the awning. It isn't a required part of the setup, but conversion gets a little more complicated and time-consuming if you're going to use it.
The iKamper Skycamp 3.0 takes a few more seconds to convert from travel mode to sleep mode than most pop-up hardshells because of its clamshell fold-out design. The way that it's engineered also adds a bit of time when you're ready to pack up and go home. This model's canopy is a bit harder to cram into its cover than the other hardshells and even many soft-cover models.
The Thule Tepui Foothill ladder must be detached and reattached for every use so that it can sit on the folded tent in a parallel position to maintain the slender profile of the overall folded tent with the cover on. This adds an extra step while converting between travel and camping modes and vice versa.
Ease of Assembly and Installation
Setting up a basic ground tent can quickly become a confusing nightmare until you learn the process. Rooftop tents are in a league of their own. While most come partially assembled out of the box, the last few attached parts can be quite the pain. The lightest tent we have tested weighs 93 pounds, while some can weigh more than 150 pounds. Needless to say, getting them properly assembled and installed on your vehicle is no easy feat. While it is possible to get a rooftop tent onto a vehicle by yourself, it takes some serious muscle power and a bit of ingenuity with an emphasis on personal safety. We timed each step of the installation process and noted anything extra frustrating or difficult during assembly and when attaching them to our testing rack.
How easy the product is to get out of the package affects how long it ultimately takes to mount on your vehicle. While some brands like to make their packaging as small as possible, others add extra bubble wrap or Styrofoam to ensure that your tent shows up undamaged. The Autana 3, Kukenam 3, Approach, and Yakima SkyRise all come in boxes that slide off the tent sideways.
The Smittybilt Overlander, Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander, iKamper Skycamp 3.0, and the Thule Tepui Foothill all come in a sandwich-style box that is easy to open and protects the tent. As an added bonus, the Foothill, Approach, Basin, and Skycamp 3.0 all come with the mounting tracks already installed on the base of the tent, removing a difficult step that many of these tents require.
When assembling your tent and attaching it to your vehicle, nearly all RTTs will include the basic tools needed. Even though we have a plethora of tools on hand, we attempted only to use the various wrenches included with each tent to conduct a true apples-to-apples comparison.
Once unboxed, the hard-shelled Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO, Thule Basin, and the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 are the easiest to install because they don't require any assembly at all — you simply remove them from the box and lift them onto your rack. The downside to the hardshell models is that they are generally on the heavier side. The Basin, specifically, tips the scales at a disc-slipping 176 pounds, which was enough for our team to believe it deserved to lose points for this metric. We highly recommend using four people to install this model because it was not fun with only two.
Once on the rack, you complete the installation process by sliding the hardware into place and cranking it all down with the included tools. The only reason we didn't give the three hardshell models a perfect score for this metric is that they are so bulky that they require two strong and able-bodied individuals to lift them onto any vehicle, especially a truck or SUV.
The Thule Approach also comes with its mounting tracks installed, but you need to attach the ladder and assemble the mounting hardware, which takes a few minutes. The time spent assembling the bracket is well worth it because once they're put together, these brackets are the only ones we've come across that do not require you to tilt the tent on your rack to get them into place.
The Thule Approach and Thule Basin also include a torque wrench — a tool that we wish the rest of the tents that use nuts and bolts to mount came with. We've learned the hard way that if you over-tighten mounting nuts, they can damage the piece of hardware that slides into the track, and they are then impossible to remove without cutting the bolt. If you don't tighten them enough, there will be vibration and movement while driving at high speeds or off-roading that can bend the bolt. Using a torque wrench means that you are cranking the nut to the manufacturer's exact recommended pressure — no more, no less.
When it comes to tents that require track assembly, we love the Yakima SkyRise system. Installing the mounting brackets only takes a couple of Allen wrenches, which are included with the tent. Once everything is set up, everything else is tool-free. After assembly, no tools are required to get this model on and off of your rack, which is a huge bonus. With an extra set of hands, you can install the SkyRise on your rack in well under five minutes. Taking it off is just as fast or faster.
Unlike any other tent in our review, Yakima thought to have a configuration in the hole pattern on the tent floor that allows the user to set the tent up to open off the back of the vehicle instead of the side. Having the tent open to the back has many benefits in certain situations. First, your overall footprint will have a long, straight shape rather than an awkward L shape, which might work better at many campgrounds, festivals, or between tight trees. Having both options, as the Yakima SkyRise does, is nice. It's possible to modify some other models to the out-the-back configuration, but this process requires some special tools and know-how. It's always a bit unnerving to take a power tool to such a large investment.
Cover Convenience
There is a large variety of rooftop tent cover types. Some are made of thick rubber; others are made of Cordura. Some are attached by velcro and clips; others are zipped on. Some get completely removed, while others only come off on three sides and are then rolled up and strapped up out of the way. The types that are entirely removed can often require two people to reattach. Even the ones that roll up can be a pain if you are alone, while some are a breeze for one person to handle.
We removed each cover and then put them back on 25 times to assess cover convenience and gauge user-friendliness. There are three key steps to the procedure of placing the cover back on the tent when it's time to pack up camp. First, you unroll the cover and snug it back over the folded-up tent. Then, you secure the cover to the outer edges of the bottom half of the tent floor using either a zipper or velcro. Finally, the whole system is secured using either straps or clips. We found that a heavy-duty zipper around the lower edge of the cover, partnered with D-ring style straps, was the easiest system to use.
We gave the Thule Basin, iKamper Skycamp 3.0, and the Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO perfect scores for this metric because they don't have covers to deal with. The way these three models are constructed, you simply undo a few buckles or straps, and the hardshell that covers the tent doubles as the roof of the tent or one side of the tent in the case of the iKamper.
We are big fans of the three-sided zipper cover system used by the Autana 3, Kukenham 3, and Foothill. It is great that Thule Tepui thought of sewing in straps to keep the rolled-up cover out of the way when you're in camping mode. The Yakima SkyRise cover straps aren't quite as beefy as the Tepui models, but they get the job done. The SkyRise cover system of zippers, velcro, and plastic clips is a no-brainer to take off, but slightly more difficult to reattach. The Approach is the only Thule model whose cover is completely removed. Our team found this to be more of a pain to put back on than models that stay attached and roll up below the tent.
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