The 8 Best Rooftop Tents for Trucks
The tents truck owners actually buy ā ranked by who each one is best for, with current pricing and real-world setup times.
Your truck is the ideal basecamp
A rooftop tent gets you up off the cold, wet ground and sets up in minutes ā and a pickup carries more weight than a car, with the choice of mounting over the cab or the bed. The only question is which tent fits your rig and the way you camp. So instead of one winner, here's the best rooftop tent in eight categories ā every one in stock, fitment-checked, and backed by the manufacturer's warranty.
Not sure what fits your truck?
Build Your Setup shows the rack, the tent, and everything that bolts on ā for your exact year, make, and model.
The quick picks
Skim by category ā tap any tent to check price and availability.
The picks, in detail
OVS Nomadic 3 Extended
Our top soft-shell pick two years running: premium-tent features at a price that makes people double-check the listing. A skylight, a plush 3" memory-foam mattress, and a 600D/420D build that shrugs off hard weather ā annex-ready when you want a covered changing room or extra sleepers.
- Huge annex-ready sleeping area
- Plush 3" memory-foam mattress
- Skylight for views and airflow
Keep in mind: 165 lbs ā heavier for a 3-person soft shell, but easy work for a truck.
Roofnest Condor 2 Air
One-minute, gas-strut setup with no loss of interior space. A 320 GSM poly-cotton body, tough ASA/ABS shell, dual HVAC ports, three dimmable LEDs, and lockable latches make it feel dialed ā and it pairs with Roofnest's modular Awnex awning/annex system.
- One-minute setup and takedown
- Queen / nearly-king sleeping options
- Mount gear directly to the shell
Keep in mind: heavier and bulkier than a soft shell.
iKamper Skycamp DLX
The category breaker ā a hard shell that opens to a massive 77" platform for four adults or a family of five, yet stays a reasonable 190 lbs. Cork-and-honeycomb flooring delivers standout insulation, and the 4" self-inflating mattress is as close to a real bed as rooftop camping gets. (Prefer two-person? The DLX Mini is the same tent, scaled down.)
- Sleeps a family of five
- Best-in-class insulation
- Luxurious 4" mattress
Keep in mind: it's the premium pick ā it isn't cheap.
OVS TMBK 3
Getting into a rooftop tent for under a grand usually means cutting corners ā the TMBK doesn't. Tough 600D body, 420D rainfly, and a 2.5" mattress at just 110 lbs. Officially a 2-person, the generous 55" width fits a family of three. The honest entry point we point first-timers toward.
- Under $1,000, no compromises
- Featherweight 110 lbs
- All-weather 600D build
Keep in mind: setup and takedown aren't the fastest.
Roofnest Meadowlark
At just 90 lbs, one of the only sub-100-pound tents you can buy ā the answer for anyone worried about load on their rack or running a lighter mid-size truck. Still packs a 2.5" mattress and sets up faster than almost anything here. If you have crossbars, it'll go on your truck.
- Remarkably light at 90 lbs
- Lightning-fast setup
- Real 2.5" mattress despite the weight
Keep in mind: smaller, lighter-weight materials than heavier 2-person tents.
Tuff Stuff Elite
Essentially two tents in one. A removable privacy wall and two ladder entrances split the massive footprint ā parents on one side, kids on the other ā and it ships standard with an annex that sleeps up to four more, so the whole setup handles nine. Windproof 280g poly-cotton, 420D fly, and a 2.75" mattress.
- One of the largest tents made ā annex included
- Two ladders + optional divider wall
- 2.75" mattress, tough all-weather build
Keep in mind: big means heavy ā 194 lbs.
iKamper BDV Duo
Just 7" tall when closed ā built for fuel economy, garage clearance, and a clean aerodynamic profile. The aluminum shell takes years of trail abuse, the dual-density mattress sleeps two genuinely well, and gas struts pop it open solo in under 60 seconds. T-slot rails let you add awnings, gear, or solar.
- Ultra-low 7" closed profile
- Sub-minute solo setup
- Modular T-slot mounting
Keep in mind: no built-in HVAC ports.
Roam Vagabond 2.0
Built for trips where strength matters most. Heavy-duty ripstop, reinforced seams, and premium waterproofing take on rain, wind, and trail abuse, while a 2.0" high-density mattress, integrated LEDs, and smart storage keep camp comfortable. A true all-season basecamp that still packs away fast.
- Heavy-duty, reinforced construction
- Integrated LED lighting + storage
- Dual-layer windows for airflow or full seal
Keep in mind: not the lightest option in the lineup.
Compare all 8
| Tent | Best for | Type | Sleeps | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OVS Nomadic 3 Extended | Overall | Soft shell | 3 | 165 lb | $1,649.99 |
| Roofnest Condor 2 Air | Hard shell | Hard shell | 2ā3 | Heavy | $3,225.75 |
| iKamper Skycamp DLX | Premium | Hard shell | 4ā5 | 190 lb | $4,395 |
| OVS TMBK 3 | Value | Soft shell | 2ā3 | 110 lb | $999 |
| Roofnest Meadowlark | Lightweight | Soft shell | 2 | 90 lb | $1,525.50 |
| Tuff Stuff Elite | Families | Soft shell | 4ā5 +annex | 194 lb | $3,025 |
| iKamper BDV Duo | Low profile | Hard shell | 2 | Light | $2,995 |
| Roam Vagabond 2.0 | Durability | Soft shell | 2 | Mid | $2,399 |
How to choose
Soft shell vs. hard shell
Soft shells fold open to a larger footprint for the money and usually sleep more people ā ideal for families and value shoppers, and up in about five minutes. Hard shells pop up in about a minute on gas struts, sit more aerodynamically, and protect your bedding in a rigid clamshell ā worth it if you camp often or want a low profile.
Sizing
Rooftop tents max out around 77" wide. Solo and couples are well served by 2-person tents; families should look at 3ā5 person tents or anything annex-ready. The annex doubles as a changing room, gear storage, and dog-friendly zone.
What you need to mount one
Every tent here needs crossbars ā on a cab roof rack or a bed rack. Over the bed keeps it low and barely touches MPG; over the cab is fine with a small efficiency hit. Just confirm the rack's dynamic (driving) and static (sleeping) ratings cover your tent ā or let us check it.
Truck rooftop tent FAQs
What do I need to mount a rooftop tent?
A roof rack on the cab or a bed rack over the bed, with crossbars rated to hold the tent's weight. Most trucks add an aftermarket rack, then you're set.
Will it hurt my gas mileage?
Over the bed near or below cab height, you'll barely notice. Over the cab there's a small dip. Low-profile hard shells minimize the impact either way.
How long do they take to set up?
Soft shells take about five minutes; hard shells pop up in roughly one minute on gas struts. Takedown is similar.
Are they okay in the rain?
Yes ā heavier, more durable materials than a ground tent, with rainflys built for serious weather.
Can my truck handle the weight?
Almost certainly. Confirm the crossbars' dynamic and static ratings cover your tent ā send us your truck and tent and we'll verify it.
Is a rooftop tent worth it?
If you camp from your truck, yes. You sleep off the ground, set up in minutes, and your shelter follows the truck anywhere.
Still deciding? We'll help you pick.
Tell us your truck and how you camp ā our gear team matches you to the right tent and rack, and confirms fit before you buy.