Roof top tents are a go-to camping setup for many Tacoma owners. They give you the best of two worlds: extra space as a sleeping area on the cab or the bed rack while leaving the bed space free to sit your stuff.
The minimum they all can do is to keep you off the ground, which is a brilliant privilege, not only for rooting out the troubles of sleeping on a muddy or unleveled surface but also for providing extra safety.
In this article, we will discuss a few factors you need to consider before buying one of these and conclude with a practical list of the best RTTs you can buy.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Tacoma Roof Tent
Setting yourself up for the perfect Tacoma camping adventure can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling factors like budget, functionality, and personal needs.
With the right insights, you’ll be well on your way to finding a setup that’s both practical and perfectly tailored to your outdoor adventures.
Material and Durability
Roof top tents come in different styles ranging from hardshell to softshell to the pop-up variety. They’re an excellent alternative to Tacoma camper shells.
While Tacoma hardshell roof top tent options usually enjoy a more robust construction, the softshell ones can readily keep up in terms of durability and protection in challenging weather conditions.
Polyester is the most commonly used material in roof top tent canvasses due to its high heat resistance, sufficient UV resistance, and low cost. Other common materials for roof top tents include nylon, cotton, poly-cotton, acrylic fiber, and rip-stop nylon.
Although each material has its pros and cons, nylon and rip-stop nylon stand above the rest. At an affordable cost, they require less maintenance, since they are synthetic materials and can endure more when the weather goes awry.
Capacity
The quick takeaway here is that softshell roof tents usually offer more room than hardshell tents.
That said, it mostly depends on the tent you’re opting for; some hardshell tent toppers offer more sleeping areas as they can fold out to double the footprint size when folded up.
Whatever your option, make sure you consider your expectations so you won’t end up cramped along with others without sufficient headroom or sleeping area.
Weight
Roof top tents need a platform on which they can get installed, and that’s why you need to put some money into reliable and sturdy roof racks or bed racks, depending on which part of your rig will sit the Tacoma tent topper.
Moreover, you should mind the dynamic and static weight capacity of your roof/bed racks, which usually vary from 300 to 500 lbs and 600-1000 lbs in quality aftermarket racks.
This is while roof top tents’ weight spectrum ranges from 100 to 200 lbs. The pivotal point is to estimate the sum weight of the tent and the people planning to sleep in the tent to be less than the static load capacity of the racks.
If you’ve got a few extra hundred bucks, you can also upgrade the shocks on your Tacoma to ensure top-notch safety and drivability when driving off the beaten path.
Compatibility
Regardless of your Tacoma model year, you can easily install an RTT. However, some factors may cause incompatibility, including your roof or bed rack system and cab or bed configuration.
You’ll need to ensure your RTT of choice is compatible with your Tacoma roof rack or bed rack. Even then, some amount of creativity is warranted, because there are many ways to go about the installation process.
If you own a lifted Tacoma, you might want to invest in a ladder extension. Anti-vibration pads and bed stiffeners are optional.
Best Roof Top Tents for Your Tacoma
Below, we’ve curated a list of the top Tacoma rooftop tent options to streamline your search and make your decision-making process easier.
These tents are designed to meet a variety of needs, from casual weekend getaways to rugged overlanding expeditions. Whether you prioritize comfort, durability, or versatility, our recommendations have you covered.
Smittybilt Overlander XL
Manufacturer: Smittybilt
RTT type: Softshell
Tent material: 600D rip-stop polyester
Rainfly material: 420D Oxford flysheet
Sleeping capacity: 3-4 People
Weight: 170 lbs.
Warranty: 1-year manufacturer warranty
Buy on: Amazon
The Smittybilt Overlander is a tried-and-true overland tent that provides quality and features without breaking the bank. Regardless of the lightweight material, the construction quality is good enough to keep you untroubled, whether rainy or windy.
Up to 4 people can pass the night comfortably, and the ventilation system keeps the inside environment fresh, thanks to a handful of mesh windows integrated in all directions. The installation might take longer than usual, about 20 minutes.
Further features that amp up the Smittybilt Overlander’s functionality include a telescoping aluminum ladder, a 60mm high-density foam mattress, a boot bag, an LED strip interior light, a lighter adapter, and a mosquito net.
Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger
Manufacturer: The Wheel Group
RTT type: Softshell
Tent material: 280 G Poly/Cotton Rip-Stop
Rainfly material: 420D Polyester/Oxford PU coated
Sleeping capacity: 3 People
Weight: 164 lbs.
Warranty: 1-year manufacturer warranty
Buy on: Amazon
If you’re looking for a product that has stood the test of time, the Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger is the right choice. While affordable, the TSO Ranger boasts handy features, solid construction, and aesthetically pleasing design.
Poly-cotton rip-stop used as tent material guarantees durability and good resistance to UV rays. The rainfly material is a lightweight waterproof polyester fabric that does the job perfectly.
More features on the Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger include a sliding ladder, 3 window openings with window rods and mesh screens, a boot bag, LED light both inside and outside, and a mattress, all of which make the TSO Ranger incredibly versatile.
Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4
Manufacturer: Thule
RTT type: Softshell
Tent material: 600D Coated rip-stop polyester/cotton
Rainfly material: Polyurethane-coated polyester
Sleeping capacity: 4 People
Weight: 150 lbs. + 30 lbs. for the annex
Warranty: 2 year manufacturer warranty
Buy on: Amazon
The Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4 rests among the top-of-the-range Tacoma roof top tents. It shows more generosity in space for 4 people sleeping at a time and camping accessories that can fit into four large internal pockets.
The 2.5-inch high-density foam mattress offers comfort, and the mosquito netting in all windows and doors is a bonus.
Apart from the 6×8 ft sleeping area with excellent headroom, you get a removable annex with a rear door, side-screened windows, and a removable PVC floor.
Also, the excellent UV and mold resistance and water-resistant ventilated coating make the Autana 4 a gritty shelter for all seasons.
iKamper Skycamp Mini 3.0
Manufacturer: iKamper
RTT type: Hardshell
Tent material: 300gsm poly-cotton blackout canvas
Rainfly material: 75D rip-stop polyester w/ DWR coating
Sleeping capacity: 4 people
Weight: 165 lbs.
Warranty: Variable
Buy on: Amazon
If you’re looking for a Tacoma hardshell roof top tent, the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 is right for you. It offers a solid dual-layer fiber-reinforced plastic hard shell case with air insulation and an aerodynamic design to reduce wind resistance.
The $4,200 Skycamp 3.0 accommodates up to four adults easily, and like other hardshell RTTs, it takes little time to set up or tear down.
The high-density, king-size mattress is specially designed to prevent condensation beneath through an insulation layer, which is a great perk compared to the previous Skycamp models.
You can also store your sleeping stuff with the Skycamp 3.0 closed. The shoe rack and the awning midnight and annex plus are optional.
Front Runner Roof Top Tent
Manufacturer: Front Runner
RTT type: Softshell
Tent material: 260g 600D rip-stop poly/cotton
Rainfly material: 400D polyester Oxford
Sleeping capacity: 2+ people
Weight: 93 lbs.
Warranty: 2 year manufacturer warranty
Buy on: Amazon
The Front Runner roof top tent is not only the cheapest option on our list but also the most lightweight. For $1,209, you can get a well-built roof top tent with enough sleeping area for two to three people.
Moreover, the 330mm profile makes the Front Runner the best RTT regarding wind resistance reduction. Add that to the overall weight of 93 lbs, and you can guess how the Front Runner has a minimum effect on your Tacoma’s MPG.
Further features include a sliding aluminum ladder, insulated foundation, skylight vent windows, and two hanging pockets.
ROAM Vagabond
Manufacturer: ROAM Adventure Co.
RTT type: Softshell
Tent material: 280g Rip-stop poly/cotton
Rainfly material: 600D PU-coated diamond rip-stop nylon w/ vinyl for sunroof windows
Sleeping capacity: 2-3 People
Weight: 150 lbs.
Warranty: 5-year manufacturer/craftsmanship warranty
Buy on: Amazon
The all-season ROAM Vagabond is another top-of-the-line 3rd-gen Tacoma tent compatible with other model years.
It utilizes a plated base with insulation, an anti-condensation mat beneath the mattress, and a durable tent body fabric that provides excellent insulation against hot or cold temperatures.
The Vagabond also features dual rainfly skylights, boot bags, a gear hammock, and rubberized silent zippers.
Concluding Thoughts
Depending on your needs and budget, you’ve got multiple options for a Tacoma roof top tent, and at least one of the Tacoma RTTs we’ve piled up should suit your preferences.
The important thing is to double-check the RTT’s compatibility with your rack system and your Tacoma’s overload capacity.
Which of these roof tops caught your eye the most? Is there anything missing that you think should be here? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!