Best Rooftop Tents for Families

A family sized soft shell with a long warranty for a full size truck or SUV on a strong rack. Its weight rules out most factory roof racks.

A family sized soft shell with quick mounting and a low folded height, on sale for much less than the Approach 2 L. Check the roof and rack ratings, as it weighs 150 lb.

One of the biggest soft shell tents sold, for large families who want everyone sleeping off the ground in one tent. It needs a truck, trailer or full size SUV rack rated for the load.

A four person soft shell with a California king bed, for families who want one tent on the roof for everyone. Expensive next to rivals of the same size.

A three person soft shell with a 71 x 94 in floor and an optional annex, for small families on longer trips. At 198 lb it needs a strong roof rack.

A queen size soft shell for three adults or a couple who wants room to spread out, with a darker fabric for better sleep. Pricier than similar sized rivals.

A classic, roomy three person soft shell for couples or small families who camp in all weather. It costs more than budget tents of the same size.

A wide, sturdy soft shell for three adults or a couple with a child, at a fair price. The short warranty and 164 lb weight are the trade offs.

CVT’s biggest soft shell, sleeping four on an 86 x 94 in floor, for families who camp off a truck or trailer rack. At 262 lb it needs a heavy duty rack and a vehicle rated for the load.

A family sized soft shell from a big rack brand, with quick mounting and a low folded height. Check the roof and rack ratings, as it weighs 150 lb.

One of the biggest soft shells sold, for families of four or five with a full size truck or SUV on a heavy duty rack. The included annex adds a second room.

A polished, easy to mount soft shell for two adults who want a big bed and a low folded profile, for $300 less than the Approach 2 M.

A polished, easy to mount soft shell for two adults who want a big bed and a low folded profile. It costs far more than budget tents with the same bed.

For budget buyers who want more headroom than a wedge tent and a gear rack on top, at a fraction of name brand prices.

For families who want the full size Skycamp with a thick air mattress and lights already fitted, ready to sleep in as soon as it opens.

For families with a full size SUV, van or truck who want a king size bed in a hard shell that still opens in about a minute. Budget extra for the mattress and check the rack load rating.

For budget minded families who want a large hard shell with a long warranty, if they can live without published interior dimensions.

For families of four with a full size truck or SUV who want the biggest fold out hard shell bed Roofnest makes.

For couples or a couple with a child who want more bed than the Duo with the same quick fold out setup. Budget extra for the mattress.

For families who want a proven king size fold out hard shell at a lower price than the Skycamp 4.0 Quad, and can do without built in lights.

For couples with a full size SUV or truck who want a low, insulated clamshell with a roomy bed that opens in seconds.

For families who want a big fold out hard shell bed that opens in a minute, at a lower weight than aluminum shells.

For couples or a small family with a mid or full size vehicle who want a low clamshell with a roomier bed than the regular Falcon.

For couples with a smaller vehicle who want a fold out hard shell with a full 53 in bed on a short footprint.

For families on full size trucks and overland builds who want a large, tough aluminum shell and have a rack rated for its weight.

For two or three campers on full size trucks or SUVs who want an insulated four season pop up that stores bedding inside.

For overlanders with a smaller rig who want a tougher aluminum fold out shell that doubles as a gear mount.