SUV tent... who has one... Opinions

[nglauer]

Now that we have a bigger SUV we thought it might be fun to purchase an SUV style tent that attaches to the back. We had originally considered a rooftop unit, but I couldn't justify the price for everything needed to make one work for a family of 5 (3, 12, 14 and my wife and I). Something like the Napier Sportz 84000 seemed like a decent option.

Who on here owns an SUV tent... What brand? Pros/Cons?

Who has an air mattress that fits well in a 15+ Tahoe Yukon?

Plans are to buy the tent (not sure on brand, but bigger might be better since we have a family of 5.

2 of the Roadie Overnighter window tents

https://www.amazon.com/ROADIE-OVERNIGHTER-SUV-Window-Tent/dp/B06XX3H5XL

A sunroof screen.. similar to this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Sunroof-Breathable-Overnight-Protection/dp/B07SMYNHYX

and a fitted air mattress similar to an AirBedz. I won't need an air pump, as I have a battery powered Ryobi. I also have a couple of Ryobi fans and various other Ryobi items that should work well for a weekend trip.

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated. We're not ready to buy a camper and like the idea of keeping it small so we can tie everything in the back and take off last minute.

Thanks!

Nick

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[nglauer]

Guessing no one camps with one of these lol. We'll upgrade to an actual camper at some point. Just curious since an SUV tent seemed like a cool option for now.

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[wjburken]

@Tozan and a few others do a lot of overlanding and have some good set-ups for camping.

 

[nglauer]

@Tozan and a few others do a lot of overlanding and have some good set-ups for camping.

Thank you. We probably won't be doing anything to crazy, maybe some small camp grounds here and there. I just like the idea of being able to throw everything into the back and leaving with little notice. Keeps the kids on their toes lol.

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[Tozan]

For your needs I would consider a large quick set up tent. This would give you more room for kids to spread out in. The inside of a Sub or Tahoe will get pretty cramped with more than two people. I would stay away from a tent attached to the SUV. Free standing tents will be easier to set up plus some campgrounds you may not be able to have the tent attached to the suv. It will also make it easier to set up camp and still drive away too.

Maybe something like a Gazelle T-4 Plus if you don't mind spending a little extra for a fast set up. These are a good high end tent with a really fast set up and a screened room for extra room.

Another option if you want to keep cost down and don't mind a little longer set up time something simple like a 8 Person Ozark tent from Walmart would work too.

Get out there and have fun with the kids..

 

[nglauer]

For your needs I would consider a large quick set up tent. This would give you more room for kids to spread out in. The inside of a Sub or Tahoe will get pretty cramped with more than two people. I would stay away from a tent attached to the SUV. Free standing tents will be easier to set up plus some campgrounds you may not be able to have the tent attached to the suv. It will also make it easier to set up camp and still drive away too.

Maybe something like a Gazelle T-4 Plus if you don't mind spending a little extra for a fast set up. These are a good high end tent with a really fast set up and a screened room for extra room.

Another option if you want to keep cost down and don't mind a little longer set up time something simple like a 8 Person Ozark tent from Walmart would work too.

Get out there and have fun with the kids..

I've never seen the Gazelle tents before. Very nice looking setup. I don't disagree with going with a traditional tent. I think the whole idea with going with an SUV one came from childhood memories on family camping trips. My uncle bought a new 2 door s10 blazer back in 1984 and purchased from the dealer an SUV tent for it. Apparently GM offered one for it back then. I just remember all of us wanting to sleep in that tent vs the camper. Ironically years later we met another family that camped near us at a state park that had a Pontiac Aztec with a similar GM SUV tent. We've looked at rooftop tents (unfortunately to small for a family of 5) and even considered a tent camper (prices have went nuts on used ones in SE Ohio). We looked at the Members Mark tent at Sam's Club, but I want something more durable without breaking the bank. I'll have to put some major thought into the Gazelle, I really like that design and layout.

Our goal is to pack all of our gear and possibly 4 kayaks (probably trailer them), assuming we find 4 locally. They seem to be a hot item this year. Thanks again!

Nick

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[gat0r]

hadnt seen the SUV tent. did have one of their truck tents that popped up in truck bed.
it was great on multiple outings when it rained. we were only dry ones ... hehe

since got rid of truck, just used traditional tents next to my burb

 

[Rock Surf]

I'm currently looking for a rooftop tent for my Yukon.
The Tepui style fold out tents are like huge bricks on top and kill gas mileage.
That got me looking into pop up style fiberglass or aluminum tents with lower and more aerodynamic features.
I've got it narrowed down to these two here:
#1 Mass produced Chinese one that goes by a few different names. Looks like most of them put their name on it and add about another $1500. This is the cheapest one I've found, ships direct from manufacturer:
https://doublesteps.com/product/trustmade-hard-shell-rooftop-tent/

#2 I like this one a lot. The main thing is its only 7" tall when closed, and also mounts to the rails on the roof not the crossbars. This keeps it a few inches lower.
https://roofnest.com/product/falcon-xl/

 

[nglauer]

I'm currently looking for a rooftop tent for my Yukon.
The Tepui style fold out tents are like huge bricks on top and kill gas mileage.
That got me looking into pop up style fiberglass or aluminum tents with lower and more aerodynamic features.
I've got it narrowed down to these two here:
#1 Mass produced Chinese one that goes by a few different names. Looks like most of them put their name on it and add about another $1500. This is the cheapest one I've found, ships direct from manufacturer:
https://doublesteps.com/product/trustmade-hard-shell-rooftop-tent/

#2 I like this one a lot. The main thing is its only 7" tall when closed, and also mounts to the rails on the roof not the crossbars. This keeps it a few inches lower.
https://roofnest.com/product/falcon-xl/

Check out ikamper. I have a friend that has traveled all over the country with theirs. They had it mounted on a Subaru and now on a bed rack on an f150.

They have the skycamo 2.0 with the annex and awning. I think they also have a batwing too.

https://www.ikamper.com/

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[nglauer]

I would love to go with a roof top unit, but I have 3 kids... I know the skycamp 2.0 is for 4 people... but I'm sure it's still a tight fit.

I have another friend with a Smittybilt.... but it's just a big rooftop duffle bag that looks like it would catch a lot of wind. He has his on a jacked up 2dr jeep... so he gave up on aerodynamics and fuel mileage the day he bought that jeep.... doubt the tent hurts it to much more lol.

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[Tozan]

Here is a 4 person RTT form Overland vehicle systems.

Only $1499 I have there 270 awning and it is very good quality and their prices are very hard to beat...

 

[JFreeze]

Hoping to accessorize my 2021 Tahoe Z71 with a roof top tent as well. Problem is that I don't like the OEM roof rack cross bars (too high) and I can't find a single after market company that makes lower profile roof rack cleats to attach to the Tahoe's new style of flush roof rails. Considered the Rhino Rack Vortex SX (only have a max load of 150lbs) and the Rhino Rack CBX Heavy Duty (not sure they will work with Tahoe's flush rail...but look like they might). Has anyone added a roof rack or roof top tent to their 2021 Tahoe?

 

[Tozan]

I built my own cross bars for mine. I used wing shaped cromoly steel tubing for light weight and strength.

They are mounted directly to the side rails for a very low profile. Photo below: the top black cross member is stock.

I added a third rail to make mine more rigid with my 270 degree awning. If you are mounting a third rail you will discover the center will not be the same height as the front and rear ones.

If I was going to do this again I would consider using T-slot material and T nuts and mounting it in the side rails.

 

[Sparksalot]

I built my own cross bars for mine. I used wing shaped cromoly steel tubing for light weight and strength.
View attachment 349678

They are mounted directly to the side rails for a very low profile. Photo below: the top black cross member is stock.
View attachment 349679
I added a third rail to make mine more rigid with my 270 degree awning. If you are mounting a third rail you will discover the center will not be the same height as the front and rear ones.

View attachment 349680


If I was going to do this again I would consider using T-slot material and T nuts and mounting it in the side rails.

Great pics. I was about to ask how you mounted the awning.

 

[mrpeterclark]

baselineoverland.com offers one now

 

[Sparksalot]

baselineoverland.com offers one now View attachment 387295

What is the difference between the full height and lightbar height racks? Do you have an image?

 

[mrpeterclark]

What is the difference between the full height and lightbar height racks? Do you have an image?

the fairing is lower down to allow for a slim light bar to sit behind the fairing. Similar to this.

 

[B-train]

I'm currently looking for a rooftop tent for my Yukon.
The Tepui style fold out tents are like huge bricks on top and kill gas mileage.
That got me looking into pop up style fiberglass or aluminum tents with lower and more aerodynamic features.
I've got it narrowed down to these two here:
#1 Mass produced Chinese one that goes by a few different names. Looks like most of them put their name on it and add about another $1500. This is the cheapest one I've found, ships direct from manufacturer:
https://doublesteps.com/product/trustmade-hard-shell-rooftop-tent/

#2 I like this one a lot. The main thing is its only 7" tall when closed, and also mounts to the rails on the roof not the crossbars. This keeps it a few inches lower.
https://roofnest.com/product/falcon-xl/

I have a 2008 denali I turned into my amateur overland truck. I traded the stock roof rack for a 2005 z-71 tahoe rack. It is a little taller, but much studier and allows hands underneath for mounting. I had to use 2x4 turned flat as an increase so I could mount it. I fought a FREE SPIRIT RECREATION tent. It was $1300. The first trip we did I could feel the wind resistance and it brought down the mpg a little bit.....but I also put on AT4 wheels and tires, so that contributed to some I'm sure. Overall though, not drastic.

Fast forward to 2022: Ditched the AT4 wheels and tires and bought 18 inch GM accessory wheels and mounted OE tire size. I then bought a cheap snowboard and made a mount to the tent frame. Some head scratching ensued, but it was fun. I ended up with a perfect $65 air deflector that allows me to travel 85 mph without any issues. Cuts through wind much better.

I like the RTT because it cuts down on dew issues and if you ARE overlanding, it keeps critters farther away. Not as useful if you want to camp at the same site for days and do day trips......lots of up/down. I'd say get a RTT for you and the wife, let the kiddos sleep inside the truck or in a small pop up tent (depending on location). Mine is only a 2 person, but there are options for more if needed, but I'd only do that with little kids, not older or teen, the need their space.

We also bought the instant up tent and screen room from Costco and they work super well and are of good quality.

Happy trails!