I have no experience with the Smittybilt rooftop tent, but if the quality is anything like other Smittybilt products I have owned, I would steer clear.

A rooftop tent would not work for me, because I like to set up camp, then go Jeeping. That would not work so well with this kind of set up.

If I was an overlander, camping wherever I land on a trail for one evening, a rooftop tent would make a little more sense. Overhead clearance is an issue in my area.

I have a couple friends that have put rooftop tents on top of small off road trailers they have built. They seem to work well.

 

I've have their old and new versions. They changed a few years ago. The new ones have some improvements from the old design. thicker mattress, thicker fabric and rain fly, better led light system that runs off 12v. Next to my friends tepui , they look identical with a few minor differences in colors, granted his tepui is smaller. I can fit myself and 2 kids up there just fine, even with a 27" TV and xbox. so we have been very happy with them. Just dont put them away wet and if you do, wash them as soon as you get home.



One thing is, no matter what brand you get, season the tent before taking it out into the rain. The tents use a wick stop thread that will expand when wet and the fabric will contract when wet, you need to get the tent nice and wet a few times and let it dry before exposing it to rain, otherwise you will get some seepage. All the tents ive looked at recommend this and all have the same poly cotton fabric and seam tape on the insides of the tent.

 

I’ve had the smaller Smittybilt tent for about two years. I’ve used it for a few weekend get always as well as a couple extended camping trips. On a recent trip to Pismo Beach, the little tent withstood 40 mph winds for two days and one day of rain. Folks with ground tents struggled with the winds. The little Smittybilt stood proud.

I feel it is a good value for an occasional camper like myself. As some have observed, it seems to be very similar to others on the market. Some say they are all made in the same Chinese factory.

Mine is trailer-mounted. This lets me leave camp and go exploring without having to drop the tent every day. Whether roof-mounted or trailer-mounted it should do the job for a weekend warrior. I, too, have had issues with other Smittybilt products but the tent is one that seems to hit the mark at a good price point.

 

Thanks for the perspectives! From all the research I've done it seems that the tent itself is a good value. It seems to me that it is worth it for the price for the occasional camper, which is what we are.

The other obvious thing to consider is that the tent is attached to your jeep so before you can go anywhere you have to pack it all up thus limiting you to either camping or driving so I really like the idea of putting it on a trailer.

So I'm pretty convinced at this point that I want to get the tent and I will definitely season it as suggested, thanks for that advice as well.

My only hang up now is to decide on a roof rack that I can mount it to. I've read the reviews on the smittybilt rack and unlike the tent I do not think its a good value purchase based on the reviews and research I've done. So I'll probably start a new thread on roof racks and see what feed back I get there.

Thanks again!

 

I've seen them used on the trail and will only say it's a lot faster and easier to just throw a small tent onto the ground. I'd only go for a roof-top if I was in a country that had Black Mamba or Cobra snakes slithering around on the ground.

 

This is why I've gone back and forth on the issue actually, we already have backpacking gear with pop up tent, jet boil systems and all that so we could just throw the packs in the Jeep and go. But we are actually looking for something a bit more comfortable without having to haul a camper around.

So what I'm trying to do is set up the Jeep as a camping station of sorts instead, I'm looking into different ideas for a makeshift kitchen and outdoor shower station as well.

The appealing thing about the tent is that it's off the ground so its gonna be flat, and it comes with a mattress and all that, etc. Also I live in the desert so snakes can be an issue out here, mostly Rattlers.

Still you make a very good point, its basically just another tent that's six feet off the ground lol.

 

I like the idea of being off the ground, but that's a lot of coin!

The trailer-mounted is great idea, especially if you go frequently. It would be super convenient to leave the bulk of things set up and ready to hook up and go.

Tent on the ground is certainly least expensive option and can still be left set up on site while you go wheeling.

It all depends on how serious you are about tenting and how often you will be going. If I ever go, will probably on the ground to start with. I just can't spend a lot. That's just me...

If I got to the point where a rooftop tent was right for me, I would probably built my own folding platform out of plywood and throw a Walmart tent on it.

 

No roof top tent, yet. I, too, have been debating. I have a roof rack, so that part is covered. There are a bunch of tents out there. Prices vary greatly.
Have done the ground tent thing. Just did a 2-day trip on White Rim Trail in Moab. $20 tent worked just fine.
I like the idea of up and off the ground. Flat, good view, no flooding, no crawlies. Still thinking about it.
Trailer mounted is a great idea. Extra storage on the trail, longer treks, leave at camp. But I tow my Jeep behind my RV. Trailer on the toad is not an option.
Smittybilt, Tepui, Yakima, Sparrow, Ikamper, ARB......the list goes on. Research, reviews, check them all.


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I'm with TJDave on the stand alone version. you can go big on the tent quality and save money from the racks ,etc. The last tent I had was a Kodiak 10X14 Flexbow Deluxe. Best, HD Canvas tent I've ever owned. I now do the push button motorhome and will pull the Jeep. IMO, the only reason for the rooftop is camping in areas with people eaters. Stand alone tent will also allow you to camp in other scenarios with or without the Jeep.

 

I have taken some time to think it over and have decided not to purchase the rooftop tent. I've listed some of the reasons below, much of it is due to the opinions here that convinced me to think twice and I'm glad I did.

1. A roof top tent is just a tent, and one that you have to pack up every time before using your Jeep since it's attached to it.

2. Despite the smittybilt tent being a decent price compared to some of the other options available, it's still nearly $1000 and I can think of much better ways to invest that in my rig, such as lockers, a winch, a soft top, etc.

3. I really don't like the look of the roof racks on the market. The way they mount sucks because they surround the entire Jeep from front to back all the way to the rear bumper. It's just too much money and frankly IMO its ugly.

4. As many have said before it's not really necessary in America, we don't have cobras or 12 foot long black mambas here. This is not Africa or even Australia where staying off the ground makes a lot more sense.

Many of these points were made by others in this thread and at first I thought I really wanted a roof top tent. But the more I've thought about it, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you can get a nice regular tent for less than half the price. Perhaps if there were a better way to mount it to the Jeep I'd be more inclined but at this point I'm going to invest in my rig in other ways that will boost it's off road performance and just pitch a tent like I always have.

Thanks for the input all.

 

Thx for following up...

 

Its shittybilt, enough said...

 

If you buy the Kodiak...that girl comes out and helps you get it up the first time.

 

I use the Coleman Instatent they are up in a matter of minuets

https://www.coleman.com/instant-cab...ml?cgid=coleman-tentsandshelters#prefn1=tentSetup&sz=24&start=30&prefv1=Instant

I think the roof top units look very cool, but for me I try and keep as much weight down low as possible. I have had heavy coolers and such up my rear rack and when things get a little off camber I really don't like the pucker factor.

 

Unless your worried about this

 

:funnypost:

 

45 Colt will handle them.

 

I thought the kia bait car to draw them away was good enough