Rooftop tents are the ultimate companion for Jeep’s off-road camping adventure. Imagine having a rooftop tent in your next camping adventure in remote places. With a 10 – 15 minutes installation anywhere in your camping site and a quick and easy setup, you can say goodbye to cold hard ground.
Generally, a good rooftop tent provides a comfortable and convenient place to camp, notwithstanding where you take your next camping trip. Besides, you have the option to choose a more spacious Jeep TJ roof top tent to accommodate you and your loved ones. The fact that it is off the ground, you won’t worry about the wet ground – if it rains or stung or bitten by any creepy crawlies.
Yet, rooftop tents are some of the most complicated Jeep camping gear you can buy and they usually come with a substantial financial investment. As such, choosing the right Jeep TJ rooftop tent can be a daunting task for you.
However, to help you choose the right Jeep TJ rooftop tent, we’ve got you a comprehensive buying guide, complete with our reviews of the best Jeep TJ rooftop tents on the market. Without much ado, let’s get to it.
Best Jeep TJ Roof Top Tents
Smittybilt Overlander Tent
If you are looking to enjoy greater outdoors with your Jeep TJ, you need to bring along some of the convenient comforts of home with the Smittybilt Overlander Roof Tent. With the setting up in a matter of minutes, this tent will quickly deliver you a long-lasting campsite complete with a weatherproof rip-stop polyester rain fly.
To ensure inside the roof tent is well-aerated, this tent features a large tent opening mesh windows and mosquito-netted sunroof. All these work to allow optimum airflow into the tent so that you have a relaxed stuffy-free rooftop tent environment. The inside of the tent also comes with useful features such as large storage pockets for convenient storage of your camping gear and an LED strip for illumination during the night.
This rooftop tent boasts a sturdy anodized aluminum framework with stainless steel hinges making it withstand strong winds and stormy weather. It weighs 116 pounds, making it ideal to mount not only on Jeep TJ but also on most Jeep models and SUVs. Besides, it features adjustable rails and a dual aluminum track for easy universal installation. It easily mounts on either aftermarket or factory rack or crossbar system.
The Smittybilt Overlander Rooftop tent features a 2-inch thick high-density foam mattress that allows the comfortable sleep of two adults. The 18 –inch telescoping aluminum ladder system offers you ease of access to and from your rooftop tent. The tent comes with a 1-year warranty.
Key Features
- 600D Heavy-duty waterproof top and rain fly
- Anodized aluminum tent frame poles
- High-density foam full mattress
- Interior LED strips
- Heavy-duty PVC cover
- Sleeps 2-3 people
- Telescoping ladder with the extension included
- Mounting brackets included
ARB 803804 Simpson Tent
With the ARB 803804 Simpson rooftop tent, you will sleep comfortably and peacefully high off the ground. Once you mount it to the roof rack of your Jeep TJ, this roof tent unfolds off either the side or down the rear. The handy bungee cord system makes the entire setup process seamless and efficient. The tent can easily be paired with any awning from ARB and are compatible with roof racks and ARB crossbars.
The Simpson ARB Series III is made of durable poly-cotton rip-stop canvas which is incorporated with an oxford polyester rainfly for maximum protection from heavy rain. The windows and the door of this tent as meshed with a fine net to keep off mosquitoes and bugs as you enjoy your night’s sleep.
For easy access to your rooftop tent, the tent comes with a sturdy 1-inch D retractable ladder that has a maximum weight-bearing capacity of 265 pounds. Just like all the ARB aluminum components, this ladder is coated with an anodized finish to ensure superior corrosion resistance as well as a clean chic look.
Once you are inside this rooftop tent, you lay down on the 2.5-inch high-density foam mattress for the most relaxing and comfortable slumber away from home that you will ever experience. the mattress comes with a removable cover for added comfort. With the taped sealed seams double protection and all-weather vents, you are guaranteed a cool and dry environment inside your Jeep TJ rooftop tent.
Key Features
- High-quality waterproof poly-cotton ripstop canvas
- Oxford polyester flysheet
- UV stabilized laminated welded PVC cover
- 2.5 Inch high-density foam mattress
- Retractable aluminum ladder
- Annex included
Campoint 2 Person Lite Rooftop Tent
The Campoint 2 Person Lite rooftop tent is made perfect for different SUV Jeep models with crossbars or rack systems to provide the best rooftop tent for all-season campers. To live up to its design and intent, this tent is made from strong non-rip polyester-waterproof material that is combined with polyurethane-impregnation for added durability.
To ensure you have a great stargazing experience, the heavy-duty waterproof top canvas is fitted with a sunroof. However, you can pull over the included extra-large rainfly for maximum protection from stormy and windy weather. The tent canvas is held in place with anodized aluminum poles while the stainless steel hinges ensure the tent framework holds sturdily to your Jeep’s roof rack system.
The 6.5 feet aluminum telescoping ladder ensures that you have a convenient climb up and down from your rooftop tent. The windows are screened with a net to allow greater airflow while keeping mosquitoes out. The waterproof rainfly will protect you from heavy rain and strong winds.
Inside the tent is a 2-inch thick high-density foam mattress that assures a comfortable night’s sleep. Measuring 90-in x 53-in, this mattress is wide enough to comfortably accommodate 2 to 3 persons. If you intend to go camping in a group of 2 or 3, this rooftop tent will certainly offer you enough accommodation during your camping adventures.
Key Features
- 600D Heavy-duty waterproof top with sunroof
- Extra-large rain fly
- Oxford waterproof rooftop cover
- 2.5 Inch high-density foam double mattress
- 7 Feet 6-inch collapsible aluminum telescopic tubular ladder
- 2 Person occupancy
Thule Tepui Explorer Autana
The Thule Tepui Explorer Autana is designed and made for year-round camping adventures in any climate. For couple up with this purpose, the tent is made of coated 600D and a 260g poly-cotton blend that withstands all weather elements. Besides, these tent materials are UV and mold resistant thus able to withstand weather elements of any season.
The mesh panels on the tent canvas offer plenty of ventilation as well as efficiency for more airflow. That way, the inside of this rooftop tent won’t be stuffy. The four large internal pockets provide good storage space for camping accessories and gear. At the base of the tent is a high-density foam mattress that offers exceptional comfort for sleeping. Besides, it is spacious enough for 2-3 people to sleep.
This rooftop features a stock 8.6 feet telescoping ladder to allow easy access to the inside of the rooftop tent while eliminating the need to buy a ladder separately. The quick-release rainfly provides protection from weather elements. It also features a travel cover to ensure maximum protection of the tent while traveling.
Key Features
- 600D High-quality ripstop fabric
- 260g Polyester cotton
- 5/8-Inch wrapped aluminum internal frame
- High-density foam mattress
- Large internal storage pockets
- 8 Feet 6-inch telescoping ladder
- Annex included
- Travel cover
- 2-3 People occupancy
How to Choose the Right Jeep TJ Roof Top Tent
Now that you have seen our best Jeep TJ roof top tents, let’s look at how to choose the right roof top tent. As we already mentioned before, Jeep tents are a bit complex, so if you are new to the world of roof top camping, then you might find it difficult to choose a roof top tent or where exactly to start.
Type of Roof Top Tent: Soft Top or Hard Top
Ideally, the first thing you will notice when shopping around for a Jeep Wrangler roof top tent is that there are available in different types. Generally, rooftop tents are categorized as either softtop (softshell) or hardtop (hardshell).
Soft top models are designed to fold into a rubber travel cover that is mounted to your Jeep roof rack, much like a cargo bag would be. The soft top tents are generally affordable thus more popular.
Hardtops are generally new to the world of rooftop tents, but they are quickly taking the market really quickly. They look more like a large fiberglass cargo box when folded and set up by popping out.
Quality and Durability
Good tent models are made from high-quality materials to guarantee durability and longevity. Certainly, not all rooftop tents are built with the same material and this is what will set one brand of rooftop tent from the other is the quality standards of the material used.
When it comes to quality, consider choosing a roof top tent that is made from a waterproof, UV-resistant, mold, and mildew-resistant rip-stop fabric canvas. The rain fly should at least be 420D polyurethane-coated polyester for maximum protection against rain and snow for longer. An anodized aluminum framework and base will ensure the stability and longevity of that particular rooftop tent.
Compatibility
Is the rooftop tent compatible with your Jeep model? This is the question you need to answer before committing your hard-earned cash to a rooftop tent. The compatibility of the rooftop tent you intend to buy largely depends on your vehicle – Jeep TJ, the size of the tent, and the number of people you need to fit comfortably into the tent. Moreover, you need to consider the weight limit of your Jeep Wrangler. On this, consult your vehicle specs or the manufacturer.
Sliding or Telescoping Ladder
Because rooftop tents are set up on the roof of your Jeep, you will need a ladder to get in and out of the tent. Often, rooftop tents come with their own ladder, though there are two kinds: telescoping and sliding.
While sliding ladders are largely sturdier, the telescoping ladders are great when you want a more compact setup or more height options for getting into your rooftop tent.
Weight
Without a doubt, rooftop tents are heavier compared to the traditional ground tents. However, a rooftop tent can weigh between 100 – 200 pounds on average. At least once you will have to lift it to the rooftop of your car and install it. Besides, the roof rack system has to bear this weight coupled with the weight of those sleeping in the tent.
For this reason, consider choosing a tent that you can easily carry to your Jeep’s roof and install as well as one with the weight that your Jeep’s roof can support without getting damaged.
Annexes and Awnings
Whereas some rooftop tents provide a place to sleep and nothing more, others come with plenty of Jeep accessories and add-ons like a large awning for effective protection against snow, rain, and sun. others come with an annex that acts as a second room for privacy, relaxation, or camping gear storage. These add-ons are excellent but keep in mind that they come at an extra cost and weight.
FAQs
Q: Can I put a roof top tent on a Jeep Wrangler?
A: Yes. However, your Jeep Wrangler should have a secured roof rack so that you can conveniently attach the rooftop tent. Moreover, rooftop tents are user-friendly and don’t require professional installation skills. So, if you are doubting whether you can put it on your Jeep Wrangler, worry no more!
Q: How do you put a tent on a Jeep Wrangler roof?
A: Putting a tent on a Jeep Wrangler roof can be easy when you follow these steps below:
- Prepare the right tools and mounting equipment necessary for your Jeep Wrangler such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and mounting equipment.
- You must have a roof rack or mount the tent on the crossbar
- Open your tent to get out the instructional manual, tools, ladder, and any extra equipment which is stored in the tent. Close the tent again.
- Put the rooftop tent on your Jeep’s roof with the help of extra hands. Make sure it is in place, open it and see how it sets up before attaching the mounts with bolts on the rack.
- Attach the rooftop tent to the crossbars or roof rack and confirm that everything is in the right place then secure it
- Finally, secure some bolts to the rooftop tent to attach the ladder.
- Set up the tent, climb up the ladder and see how the tent is inside. If you are satisfied that it is ok, climb down, fold it and you are all set to go camping!
Q: What kind of car do you need for a roof top tent?
A: More often than not, SUV and truck vehicles are ideal for rooftop tents. Cars in the category of sedans and hatchbacks are usually not preferred for rooftop tents. This is because rooftop tents are often acceptable on raised rail systems or fixed points that are common with SUV or truck cars.
Q: Do roof top tents get stolen?
A: Yes. Rooftop tents often get stolen if left unsecured. So, to prevent yours from getting stolen, you can use different steps such as using security nuts or rooftop tent security mounts to safely secure your Jeep’s rooftop tent.
Conclusion
Whether you are exploring the remotest forest or beachcombing along the ocean, a good Jeep TJ roof top tent will without a doubt elevate your camping experience. We hope that after reading through to this point, you got enough information to choose the right rooftop tent for your Jeep TJ.
