Tag Archives: rooftop tent

This Rooftop Tent Has a Skylight, a Ladder, LED Lighting, and deploys with a button.

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Most rooftop tents still act like tents. You climb in, you’re surrounded by fabric, you sleep, you leave. The Sky Cruiser is going for something a little different, it wants to feel like a room you happen to be sleeping in above your truck, complete with a skylight and windows doing the job curtains and walls usually do back home.

That shift in identity starts the moment you arrive at camp, honestly, because you barely have to lift a finger to get there. The X-frame construction pops open and locks in place in seconds, no wrestling with poles or praying the wind cooperates. Once it’s up, the GlowRail lighting kicks in after dark like a little mood setting feature, and the SkyHold storage keeps your gear from turning the place into chaos. It’s less “put up a tent” and more “open a room with a very good view.”

Designer: Cinch Outdoors

The skylight is doing most of the emotional labor here, and it earns the attention. Instead of a fabric ceiling that separates you from the sky, Cinch swapped in a clear panel that turns your bedtime routine into a low-key planetarium show. Pair that with the panoramic side windows and you’ve basically got a tent with no bad seats. It’s a small architectural decision with a big payoff, since most rooftop tents treat the view as a bonus you get through a mesh door, not the whole point of the design.

Getting up there is handled by the WideTrak ladder, which telescopes out in one motion and locks with a click, so you’re not fumbling with separate rungs at 9pm with a headlamp between your teeth. Once you’re inside, ThermaSoft flooring and a high-density foam mattress do the unglamorous but essential work of keeping the whole setup comfortable regardless of season. None of this is flashy on its own. What’s smart is how Cinch bundled it together so the tent doesn’t just look good in photos, it actually holds up once you’re lying in it at 2am wondering why you forgot a blanket.

Cinch isn’t new to the instant setup game, which is worth mentioning briefly before we move on. Their Air Cruiser leaned on an inflatable Air Frame to get you from flat pack to full tent in minutes, no poles required. The Sky Cruiser swaps that approach for a mechanical X-frame instead, trading the pump for a fold and lock system that holds its shape in rough weather without needing air pressure to stay rigid. Different mechanism, same obsession with cutting the setup time down to almost nothing.

At $4,999, the Sky Cruiser is planting itself firmly in premium territory, right alongside tents like the Thule Widesky that treat rooftop camping as a lifestyle upgrade rather than a budget workaround. That price buys you a hardshell that survives rough weather, a skylight that makes stargazing effortless, and enough small conveniences (the ladder, the lighting, the storage) that the whole experience feels considered rather than cobbled together. Whether it’s worth it depends entirely on how much you value showing up at a campsite and doing almost nothing before the best part of the night starts. For a certain kind of camper, that’s not a luxury. That’s the entire pitch.

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First Chinese SUV with built-in rooftop tent is co-developed by Huawei and is all set for preorder

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Chinese automotive and technology stalwarts are combining to give the off-road camping industry a new twist. It’s for the first time that a flagship SUV is gearing up to hit the Chinese market with a rooftop tent pre-installed. The tent would deploy into a fully-fledged habitat on top of the off-road vehicle at the push of a button from its cockpit.

So, when the Stelato G9, built in a joint effort by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), goes on preorder starting August 5, according to Chinese sources, the luxury SUV will include an optional tent built into its roof and sunroof assembly. This would be completely different from aftermarket rooftop tents that have to be bolted on the roof of the vehicle.

Designer: HIMA

Rooftop tents are common in North America. So, they are in China as well. But this is the first time that a vehicle is entering the market pre-fitted with a rooftop tent from the factory. At the time of writing, not much is available in the public domain about the Stelato G9, except for the fact that it will come with the optional choice of a camping solution on its roof.

Other than that, from information collected through Chinese regulatory filings, we can confirm that the vehicle will be available in a fully electric option and an extended-range electric model comprising a gas engine to generate charge for the battery. The G9 measures 5.2 m (17 ft) long and has a wheelbase of 3.16 m (10.4 ft). Its interior will come in either a 5- or 6-seater layout and would be certified to tow 2,000 kg. For its off-road capability, the vehicle will offer a wading depth of 900 mm. It will feature a side-opening tailgate, an external storage box, roof rack, and tow hook.

Stelato, according to the information shared on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, will begin accepting preorders for the G9 starting at 2:30 pm Beijing Time on August 5. The SUV – with an optional rooftop camping tent – is expected to officially launch in the third quarter of 2026. Stelato G9, in addition to being the first with an integrated push-button rooftop tent, is also the brand’s first foray into the rugged off-road segment.

Stelato, an electric vehicle brand, operates under Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), a collaboration between BAIC and Huawei. The latter provides a HarmonyOS-assisted autonomous driving system and LiDAR tech to manage the technology within the vehicle. The tent, which is also activated through the Huawei system onboard, is part of the sunroof assembly. When it’s not in use, the tent appears sitting flush against the roofline of the G9.

When the tent is deployed, the roof lifts from one side and extends into a two-part tent. The main triangular portion has a low front and tall back. A built-in lighting pole separates it from the smaller auxiliary tent that extends from the other side of the main structure. Reportedly, the roof tent also unlocks a side awning. It is also deployed using the same single button press as the tent itself. We do not have the exact pricing details at the moment, but reports suggest the Stelato G9 could start somewhere around $74,000. It is currently planned for the Chinese market only.

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Mohab Altus quick-deploy hardshell rooftop tent turns any rugged truck into comfy, all-season camping rig

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Clumsy extensions, flimsy fabrics, and cumbersome installation of rooftop tents have often marred the camping experience for many, including the creators of the Altus – a mobile habitat. This was essentially before the hardshell tents made it to the scene. These tents are growing in number, and their differences in functionality are just making the space more clustered with undeniable options.

The Altus – Hardwall Rooftop Cabin – lands in an undeniable category, considering the well-rounded approach it brings to the rooftop tents. Created in Standard and XL models (difference based on size rather than functionality), the Altus by Denver-based Mohab is positioned as a hard-sided rooftop cabin that automatically goes from 8.7-inch drive height to 45-inch, livable quarter, in under 60 seconds.

Designer: Mohab

The claim is unsubstantiated at the time of writing, but if it’s anywhere around the quick timeframe, the setup definitely gets a five-star from me. That said, the way this electric-lift system of the cube really deploys is what makes the setup even more intriguing. As the videos on the product listing page on Mohab’s website show, on the click of the deploy button, the sidewalls of the cabin flex up to form a living space. The walls on the front and back flip down independently later, once the walls on the side have been erected. The Altus series comes with a manual deploy system as well. It allows users to set up the cabin without power.

Sitting atop the cuboid – they call the Altus – is its pop-up roof. This roof hinged at the rear, rises up on the front, creating standing headroom and a significant perch for your panoramic sighting of the surrounding vista on a clear day. You’ll want the all-weather housing (provided with heating and air conditioning) of the Altus to remain completely shut and airtight amid a downpour.

Coming to the construction, the Altus series hardwall rooftop cabins feature aluminum alloy frames and PET panels. The material used in construction allows the cabin a lightweight form factor: Altus weighs 120 kg, and the Altus XL is just 5 kg heavier at 125 kg. The former measures 93 x 54 inches, which is enough space for a double mattress. The XL model, on the other hand, measures 101 x 54 inches, which should provide space for an extra person to fit in. Both models have a similar design with slider windows on either side and a hinged pop-up roof.

The boxy, hard-walled Altus can conveniently mount on a range of rugged trucks and 4x4s with Mohab’s Fortis rack systems (sold separately). Of course, that’s a bump in the overall cost of the rooftop tent, but with the convenience and efficiency offered, the Altus definitely makes up for the extra cost. Price for the Altus rooftop cabin starts at $5,139 with a pickup bed rack. The Altus XL with a pickup mount starts at $5,449.

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Thule builds a new easy-setup Widesky hardshell rooftop tent for more than just sleeping

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My love for the outdoors rekindles with the fading spring chill, and I hear voices from the woods calling me to come explore. Of course, backpacking is the most viable option, but when I’m planning with my partner, I prefer the rooftop tent. There are two conveniences of the modern hardshell rooftop tents: they’re light on the vehicle – can even transform for ground camping – and are easy to set up and sleep in at the end of the day.

Over the years, these camping solutions have come a long way. We have seen hardshell rooftop tents with their own power stations and those massive enough to sleep an entire family of four. With few options to make a mark, Thule has introduced the Widesky, its first, and probably also the first-ever rooftop tent with a sofa. How’s that for standing out?

Designer: Thule

Thule Widesky is a premium hardshell rooftop tent that’s easy to set up in seconds. It arrives in a lightweight aluminum hardshell body with telescopic poles that lift the tent from its closed position to a full-size wedge-shaped tent upon undoing the four latches used to secure it closed. It’s not the construction but the fancy interior that really sets the Widesky apart.

Unlike many rooftop tents, the primary focus of the Thule Widesky is not sleeping. The two-person tent wants travelers to have a comfortable living space inside. By placing a quilted foam mattress inside that converts into a sofa-like setting with a supportive backrest, Thule has transformed the space from the usual sleeper into a living quarter you’d love to retire into when it’s raining outside, or you want to just relax midway. And sitting back, I’m wondering, if it were this simple, why didn’t anyone think of it earlier?

“Widesky is designed to feel just as inviting during the day as it does at night,” Thule confirms. It weighs only 68 kg on the vehicle’s roof and lifts up to 124 cm at the front for a relaxing space inside. When you’re ready to hit the road, the same tent packs back into a hardshell box measuring just 20 cm high. According to the company, it is compatible with most roof rack systems, and courtesy of its durable recycled fabric walls and an all-weather shell, the tent is suitable for more adventures than those tailored for summer days.

“It’s (Widesky) designed for people who… want a rooftop tent that invites them to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view,” Kajsa Levinsson of Thule informs.

The tent comes with a ladder – mountable on any side of the tent – to climb in. Once comfortably seated/sleeping inside, you can enjoy the vista with the same vividness as you would being outside. To that accord, the Widesky is outfitted with large panoramic doors and mesh panels offering expansive outside views, light, and ventilation. The interior is fashioned with dimmable LED lights to make the space feel warm and welcoming even after sunset. All this goodness is expected to arrive anytime this month, but it will set you back $4,000.   

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Turkish RV maker just dropped ‘most durable and lightest’ full-bodied pickup camper with unfurling rooftop tent

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I don’t always envy adventurers living out of pick-up campers; for some reason though, the Atlas Cabin Box is making me weak in the knees. Designed by Hotomobil, an RV manufacturer from Istanbul, Türkiye, the Atlas is not a typical hardtop truck camper. It is somewhere between a full-bodied option and a rooftop tent that is really impressive to start out with. And the interior, well that’s actually where I find this cabin different from what we have seen in the past.

The combination makes the Atlas different but appealing in two ways. One, the transformative build allows it to maximize the space, and two, it is pretty affordable as opposed to other truck campers. The hard box image of the Atlas Cabin is deceptive of its capability. The low-profile design, sits flush on the truck bed and confines itself well within the side boundaries, minimizing drag and of course packing in a complete camping setup for two. It sets up in a jiffy when the camper’s top is lifted and the tent unfurls.

Designer: Hotomobil

Designed to be spacious and fully-equipped for a user’s camping needs, the Atlas Cabin box, the company claims, is the “most durable and lightest” option in its class. This is made possible with its Monoblock body. The cabin in its absolute versatility can be used as a spacious cargo box and when at the camp, it can transform from the box into and full-size tent pitched above from the ground on a truck bed.

The safe and secure camper is ideal for weekend and even those long road adventures without a reservation. But its insulation can be a concern if you’re planning to take it out in the winter. The tent will require insulation and heating to sustain that kind of camping requirement, but otherwise, there should be no concern in having a comfortable stay in it. Coming to what you get here; the Atlas is a 4-foot-high, 150 kg T-shaped cabin. Of course, that’s not something worth camping in, so the top lid of this box opens full 90-degress to unfurl a tent.

The open tent instantly extends the headroom to 8.5 feet and pitches comfortably from the truck bed down to the ground, opening up space for more than just sleeping and eating. The living unit of the tent is accessible via a telescopic ladder and is provided with a double bed and a dinette with cushioned seats and a table that functions as a work desk when required. Other accessories include a single-burner portable gas stove placed alongside the dinette, a fresh and waste water cans, faucet, space for the power station, and a chest fridge. The Hotomobil Atlas Cabin is available as an empty shell or an Urban Edition that features the above-mentioned amenities. The pricing starts at approximately $11,000 bare bones, and $13,400 for the accessorized Urban Edition.

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Perched on SUV rooftop, HardTent can set up in seconds, keep you warm and dry all year round

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We don’t usually come by rooftop tents with collapsible hard-body exterior. It’s not because manufacturers are not giving it heed – the truth is, we are seeing a few pop up every now and then – it is because the fabric exterior still remains a preferred choice for its wide variety of advantages including construction convenience, lightweight composition, and effortless packing and unpacking.

As iterated, some rooftop tent manufacturers are steadily aligning their allegiance with cleverly engineered materials to deliver hard-walled tents that ride well on top of your SUV. These tents have not found mass adoption yet for two reasons: they tend to add weight to the car’s ride and have a price tag almost twice of what a fabric-walled rooftop tent would cost. Unlike the traditional hard-wall tents, HardSider, is flipping the tide with HardTent: Rooftop tent designed specifically for SUV, which comes with a place to rest inside a robust wall protection offering sound insulation and protection against the elements at a fraction of the cost of any similar RTT in the category.

Designer: HardSider

HardSider, the company focused on ‘reigniting the deep connection between people and the great outdoors,’ has perfected the hard-walled rooftop tent with an origami-inspired pop-up mechanism featuring solid walls on all three sides (owing to its triangular open design). The hard-walled rooftop tent erects in seconds with all the walls lifting off the roof quickly and cleanly as a fabric-walled RTT. Its dual air intake system helps circulate fresh air throughout the interior, while a custom ladder is provided for access into the tent.

These properties are made possible because of its construction. The hard-walls of the HardTent are made from rigid honeycomb composite and provided with laminated waterproof insulation offering an all-season RTT to sit atop any compatible vehicle, preferably an SUV. To that accord, HardTent is sleek on the road and spacious when unfolded. Its interior has a full-size – 52 x 90 in – mattress with enough width to sleep a couple and still have some length for a furry companion to accommodate. And your SUV would barely feel the difference (with this RTT), opening up many new opportunities for you to explore.

Measuring a good 96 inches in length, the HardSider’s rooftop tent is only 7 inches tall when closed. Its low profile makes driving with this 200 lb RTT effortless for the SUV or any compatible vehicle that can handle the weight. And when you decide to change your vehicle, the HardTent rooftop tent can uninstall and move to your new ride. All this for an asking price of only $6,000, which is pricier than the canvas walled counterparts, but conveniently priced otherwise in its own category.

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