Best Roof Top Tents for a Family of 4 (Space, Safety and Comfort)

Having a family is all fun and games until it’s that time to go on a camping spree and one has to find a tent to accommodate everyone. Luckily, my family found some of the best roof top tents for a family of 4 like ours.

After thinking about it for some time we thought it’s a good idea to share this useful info with other families. We are going to show you some of the best RTTs for a family of four or thereabout.

Family travel has grown steadily in the recent years, hence creating an inherent need for outdoor camping items like tents and camping tables. Thanks to outdoor industry for developing luxury materials to ease and make touring moments memorable.

Nowadays, overlanding activities are well planned to ensure new ways of doing things in both comfort and style while exploring new places. Some roof top tents are well developed to ensure that campers are perfectly catered for as they undertake the much-anticipated getaways.

The best rooftop tent for family of 4 caters for the exploring needs of your family as you stay in the comfort of your vehicle. Hence, with the best roof top tent you will enjoy the nature and explore the surroundings without having to leave your vehicle except in unavoidable circumstances.

Our Top Choice – Best Roof Top Tent for a Family of 4

After hours and hours of roof top camping, we found the best 4 person roof top tent for our family to be the Tepui Ruggedized Autana Rooftop Tent.  It was found to accommodate four of us comfortably thanks to its large open size measuring 72″ x 122″ x 52″.  It is also a 4 season tent that weighs just 240 lbs. The build quality is great. The only shortcoming is that it is a bit pricey but it is worth every buck.

Best Value – Smittybilt 2883 Overlander – This is a high quality tent that retails at a very good price. It is very popular tent due to its impeccable performance.

Best Budget- Font Runner Featherlite – This is one of the cheapest tents in this group. However, it performs beyond expectation.

List of the Best Roof Top Tents for a Family

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Tepui Ruggedized Autana Rooftop Tent	High quality Four seasons tent Annex room included	Check Price On Amazon
	Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent	Durable Easy and fast setup Large capacity	Check Price On Amazon
	Smittybilt 2883 Overlander Tent	Easy to set up and take down In built LED strip for lighting	Check Price On Amazon
	Front Runner Featherlite	Easy set up and transportation Sky facing window for celestial views	Check Price On Amazon
	Yakima Skyrise HD Tent	Several sizes and color options Free installation tools. Mesh panel zip for easy flow of air	Check Price On Amazon

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1. Tepui Ruggedized Autana Rooftop Tent

After all our family camping escapades, we found the Tepui Ruggedized Autana Tent to be the best for 4 people. It is also known as the Autana Ruggedized XL due to it’s large capacity.

We love this tent because we can fit 4 of us comfortably and sometimes and the included annex makes it easy to accomplish other things such as changing without worrying about privacy. You can read our full analysis of Tepui rooftop tents here.

Being a Ruggedized tent, it allows people to camp during all the 4 seasons without worrying much about cold especially for children. All this come at fairly good price.

Features of Tepui Ruggedized Autana Roof Top Tent

• Capacity: 4 Person
• Tent Weight:  240 lbs
• Mattress: High Density 2-1/2″ foam mattress with removable cotton cover
• Weight Capacity: High Density 2-1/2″ foam mattress with removable cotton cover
• Closed Size(W x L x H): 72″ x 48″ x 12″
• Open Size (W x L x H): 72″ x 122″ x 52″
• Seasons: Four
• Canopy Material: 360g Polyester Cotton (canvas); 600D ripstop fabric with water resistant ventilate coating, UV and mold resistant, dual stitched taped seams
• Internal Frame: 3/4″ wrapped aluminum
• Rain Fly: 420D Polyester Oxford with taped seams and PU coated
• Annex Material: Ruggedized
• Travel Cover Material: 1000D PVC
• Ladder: Telescopic 8ft-6in to that the Ruggedized Feature, which enables you to camp during the 4-seasons, and you’re set for endless adventures.
• Mosquito Screens: No seeup mesh

Tepui Autana Ruggedized Family Tent Review

The Tepui Autana Ruggedized was found to be one of the toughest family tents which is is ideal for various trails. It is very similar t the Autana Sky but this time they built a larger interior plus an annex room.

This 4 person roof tent is a great choice for a family because its heavy duty, resistant, strong, high quality, and suitable for most vehicle. Remember to check the roof rack capacity of your car because this tent weighs 240 pounds

the best option if you need space in a heavy duty, strong, resistant, best quality roof tent.

The annex room is very useful for any family; for showering when car camping, changing or any other activity that requires privacy.

Its base is made from a diamond plate. The fabric is dual stitched in case the kids go playing inside the tent.

The high density 2.5-inch mattress is quite comfortable. Better still there is an extra 0.5″ anti-condensation mat under the mattress.

The Autana offers two inbuilt SKY panels which are screened enabling one to have a great view of the sky, stars, moon, and other surroundings.

It comes ready with some universal mounting brackets that allow one to mount it on the majority roof rack or even after-market bars.

Pros

• High quality
• Four seasons tent
• Annex room included

Cons

• Takes some time to setup due to the annex

2. Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent

The Tuff Stuff Ranger Tent emerged as the second best roof top tent for a family of 4 people. This was based on its great build quality, space, and extra features.

It is one of the leading roof top tents. Based on our analyses, this is currently one of the best rooftop tents available.  It is highly rated worldwide.

Features of Tuff Stuff Alpha Tent

• Sleeping capacity: 3-4 persons
• Weight capacity: 1100 lbs
• Tent weight: 176 lbs
• Open dimensions: 87x75x52 inches (L/W/H)
• Closed dimensions L/W/H (75x55x15 inches)
• Foam Mattress:  87x71x 2.75 (L/W/H)
• Tent Material: 280 G Poly/Cotton Rip-Stop
• Rainfly Material: 210D Polyester/Oxford PU coated 5000mm

Tuff Stuff Alpha 4 Person Tent Review

The entire frame of this rooftop is developed from aluminum and durable materials. This tent just measures s 75x55x15 inches when closed and 87x75x52 inches (L/W/H) when open.

We were surprised that this 4 person tent just weighs 176 pounds. Don’t underestimate this tent because it can hold a weight of up to 1100 lbs when stationary.

This means you have to ensure all members of your family do not exceed the set weight limit to avoid damaging the tent.

It contains awnings and screened window installments constructed to ensure privacy and good ventilation. This tent features a high density foam mattress made of a cotton top.

Waterproof features are also inevitable.  The Tuff Stuff Ranger is accompanied by the annexes room in all purchase. It is big enough to host a sleeping area, small dining table, and a mat.

The available retractable ladder can be folded to increase the interior annexes room.

This rooftop tent’s installation is time efficient and straightforward. It takes around two hours to install fully. Again, all installation hardware’s are included during purchase to ensure most rooftops secure mounting.

As a result, the Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland is the second best roof top for family of 4. It is ideal for travelling to secluded places because it ensures ease, convenience, and comfort.

Pros

• Durable
• Easy and fast setup
• Large capacity

Cons

• Expensive

3. Smittybilt 2883 Overlander Tent

This is our third best rooftop tent. It is a perfect match for adventures exploring sacred places.

The Smittybilt 2883 Overlander Tent is made up of robust and durable materials making it long lasting and one of the most popular RTTs.

This unit is made up of high quality and exceptional prices. Since it was developed with several Jeep Wrangler accessories in mind.

Features of Smittybilt 2883 Overlander Tent

• Standard size tent
• 142 Pounds in weight
• Measures 78″ x 49″ x 12″ when closed
• 600D heavy duty waterproof top
• 770 lbs loading capacity
• sunroof and side windows
• 3 – 4 Person
• Easy to set up and takedown
• High density 92” by 55” mattress
• Mounting brackets
• Rain fly

Smittybilt 2883 Overlander Family of 4 Tent Review

It is composed of durable and feature rich elements that offers you comfort everywhere. Thus, it is ideal while exploring highest mountains and deep valleys. It fits well on most roof tops with incredible lightweight. Smittybilt maintains all usual comforts because it is well crafted to mount on most roof tops.

It is made of rip stop polyester fabric. It includes a rain fly which allows for easy set up and dismantling of tent. Not only that, it involves other various ideal physical features which includes netted windows.

This allows you to stargaze during your leisure moments. The netting keeps you protected against insects and bugs.  Surprisingly, during warmer days, this tent offers exceptional ventilation.

Thanks to mosquito proof mesh windows which keeps insects and mosquitoes at bay. It has an over lander tent’s bed which measures approximately the size of queen’s bed.  The roof top tent have inbuilt LED strip that enhance visibility while one is using the tent or reading holiday novels and changing into pajamas. It includes an annex tent for campers who needs extra space which can be attached alongside the vehicle below the shelter.

Pros

• Easy to set up and take down
• In built LED strip for lighting

Cons

• Not suitable for most vehicles

4. Front Runner Featherlite – Light Roof Top Tent

The Font Runner Featherlite is ideal for travelers and campers with highly functional camping gear. It is well crafted to withstand wind, heat, and rain.

It is commonly known as 3 season tent that exudes sturdiness and excellent quality. Front runner rooftop is constructed from an OPVC, breathable, mold resistant, heavy duty, waterproof, and string coated poly cotton.

It is very affordable and thus can be classified as a cheap roof top tent but good quality. It performed well during winter.  This is one of the reasons it made it to our unbiased listing as our fourth best roof top tent for family of 4.

Features of Front Runner Featherlite Roof Top Tent

• Tent Weight – 93 lbs
• Open Size: 96” x 53” x 55”
• Closed size: 49” x 53” x 7.97”
• Sturdy and retractable aluminum ladder
• Easily open and close mechanism
• Storage pockets
• Lightweight in nature

Front Runner Featherlite RTT Review

It is made from a high-quality tent fabric. It allows travelers to access an instant sleeping place above the ground with a single swift motion.

The Featherlite features enable it to be retractable and also a sturdy ladder to make an easy way to the sleeping place.

It is designed with foot friendly trends to a main room with an already fitted mattress.

However, for extra comfort, you have to carry your sleeping bags and pillows. The inbuilt hard shell roof top allows you to close and open windows without insect’s disturbances. This is ensured through windows and doors screening.

Pros

• Easy set up and transportation
• Sky facing window for celestial views

Cons

• Generally less space

5. Yakima Skyrise HD Tent – Medium

This is emerged our fifth best roof top tent for family of 4. Yakima Skyrise HD is flagship product it’s designed to improve outdoor experience. Thanks to its durability and high quality. This tent looks perfectly well once installed on top of a vehicle.

It can be connected in any place of convenience depending on user’s preference. Fortunately, Yakima Skyrise Rooftop tent comes in various colors and sizes. Thus, it’s upon the user to select the tent color that best suits their style and personality.

Features of Yakima Skyrise Rooftop Tent

• Weighs 115 lbs
• Loading capacity: 600 lbs
• 3-4 person tent
•  Foam mattress – 2.5″ thick
• Canvas: 600D Ripstop polyester fabric
• Coating: 3000mm waterproof PU
• Breathable and lightweight
• 4 season
• Strong aluminum poles

Yakima Skyrise HD Medium Tent Review

This rooftop tent is crafted from solid aluminum and lightweight material that requires about fifteen minutes for complete installation. Yakima sky rise rooftop tent is both lightweight and breathable.  It is made of back country tent materials.

It has a pre-installed wall to wall mattresses including a removable cover that eases cleaning. This mattress is fitted with a foam designed to keep your comfort the entire night. The Yakima Skyrise was developed with a mesh panel zip which allows easy ventilation.

This rooftop tent is a pop-up tent with excellent options for both beginner and seasoned campers who adorns to explore new places when there is sun rays or rain.

Pros

• Several sizes and color options
• Free installation tools.
• Mesh panel zip for easy flow of air

Cons

• Not ideal for most vehicles

Final Remarks

Camping should be a moment of exciting and wonderful experience for adventures for you and your family. We recommend you get the best rooftop tent and explore new places confidently. Roof top camping with a family of 4 or 4 friends or relatives can be challenging. However, with the best rooftop tent  it becomes easy and fun.

Go for a car tent with ample space, extra accessories like annexes, good insulation, less sun burns, rare disturbance from insects, and excellent comfortably. This will ensure you can camp anywhere and anytime without any problems. The Tepui Ruggedized Autana Rooftop Tent is a great choice for most families. It works for us and I believe it can work for you. However, feel free to the other suggested tents because they are good in their own ways as well.

Have a great camping time with your family.