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An FJ is a great over-landing vehicle. However, to have a great outdoor experience, you need the best roof top tent for the FJ Cruiser because not all tents work well with this beast.
Roof top tents are amazing especially for those who love camping or just doing outdoor activities. They allow you to park your vehicle alongside breathtaking viewpoints.
Good tents allow you to have a great time in the wild while you relax under the peaceful shade of a pop-up shelter. The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a great SUV for rooftop camping but one requires a good roof top tent to enjoy the whole experience.
We have spent many hours trying out various types of rooftop tents on some FJ Cruisers. Certain types of roof top tents work very well with the FJ.
One of the most important factors to consider is that the roof rack rated capacity for the Cruiser is 150 lbs while moving (dynamic) and 660 lbs when standing still (static). This means that whichever roof top tent (RTT) you chose should be below the weight limit.
Contents
Factors to Consider When Choosing A Rooftop Tent For FJ Cruiser
- Roof Rack Weight Capacity – The FJ Cruiser’s roof rack weight limit is rated 150 lbs when moving (dynamic capacity) and 660 lbs when stationary (static capacity). The tent should not exceed 150 lbs while the weight of the tent and campers should not exceed 660 lbs.
- Ease of Foldability – RTTs should fold out easily when it’s time to camp and fold away fast when it’s time to take to the road.
- Attachment to the Vehicle – This applies to the floor bolts of the installed roof rack whether factory or third party.
- Tent Durability – These tents are not cheap and thus the chosen one should last for a considerable time.
- Annexes and Awnings – Some tents come with these features which offer more comfort during camping.
Not only do these rooftop tents offer shelter, but also a real beauty, and convenience at a price that is pleasingly easy to afford.
We have gathered various rooftop tents that suit the FJ cruiser, which is a convenient car for road trips and going camping. A good tent should be robust, comfortable, and easy to access.
Below, we have outlined and described our top picks for the best rooftop tents for FJ.
Best Roof Top Tent For FJ Cruiser
Our Top Pick – Smittybilt 2883 Overlander Tent
This well built, sturdy, and wonderful tent can sleep 3- 4 people. The tent and sets up on the Cruiser in just minutes.
It weighs just 139 lbs making it ideal for the FJ which is rated 150 lbs.
We can assure you that you will feel safe and secure when sleep when you use this tent.
You also have the option of adding an Annex to the bottom of the deployed tent with rugged zippers. It provides privacy and has windows and mosquito netting to ensure you get an enjoyable outdoor experience.
Top 3 Picks
Best Rated – Smittybilt 2883 Overland Tent – A fairly sized tent that is high quality
Best Value – Front Runner Roof Top Tent – Durable, affordable, light and low profile
Best Budget – Smittybilt Overland Tent – Good, affordable, and comfortable.
List of Best Rooftop Tents For FJ Cruiser
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Smittybilt 2883 Overland Tent |
| Check Price On Amazon |
 | Front Runner Rooftop Tent |
| Check Price On Amazon |
 | Smittybilt Overlander Tent |
| Check Price On Amazon |
 | Tuff Stuff ‘Delta’ Overland |
| Check Price On Amazon |
 | Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent |
| Check Price On Amazon |
1. Smittybilt 2883 Overland Tent- Great Build Quality
The Smittybilt 2883 Overlander is a great roof top tent. The tent comes in a standard size that can sleep between 3 to 4 people but we recommend a max of 3 on FJ due to weight limit and comfort.
We found put that is this is among the latest Smittybilt products and weighs just 139 lbs. This means you can still add some few items in the tent, such as a foam mattress, and still remain below the FJ’s dynamic roof rack weight limit of 150 lbs .
It only requires one person to operate it since it folds out in seconds to full height. No need for tent pegs and ropes when using this rooftop tent on your FJ Cruiser.
We were very impressed by its performance on an FJ Cruiser both at the camping site and on the road. This is without doubt the best roof top tent for FJ Cruiser.
Features of SmittyBilty 2883 Overland Tent
- Weighs 139 lbs
- The tent is fully waterproof
- Heavy-duty 600D rip stop polyester
- 60mm high-density foam mattress with a removable cover
- Coyote Tan
- Good mosquito screens
- LED strip interior light
Why it was our Top Pick -SmittyBilt 2883 Roof Top Tent Review
Our first reason for the pick is its capacity to fit up to four people. This means an average family can fit in this tent while on a road trip. We also realized it takes less time to set it up than it would take to set up a ground tent. The tent is large and comfortable. Very sturdy in high winds, snow or rain.
Pros
- Easy to set up and to take down
- Large size
- Very comfortable
- Sturdy in all weather
Cons
- Slightly costly
2. Front Runner Rooftop Tent – Best Value
The Front Runner emerged our second best tent for FJ Cruiser due to its great design. It also qualified to be the best value due to its fairly good price (about 1200 USD) and light design which saves money in the long run.
This tent just weighs 88 lbs which gives it a weight efficiency. The FJ Cruiser we used with this tent did show a good gas mileage, did not slow due to drag, and did not suffer as much wear and tear like the others.
Features of Front Runner Tent
- Just 88 pounds in weight
- low-profile 12.9 high when folded
- 2.25” mattress
- Polyester Oxford fabric, UV-resistant 400d
- Sleep 2 people
- Two zipper doors
- Aluminum Ladder
- 2 side zipper windows
- Skylight
- 2 Hanging pockets
- Rain fly
- Has a Tent Cover
- Comes with mounting plates, tracks,and all necessary hardware
Why it Was Featured – Front Runner Rooftop Tent Review
After using this tent, we found out that it is designed with the idea to provide one with a quality tent which is easy to easy while keeping one away from unfavorable elements.
This tent deploys in just a few minutes, it allows you to set up camp anywhere you can find level ground.
At 88 pounds, it’s just a bit heavier than a normal backpack tent. However, the fact that one can now use camping areas that are not ideal for the traditional dome tents make its worth every buck.
The lightness of the tent also means one can carry more items on the roof rack without going beyond the limit. You can see we managed carry several jerrycans filled with various liquids.
One shortcoming to this tent is that it does not come with an anti-condensation mat probably in their bid to keep it low profile as possible. However, not all areas one will experience condensation. Nevertheless, this can be acquired separately from Amazon.
Pros
- Very light at 88 lbs
- Good build quality
- Low profile
- Economical in the long run
Cons
- Lacks an anti-condensation mat
3. Smittybilt Overlander Tent – Budget and Good
The Smittybilt Overlander Tent is the smaller brother of the 2883. The tent is a standard size that can sleep between 2 to 3 people. It attaches to the rooftop of the cruiser and sets up in just minutes. It weighs 142 pounds.
Features of SmittyBilt Overlander Tent
- 600D heavy-duty waterproof top
- 142 Pounds in weight
- sunroof and side windows
- 3 Person
- Easy to set up and takedown
- High density 92” by 55” mattress
Why it was our Budget Pick – SmittyBilt Overlander Review
it is an affordable RTT with a good build quality. Versatile deployment, which means you will be able to access it from both the driver’s and the passenger’s side.
We can guarantee you that it not much of hustle when using this particular tent.
It comes with an extra-wide ladder 18” that is 6” wider than the standard one. It has an external shoe storage bag. The tent is tested for severe weather, so no worries about heavy rain pressure as it can withstand it.
Pros
- Fit for all weather outdoors
- Easy to set up
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- The stitching of the loop straps is not so strong and frequent repairs are necessary.
4. Tuff Stuff ‘Delta’ Overland – Jeep & Truck Rooftop Tent
The Tuff Stuff Delta Rooftop Tent is designed to fit a variety of vehicles, FJ Cruiser included. This tent does not have an overhang over the ladder or a lower annex room and thus can mount on any vehicle with any height.
The entry door allows you to experience more comfortable sleep during the summer months since there will be an extra breeze from the entry door.
Features of Tuff Stuff Tent
- Built using all-aluminum frame
- Weighs 116 lbs
- 2 person rooftop tent
- Sliding ladder
- Rainfly
- Optional annex room
Why We Featured It – Tuff Stuff ‘Delta’ Rooftop Tent Review
The tent allows you to camp anywhere in any vehicle, thus giving you good flexibility. You can also opt to add an annex room below for storing valuables or putting the dogs down below.
Alternatively, this tent gives you 4 storage pockets inside the tent as well as a waterproof shoe storage bag for hanging outside the tent.
This tent can accommodate 2 people comfortably.
It is fairly light at 116 lbs which allows one to pack more items on the roof rack on the go.
Pros
- Can be used on a wider variety of vehicles
- Ample storage
- Average weight
- Rain fly to prevent rain from dripping in when windows are open
Cons
- Fairly small space
5. Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent – Comes with an Annex Room
We found the Tuff Stuff Ranger Roof Top Tent to be tent amazing. It is made from a heavy-duty 280g cotton/poly fabric, a 420D polyester/Oxford rain fly and a thick 1000D PVC driving cover.
It is basically built to last. The tent can comfortably accommodate 2 full-sized adults plus the annex room. The annex room can be used in a variety of ways including as an extra sleeping area.
Features of Tuff Stuff Ranger Tent
- Waterproof
- 3 Person capacity
- Rainfly and a driving cover
- Weighs 135 lbs
- Strong fabric material
- Comes with an Annex room
Why it was Featured – Tuff Stuff Ranger Tent Review
We found the tent amazingly flexible to use as it can mount to any bed rack or roof rack that is capable of carrying up to 150 lbs while driving.
The tent is made up of strong fabric that offers maximum water resistance. You will also have an exterior storage bag included as well as universal mounting brackets. You can, therefore, use it for a long time even after changing cars.
This roof top tent was found to fit perfectly on the stock roof rank on the FJ Cruiser. After all the analysis it defeated other tents to become the fifth best roof top tent for FJ Cruiser.
Pros
- Versatility
- Easy and fast to set up
- You can use the tent with or without the annex room
Cons
- Not very easy to set up
Our Take
It is evident there exist various type of roof top tents for FJ Cruisers. We enjoy camping on FJ Cruisers due to all the advantages they offer. Roof top tents will give the freedom to be you.
Grab the best roof top tent for FJ Cruiser that works for you and enjoy your next camping expedition.
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