Roof top tent installation
A bed that lives on your rack and opens wherever you park for the night. We help you choose between hardshell and softshell, confirm your rack can carry it, and mount it square so it rides quietly.
Camping without the ground tent routine
A ground tent needs a flat, clear spot, stakes that hold in rocky soil and a pad under you. A roof top tent carries its own mattress, stays made up between trips and sets up on any spot where the vehicle can sit reasonably level. You sleep above mud, snowmelt runoff and rocks, and camp can be packed in the time it takes to make coffee.
The trade-offs are real, though. A tent is heavy, it sits high, and camp is tied to the vehicle, so you pack up to drive anywhere. It is worth thinking through how you actually camp before buying one.
Hardshell vs softshell
Almost every roof top tent fits one of two designs, and the difference shows up mostly in setup and space. Tap a card to see the styles and the tents we install in each.
Checking the tent against your rack
Roof top tents commonly weigh more than 100 pounds, and some hardshells weigh a good deal more. Before we mount one, three limits have to line up.
Dynamic limit while driving
The tent plus the rack must stay under the lower of the roof or bed rating and the rack maker's dynamic rating. This is the number that most often rules out a heavy tent on a factory roof.
Static limit at camp
Once parked, the load spreads through the vehicle's structure and the static rating applies. It has to cover the tent, bedding and every sleeper. People add a lot, so plan for real body weights.
Vehicle payload
The tent counts toward payload on the door jamb sticker like any other cargo. Add up occupants, rack, tent and trip gear before choosing, and if the vehicle squats once it is loaded, air bags or a suspension upgrade will level it back out.
Where the tent mounts
On an SUV or a Wrangler, the tent goes on a roof rack, usually a platform or crossbars spaced to match the tent's mounting channels. On a pickup, most owners put it on a bed rack instead, which usually carries more and keeps the cab roof free. Our go-to is the upTOP Overland TRUSS, which comes in mid, full and variable heights. A cab-height bed rack lets a fold-out tent open toward the cab, while a lower rack may need the tent to open off the tailgate or the side.
Ladder side matters. Most people prefer the ladder and door away from the road, which usually means the passenger side. We also mount the tent square so it closes evenly, the travel cover seals and nothing catches wind unevenly on the highway.
Condensation, cold and wind
Mountain nights get cold, even in summer. Near Red Feather Lakes, Deadman Rd is closed from December 1 through June 14, so tent trips up there fall between mid-June and late fall, when the shoulder-season nights are the coldest you will sleep through.
Condensation. Breath and body heat put moisture into a closed tent, and it collects on cold walls and under the mattress. Crack the vents, use an anti-condensation mat under the mattress and open the tent to dry after a damp night.
Insulation. Some manufacturers sell insulated liners for spring and fall. A good sleep system matters more than tent type for staying warm.
Wind. Park nose into the wind when you can and use the rain fly straps. Hardshells handle gusts with less flapping.
Height limits and parking garages
A closed tent adds height on top of the rack, and on a lifted truck that stack can get tall. Under C.R.S. 42-4-504, no vehicle in Colorado, loaded or unloaded, may be taller than 14 feet 6 inches, and a driver may not pass under a structure with a posted clearance lower than the vehicle. Few builds get close to the statewide limit. The practical problems are parking garages, drive-through lanes, low trees at campsites and your own garage door.
Measure to the top of the closed tent and keep that number handy, on a note in the cab if it helps. It is easy to forget the tent is up there after a long drive home.
Tent brands we install
The tents we install come from iKamper, Roofnest and Overland Vehicle Systems. Between them there are quick-opening hardshells like the iKamper Skycamp and Roofnest’s clamshells, and roomier softshells with annex options, so there is a tent for a weekend couple or a whole family.
A tent going onto a rack that is already installed and spaced correctly is a fairly short job. Adding the rack, adjusting crossbars to the tent’s channels, moving mounting hardware, or fitting an awning and lights at the same time all add hours, and heavier tents need extra hands to lift safely. Tent brand and shell type drive most of the part cost. We quote the full setup before ordering, and once everything is in, jobs are generally scheduled within about a week. We work weekdays from 9 to 4 with early drop-off and late pickup available.
Roof top tent FAQ
What roof top tent brands do you install?
iKamper, Roofnest and Overland Vehicle Systems. If you already own a tent from another brand, we can mount that too.
Should I get a hardshell or softshell tent?
Hardshells set up faster and ride with less drag. Softshells give more sleeping room and accept annexes. If you move camp every night, a hardshell usually wins; for longer stays, a softshell's space is nice.
Can my vehicle carry a roof top tent?
It depends on the dynamic rating of your roof or bed and the rack, plus your payload. We check those numbers against the tent you want before ordering.
How long does it take to set up a roof top tent?
Many hardshells open in a minute or two. Softshells take several minutes with the cover, ladder and poles.
Can I leave the tent on all the time?
Many owners do during camping season. It costs some fuel economy and adds height, so some take it off over winter.
Will a roof top tent fit in a parking garage?
Often not. Measure the closed tent's height and compare it with the posted clearance before pulling in.
What customers say
5.0 from 46 Google reviews
Zack made a great recommendation on the Old Man Emu overland suspension for my 2021 Ford Ranger. Also on the installation. Truck rides and handles great.
Great job repairing my rear tire mount.
Zach did an excellent job replacing my Jeeps ball joints. Very satisfied with the joints he suggested and the work that was done.
Zach did some suspension work on my truck and it came out great, he was quick and the price was fair. Will definitely be back for more work in the future.
Zach was insanely helpful. He handled a pretty out of the box request with ease. I will recommend him to anyone in the area or passing through!
I had a great experience at Off Camber 4x4 as Zach is a true professional and pleasure to work with. He went above and beyond getting all hardware snugged up even though it wasn’t in the estimate - with being a late request made when I dropped off the truck. Additionally, Off Camber’s shop not only provided the most reasonable price out of the four estimates I received, they were the ONLY shop that recommended a follow up inspection for the type of service I had done. They installed a leveling kit, control arms, rear shocks, dual exhaust system, and a trailer receiver along with including the complementary inspection at 500 miles to make sure everything was still tight.
I had some Rubicon takeoff springs installed on my Wrangler JL Sport 2 door. It was awesome to watch Zach work. He took time to torque everything properly and still completed the job in a very timely fashion. It was a great experience!
Amazing experience. I needed to improve lighting on my truck and Zach provided excellent recommendations, found all the parts online for a good price, did excellent work and all for a very reasonable price. I'm definitely coming back. Highly recommend to everyone!
Sleep on your rig
iKamper, Roofnest and OVS roof top tent installs in Windsor, CO, mounted and load-checked for campers across Northern Colorado.