Updated May 28, 2021
SUVs, minivans, jeeps, and similar vehicles are increasing in popularity all the time. One reason for it is their suitability for loading up your gear and heading into the wilderness for camping.
As a matter of practicality and convenience, a tent attached to or mounted on your vehicle saves the effort of transferring your gear. It also provides an additional safe sleeping spot at the back adjoining the tent where heat and lighting from the vehicle can easily be made available.
A number of SUV tents with different configurations and capabilities are on the market for consideration. Some of the best have been selected to introduce to you. First, there is a comparison table, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Best SUV Tents for 2021
- Napier Sportz Family SUV Tent
- Rightline Gear SUV Tent
- Napier Backroadz SUV Tent
- KingCamp Melfi Plus SUV Tent
- Napier Sportz SUV Tent
- Hasika Teardrop Awning SUV Tent
- Smittybuilt Overlander SUV Tent
- KingCamp Awning Shelter SUV Tent
Best SUV Tent Comparison Table
| Photo | Tent | Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Napier Sportz Family SUV Tent | Tent: 10' x 10' Vestibule: 6' x 7' Height: 7'3" | 53 lbs | $$$ |
  | Rightline Gear SUV Tent | 8' x 8' Height: 7'2" | 20 lbs | $$ |
  | Napier Backroadz SUV Tent | 10' x 10' Height: 7' | 25 lbs | $$ |
  | King Camp Melfi Plus SUV Tent | Tent: 9.5' x 9.5" Vestibule: 9' x 6' Height: 7'6" | 38.8 lbs | $$ |
  | Napier Sportz SUV Tent | 9' x 9' Height: 7' | 30 lbs | $$ |
  | Hasika Awning SUV Tent | 11.48' x 7.875' Height: 9.8' | 9 lbs | $ |
  | Smittybuilt Overlander SUV Tent | 95" x 56" Height: 51" | 116.5 lbs | $$$$$ |
  | KingCamp Awning Shelter SUV Tent | 10.33 x 7.05' Height: 9'-10' | 9.7 lbs | $ |
| Photo | Tent | Size | Weight | Price |
The Napier Sportz Family SUV Tent is spacious enough to sleep 6 with plenty of headroom (7’3″) and a detachable floorless screen room of 42 square feet.
With a sleeve that permits fitting to most SUVs, that adds space for at least 2 more to sleep in the vehicle.
Constructed of durable water-resistant fabrics and sturdy poles of steel and fiberglass, it can be easily set up by one person.
It stands up well to 3-season conditions and has 2 large doors and 3 windows all with storm flaps for added protection when needed.
There is plenty of space for storage in the screen room, a gear loft, and 2 storage pockets in the main tent area.
In addition, the large 6’ x 6’ awning provides substantial coverage outside the main door.
The pricing is reasonable for such a large tent, and it comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Canopy of PU coated polyester, bathtub-style floor of polyethylene, rainfly of PU coated polyester
- Full length, taped-seam rainfly
- Universal sleeve for attachment to fit nearly all SUVs, CUVs, and minivans (without the sleeve it can be used as a free-standing tent)
- Compatible with vehicles with or without a roof rack
- Floorless vestibule/screen room can be removed
- 6’ x 6’ awning
- Easy setup for one person
- Storm flaps on doors and windows
- 2 gear pockets, and a gear loft for storage, and a lantern holder
- Expandable carry bag
- Optional footprint
- 2 large doors, 3 mesh windows, 2 skylights
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
- Seasons: 3-4
- Poles: 13 (5 shock-corded fiberglass, 6 steel awning, 2 steel)
- Peak Height: 7’3”
- Floor Area: 100 square feet
- Vestibule Area: 42 square feet
- Weight: 53 pounds
- Color: blue/grey
- Warranty: 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Price: $$$
The Rightline Gear SUV Tent attaches with a sleeve to a wide range of SUVs, minivans, station wagons, Jeeps, or pick-up trucks, or it can stand alone.
Great for a small family, it sleeps 4 in the 64 square foot tent with another 2 possible in the vehicle.
Constructed with water-resistant PE fabric with tape-sealed seams, it has a sewn-in bathtub style floor to ensure no water gets in from below.
The large door and windows all have mesh for ventilation with a view to the outside, and storm covers when the weather warrants use.
The vehicle itself can accommodate a lot of storage but there are also gear pockets inside the tent, as well.
The fiberglass poles are color-coded to aid in the setup which normally takes around 30 minutes.
The pricing is quite affordable and the manufacturer backs it with a 1-year warranty.
- Water-resistant polyethylene fabric with tape-sealed seams
- Sewn-in polyethylene bathtub floor to keep out moisture and bugs
- Sleeve attaches to any size of SUV, minivan, Jeep Wrangler hardtop, wagon, or pick-up truck with cap (can also be used as a free-standing tent)
- 30-minute setup time
- Includes stuff sack with a sewn-in setup guide
- Large door and windows with no-see-um mesh and storm covers
- Internal gear pockets
- Small awning over the door
- No footprint
- Sleeping Capacity: 6 (4 in the tent, 2 in the vehicle cargo area)
- Seasons: 3-4
- Poles: 3 fiberglass, color-coded for easy setup
- Peak Height: 7’2”
- Floor Area: 64 square feet
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Color: orange/grey
- Warranty: 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Price: $$
The Napier Backroadz SUV Tent has 100 square feet of floor space, suitable to sleep 5 adults, and is constructed of high-quality water-resistant PU-coated polyester taffeta and a polyethylene floor.
Employing only 2 shock-corded fiberglass poles, the setup takes a quick 10-minutes and it can be attached with a sleeve to virtually any SUV, CUV, or minivan.
Excellent air circulation is possible through the large door and 3 windows all with mesh that also has storm flaps for when the wind and rain whip up.
There is a large pocket to keep some of your gear handy and a lantern holder hanging from the top center for illumination.
This model ranks with the Rightline Gear SUV Tent reviewed just above but is a little larger and a bit easier on the pocketbook.
- 68D 185T polyester taffeta fabric, polyethylene floor, PU coating for waterproofing
- Full rainfly with taped seams for water-resistance
- Sleeve attaches to any SUV, CUV, or minivan (can also be used as a free-standing tent)
- 10-minute setup time by 1 or 2 people
- Large door and 3 windows with mesh and storm flaps
- Gear pocket and lantern holder
- Small awning over the door
- Includes carrying case
- No footprint
- Sleeping Capacity: 5 (plus 2 in the vehicle)
- Seasons: 3
- Poles: 2 shock-corded fiberglass
- Peak Height: 7’
- Floor Area: 100 square feet
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Color: grey/green
- Warranty: 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Price: $$
The KingCamp Melfi Plus SUV Tent has a 9.5’ x 9.5’ inner floor space easily accommodating 5 sleepers, and a screen room/vestibule that is 9.5’ x 6.5’ with a removable PE floor that can sleep several more or provide excellent cover for shaded patio-style dining or recreating.
There are 3 doors and several windows all with mesh for insect-free ventilation.
Constructed from durable 190T polyester with a PU coating for rainproofing and employing steel and fiberglass poles, it is sturdy against the wind and weather and sets up in 15 minutes.
It has a pull-down screen for added privacy and comes with a mesh pocket for a bit of storage, and a hook in the ceiling to hang a light from.
This model has a screen room on the front. It is also available in a configuration with the screen room on the side.
Pricing is reasonable.
- 190T polyester rainfly with a waterproof PU coating, polyester canopy
- 2 room side screen room/vestibule with removable PE floor
- Sleeve attaches to a range of SUVs, CUVs, and minivans (can also be used as a free-standing tent)
- 3 doors and multi-position mesh windows
- Door rainfly converts to an awning
- Pull-down screen for privacy space
- 15-minute setup time
- Mesh storage pocket, top hook light hanger
- Oxford zippered carry bag
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
- Seasons: 3
- Poles: 10 steel and 4 fiberglass
- Peak Height: 7’6”
- Floor Area: 100 square feet
- Vestibule Area: 58.5 square feet
- Weight: 38.8 pounds
- Color: blue
- Warranty: ask for details on the warranty
- Price: $$
The Napier Sportz SUV Tent is the little brother to the Napier Sportz Family SUV Tent reviewed at the top.
It uses the same durable components with excellent waterproofing and sturdy fiberglass and steel poles but is configured without a screen room/vestibule and offers a 9’ x 9’ floor space that can comfortably sleep up to 5 adults.
Compatible for attachment to a wide range of vehicles or in stand-alone mode, it can be set up in as little as 10 minutes.
It has good ventilation with the 2 large mesh doors, 3 mesh windows, and floor vents, plenty of internal storage with 2 gear pockets and a gear loft, and a 6’ x 6’ awning for a shaded space outside.
Pricing is affordable and it is backed by a 1-year warranty from Napier.
- Canopy of PU coated polyester, bathtub-style floor of polyethylene, rainfly of PU coated polyester
- Full length, taped seam rainfly
- Universal elastic sleeve for attachment to fit nearly all SUVs, CUVs, and minivans (without the sleeve it can be used as a free-standing tent)
- Compatible with vehicles with or without a roof rack
- 6’ x 6’ awning
- Easy 10-minute setup for one person
- Storm flaps on doors and windows
- 2 gear pockets, and a gear loft for storage, lantern holder
- Expandable carry bag
- 2 large doors, 3 mesh windows, 2 skylights
- Floor vents
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
- Seasons: 3-4
- Poles: 10 (4 shock-corded fiberglass, 4 steel awning, 2 steel)
- Peak Height: 7’
- Floor Area: 81 square feet
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Color: blue/grey
- Warranty: 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Price: $$
Hasika Teardrop Awning SUV Tent
The Hasika Awning SUV Tent is constructed of durable, waterproof ripstop polyester with sturdy, adjustable steel poles to create a comfortable open-sided shelter.
Attachable by rope to a range of vehicles it achieves coverage of 60 to 76 square meters.
Taking only minutes to set up, the height at the outboard end can be adjusted all the way to the ground for privacy.
Vents in the peak and 2 sandbags help stabilize the awning in the wind and there is also a large side mesh window.
The pricing is quite low and Hasika provides a satisfaction guarantee.
- 210T ripstop waterproof polyester fabric
- Large side mesh window
- Attaches by rope to SUVs, MPVs, trucks, hatchbacks, and sedans
- Adjustable height of the outboard end all the way to the ground
- Air vents in the peak
- Easy setup
- 2 sandbags for stabilizing poles
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
- Poles: 19mm adjustable steel
- Peak Height: 9.8’
- Coverage Area: from 60 to 76 square feet
- Dimensions: 137.8” x 95.5”
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Color: blue
- Warranty: ask about Hasika’s satisfaction guarantee
- Price: $
Smittybuilt Overlander SUV Tent
The Smittybuilt Overlander SUV Tent is the standard-sized version (an XL is available) sleeping 2 to 3.
With a universal dual-track installation system it mounts on a range of vehicles. After installation, it takes only 2 minutes to set up or break down.
It employs waterproofed polyester and a PU/aluminum sandwich base for durability and a telescoping aluminum ladder for access.
It also comes with a fire retardant foam mattress, an LED strip light, mosquito netting on the windows, and a skylight for a view of the stars.
Quite heavy at over 116 pounds, it will accommodate up to 661 pounds. The Overlander is a comfortable, sturdy shelter that gives you a big margin of safety from the varmints and insects outside.
If more space is needed, an annex is optional.
Pricing is high on this heavy-duty tent.
KingCamp Awning Shelter SUV Tent
The KingCamp Awning Shelter SUV Tent is similar in size, construction, and materials to the Hasika Awning SUV Tent reviewed above.
It covers the same area of 60 to 76 square meters and uses ripstop polyester with a PU coating for water and UV resistance, 3 shock-corded fiberglass poles to frame the canopy, and 2 steel poles to hold it up.
Attachment to your vehicle is accomplished using elastic bungees and hooks and can be adjusted at the outboard end down to the ground for a more private experience, with only one person necessary to assemble it in minutes.
There are vents in the peak, side mesh pockets for personal items, and a large side mesh window.
Pricing is low like that of the Hasika awning and it similarly has a 1-year warranty.
- 210T ripstop polyester fabric with PU coating for waterproofing and UV protection
- Large side mesh window
- Attaches by elastic bungee and hooks to most SUVs, cars, and trucks
- Adjustable height of the outboard end all the way to the ground
- Air vents in the peak
- Easy setup in minutes by one person
- Side mesh pockets
- Carry bag included
- Sleeping Capacity: 5
- Poles: 3 shock-corded fiberglass poles and 2 steel canopy poles
- Peak Height: 9.8’
- Coverage Area: from 60 to 76 square feet
- Dimensions: 124” x 84.6”
- Weight: 9.7 pounds
- Color: blue
- Warranty: 1-year warranty with replacement or refund for quality issues
- Price: $
SUV Tent Buying Guide
Benefits of SUV Tents
- Versatility – Generally SUV tents are compatible for use not only with SUVs, but with a range of minivans, trucks, Jeeps, sedans, and other vehicles, so you are not tied down to using the one you buy with only certain models. They also can be used in free-standing or stand-alone mode, pitched without having to be connected to a vehicle.
- Additional Security – If weather and conditions get especially fierce, your vehicle is handy for a higher degree of protection. The same is true if dangerous animals like bears, wolves, mountain lions, snakes, etc., infiltrate your camp. You can seek respite inside the vehicle.
- Available Tent Space and Storage – Your vehicle provides an easily reachable area where a lot of your gear can be stowed freeing up floor space in the tent for sleeping and other activities.
- Convenient Easy Setup – Most SUV tents are designed with quick and easy setup in mind. Since you will camp joined to your vehicle there is no hiking involved and it is easily stowed inside when not in use such that you have the option to leave it there after you get home, forgoing dragging it back into your house or garage.
Materials and Construction
The fabrics employed need to be durable and water-resistant. Polyester and nylon are the most commonly used, though it is still possible to find canvas in use. They are both lightweight and have a degree of water resistance. A high rating for UV resistance is also highly desired. Look for fabrics that have a high denier rating as an indication of durability.
For the sections that are most vulnerable to water penetration like the rainfly and tent floor, a PU or silicone coating or processing helps to solidify waterproofing. Tent floors are also sometimes made with water-resistant PE (polyethylene), as well. Since it is not necessary to carry or backpack an SUV tent any appreciable distance, the weight of the fabric and tent components is not a major concern. Tent Fabric Guide
Tent poles for use in the canopy structure and for support of awnings are made of aluminum, fiberglass, and in some cases steel. All are durable with fiberglass and aluminum lightweight and flexible.
Seasonality and Intended Use
SUV tents, like all camping tents, can be described by the number of seasons of the year for which they provide adequate coverage and protection. A 4 season tent will be able to stand up to the coldest weather. 3 season tents can handle spring, summer, and fall weather.
The awnings described above and other models that have an open structure without walls don’t quite fit into this system. If you use an awning, then you cannot rely on it to keep you warm in freezing temperatures or to shield you from heavy wind.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Feedback and Comments
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