Roof top tents have become one of the most popular upgrades for truck owners who want a faster, cleaner, and more comfortable way to camp. Instead of setting up a ground tent in mud, rocks, snow, or uneven terrain, a roof top tent lets you sleep above the ground on your truck, SUV, or overland rack system.
For weekend camping, long road trips, hunting, fishing, trail riding, or full overland builds, a roof top tent can completely change how useful your truck becomes. Rough Country offers multiple roof top tent options and accessories, including soft shell rack-mounted tents, a hard shell roof top tent, an annex, ladder extension options, and 12-volt LED lighting.
Why Add a Roof Top Tent to Your Truck?
A roof top tent is ideal for truck owners who want a simple camping setup without towing a trailer or packing a traditional ground tent. Because the tent mounts to a bed rack, roof rack, or compatible crossbar setup, it keeps your sleeping area elevated and ready to deploy.
The biggest benefits are convenience, comfort, and versatility. You can pull into a campsite, trailhead, hunting spot, or off-grid area and have your sleeping setup ready much faster than a standard tent. You also get a built-in mattress, better protection from wet ground, and a more organized overland setup.
That said, roof top tents are not perfect for every build. They add weight, increase vehicle height, affect wind resistance, and require a strong rack system. Before buying one, it is important to choose the right style for your truck and camping needs.
Rough Country Roof Top Tent Rack Mount with 12-Volt Accessory & LED Light Kit
Shop the Rough Country Roof Top Tent Rack Mount with LED Light Kit
This is Rough Country’s soft shell rack-mounted roof top tent package with the 12-volt accessory and LED light kit included. It is one of the best all-around options for truck owners who want a complete overland camping setup without jumping into the higher price point of a hard shell tent.
The tent opens to approximately 95 inches long, 64 inches wide, and 48 inches tall. When collapsed, it measures approximately 64 inches long, 48 inches wide, and 16 inches tall with the ladder stored on top. It has a 660 lb max weight rating and sleeps 2–3 people, making it a strong option for couples, solo campers who want extra space, or two adults with a child.
Inside, the tent includes a 92 inch by 62 inch bed and a 2 inch thick high-density fire-retardant foam mattress with a removable cover. The tent body uses 600D Oxford ripstop fabric with UV protection, while the rainfly uses 420D Oxford ripstop fabric for added rain protection. It also includes mosquito screens, a telescopic aluminum ladder, built-in LED strip lighting, and a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Benefits
- Great value for a complete truck camping setup
- Large sleeping area for 2–3 people
- Built-in 12-volt LED lighting for night use
- Includes mattress, ladder, mosquito screens, and rainfly
- Good choice for weekend camping, hunting, fishing, and overlanding
Drawbacks
- Takes longer to open and close than a hard shell roof top tent
- Adds noticeable height to your truck when collapsed
- Requires a properly rated rack system
- Taller trucks may require a ladder extension
Best For
This tent is best for truck owners who want a full-size roof top tent with strong value, good sleeping room, and built-in lighting. It is a great choice for weekend campers, overlanders, hunters, anglers, and families who want a reliable camping setup without moving into the hard shell price range.
Rough Country Roof Top Tent Rack Mount with Ladder Extension & LED Light Kit
Shop the Rough Country Roof Top Tent with Ladder Extension
This package is similar to the rack-mounted Rough Country roof top tent setup but includes the ladder extension. That makes it especially useful for taller vehicles, lifted trucks, full-size trucks with high bed racks, or builds where the standard ladder may not comfortably reach the ground.
The tent offers the same core advantages: a large sleeping area, 660 lb weight rating, 2–3 person capacity, 2 inch foam mattress, weather-resistant ripstop materials, mosquito screens, LED lighting, and rack-mounted convenience.
Benefits
- Better fit for lifted trucks and taller rack systems
- Includes ladder extension for improved reach and setup angle
- Good choice for off-road and overland builds
- Includes LED lighting and 12-volt accessory setup
- Large soft shell design with strong interior sleeping space
Drawbacks
- Not every truck needs the ladder extension
- Soft shell setup takes more time than a hard shell tent
- Still adds height, weight, and wind resistance
- Requires proper rack fitment before installation
Best For
This package is best for lifted trucks, taller full-size trucks, high bed rack setups, and anyone who wants to avoid ladder fitment issues from the start. If your truck is already modified with a lift kit, larger tires, or overland rack accessories, this is likely the smarter soft shell option.
Rough Country Hard Shell Roof Top Tent Rack Mount
Shop the Rough Country Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
The Rough Country Hard Shell Roof Top Tent is the premium option in this lineup. It uses a hard ABS plastic clam shell design with a hydraulic assist opening mechanism, making setup faster and cleaner than a soft shell tent.
This tent has interior dimensions of approximately 82.5 inches long, 65 inches wide, and 48 inches high. It has a 660 lb max weight rating, sleeps 2–3 people, and includes an 82 inch by 62 inch bed. Like the soft shell version, it includes a 2 inch thick high-density fire-retardant foam mattress with a removable cover.
The tent body is made from 600D ripstop waterproof fabric with a 2000mm polyurethane coating, while the rainfly uses 420D ripstop waterproof fabric with a 2000mm polyurethane coating. It also includes mosquito screens, a 7.5 foot aluminum collapsible ladder, mold-resistant fabric, hydraulic assist opening, and a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Benefits
- Fast setup and takedown with hydraulic assist
- Hard shell design protects the tent when closed
- Clean, premium overland look
- Waterproof ripstop fabric and rainfly
- Great for frequent campers and multi-stop road trips
Drawbacks
- Higher price than the soft shell roof top tent
- Heavier overall setup
- Requires a strong rack system and careful installation
- Slightly shorter sleeping length compared to the larger soft shell tent
Best For
The hard shell roof top tent is best for frequent campers, serious overlanders, road trip builds, and customers who want the fastest setup possible. It is also the best choice if you want a cleaner, more premium-looking tent that is easier to open and close regularly.
Rough Country Roof Top Tent Annex
Shop the Rough Country Roof Top Tent Annex
The Rough Country Roof Top Tent Annex is an accessory designed for the Rough Country 99050 roof top tent. It attaches to the bottom zipper of the tent and adds a private room underneath the sleeping area.
The annex measures approximately 94 inches long, 56 inches wide, and 84 inches deep. It includes roll-up privacy windows with mosquito screens, an interior door for access to the vehicle from inside the annex, 100D PVC weatherproof flooring, 420D Oxford ripstop fabric with UV protection, an interior storage pocket, tent stakes, and a UV-coated storage bag.
Benefits
- Adds private changing space under the tent
- Creates extra storage for gear, boots, bags, and camping equipment
- Great for longer camping trips and overland basecamps
- Weatherproof floor helps keep the space cleaner
- Roll-up windows and mosquito screens improve comfort
Drawbacks
- Only fits the compatible Rough Country 99050 roof top tent
- Roof top tent is not included
- Adds extra setup and takedown time
- Less useful for quick overnight stops
Best For
The annex is best for campers who want more space, privacy, and storage. It is ideal for multi-day trips, family camping, hunting trips, overland basecamps, and anyone who wants a more comfortable campsite setup.
Soft Shell vs Hard Shell Roof Top Tent: Which Should You Choose?
Choose the soft shell Rough Country roof top tent if you want the best value, a large sleeping area, and a complete setup with LED lighting. It is a great option for weekend camping, hunting trips, fishing trips, and general truck camping.
Choose the ladder extension package if your truck is lifted, has larger tires, or uses a taller rack system. This helps prevent ladder fitment issues and makes the tent easier to use on taller builds.
Choose the hard shell Rough Country roof top tent if you camp often, move locations frequently, or want the fastest setup and takedown. It costs more, but the convenience and cleaner design are worth it for serious users.
Add the annex if you want more room, privacy, and gear storage. It is especially useful for longer trips or campsite setups where you are staying more than one night.
Things to Check Before Buying a Roof Top Tent
- Rack rating: Confirm your rack can support the tent while driving and while parked.
- Vehicle height: Taller trucks may need a ladder extension.
- Rack compatibility: Check crossbar size and mounting requirements before ordering.
- Garage clearance: Roof top tents add height and may affect parking clearance.
- Weight: Roof top tents are heavy and may require two people to install.
- Camping style: Quick overnight trips may favour a hard shell tent, while longer campsite stays may benefit from a soft shell tent with an annex.
Final Recommendation
For most truck owners, the Rough Country Roof Top Tent Rack Mount with 12-Volt Accessory & LED Light Kit is the best starting point. It offers strong value, a large sleeping area, built-in lighting, a 660 lb weight rating, and a comfortable mattress.
For lifted trucks or taller rack setups, the version with the ladder extension is the better choice.
For serious overlanders or frequent campers, the Rough Country Hard Shell Roof Top Tent is the premium option because it is faster to set up, easier to close, and better suited for regular use.
For anyone who wants a more complete campsite, the Rough Country Roof Top Tent Annex is a smart add-on because it adds privacy, storage, and usable living space under the tent.
Whether you are building a weekend camping truck, a trail-ready overland rig, or a full adventure setup, Rough Country roof top tents give you a practical way to turn your truck into a mobile campsite.