5 Best Rooftop Tents for Jeep Cherokee
The best rooftop tents for Jeep Cherokee are easy to install. Placed on crossbars or siderails, they offer a sturdy and comfortable sleeping base on top of your proven SUV.
Jeep Cherokee has reached its fifth generation celebration growing popularity. In the outdoor world, it provides an ideal platform for rooftop tents.
Our Top 5 Rooftop Tents for Jeep Cherokee
These are our selection of best rooftop tents for Jeep Cherokee by our users’ needs: families, couples, and more favorite features. Check out the next section for details of the benefits of each rooftop tent.
1. Best rooftop tent for families
2. Best for 2 people
3. Best for durability
4. Best waterproofing
5. Best see-through roof
5 Best Rooftop Tents for Jeep Cherokee
As one of the leading vehicles for backcountry adventures, the classic Jeep Cherokee is still highly trusted among US outdoor fans. This off-road vehicle is compatible with some of the leading rooftop tent brands.
Some of the best rooftop tents for a Jeep Cherokee can last anywhere between 3 and 10 years. These can be ranked according to their build quality as follows.
Smittybilt Overlander Tent
Based on a lightweight but durable aluminum frame, this is one of the versatile rooftop tents for a Cherookee. It features a telescopic ladder for easy access, good materials, and a soft thick mattress.
The tent is rated for 3 adults. However, 2 adults and a child are going to feel a lot more comfortable sleeping in this tent. Since its’ made as an all-season tent is also features thick materials such as the 600D Oxford fabrics, ideal for camping fans who might venture out during the winter as well as in the summer.
A rainfly and a sunroof are some of the notable accessories to consider. Some users also appreciate the included LED strips which add illumination in low light. This rooftop tent also has its drawbacks just as any other alternative. One of the drawbacks to consider is that you need to clear the water off the rainfly in case of heavy rain before exiting the tent as it doesn’t hold too much water in the first place.
Raptor Series 100000
Some of the most reliable 2-person rooftop tents for Jeeps are made by Raptor. The advantage of these smaller rooftop tents is their reduced size over family-sized rooftop tents. Ideal for a good night’s sleep, this rooftop doesn’t feature as many windows as the Overlander above. However, it’s better for those who keep the rooftop tent on their Jeeps for a long time.
Made with an aerodynamic design, the Raptor Series 100000 is one of the tents that allow you to drive your off-roader to stay stable even in high wind, essentially promoting comfortable sleep. With one-side access only, this is a compact tent that doesn’t add too much weight either since it only weighs 159 pounds.
Another worthy characteristic is its net door roll opening. With such a large opening this tent can also be considered for couples or singles who like to sleep with their open tents during the summer for a nighttime breeze.
If you don’t mind the low-quality installation cords (a good bungee cord can be a solid alternative) this can be one of the ideal 2-person rooftop tents that is worth it, especially if you’re after a tent with an included mattress.
Thule Kukenam
Thule has always been one of the most respected brands in the outdoor space. Their Kukenam rooftop tent can be a good addition to fifth-generation Jeep Cherokees as its new design will fit the new vehicle the most.
TheKukenam is made using 600D polyester fabrics, thicker than other polyester materials. UV-treated, these fabrics ensure the hot summer sun comes with minimum to no damage, even when used frequently.
Apart from good water resistance, great UV resistance, and proper wind resistance, this rooftop tent features plenty of storage pockets. Designed for either 2 or 3 adults, the tent comes with plenty of mesh pockets to store food, snacks, water, or a flashlight. It also benefits from 2-door access which can be important for better ventilation.
Rough Country Rooftop Tent
One of the reasons to camp on top of your Jeep off-roader is to stay clear of damp ground which can be cold and uncomfortable when it rains. Rough Country’s rooftop tent is ideal for spring and fall camping since it’s made with top waterproof materials.
Rough Country used a combination of 600D Oxford polyester and 420 Oxford fabrics to create a water-protected tent. With the aid of the rainfly, this tent becomes a safe dry place to sleep. Even the windows feature a distinct small rainfly for better wind and rain protection.
Users say this tent feels like one that’s made for changing weather. This is why it can withstand winds of 40-50 miles per hour.
On the other hand, one area where this tent falls short is with its thin mattress. The 2” mattress feels rather firm which means campers with low back pain need an extra air mattress to sleep comfortably.
Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2
Thule offers the Tepui Explorer Ayer 2 with excellent see-through mesh in the ceiling. This allows you to watch the nighttime sky from the comfort of the tent’s bed. With a full see-through ceiling, this tent is ideal for summertime camping.
However, since it’s a cotton-polyester blend, the rooftop tent proves a worthy all-season Thule performer. It stops wind and rain (when used with the rainfly). Since it features an annex accessory it can also keep your ladder dry in case the weather turns bad.
Small when packed (42 x 48 x 11in), this rooftop tent can be a good companion for long camping trips on a Jeep Cherokee. Its users note that Thule needs to print better assembly instructions as these are only fully available online.
Which Jeep Cherokee Mount is Compatible With Rooftop Tents?
Almost all rooftop tents are compatible with Jeep Cherokee. However, there are a few types of rooftop tents for SUVs that are most popular for this vehicle.
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Rack mount
Mounting a rack on your Jeep Cherokee is one of the methods of increasing storage space, particularly for camping trips. You can add a rooftop tent on top of your vehicle without removing the rack.
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Crossbars
Crossbars are ideal for rooftop tents. They evenly distribute the weight over the vehicle ensuring long-term potential.
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Siderails
Siderails come as standard on a Jeep Cherokee. Almost all good rooftop racks are compatible with these siderails and there are no other accessories needed to sleep on top of the off-roaders.
What to look for in a rooftop tent for a Jeep Cherokee
Choosing a good rooftop tent shouldn’t be too complicated. However, there are a few worthy characteristics to start with given there are hundreds or thousands of possible options.
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Tent capacity
The number of people that fit in the tent is often referred to as tent capacity. A Jeep Cherokee will typically hold up to 3 adults properly as long as they fit in a tent.
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Materials
Various types of materials are used to create rooftop tents, just as regular tents. Campers should prioritize waterproof materials as these are the only fabrics offering true protection in any weather.
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Accessories
LED light strips, mesh pockets, telescopic ladders, mesh windows, see-through ceilings, and rain tarps are all important rooftop accessories. It can be difficult to find a rooftop tent with all of these features and accessories but for some users, this is mandatory. For example, rooftop tents for 3 people need better ventilation than rooftop tents for couples.
Verdict
The Smittybilt Overlander Tent is the best rooftop tent for Jeep Cherokee owners. Features very good customization, a comfortable mattress for up to 661lbs combined weight, and a handy telescopic ladder make it a dream for those interested in carefree camping on top of an SUV.
