Thule Tepui Foothill Low-Profile Rooftop Tent

This rooftop tent formed an adventure for my two boys and I that I didn’t think I’d get during these weird times. I’m grateful -It fit my Subaru Crosstrek Sport way better than I thought it would. -quick setup (15-20 mins 1st attempt) -ladder felt like it was missing a little something, but is still very sturdy -The type of crossbars DO matter, recommend researching your own vehicle

I mounted this on a utility trailer I drag back and forth across the continent each summer. Works great. A few more sleeps in this and I’ll have paid for it with savings on hotel rooms. Only two minor inconveniences. It can be a little time consuming making sure everything (walls, rain fly, etc) is tucked away as flat as possible when folding it back up in order to get it flat enough for the outer cover to fit. The other thing I miss is that there is no port/vent to feed a portable diesel heater duct inside. (I knew this when I bought it and it is only an issue when it is cold enough to want heat. Finally thing on my wish list is that I would like to be able to leave my bedding inside to fold it up. Anything more than a thin blanket and it won’t fold away tight enough for the outer cover to fit. A minor inconvenience, for sure, but it would be nice to be able to just pull over, set up the tent, climb in and sleep. Instead I have to collect my bedding/pillow etc from my vehicle. One night the mosquitoes really appreciated this flaw. Rain would also be bad.

I bought this tent and immediately went on a six week camping trip. The tent is a very nice tent, but I have yet to figure out how to make the fly poles work. I’ve asked several people that have worked in outdoor stores and even own different versions of this tent to help me and they have not been successful. The fly works without the polls, but it’s very annoying not to have them work. The other thing is that zipping the cover on the tent is sheer hell. I never got it to work. Instead, I got the cover on and used kayak straps to be sure it didn’t blow off. That would last about a day and then all the contents of the tent would come spilling out. I got this tent because I could put my kayak on the car next to me and it was the only option that allowed for this. I am regretting buying this tent.

After a season in the tent: Pros: -easy to put up, once you get a routine down, it takes about 5 minutes. -excellent waterproofing -comfortable enough mat. I added my bed from the backnof my truck (can't close with it inside -weather treating seems decent. No mould despite living in a very wet area and the truck being outside all year - good airflow with a fan. In summer Input aluminet over for +30 days and didn't find myself over hot. - zippers on tent have held up - very warm, especially with rain cover on. -Comfortable down to -15 past winter - can easily fit myself, a power station, supplies. A little table and laptop as needed. - comfortable for 2 people, side by side and sitting up. I think a third would be a stretch Cons: - the RTT cover to close is is a MASSIVE PITA. As others have said, get it altered or take off the raincover to pack - the RTT cover zippers are awful. Hold a very tight C to keep it from catching, and the second it slows, back off and redo - you can't take on and off solo. It's light, but too awkward - telescoping poles are flimsy, one of them the adjuster came loose about 8 months in, it just slides back to llace, but is an added inconvenience. I would have expected better from Thule. - the ladder feels unsteady no matter how level I am - the ladder "bolts" and holes broke second and then fifth use- the springs came off so it doesn't "lock" into place. It's secure enough, but again disappointing from a previously reputable brand - the bottom zipper to "lock" the RTT cover is a slide in one, it comes out too easily and is near impossible to replace with the RTT mounted. So far, not an issue travelling without it, no lifting of the cover, just one side isn't technically sealed for travel - the rain cover is horrible to pack inside the RTT for take down. Very, very, very finicky and precise. I don't use it 80% of the time. It's massive to fit inside to bring when I think I might need it. - the pressure fit poles for the rain cover are terrible and borderline dangerous. If they'd added even a cm more they would be a more convenient, mine whip back at me more often than I'd like, so I just don't use them. Overall, the tent's footprint on the roof is still my main reason to keep it. I can easily mount a kayak or work gear beside it. It took a few trials to figure out efficient set up and takedown, but once I figured out the "order of operations" it became easier. There is no way to set up without climbing all over the hood and roof. I have one of those door mount steps and a step ladder. I'm 5'0 and can put up and take down solo. The tent is light enough not to be challenging to lever out with the laddrr, or back. Packing the ladder and securement bolts separately is anxiety provoking. Less effect on fuel mileage than anticipated. Which was a pleasant surprise. Mounted on an Xterra, so the mileage was already sad. I spent about 100 days in it last year, and am happy enough. Definitely disappointed for the price/ company reputation about the cover and the poor quality poles. I'm not certain I'd buy it again, if there was another option with this small of a footprint, and this roomy inside, I'd probably try another one. But, it held up to all Canadian seasons, and LOTS of highway and rowdy off road thus far, and we'll see how year two goes. Added some photos to try and show the dimensions mounted.

The tent itself is awesome, a bit on the heavy side - but comfortable. We both fit comfortably and could sleep my 3 year old at the end of our feet as well. Not too much room to sit up being 5'11 but thats what the skylights are for.. haha the only bad point is that I ripped the zipper putting the cover back on, the cover fits TOO snug... meaning unless you pack up the tent perfectly each time, you're going to struggle. You can get around this by removing the mattress prior to packing it up and just packing the mattress away sep. Hopefully I can get a replacement zipper fly, I've repaired myself for now...