Rooftop tents are a fantastic way to travel and experience the great outdoors but are often heavy and bulky.
Finding a rooftop tent that doesn’t create so much drag while driving is an important consideration, particularly for those with smaller vehicles.
This is where the Front Runner Roof Top Tent thrives, it is the lightest RTT we have reviewed and boasts a compact design and low profile.
In this review, we take a look at what else this popular rooftop tent has to offer. Use this to help you figure out if the Front Runner design is a good fit for your next adventure.
Who is the Front Runner Roof Top Tent for?
Size: 333cm x 229cm x 133cm
Weight: 43kg
Material: 260g ripstop polyester cotton blend fabric, aluminium frame
Capacity: 2-3 people
Pros: Lightweight, low profile, spacious, affordable
Cons: Ladder is short (2m) and doesn’t have adjustment options, not as durable as other options
The Front Runner Roof Top Tent is ideal for campers needing a lightweight and low cost roof top tent. It is spacious enough for up to 3 people and is quick to set up.
This rooftop tent is best suited to those going on shorter trips as there are some build and durability considerations that could impact long trips or trips in harsh weather.
Getting Started with the Front Runner Roof Top Tent
This tent comes with a mattress, flysheet, cover, ladder, rod kit, mounting studs kit and a tent cover in the box.
There are a few important installation steps to carry out before the Front Runner RTT can be installed onto a vehicle.
First, the mounting rails need to be fitted to the underside of the base.
Next, put the tent cover and mattress to one side and lay the tent face down so the pre-drilled holes and rails can be aligned. Position the bolts and then slide the nuts onto the extrusions.
The tent can now be flipped onto the rails and the ladder brackets can be attached. Once the ladder is in position, the tent is ready to go onto the vehicle. This requires 2 people as it is quite large.
Once in position, setting up the Front Runner Roof Top Tent takes around 5 minutes, less when you’ve had plenty of practice. The travel cover needs to be removed, and it can be conveniently rolled underneath the tent, and then the ladder can be pulled out and down. This opens up the extension panel and raises the tent walls ready for use.
Features and Benefits
Size & Weight
The interior space measures 333cm x 229cm with 133cm of head space. This is a good size for up to 3 people and offers enough height for campers to sit up comfortably.
One of the key benefits of the Front Runner RTT is how light it is. At only 43kg it is one of the lightest models on the market.
Weatherproofing
The tent is made from 260g polycotton ripstop fabric and has a waterproof and UV resistant rainfly for wet weather.
While the tent can handle rain, it is best for dry nights and fair weather as some users have found the stitching is not as durable as it could be. As this RTT isn’t designed for high winds or stormy weather, these conditions could lead to tearing in the fabric and leaks.
Ventilation
There are large windows on all 4 sides (2 of which are also access doors) so there is no shortage of airflow in this spacious tent.
There is also a skylight that is great for warm, dry nights when the rainfly isn’t needed.
When the rainfly is attached the view through the skylight is obstructed but it continues to provide additional airflow.
Storage
This tent has 2 large storage pockets, which are a good size and are easy to access.
When the tent is set up there is space to store the travel cover underneath which adds to the speed and convenience of setting up camp.
There is a small amount of space available in the tent when it is packed away, enough for a sleeping bag but not much else.
Mattress
The tent has a 60mm high density foam mattress with a removable, washable cover.
This is a relatively standard mattress thickness but it can easily be made more comfortable by adding an extra foam layer.
The cover is a useful feature as it is moisture resistant and mildew resistant.
What do users say about the Front Runner Roof Top Tent?
Overall, users appreciate the light weight, good size and convenient set up of the Front Runner Roof Top Tent but would appreciate improvements on the ladder and the overall durability of the tent materials. This is a good choice of tent if you don’t need something that is super rugged.
Positives
- Lightweight – the reduced weight of this RTT is easier on your vehicle and doesn’t create as much drag.
- Fast Set Up – users like how quick and easy the tent set up is.
- Spacious – users appreciate the space inside this tent, it’s great for a couple or family of 3.
Negatives
- Ladder isn’t adjustable – the ladder only comes with one set of pre-drilled holes which limits the positioning options. Some users have drilled their own holes so the ladder better suits their vehicle height. The 2m ladder length may also be too short for some vehicles so the additional ladder extension may be needed.
- Small repairs – some users have had to carry out small repairs to their rooftop tent where parts had torn or come loose.
Is the Front Runner Roof Top Tent Right For You?
Size: 333cm x 229cm x 133cm
Weight: 43kg
Material: 260g ripstop polyester cotton blend fabric, aluminium frame
Capacity: 2-3 people
Pros: Lightweight, low profile, spacious, affordable
Cons: Ladder is short (2m) and doesn’t have adjustment options, not as durable as other options
The Front Runner Roof Top Tent is a good choice for people with smaller vehicles or vehicles with a lower weight limit.
It is also ideal for occasional campers looking for a low cost option that is spacious enough for 2-3 people. Due to the low weight and design of this roof top tent, it isn’t the most durable option and is best for fair weather.
Conclusion
This Roof Top Tent from Front Runner is great for campers wanting a lightweight, low profile RTT that is affordable and spacious. If you need a compact tent, this is worth a closer look but keep in mind it is not the most rugged option.
