Toyota Tacoma Roof Top Tents: How to Choose

The Toyota Tacoma is a popular choice for overland and off-road adventure seekers, and a roof top tent is often at the center of such builds. However, with so many tents out there it can be hard to decide the best fit for your particular use case. In this post we are going approach this decision around one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a roof top tent: the mounting position (below the cab, or above the cab).

This post goes in tandem with our blog post about choosing the correct bed rack height, so make sure you check that article out as well!

1. Above the Cab:

• Tent Options:
• Wedge Style (Outland Motorworks Caddywampas)
• Large Clamshell (Outland Motorworks Bonny Big’Un)
• Large Softshell (Outland Motorworks Yonder Big’Un)
• Pros:
• Wedge style tents offer quick setup and teardown, and often provide superior weather protection due to their hardshell construction.
• Large softshell and clamshell tents offer lots of interior space for families or pets.
• Cons:
• The raised center of gravity can affect vehicle handling and stability, especially on challenging terrain.
• Increased wind drag impacts fuel efficiency and makes the vehicle more susceptible to wind buffeting.
• Reaching the tent can be challenging when the tent is mounted above the cab, especially for children or pets.

2. Below the Cab:

The tent needs to be within the footprint of the truck bed to mount a roof top tent below the cab on a Tacoma (or any midsize pick up). Wedge style tents are often too long to safely be mounted below the cab on truck beds shorter than 6.5’ long.

• Tent Options:
• Softshell Tents (Outland Motorworks Yonder)
• Clamshell Tents (Outland Motorworks Bonny)
• Pros:
• The lower center of gravity improves vehicle stability and handling, especially in challenging terrain.
• Reduced wind drag offers better fuel efficiency and less wind resistance.
• The lower mounting position makes it easier to get in and out of the tent, especially for children or pets.
• Most clamshell and soft-shell tents offer more interior space with a smaller footprint when closed.
• Cons:
• These style tents can take longer to set up and break down compared to wedge style tents.
• Some below-cab tents are more susceptible to environmental conditions compared to hardshell wedge tents, especially when considering soft-shell folding tents.
• The lower mounting position reduces available headroom in the truck bed for gear storage.

Use cases:

• If you are a team of one or two and find yourself moving constantly between camping spots, then the quick deployment of wedge style tents are for you. These tents will most likely need to be mounted high enough to hang over the cab, requiring a tall bed rack like our 24.5” bed rack.
• If you are a family of 3+ and want to camp with everyone in the same tent, then a large clamshell or softshell is for you. These tents will most likely need to be mounted high enough to hang over the cab, requiring a tall bed rack like our 24.5” bed rack. We also encourage you to consider a separate living space for larger families. A Gazelle tent paired with a smaller roof top tent will likely offer more living space and about the same setup/teardown time. 
• If you are an individual or small family of less than 2 people (plus a small child or dog), want to reduce wind drag, and don’t mind a little extra time when setting up and tearing down camp then a clamshell or soft-shell tent is for you. These tents will allow you to mount the tent lower on a bed rack like our 12.5” bed rack or 6.5” bed rack.
• Don’t fall in any of those categories or still have questions? Reach out!

Choosing the Right Tent:

Mounting height is just one factor to consider when choosing the right roof top tent. Carefully research specific tent models. Consider factors such as size, weight, materials, ease of setup, and features like integrated ladders or awning mounts.

We have used and tested countless roof top tents. Contact us if you need assistance with your truck build!