21-05-2025
Jeep's New Rooftop Tent: Is This the Ultimate Overlanding Upgrade?
Overlanding is popular, and automakers have caught on, which is why you can now find off-road-ready versions of nearly every SUV on sale today. Arguably, though, it all started with Jeep, at least in the US. You've been able to church up your Jeep with everything from all-weather maps to winches for years now, but Jeep is taking things to the next level. The Stellantis-owned automaker debuted a rooftop tent at Overland Expo West, sitting atop a hybrid Wrangler 4xe clad in plenty of other modifications. It answers the questions many asked months ago, when Jeep filed a patent for a rooftop tent to attach directly to a Wrangler's roof.
The new tent is the result of a collaborative effort between Jeep and Dometic, the latter of which touts over twenty years of experience in the outdoor accessories biz. It touts a carbon fiber shell, a material chosen for its overall lightness and relative durability, but most importantly, the tent bolts right into the Wrangler's roof, meaning no need for a roof rack. That improves aerodynamics and potentially saves a lot of weight. Further reducing weight is Dometic's Air Frame design, which replaces poles traditionally made from steel or other heavier materials with lightweight, inflatable ones. Jeep Performance Parts - the specific Mopar branch responsible for introducing the trick bit of kit - dubbed the tent the "Awning and Rooftop Tent (ARRT) concept." The ARRT features an integrated awning that swings out 270 degrees, providing ample protection from the sun or precipitation. There's even room for a queen-size mattress inside.
Since the ARRT is purpose-built for a specific model, it offers some benefits you absolutely won't find on any other rooftop tent. The tent integrates with the SUV in a way that allows access from inside the vehicle via the removable roof panels, complete with a little carbon fiber "step." The step stands over the center console, allowing easy access and protecting the upholstery.
As we mentioned, the Jeep tent concept is designed with only a single model in mind, the four-door Wrangler, and Jeep picked a doozy of a way to showcase the tent. The ARRT sits atop the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Sunchaser concept, which debuted back in April. The Sunchaser touts a bevvy of other factory-fresh modifications, including a two-inch lift, Mopar lightbar, 37-inch BFGoodrich mud tires, rock rails, and vented steel fender flares. Inside, the Sunchaser wears custom two-tone leather seats, gloss black interior trim, all-weather floor mats, and more.
There is no official word on whether or not the ARRT will ever see a life outside of conventions and trade shows, but we sure hope so. There's no doubt in our mind that Jeep's rooftop tent would sell like hotcakes. While it may seem like a long-overdue accessory from a brand like Jeep, there are actually relatively few OEMs that offer a rooftop tent in their parts catalog, with Volvo being the only one that immediately jumps to mind. While quality is undoubtedly beyond reproach, Jeep could run into a similar problem as Volvo: cost. Quality aside, there are numerous less expensive options for Volvo shoppers interested in a rooftop tent. Based on the quality and construction of the ARRT, we don't think it would come cheap. Here's hoping it comes to market one way or the other, though.
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