The Best Family-Sized Rooftop Tents: Why Weight, Space and Comfort Matter

Family adventures are about making memories - late-night card games, kids’ laughter echoing in the bush, and waking up to the smell of gum trees or the sound of the ocean. It's also about ease & simplicity. When it's easy, everyone wants to do it more often and for longer each trip! So if (more like... when) you’re choosing a rooftop tent for family travel, the decision is more than just “which one looks the coolest", or even which one is cheapest. It also comes down to finding the right balance across space, weight, comfort, and convenience.

In this article, we’ll look at three leading family-sized rooftop tents - the iKamper Skycamp, the Roof Space 4, and the Darche Basecamp 2200 - to see which one really ticks all the boxes for families. Spoiler... they all do - but it depends on your vehicle.

Note that ROOZE sells (and rents) all of these models & helps people plan for the size, weight and needs of families, their vehicle and the ideal racking requirements.

What Families Really Need in a Rooftop Tent

When travelling with kids (or even just a group of adults), a family-sized rooftop tent has to deliver on multiple fronts:

1. Sleeping Space: Enough room for at least 2 adults and 1–2 kids, with a mattress size that isn’t a squeeze. King-size footprints are the sweet spot. And RTTs at this size are always side-opening tents - you'll sleep across the vehicle with each person able to enter or exit the space at the foot of the bed (not having to climb over the rest of the crew)

2. Weight & Roof Compatibility: The tent should be light enough to sit on your vehicle’s roof without exceeding weight limits, and easy enough to mount or remove when needed. These weights and ratings are important to understand for both on-road and off-road driving (as they differ, especially from a racking perspective which is why we plan the best combination of gear unique to each family and their wheels

3. Durability & Weather Protection: Families, like everyone, need a tent that stands up to rain, wind, and the occasional branch scrape. Hard shells offer extra protection on the move in this case. They all offer accessories for added shelter and privacy too.

4. Ease of Setup: After a long day’s drive, nobody wants a 40-minute wrestling match with poles and covers. Quick setup is a major plus, so is the ability to leave bedding inside.

5. Comfort & Extras: Mattress thickness, ventilation, windows, insulation, and storage pockets can all make life easier for families. The more pairs of lungs in the tent, the more condensation forms and each of these tents mitigate that in unique ways.

The Contenders

iKamper Skycamp

iKamper Skycamp 3.0

• Weight: 75 kg

• Capacity: Sleeps 4 comfortably (up until our eldest kid turned 12, we slept the whole family of 5)

• Style: Hard-shell hybrid (side-opening design with Fibre Resign Plastic hard shell for light-weight, strong and roomy compartment)

• Why It Works for Families:

  • King-size mattress footprint (2m x 2+m)

  • Hard shell protects gear and reduces setup/packing time

  • Lighter than competitors while still offering a full family sleeping area

  • Excellent poly-cotton black-out fabric for breathability, durable materials, and sleek travel profile

  • Ample space for leaving bedding inside (ask ROOZE for a recommendation on the best and most comfortable bedding combination which includes compressible/inflatable pillows and warm but ultralight sleeping bags and quilts. This is a common question across all RTTs - investing in lightweight (warm, comfy but compressible) bedding is far better than stripping your beds at home.

    
    

Roof Space 4

Roof Space 4

• Weight: 90 kg

• Capacity: Sleeps 4 comfortably

• Style: Hard-shell hybrid with large fold-out section and unique panorama mode

• Why Families Love It:

  • Extremely roomy sleeping area

  • Luxurious interior feel

  • Perfect for those who value a great sleeping space over lighter weight

    
    

Darche Basecamp 2200 (older model called HiView 2200)

Darche Basecamp 2200

• Weight: 87 kg

• Capacity: Sleeps 4 comfortably

• Style: Large soft-shell tent

• Why It Appeals:

  • Classic rooftop tent style and feel (open, lofty), tried and tested by Aussie families for years

  • Spacious interior footprint

  • Second ladder

  • Good value compared to some premium hard shells

Why Weight is the Deal-Breaker

When travelling with a family, your vehicle is simply carrying more luggage, cooking gear, camp chairs, kids’ bikes, maybe even the dog. That’s why tent weight is such a critical factor. Most SUVs have a roof load limit of 80kg (or less). Take into account a pair of roof racks (5-6kg) then the remaining weight guidance is 75kg. And many drivers overlook their GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) which includes the entire weight of vehicle, fuel, passengers, water, food, luggage and everything on the roof!

The iKamper Skycamp, at 75 kg, is the clear winner in this trio based on weight. It’s 15 kg lighter than the Roof Space 4 and 12 kg lighter than the Darche Basecamp 2200. That may not sound like much, but on your roof it’s a big deal - less strain on your rack, better fuel economy, easier lifting, and a lower centre of gravity for safer off-road travel.

In other words: lighter is better, especially when you still want full family sleeping space.

Verdict: The Lightest and Best-Balanced Family Rooftop Tent

For families who want room to stretch out, the security of a hard shell, quick setup, and manageable weight, the iKamper Skycamp stands out as the most balanced choice, but if your vehicle's roof load capacity exceeds 100kg (dynamic, while driving), then they're all winners.

• Skycamp: Best for families who want it all - comfort, speed, and the lightest hard-shell option. It’s easy to set-up and pack away. Plus, whether you're weight allowance is limited or you want to add other gear (like an awning) to the set-up, lighter is better for drivability, safety and your insurance policy

• Roof Space 4: Best for families who prioritise space above all else and don’t mind the extra weight. Plus the panoramic feature is fun for the kids and provides great ventilation in warmer months.

• Darche Basecamp 2200: Best for budget-conscious families happy with soft-shell simplicity. The basecamp also comes with two ladders - one for the kids and one for the adults! No disruptions when waking early or hitting the hay late.

Final Thoughts

Family camping should be about campfires and starry skies, not stressing over setup or whether your roof rack can handle the load. That’s why the iKamper Skycamp earns its place as the lightest hard-shell family rooftop tent available today. It delivers the comfort and protection families need - without tipping the scales against your vehicle.

All three of these options are incredible family-sized rooftop tents, excellent quality and each have their unique characteristics that make for terrific family adventures. We’re quick to remind our clients that rooftop tents not only offer a unique and memorable accommodation to ground tents, but best of all they completely change the road trip experience: Less time setting-up and packing away - more time spent enjoying the outdoors; consistent comfort level wherever you park the vehicle; plus, it’s a fun memorable experience for kids - every time! We find our road trips can be more spontaneous, we can spend more time playing between destinations (because you can set up camp later into the evening), and having the tent, mattress and some bedding up top means you’ve got more comfort (and safety) inside the vehicle. 

If you'd like to explore these and other rooftop tents, we have the widest range of premium gear. You can choose to buy, rent or try one out on your next camping trip. We're a one-stop shop offering planning, buying, installation and storage services.

Get the kids outside and enjoy!