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Three published figures decide whether a rooftop tent suits your crew and your garage: the sleeping capacity (published for 36 of our 47 tents), the sleeping length (34 tents) and the closed height (46 tents). The tool keeps only the tents whose figures are published, and says how many it had to leave out.
Loading the tents…
Before you trust an inch of margin. Closed heights are the makers' figures and do not all include mounting rails, latches or a ladder stored on the side. Measure your loaded vehicle with the rack fitted. A tent that fits the garage must still stay within your roof and rack load ratings: check it with Will my roof carry it?
How the checks work
Crew: published capacity (top of the range) ≥ people
Garage: vehicle height + rack height + published closed height ≤ clearance
Sleeping length is the figure each maker calls interior, sleeping area, bed space or mattress size; where a page gives two, we keep the shorter one. Closed height is the figure each page gives for the packed tent; where a page gives two, we keep the taller one. Both are quoted, tent by tent, in the comparison.
Two examples, worked by hand
Two adults, the tallest 6 ft 0 in (72 in), no garage (the default): the shortest published beds in our list are the Naturnest Polaris models at 78.74 in, so the length check removes none of them: every tent with a published bed and a published capacity of two or more passes, 31 in all, cheapest first in the tool above.
Three people, the tallest 6 ft 4 in, garage door 84 in, vehicle 70 in measured with the rack: the bed must reach 76 in, and 84 - 70 - 0 = 14 in are left for the closed tent [calc]. A Roofnest Condor 2 XXL Air (15 in closed) is out by an inch; a Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO XL Air (8 in closed, 85 in bed, sleeps 2-3) passes with 6 in to spare.
Next: the full comparison with every seller's price, or the best rooftop tents for 2 people.
Frequently asked questions
How much longer than me should the bed be?
No maker publishes a rule. The tool compares your height with the published sleeping length and lets you add the room you want for a pillow and feet; start at 0 and raise it if you sleep stretched out. A soft mattress edge or a sloped wall in a wedge tent can take some length away: the published figure is the best you will get.
Why does my tent's closed height not match the tool?
Makers measure different things. Cascadia's Cirrus is published at 4.75 in for the tent body only, without rails and crossbars, while 23ZERO gives the Kabari Z at 9.5 in including mounting rails. The comparison quotes the basis for each tent; add the difference yourself when it matters.
How do I measure my vehicle height?
With the rack fitted, measure from the ground to the highest point of the rack or crossbars, then type 0 for the rack height. Or take the vehicle height from the owner's manual and add the rack height above the roof. Tire pressure, load and lift kits change it.
What does sleeps 2-3 mean here?
It is the maker's range. The crew check uses the top of the range, as published; a sleeps 2-3 tent counts for 3. If you want room to spare, ask for one more person than you are.