Camping from the height is absolutely one of the most exciting moments in your adventure.
Just think about having a better view of nature, feeling more cooler breezes, and sleeping on the included soft mattress, I can say it is worth investing in a rooftop tent.
Do you want to make a better choice for your future rooftop tent? This time, I will give you a full description of two high-ranking brands – Thule Tepui vs Smittybilt. By comparing two specific types, you can choose which tent will be your companion on your vehicle.
Which is the best one?
In short, I will immediately pick an Overlander tent because it is a roomy and durable tent with useful tiny details. Its hanging shoe bag and LED light strip are two useful accessories with much positive feedback.
However, if you wish to carry a light and compact rooftop tent, Thule Tepui is more suitable for your option. But it is not equipped with unique features as what Smittybilt has.
Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2
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Key features
Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer is a lightweight rooftop tent, but its quality is actually reliable. It is made from coated 600 denier and a 260g poly-cotton blend to withstand any unexpected weather conditions.
It has the heart of its user’s thanks to the mesh panels that offer plenty of ventilation. So, on warmer days, you don’t need to worry about condensation. On the roof of the tent, there are also 2 mesh windows to support the airflow better even when you close all doors and windows.
Besides, you have 4 interior pockets for your camping accessories. The tent also goes with a pleasant foam pad for you to sleep on and relax after a long day.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Roomy and comfortable enough for two people
- Made from durable fabric
- Great ventilation thanks to 2 mesh windows on two sides and 2 mesh doors on two sides => Prevent condensation
- The proof has mesh windows for stargazing
- Weather resistance
- Easy to set up and takedown
Cons
- Uncomfortable hard mattress.
- Too many noises in windy conditions. => Difficult to sleep quietly
- Need to get used to the setup process because it may be challenging and time-consuming at first
- Difficult to put on the rainfly as you need to be tall enough to reach the top of the tent
- Inconvenient when having to see the instructions online instead of being included in the package.
Smittybilt Overlander
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Key features
If you ask me about an ample tent with many helpful features, my answer would be a Smittybilt Overlander.
Its most outstanding strength is the sturdiness and durability due to heavy-duty 600D ripstop waterproof polyester, anodized aluminum tent poles and stainless-steel hinges. Those are ideal materials to maintain the longevity of the tent. Its strong ladder is promising to ensure your stability and safety, especially when you want to get in/out in the darkness.
Another point worth noting is the interior LED strip for extra ambient brightness at night. Therefore, there is no need to buy additional lamps or lanterns for your trip.
Pros
- Super wide for two people
- High-quality materials
- Excellent wind and water resistance
- Extra storage spaces with 4 pockets and a shoe bag
- The super bright LED light can lighten the whole room. Besides, they also provide you with additional loops to hang your own lanterns.
- Great air circulation
- Suitable center height to stand up
- 2 windows on the ceiling to enjoy the sky view and support airflow better
- High-quality zippers and seams
- Strong and stable ladder
Cons
- The Led light is a little too shiny => Your eyes can feel uncomfortable
- Difficult to understand the instructions => The instruction needs to be more understandable.
- No instruction is included in the packaging
- The velcro straps to secure the tent are of bad quality.
- Aluminum shavings on the mattress
- Annoying noises in windy conditions even when you close all the windows
- There were some loose threads.
- It is hard for the ladder to slide.
- Hard to pack because the tent tends to spread out when you fold it up => Need to push the fabric neatly to put the cover on.
- Condensation may happen with all closed doors because of the thick fabric.
- Difficult to set up the rainfly on your tall vehicles
- The mattress is quite thin, so you should add another foam topper for more comfort.
- The ladder requires you to drill additional holes to match your rack height.
- The ladder may break after frequent use.
Thule Tepui Vs Smittybilt
Similarity
Despite coming from two different brands, they both have some noticeable points in common.
Firstly, Thule Tepui vs Smittybilt both have 2 mesh windows and 2 mesh doors to facilitate the airflow better. Even with all doors closed, the tent still breathes very well thanks to 2 mesh roof windows. Besides, thanks to the mesh roof windows, you can enjoy the spectacular sky view at night without any bugs inside the tent.
Secondly, their included foam pad is not comfortable enough for users to sleep on. While Thule Tepui’s pad is quite hard and can make your back/hip hurt, Smittybilt’s mattress is considered to be thin. After frequent use, it even gets thinner. Therefore, it is recommended that you add another layer of fluffy foam for more comfort.
Thirdly, they are well-known for their excellent weather protection. With strong materials and well-designed structures, they can hold up well in strong winds or storms. In a downpour, there was no water leakage. Users completely stayed warm and dry.
Fourthly, they have complex setup instructions. Because they are different from a ground tent, you need to learn the setup process clearly at first. Additionally, their instruction is not included in the package, but you have to find it online which is so inconvenient.
Difference
Weight and size
With its open size of 95 x 56 x 51 inches, Smittybilt is definitely wider, bigger, and roomier than Thule Tepui. Additionally, its load capacity is 661 lbs. So, you can feel very spacious, stable, and safe when staying in this tent with your partner and 1 child or pet.
In contrast, with the open size of 84 x 48 x 39 inches, Thule Tepui is lighter, smaller, and tighter. As a result, its ability to provide a wide room cannot be compared to Smittybilt.
(Cre: Braxen McConnell)
Brightness
What makes Smittybilt stand out is the LED strip. It is praised due to its wonderful brightness. At night, you don’t need to be afraid of the darkness. This LED strip will guarantee the best comfort for all indoor activities with your beloved ones. Please remember to bring your external battery source such as a charger for the LED to lighten your living space.
Unlike Smittybilt, if you have a Thule tent, you will need to bring your own lighting tools such as a lantern or a lamp for more brightness at night.
(Cre: Overland Garage)
Ladder
It is a nice point that Thule Tepui users don’t have any problems with its telescoping ladder. The telescoping structure is usually more compact and adjustable.
However, one of the most significant problems of Smittybilt is its sliding two-part ladder. Its tightness makes it difficult to slide and to fold the tent as well. Sometimes, you have to loosen the locking pins, so the ladder can slide easily to its end. Besides, the ladder requires you to drill additional holes, if your vehicle’s height doesn’t match the ladder. It is also sad to hear that the ladder broke after a few times in use.
Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmRnOhuDrnM
Smittybilt Overlander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT8m1zVjjW4&t=273s
FAQs
1. Can I set up the main door of Smittybilt to the back of the tent?
Yes, the tent can be mounted in this direction.
2. How long does it take to remove the Smittybilt Overlander from the roof rack?
It takes about 20 minutes to take the tent off the roof rack. If you have a taller vehicle, it may take longer than usual.
Because it is 116.5 lbs in weight, you should have at least 2 people to do it together. You just need to remove 8 bolts and lift it up.
3. How can I store the tent when I don’t use it? Does it have to stay flat or vertical?
It is recommended that you put the cover on to protect it better from dust or friction. To minimize storage space, people usually store it on the side instead of staying flat. In addition, you can put a piece of plastic or fabric between the tent and the floor to prevent any damage.
Conclusion
To sum up, my recommendation would be Smittybilt when I need to use a sturdier and wider tent to fit my 2 or even 3 friends. At a lower price, Overlander outstrips many of its competitors not only because of its additional brightness from the LED but also the neatness of the shoe bag.
However, if you only want to have a lighter and simpler tent, Thule Tepui should be your go-to. Thule does not have any unique advantages, but it is enough to serve your basic needs.
Based on the comprehensive comparison above between Thule Tepui vs Smittybilt, hope that you can make a wise decision to fully enjoy your car camping experience.
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