If you're thinking about adding a rooftop tent to your Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser, or Lexus GX, you've probably discovered that the tent is only part of the investment. You'll also need a roof rack, mounting hardware, and possibly a few accessories to make the setup work the way you want.
So what should you actually budget?
For a quality roof rack and rooftop tent setup, expect to spend roughly $4,100 to $6,200, depending on the tent you choose. You can spend less with a basic tent or more with a premium model, but this is a reasonable starting point for the equipment we typically recommend.
Before you start shopping, though, there's an important decision to make: what type of rooftop tent fits the way you camp?
Most of the setups we recommend fall into two categories. The first is a long, low-profile hardshell tent that occupies much of your roof. The second is a fold-out tent that takes up less roof space while driving but expands to provide a larger sleeping area at camp.
Both styles have advantages, and neither is automatically better.
If you typically camp alone or with one other person, a full-length hardshell is worth considering. These tents generally open quickly, have a relatively low profile when closed, and offer a straightforward camping experience.
The sleeping area is essentially the footprint of the tent itself. For one person, that's usually plenty of room. For two people who don't mind being cozy, it can work exceptionally well.
The biggest consideration is how much roof space the tent occupies. On a 4Runner or Land Cruiser, a long hardshell may cover most of your roof rack, leaving less room for other equipment.
Another detail that surprises some customers is width. Many full-length hardshell tents are approximately 50 to 56 inches wide. That's slightly wider than the roof rack on many 4Runner and Land Cruiser applications, so it's normal for the tent to extend beyond the rack's side rails.
That doesn't necessarily create a problem, but it's something to understand if you're expecting the tent to sit entirely within the rack's footprint. Always confirm the tent's actual dimensions and mounting requirements before ordering.
If you're camping with children or simply want more room to spread out, I'd lean toward a fold-out tent.
These tents occupy a smaller footprint on your roof while closed, then unfold to create a larger sleeping area. Some models use a hard shell, while others use a soft cover, so a fold-out tent doesn't necessarily mean giving up the benefits of a hardshell design.
For families, the additional sleeping space can make a significant difference. It also means you may have more usable roof rack space when the tent is closed, depending on the tent's size and mounting position.
The tradeoff is that fold-out tents extend beyond the vehicle when open, and setup may involve additional steps. You'll also want to consider where the ladder will land and how much space you'll need beside your vehicle at camp.
If you're traveling with three or four people, I'd start my search with a fold-out design rather than trying to squeeze everyone into a narrow, full-length tent.
Two brands we'd encourage you to consider are Free Spirit Recreation and Roofnest.
Both offer different tent configurations, including compact hardshells and larger fold-out models.
Free Spirit Recreation offers options such as the Aspen series for campers who prefer a long, low-profile hardshell, along with larger sleeping configurations for those who need more space. Roofnest offers the Falcon series for a similar full-length approach and the Condor series for customers who prefer a fold-out design.
Rather than choosing a tent based entirely on brand, I'd compare the actual sleeping dimensions, closed dimensions, weight, setup process, and how much bedding you can leave inside when it's packed away.
For a 2010–2024 Toyota 4Runner, our Victory 4x4 Rooftop Tent Bundle currently starts at $1,619.
We put this package together to simplify the process of getting your vehicle ready for a rooftop tent. It includes our Evolution Series roof rack, rooftop tent mounting brackets, a bolt-on tent fairing, 270-degree awning mounts, an LED lighting kit, and grab handles.
The package saves more than $170 compared with purchasing those components individually. The tent and awning are sold separately, and the bundle currently ships for a flat $14.95.
We offer similar rooftop tent packages for other Toyota and Lexus vehicles, with pricing varying by application. The idea is to help you purchase the rack and supporting accessories together rather than discovering later that you still need several additional components.
Using our 5th Gen 4Runner rooftop tent bundle as an example, here's what the investment could look like with several tent choices.
These examples use each tent maker's regular list price. Prices can change, and tents are sometimes on sale for less. They don't include tent shipping, applicable taxes, or professional installation. The Victory rack bundle's $14.95 shipping is also additional.
This is why I recommend deciding on the type of tent before getting too deep into accessories. The tent itself will usually be the largest part of your budget.
Beyond the rack and tent, there are a few practical considerations that can affect your final investment.
Installation: If you're comfortable working on your vehicle and have help lifting the tent into place, you may be able to handle installation yourself. Otherwise, you'll want to budget for professional installation. Rooftop tents can be heavy and awkward to position safely.
An awning: A rooftop tent gives you a place to sleep, but an awning creates sheltered space to cook, relax, and get out of the sun or rain. It's a useful addition, although you don't need one to get started.
Vehicle and rack capacity: Before purchasing, confirm the vehicle's permitted roof load, the rack's capacity, and the tent manufacturer's mounting requirements. Pay attention to both dynamic loads while driving and static loads while camping. The weight of the tent, rack, occupants, and other rooftop equipment all matter.
Garage clearance: A rooftop tent adds height to your vehicle even when closed. Measure your vehicle and garage opening before committing to a setup, especially if you've added larger tires or a suspension lift.
If I were building a rooftop camping setup for one or two people, I'd start with a quality full-length hardshell. I appreciate the simplicity of getting to camp, opening the tent, and being ready for the night without much effort.
For a family, I'd put sleeping space ahead of having the lowest-profile tent on the roof. A fold-out design gives everyone more room and can make longer camping trips considerably more comfortable.
In either case, I wouldn't feel obligated to buy every camping accessory immediately. Start with a quality rack, a tent that fits your needs, and the mounting components required to install it correctly. After a few trips, you'll have a much better idea of which additional accessories would actually improve your experience.
A rooftop tent setup is a meaningful investment, but it doesn't need to be complicated. For most customers considering a Victory 4x4 roof rack and a quality tent from Free Spirit Recreation or Roofnest, budgeting around $4,100 to $6,200 for the primary equipment is a sensible place to start.
The more important decision is how you plan to camp. A full-length hardshell works well for one or two people who value a simple setup, while a fold-out tent generally makes more sense when you need additional sleeping room.
If you're unsure which tent will work with your 4Runner, Land Cruiser, or Lexus GX, our Customer Experience team can help you sort through rack dimensions, mounting requirements, and accessory options before you buy.
Brian Meyers
Founder, Victory 4x4
