Rooftop Tent for R1S - considering an iKamper Skycamp 3.0

[elatrickWheels]

I’m considering an iKamper Skycamp 3.0 for my R1S. This will mainly be for two adults and one or two dogs. Does anyone have any experience with this they can share? My considerations include:

• Skycamp mini is big enough for two adults to sleep in, but prob not enough for dog(s) and some bags too.
• R1S is tall, so getting a big-ish dog (labrador) up there is not trivial.
• Space (length of RTT) is less of a constraint on top of R1S vs R1T.
• Skycamp 3 is quite heavy, but Rivian should be able to handle it.
• There is probably a little extra wind resistance for the 3.0 vs the mini, but not much.
• iKamper is not the only game in town. It seems to be a premium product. Is it worth the premium price vs other brands?

I’d be grateful for any advice that might be shared.

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[nomis]

I have the ikamper xcover 2.0 on my R1S. A little lighter than the skycamp but footprint is pretty similar. I feel it's a very premium RTT. I fit 2 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs (1 15lb spaniel, and a 65lb labrador) with room to spare. Honestly my favorite feature is ikamper's ability to blackout sunlight cause my kids wake up with the slightest bit of light. Though I have to admit, it's a little tricky getting my labrador up and down the ladder, but doable. Haven't really noticed a huge impact of efficiency but you'll get a lot of wind noise.

 

[R1Thor]

I'm planning on getting one of these (and the annex) for over-the bed mounting on my R1T.

Other than the annex, does anyone have any accessory recommendations? Also, anyone come up with a winch system to get these on and off, or do you always have help tossing it up there? I'm not worried about being strong enough--my wife and I can do it no problem--but I'd like to be able to mount/dismount it on my own, and it definitely appears too bulky and cumbersome for that.

Thanks!

 

[Riv I Am]

I tried responding to your post a few hours ago, but accidentally deleted my response. I ended up just creating a new thread that addresses your question as well as showcases some of my current set up.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/ikamper-rtt-joolca-shower-tent-thoughts.26378/

My setup is still a work in progress. I would definitely recommend a larger iKamper rooftop tent for your R1S. Better aerodynamics than most other RTTs and that is especially important for you since you won’t have it hidden behind the cab like us R1Ters. I don’t think you’ll regret getting the bigger size especially since the R1S can handle it, unlike the R1T. Additionally, I may be in the minority on this, but I do not recommend the inflatable mattress that iKamper sells. I do have it, and I do admit it makes it a little more comfortable, but I think the stock pad the tent comes with is sufficient. And plus it is so easy to close the clamshell with the stock pads only. Technically, it can be closed with both pads and a fully deflated air mattress, but it’s a struggle at times. If you do only the air mattress, then it shouldn’t be a problem, but not having to inflate and deflate a mattress frequently is as luxurious as a slightly more comfortable bed.

 

[elatrickWheels]

I’m wavering… Now considering a wedge-style tent and letting the dogs sleep inside the R1S when we have them with us. (They won’t be with us on every occasion–dogs and National Parks don’t mix well, for example.) The wedge RTTs seem to be about the size of a queen bed, which is probably OK for a few nights at a time. Realistically I don’t foresee us camping for weeks on end in this thing, so we’re not trying to reproduce a full-scale RV experience. We need something that‘s decent for 2-3 nights at a time. The lower profile should make for lower range impact and easier storage. (My garage ceiling is quite low.)

 

[nomis]

I’m wavering… Now considering a wedge-style tent and letting the dogs sleep inside the R1S when we have them with us. (They won’t be with us on every occasion–dogs and National Parks don’t mix well, for example.) The wedge RTTs seem to be about the size of a queen bed, which is probably OK for a few nights at a time. Realistically I don’t foresee us camping for weeks on end in this thing, so we’re not trying to reproduce a full-scale RV experience. We need something that‘s decent for 2-3 nights at a time. The lower profile should make for lower range impact and easier storage. (My garage ceiling is quite low.)

Its a great idea, but personally my dogs have always slept with us in our bed so I'd feel bad making them sleep "alone" in the car. Not to say you're a bad person if you do, but my dogs are just needy . Furthermore I'd be concerned with climate control in the car. Sure you can leave camping mode on/climate control, but I rather lug them up in the tent with me and save what battery charge I have.

 

[AirCruiser]

Hey everyone,

I'm reaching out to see if anyone here is exploring rooftop tents and might not have come across the AirCruiser yet. We've noticed quite a few enthusiasts from the Rivian community opting for it, and I wanted to share some insights, especially since we're not as well-known in the US as brands like iKamper.

One standout feature of the AirCruiser is its spacious and luxurious cabin space. Thanks to its extra height and skylights, it feels more expansive and comfortable compared to the typical, more confined designs of many rooftop tents. It’s designed to offer a luxury cabin experience rather than just being a sleeping area.

In terms of value, the AirCruiser is about half the price of other RTTs but doesn’t compromise on quality and features. We've made sure that our specifications exceed what you'd usually expect at this price point.

Of course, every setup has its pros and cons. While iKamper tents are fantastic and I have great respect for them, I believe the AirCruiser also deserves your consideration if you're in the market for an RTT.

Additionally, our tents are designed for ease of use. With the press of a button, the tent sets up on its own without the need for inserting canopy poles or other cumbersome setup steps.

If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best regards,

Jake

P.S You can check it out here https://air-cruiser.cinchpopuptents.com/?utm_campaign=rivian

 

[R1Thor]

Hey everyone,

I'm reaching out to see if anyone here is exploring rooftop tents and might not have come across the AirCruiser yet. We've noticed quite a few enthusiasts from the Rivian community opting for it, and I wanted to share some insights, especially since we're not as well-known in the US as brands like iKamper.

One standout feature of the AirCruiser is its spacious and luxurious cabin space. Thanks to its extra height and skylights, it feels more expansive and comfortable compared to the typical, more confined designs of many rooftop tents. It’s designed to offer a luxury cabin experience rather than just being a sleeping area.

In terms of value, the AirCruiser is about half the price of other RTTs but doesn’t compromise on quality and features. We've made sure that our specifications exceed what you'd usually expect at this price point.

Of course, every setup has its pros and cons. While iKamper tents are fantastic and I have great respect for them, I believe the AirCruiser also deserves your consideration if you're in the market for an RTT.

Additionally, our tents are designed for ease of use. With the press of a button, the tent sets up on its own without the need for inserting canopy poles or other cumbersome setup steps.

If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best regards,

Jake

P.S You can check it out here https://air-cruiser.cinchpopuptents.com/?utm_campaign=rivian

Hey AirCruiser,

As you've probably gleaned from my responses on this thread alone, I'm definitely in the market.

Can you speak to these 3 concerns:

1- all weather/all season camping?
2- blackout conditions (how much light penetrates when fully closed up?)
3- Mounting over the bed of the R1T (not needing an extension to get over cab height).

I see you have a thermal liner under your accessories, so that might be the answer to #1 and #2.

Also, any chance you offer veteran/military discounts (many of your competitors do...I'm not expecting anything, but I always ask )

 

[AirCruiser]

Hi R1Thor,

Just saw that you're based in Lancaster PA, I'm actually from a town called Lancaster in the UK!

The thermal liner definitely opens up all year-round camping. The Air Cruiser itself is a 4season tent and will perform well in winter conditions. The thermal liner will just make it very comfortable.

The blackout conditions are great, it's not 100% blackout but it's not far off and they are great. I have one set up in the office to use for an afternoon nap (I've got twin babies so need the sleep) and it blocks out enough light for it to be very dark in there.

The pack size fits perfectly on the bed and you still have room, I think that is why we had such a great update amongst the community in the first place.

I do think that the Air Cruiser is more aligned aesthetically with Rivian than other RTTs and the engineering is definitely appreciated by Rivain owners because you guys like cool stuff

I can open up the Rivian discount that we were running for you if you're up for it. Which is $600 off making it just $2399.

Let me know and if you have any more q's, just let me know.

Cheers,

Jake

 

[R1Thor]

Hi R1Thor,

Just saw that you're based in Lancaster PA, I'm actually from a town called Lancaster in the UK!

The thermal liner definitely opens up all year-round camping. The Air Cruiser itself is a 4season tent and will perform well in winter conditions. The thermal liner will just make it very comfortable.

The blackout conditions are great, it's not 100% blackout but it's not far off and they are great. I have one set up in the office to use for an afternoon nap (I've got twin babies so need the sleep) and it blocks out enough light for it to be very dark in there.

The pack size fits perfectly on the bed and you still have room, I think that is why we had such a great update amongst the community in the first place.

I do think that the Air Cruiser is more aligned aesthetically with Rivian than other RTTs and the engineering is definitely appreciated by Rivain owners because you guys like cool stuff

I can open up the Rivian discount that we were running for you if you're up for it. Which is $600 off making it just $2399.

Let me know and if you have any more q's, just let me know.

Cheers,

Jake

I'm heavily leaning in your direction, for sure. Likely going to pull the trigger in the next week or so as we have some summer camping plans!

One last question: do you have any data/experience with any notable range hit with yours installed on the R1T?

One of the reasons I was considering a hard-shell was for the aerodynamics, but I'm not sure how much that really matters if we're mounting over the bed.

Thanks much!

 

[AirCruiser]

I'll try and find the results from some testing that someone on the forum has done.

Personally, I think it will be better on the truck bed than a hard shell due to the lighter weight.

What color is your Rivian? I'll see if I can pull up some pics for you as well, so you can see what it looks like.

 

[R1Thor]

I'll try and find the results from some testing that someone on the forum has done.

Personally, I think it will be better on the truck bed than a hard shell due to the lighter weight.

What color is your Rivian? I'll see if I can pull up some pics for you as well, so you can see what it looks like.

Limestone (see avatar )

 

[Mari76]

Limestone (see avatar )

Hi, did you end buying a RTT after all? I'm currently researching a few with the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 being at the top of my list. I've been researching for a while, going down this rabbit hole. We've never owned one before and have only gone camping a few times while stationed overseas. But now that my husband is retired, we'd like to go out to explore.

 

[AirCruiser]

Hi, did you end buying a RTT after all? I'm currently researching a few with the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 being at the top of my list. I've been researching for a while, going down this rabbit hole. We've never owned one before and have only gone camping a few times while stationed overseas. But now that my husband is retired, we'd like to go out to explore.

Hi Mari76,


I wanted to check in and see if you’ve had a chance to look at the Air Cruiser RTT. If not, I’d love to introduce it to your search—it’s definitely worth considering alongside the Skycamp Mini you’ve been exploring.

The Air Cruiser stands out in a few key ways: it’s lighter, more spacious, and packs down more compactly, leaving extra room on your crossbars for other gear. One of the biggest advantages is the extra headroom—9 inches more, to be exact. This transforms the tent from just a sleeping space into something that feels more like a cozy cabin, especially with the large windows and skylights that let in plenty of natural light.

While the iKamper is great in its own right, I didn’t want you to miss out on the Air Cruiser as an option. It’s been particularly popular among Rivian owners, thanks to its design and features that align so well with the vehicle.

Also, we’re offering a limited-time discount code, RIVIAN600, which knocks $600 off the price—bringing it down to $2,399. We have just a few left in stock, so I wanted to make sure you knew before they’re gone.

No pressure, of course—just wanted to keep you in the loop. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks,
Jake

 

[AirCruiser]

Hi, did you end buying a RTT after all? I'm currently researching a few with the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 being at the top of my list. I've been researching for a while, going down this rabbit hole. We've never owned one before and have only gone camping a few times while stationed overseas. But now that my husband is retired, we'd like to go out to explore.

Just realised that I've already commented on this thread! So we've probably already been in your rabbit hole. Anyway, if there's any way I can help, just let me know. Even if it's q's about other RTT's, I know most of them inside out

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