The Ultimate Rivian RTT Showdown: Air Cruiser vs. iKamper Skycamp Mini

[AirCruiser]

Hi Everyone,

We’ve had a few questions come through asking for comparisons between the Air Cruiser and the new iKamper RTT, which is the Rivian-branded Skycamp Mini.

So we thought we’d post our thoughts and some stats to help anyone comparing both RTTs. We’re also making a fun YouTube video – a contender-style series – where we’ll compare all the RTTs that are compatible with the Rivian truck bed. We’ll post that when it’s finished.

In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of some key comparisons and our thoughts.

Quick note before diving in: iKamper is a great company making excellent tents. Anyone who chooses one won’t be disappointed. Everyone has different needs when it comes to camping, and it’s great to have solid options on the market. That said, we think the Air Cruiser has some major advantages — some obvious, others more subtle — especially if you’re a Rivian owner.

🛻 Fit for the Rivian Truck Bed

There’s actually a very limited set of RTTs that properly fit the Rivian truck bed. That’s one of the most important things to consider. If you find a tent that fits the bed correctly, it has very little effect on range — and let’s be honest, aesthetically, it just looks wrong if it overhangs at the back or sides. It needs to look like it was made for the truck.

Pack Size and Weight

Both the Air Cruiser and Skycamp Mini fit the Rivian truck bed — which is a big plus. Weight is close (the Air Cruiser is just 2.5 lbs lighter), but the pack size is where the Air Cruiser really shines.

Tent	Dimensions (Packed)	Weight
iKamper Skycamp Mini	57.5 x 54.75 x 13.5 in	127 lbs
Air Cruiser	55 x 38 x 10 in	124.5 lbs

The smaller footprint of the Air Cruiser means easier storage, simpler installation, and it even leaves room on your crossbars for extra gear.

Winner: Air Cruiser

Design

Both tents look great — beauty is in the eye of the beholder — but here’s how we see it:

• Packed Down: The Skycamp Mini’s hard shell looks sleek and smart.
• Set Up: The Air Cruiser looks more like a modern treehouse. Its clean lines and air-frame give it a crisp, taut structure that pairs beautifully with the Rivian aesthetic.

A few subtle but important differences:

• The Skycamp Mini typically uses a nylon rainfly with metal canopy poles. The fabric isn't as taut, and the poles don’t feel as premium.
• The Air Cruiser’s airframe keeps the structure tight and neat with no loose material or pole setup required.

Winner: Skycamp Mini packed, Air Cruiser set up

Interior Space

Space makes a big difference when you’re actually camping.

Tent	Floor Size	Height
iKamper Skycamp Mini	82.75 x 51.25 in	48 in (peak at far end)
Air Cruiser	83 x 51 in	57 in (peak in the center)

The floor space is nearly identical, but the Air Cruiser achieves that from a smaller pack size — impressive engineering. The real standout is height. Nine inches might not sound like much on paper, but it completely transforms the experience inside. You can sit up comfortably, stretch, even stand if you're a kid.

As someone who camps with my 4-year-old twin boys, I can tell you: they can stand and jump around in the Air Cruiser. That’s unheard of in an RTT.

The below pic, illustrates the height difference well. You can sit up fully in the AC but not so much in the SCM.

Winner: Air Cruiser

Interior Vibe

The Air Cruiser was designed to feel more like a living space than just a sleeping pod. With:

• Skylights
• Windows and doors on every side
• Blackout blinds for privacy and night-time coziness

…it feels airy, open, and modern. As you can see from the pic above.

The Skycamp Mini also has a great interior and doesn’t feel cramped — but the Air Cruiser offers a whole new vibe. The design team worked hard to push RTT design forward, and it shows.

Winner: Air Cruiser

Setup & Breakdown

Here’s how they compare:

Skycamp Mini

• Hard shell is fast to open and close
• You still need to set up the rainfly and canopies with metal rods

Air Cruiser

• Remove the soft cover
• Unfold with ladder
• Plug it in — and done

Breakdown is the same in reverse. While the hard shell cover on the Skycamp is quicker, the Air Cruiser saves you time on the rainfly and poles. Plus, plugging in your tent and watching it self-inflate? Always gets a wow.

Winner: Slight edge to Air Cruiser

Features & Build Quality

Both are top-tier RTTs from reputable manufacturers.

Some differences:

• Mattresses: Memory foam with thermal peachskin cover (Air Cruiser) vs self-inflating mattress (Skycamp)
• Lighting: Both include integrated LED lighting
• Ladders: Both include black, premium ladders
• Boot bags: Included on the Air Cruiser — a small but thoughtful touch

Both Wild Land (Air Cruiser) and iKamper are innovating in interesting ways. But for Rivian truck bed fit and modern features, we think the Air Cruiser edges it.

Winner: Draw, with a nod to the Air Cruiser for the added extras.

4-Season Performance

Both are built for all-season use. You’ll be fine in either tent in any conditions that are safe enough for camping.

That said, the Air Cruiser’s taut airframe has a hidden bonus — zero wind flap. RTTs with loose fabric or canopies can sometimes flap loudly in the wind, which can ruin a good night’s sleep for light sleepers.

Some people are skeptical that an air frame could be so robust — but anyone who’s used the ground tent version knows how indestructible these things are. They're more like car tyres than air mattresses. The tubes are pressurised and built with five tough layers, making them incredibly durable. In fact, the way they support the tent is often more rigid and rugged than traditional pole systems.

The Skycamp Mini uses a traditional rainfly and canopy setup, which could be more prone to wind flap. It’s not a deal-breaker, but definitely something to consider.

Check out the pictures below — they clearly show how much more taut and streamlined the Air Cruiser is. You can really see the difference in how loose the fabric looks on the Skycamp Mini.

Winner: Air Cruiser (especially in windy conditions)

Price

And finally — the big one.

• Air Cruiser: $2,399 (pre-order for May delivery)
• iKamper Skycamp Mini: $4,595

That’s over $2,000 cheaper for a tent that’s:

• More compact
• Bigger inside
• More innovative
• Better fitting for the Rivian

This pricing won’t last — the trade war has driven up costs, and we can’t hold that $2,399 much longer.

Winner: Air Cruiser (by a mile)

Final Thoughts

We’re big fans of iKamper and their tents. But when it comes to Rivian fit, interior experience, and price-to-performance ratio, the Air Cruiser is the best choice we’ve seen.

Got questions? Drop them below — and keep an eye out for our full comparison video coming soon.

Thanks for reading!

— Jake@Cinch

P.S. To order the Air Cruise with a huge $600 discount, head over to https://air-cruiser.cinchpopuptents.com/ and join the waiting list.

Sponsored

 

[DayTripping]

Thanks for the review, it is helpful though I already have an air cruiser on order. Can you show how it mounts on the truck? I think I mentioned in another thread that I plan to put it on a topper.

WIll it able to adjust to the taller height above ground level if at roof height rather than bed height? I dont' really want to take off the topper to use the RTT.

 

[AirCruiser]

Thanks for the review, it is helpful though I already have an air cruiser on order. Can you show how it mounts on the truck? I think I mentioned in another thread that I plan to put it on a topper.

WIll it able to adjust to the taller height above ground level if at roof height rather than bed height? I dont' really want to take off the topper to use the RTT.

Hi Timothy,

Sure, I’ll send something through.

Could you email me which topper you’re planning on using? You can reach me directly at [email protected].

The Air Cruiser works with a range of vehicle heights—the ladder is fully adjustable

Speak soon,

Jake

 

[pookgai]

Lol, Air Cruiser employee says his product is better than competitor. What kinda biased review is this?

 

[AirCruiser]

Lol, Air Cruiser employee says his product is better than competitor. What kinda biased review is this?

Ha! I get where you're coming from. It's definitely not a side-by-side review—more of a sales pitch, really.

That said, I’m sure we’ll see people at meets throughout the summer with both setups, and that’ll give us all a better chance to do a proper comparison. Since the Rivian iKamper has only just launched, a direct comparison isn’t really possible yet.

What I will say is that the post mostly covers facts and stats—measurements, weights, etc.—which are genuinely useful for anyone comparing both options. And based on what we’ve seen in the Rivian community so far, the Air Cruiser seems to be a strong contender.

Of course, people will want to check out the iKamper too. It’s a great tent, and I’m definitely not here to trash it—I just think the info in the post could be helpful for anyone weighing up both choices

 

[pookgai]

How would you compare your product to Yakima's Skyrise HD Medium Rooftop Tent? Rivian sells their branded version for $2800 or $2500 for the regular Yakima version. Yours I believe, sells for $3K before discount?

 

[AirCruiser]

How would you compare your product to Yakima's Skyrise HD Medium Rooftop Tent? Rivian sells their branded version for $2800 or $2500 for the regular Yakima version. Yours I believe, sells for $3K before discount?

Hi Pookgai,

Those Yakima prices won’t last long—not with all the recent tariff increases. If anyone’s thinking about getting an RTT, now’s the time.

The Air Cruiser is $2,399 with the Rivian discount, but that price won’t stick around either. We’ve committed to this batch at that price, but to be honest, any profit has been wiped out. They're probably going to end up costing us. Crazy times!

Yakima makes a solid RTT—same with iKamper. Both brands produce nice quality products.

But the biggest difference between those and the Air Cruiser is the feel of the space. Most RTTs are designed just to sleep in. The Air Cruiser is different.

Take a look at the photo of the inside of the Yakima Skyrise below. You’ll see it's more of a crawl-in, sleep-only setup. The Air Frame in the Cruiser allows for a totally different structure—more height, better shape, and a genuinely livable space. It changes the whole experience.

Also, on the Yakima, you have to attach the rainfly and set up the canopies separately. With the Air Cruiser, it’s all built in—no extra steps.

Compare the space to the below and you can see they're worlds apart.

The below image shows how the set up looks with a rainfly, they feel much more tent like with the looser material and canopy poles.

When you compare it to how the AC sets up, again, it's the air frame advantage.

The AC compares favourably on every stat apart from the Yakima is longer in length so if you need an extra few inches on the bed length (everyone has different needs from camping set ups) then the Yakima would be the choice. Everything else from pack size, weight and (currently) price, then the AC has the advantage

 

[LazyJZ]

A few questions before reserving:

1. Can you leave the ladder attached when packed or does it need to be removed/installed each use?

2. Can you leave any bedding/pillows in the tent when packed?

3. Does the tent have a port for a diesel heater? (or is a heater even ok to use?)

4. What is the mattress thickness?

Thanks

 

[jambaman84]

Do you guys make a regular tent as well? Or just a roof top tent? I am interested in purchasing yours, because of how easy it is to set up and break down. But we are a family of 5, so we would need something bigger that could accommodate us. Do you have anything that big?

 

[scoutdogg]

Hi Everyone,

We’ve had a few questions come through asking for comparisons between the Air Cruiser and the new iKamper RTT, which is the Rivian-branded Skycamp Mini.

So we thought we’d post our thoughts and some stats to help anyone comparing both RTTs. We’re also making a fun YouTube video – a contender-style series – where we’ll compare all the RTTs that are compatible with the Rivian truck bed. We’ll post that when it’s finished.

In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of some key comparisons and our thoughts.

Quick note before diving in: iKamper is a great company making excellent tents. Anyone who chooses one won’t be disappointed. Everyone has different needs when it comes to camping, and it’s great to have solid options on the market. That said, we think the Air Cruiser has some major advantages — some obvious, others more subtle — especially if you’re a Rivian owner.

🛻 Fit for the Rivian Truck Bed

There’s actually a very limited set of RTTs that properly fit the Rivian truck bed. That’s one of the most important things to consider. If you find a tent that fits the bed correctly, it has very little effect on range — and let’s be honest, aesthetically, it just looks wrong if it overhangs at the back or sides. It needs to look like it was made for the truck.

Pack Size and Weight

Both the Air Cruiser and Skycamp Mini fit the Rivian truck bed — which is a big plus. Weight is close (the Air Cruiser is just 2.5 lbs lighter), but the pack size is where the Air Cruiser really shines.

Tent	Dimensions (Packed)	Weight
iKamper Skycamp Mini	57.5 x 54.75 x 13.5 in	127 lbs
Air Cruiser	55 x 38 x 10 in	124.5 lbs

The smaller footprint of the Air Cruiser means easier storage, simpler installation, and it even leaves room on your crossbars for extra gear.

Winner: Air Cruiser

Design

Both tents look great — beauty is in the eye of the beholder — but here’s how we see it:

• Packed Down: The Skycamp Mini’s hard shell looks sleek and smart.
• Set Up: The Air Cruiser looks more like a modern treehouse. Its clean lines and air-frame give it a crisp, taut structure that pairs beautifully with the Rivian aesthetic.

A few subtle but important differences:

• The Skycamp Mini typically uses a nylon rainfly with metal canopy poles. The fabric isn't as taut, and the poles don’t feel as premium.
• The Air Cruiser’s airframe keeps the structure tight and neat with no loose material or pole setup required.

Winner: Skycamp Mini packed, Air Cruiser set up

Interior Space

Space makes a big difference when you’re actually camping.

Tent	Floor Size	Height
iKamper Skycamp Mini	82.75 x 51.25 in	48 in (peak at far end)
Air Cruiser	83 x 51 in	57 in (peak in the center)

The floor space is nearly identical, but the Air Cruiser achieves that from a smaller pack size — impressive engineering. The real standout is height. Nine inches might not sound like much on paper, but it completely transforms the experience inside. You can sit up comfortably, stretch, even stand if you're a kid.

As someone who camps with my 4-year-old twin boys, I can tell you: they can stand and jump around in the Air Cruiser. That’s unheard of in an RTT.

The below pic, illustrates the height difference well. You can sit up fully in the AC but not so much in the SCM.

Winner: Air Cruiser

Interior Vibe

The Air Cruiser was designed to feel more like a living space than just a sleeping pod. With:

• Skylights
• Windows and doors on every side
• Blackout blinds for privacy and night-time coziness

…it feels airy, open, and modern. As you can see from the pic above.

The Skycamp Mini also has a great interior and doesn’t feel cramped — but the Air Cruiser offers a whole new vibe. The design team worked hard to push RTT design forward, and it shows.

Winner: Air Cruiser

Setup & Breakdown

Here’s how they compare:

Skycamp Mini

• Hard shell is fast to open and close
• You still need to set up the rainfly and canopies with metal rods

Air Cruiser

• Remove the soft cover
• Unfold with ladder
• Plug it in — and done

Breakdown is the same in reverse. While the hard shell cover on the Skycamp is quicker, the Air Cruiser saves you time on the rainfly and poles. Plus, plugging in your tent and watching it self-inflate? Always gets a wow.

Winner: Slight edge to Air Cruiser

Features & Build Quality

Both are top-tier RTTs from reputable manufacturers.

Some differences:

• Mattresses: Memory foam with thermal peachskin cover (Air Cruiser) vs self-inflating mattress (Skycamp)
• Lighting: Both include integrated LED lighting
• Ladders: Both include black, premium ladders
• Boot bags: Included on the Air Cruiser — a small but thoughtful touch

Both Wild Land (Air Cruiser) and iKamper are innovating in interesting ways. But for Rivian truck bed fit and modern features, we think the Air Cruiser edges it.

Winner: Draw, with a nod to the Air Cruiser for the added extras.

4-Season Performance

Both are built for all-season use. You’ll be fine in either tent in any conditions that are safe enough for camping.

That said, the Air Cruiser’s taut airframe has a hidden bonus — zero wind flap. RTTs with loose fabric or canopies can sometimes flap loudly in the wind, which can ruin a good night’s sleep for light sleepers.

Some people are skeptical that an air frame could be so robust — but anyone who’s used the ground tent version knows how indestructible these things are. They're more like car tyres than air mattresses. The tubes are pressurised and built with five tough layers, making them incredibly durable. In fact, the way they support the tent is often more rigid and rugged than traditional pole systems.

The Skycamp Mini uses a traditional rainfly and canopy setup, which could be more prone to wind flap. It’s not a deal-breaker, but definitely something to consider.

Check out the pictures below — they clearly show how much more taut and streamlined the Air Cruiser is. You can really see the difference in how loose the fabric looks on the Skycamp Mini.

Winner: Air Cruiser (especially in windy conditions)

Price

And finally — the big one.

• Air Cruiser: $2,399 (pre-order for May delivery)
• iKamper Skycamp Mini: $4,595

That’s over $2,000 cheaper for a tent that’s:

• More compact
• Bigger inside
• More innovative
• Better fitting for the Rivian

This pricing won’t last — the trade war has driven up costs, and we can’t hold that $2,399 much longer.

Winner: Air Cruiser (by a mile)

Final Thoughts

We’re big fans of iKamper and their tents. But when it comes to Rivian fit, interior experience, and price-to-performance ratio, the Air Cruiser is the best choice we’ve seen.

Got questions? Drop them below — and keep an eye out for our full comparison video coming soon.

Thanks for reading!

— Jake@Cinch

P.S. To order the Air Cruise with a huge $600 discount, head over to https://air-cruiser.cinchpopuptents.com/ and join the waiting list.

Anyone else confused why there are virtually zero YouTube reviews of the Air Cruiser roof top tent, despite it being out for a year? This sponsored post has some good information, but I always see it as a red flag when I can find no normal person reviewing a product; just a bunch of product videos by the manufacturer and automated / AI videos patching together stock footage with a fake voiceover.

 

[duracell24]

Anyone else confused why there are virtually zero YouTube reviews of the Air Cruiser roof top tent, despite it being out for a year? This sponsored post has some good information, but I always see it as a red flag when I can find no normal person reviewing a product; just a bunch of product videos by the manufacturer and automated / AI videos patching together stock footage with a fake voiceover.

I am in the exact same boat thought-wise. They look really nice on the posts, but I’m REALLY hesitant to throw that much money to something hoping it turns out ok with no third-party reviews on YouTube or even the forums. Would feel a lot better seeing someone actually setting one up, climbing around it, sleeping on the pad for a night, etc

Not saying it’s not a great product… just saying it’s a complete and total unknown at this point.

 

[AirCruiser]

Anyone else confused why there are virtually zero YouTube reviews of the Air Cruiser roof top tent, despite it being out for a year? This sponsored post has some good information, but I always see it as a red flag when I can find no normal person reviewing a product; just a bunch of product videos by the manufacturer and automated / AI videos patching together stock footage with a fake voiceover.

Hi Scoutdog,

Totally get where you’re coming from — it can be frustrating when you're trying to find real-world reviews and come up short.

There are some customer videos on YouTube — for example, here’s one from a Cybertruck owner:


But honestly, the real goldmine of info is right here on this forum. Almost all of our Rivian customers have come through this community, and there's a ton of active Air Cruiser owners who’ve posted in-depth thoughts, photos, and feedback over the past year. It’s one of the main places people share their experiences, so if you dig through the threads, you’ll find loads of real-world info from actual users.

We’ve always prioritised organic content over paid influencer stuff — it’s just more authentic when it comes from real customers. That does mean the content grows more gradually, but what’s out there is genuine and helpful.

We hear you though — we’ll be putting together a push with existing customers to get more of that content on YouTube too. I’ll also start pulling together a list of the best forum posts for easy reference.

Just to clarify — if you meant this video: — that’s not AI-generated or patched together from stock. It was all filmed by our team, either on location or at the factory, and the voiceover is by Ryan Harris, a videographer and musician we work with in Canada.

Appreciate you raising it — it’s good feedback and helps us improve how we support new folks discovering the Air Cruiser.

 

[AirCruiser]

I am in the exact same boat thought-wise. They look really nice on the posts, but I’m REALLY hesitant to throw that much money to someone hoping it turns out ok with no third-party reviews on YouTube or even the forums. Would feel a lot better seeing someone actually setting one up, climbing around it, sleeping on the pad for a night, etc

Not saying it’s not a great product… just saying it’s a complete and total unknown at this point.

Hi Johnny,

See above buddy, definitely not a complete unknown. I'll get a list of some forum posts put together

 

[AirCruiser]

Do you two ever go to any of the meets? You'll be able to take a look first hand if you do, there's so many of the Air Cruisers flying about within the community, they should be hard to miss over the summer.

 

[scoutdogg]

Thanks for the responses.
No, I don’t go to meetups. But I appreciate you pulling together some reviews from people in the forum as when I use the search term “air cruiser” I seem to just find your posts or side mentions of it.

Sponsored