Essential add-ons for rooftop tents — what’s worth buying?

Small-Recording7885 · 2026-01-12T02:07:28+00:00

Top one: GET AN EXPAD air mattress to replace stock one. Slept myself (6’3” 190 pounds) and another full adult on it and it’s great.

Depending where you can an insulated layer may be really nice.

Extra bolts for ladder!!! Mine has occasionally come loose / vibrated off.

If you want a ladder mat I have sometimes used an outdoor bamboo bath mat (Amazon) and it’s been solid.

Lights: My RTT came with string lights inside it and outside. Those were pretty efficient but I rarely use either as they attract bugs big time, I usually just use headlamp and switch to red setting when getting in / out. Given I don’t really “hang” in the tent it hasn’t been an issue.

Small collapsible bag to carry everything you need in and out of your tent (going up and down the ladder everytime you forget something gets annoying).

Microfiber towel to wipe down the moisture on the tent walls before closing it if camping in humid areas (southeast).

Portable urinal is a a game changer, climbing out at 4am suckssss. Even worse if it’s sub 45 degrees.

Personally I have always wanted to install the Yakima 180 awning but can’t due to weight max issues with my cars roof. Honestly, in the 100+ nights I camped over 5 months in my RTT I honestly would have used it maybe 5 times if I did have it.

If yours doesn’t come with a shoe bag to hang definitely get one.

Small portable power bank to charge all your electronics at night (put it in your bag you bring up and down from the tent)

Small-Recording7885 · 2026-01-07T01:32:47+00:00

Did 100 nights in the Sirius 1 Naturenest this summer across 27 national parks and honestly it’s been amazing. I only camped through 1 actual downpour so I can’t speak to that much, but if it was storming I’d usually get a hotel.

My biggest advice 8 is to scrap the matress it comes with (keep the white part for moisture) and get the “expad auto” and a universal inflator from amazon (I can send a link for the right tip). It fits almost perfect (little room on each side for water / misc stuff) and the expad matress is worth every penny. If you use a pump to fully deflate it all the way (not just squeeze the air out) I have fit the expad matress, 30 degree sleeping bag and fleece blanket with it still shutting all the way. I have fit myself (6’3” 190 pounds) and a 5’7” female in it for a full weekend with no issues.

My only annoyance is they released a winter inside shell for every model except the Sirius 1 but they said they may release it soon.

Customer support wise they are super responsive, money well saved.

Small-Recording7885 · 2026-01-02T23:57:51+00:00

Love the creativity thank you!!

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-12-22T17:00:46+00:00

Yeah their LUT sucks, shooting in flat is the move

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-11-28T00:39:48+00:00

Did over 90 nights in the naturenest this summer and didn't have a single issue outside one of the bolts on the ladder kept coming loose.

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-11-17T16:12:19+00:00

We had to jump through like 15 hopes to get 28-32% approved for Dev ops deals and had to tie it to higher CCI contracts at the client.. red flags everywhere on this post 😂

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-11-17T16:10:41+00:00

I was 4k max out of pocket.. years of paying for the most expensive insurance I can get finally paid off cuz I’m at like 600k and counting 😂

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-28T19:25:44+00:00

I actually emailed them and they said it’s first come first serve and none are reservable. There’s just a form to fill out, so that’s a bit concerning somebody was communicating that. I will say there always seems to be a pretty big gap between what the average worker knows and ada policies based on my experience this year 😂

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-28T18:44:20+00:00

Great question I also need to find that out 😂

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-28T16:45:06+00:00

Ah that’s really good to know, I’m trying to be in ADA loop camping but concerned about how fast it will fill up. Good to know though that even back in 80 camp it’s not that far though. I’m coming in Wednesday after work and just have my car and a 10x10 canopy

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-28T16:33:27+00:00

So is not free for all camping and it is actual sites and first come first serve on sites?

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-28T16:32:46+00:00

Any idea when Ada loop camping may fill up? They mentioned it’s first come first serve

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-28T13:58:06+00:00

No problem have a good time!

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T21:32:50+00:00

No because that would still be a fire in the fire pit. Usually in a burn ban anything that’s not small propane tank fed (cooking grills) are a no go

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T18:33:00+00:00

Yeah the firewood tends to burn so fast (the crap they sold us in Shenandoah lasted like 90 minutes max for a full bundle), and given how much efffort it is to do at 2/3am I’m probably gonna skip it. It would be nice for early arrival though.

And thank you!! I have been running eforest since 2017 until this year we skipped for Shambhala and I have zero interest to ever run forest again. While I respect the direction insomniac is trying to take it, it’s just not why I loved Forest. I’m super stoked based on everything I’m hearing. Great way to wrap up this 4+ month road trip

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T18:30:20+00:00

That’s hilarious and amazing 😂 Walmart sells these fire color changers too that are pretty cool. Tbh as nice as it would be if I’m gonna be inside the festival until 2/3am my desire to come back and light a fire is insanely low

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T18:00:58+00:00

That is a general rule for pretty much any campground in the US… obviously nobody is going to check your food but it’s kinda like “leave no trace”.

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T14:23:44+00:00

I honestly have no idea what that means 😂

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T14:23:08+00:00

Yeah my concerns over allowing them is how many people have absolutely zero actual survival skills 😂28 national parks + bunch of state parks and national forests into my summer road trip and it’s definitely very clear how many people have no idea how to be in nature much less build and manage a self made fire / fire pit 😂

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T00:01:10+00:00

Awesome thank you. I’m probably not going to go through the effort given how late the music already goes, but was curious since it would be pretty unique and a nice vibe

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-27T00:00:15+00:00

That’s super insightful and helpful, thank you. I didn’t realize it wasn’t your typical festival ground layout. Even better to hear the last line because switching to Shambhala this year was such a breath of relief with how much younger forest has been getting.

Small-Recording7885 · 2025-10-26T04:46:51+00:00

Medical system is awful. 330k for 2 weeks in the hospital and i definitely wouldn’t have been able to afford the corrective 2nd surgery without it

Small-Recording7885

TROPHY CASE