Toyota 4Runner Rooftop Tents

Yes the Toyota 4Runner is a foundation for an overlanding vehicle and to support a rooftop tent. The 4runner is a very popular vehicle in the overlanding community due to its reliability and great size for families out there. From the factory, Toyota developed an ideal overlanding platform in the 4runner. The offroad capabilities and family friendly size make it ideal for overlanding and camping for families. Its size also compliments rooftop tents, making it appealing for car campers. Many companies have made reliable rack systems based on what Toyota has offered in their roof system. There are a plethora of rack from more expensive and versatile to less expensive and less versatile. We would recommend the 4runner rack from Sherpa Equipment in Colorado. This is a well made product that looks great and works well with rooftop tents. Weight capacities are critical to consider when buying racks and tents. Looking at your maximum potential static and dynamic loads are important factors to consider when buying a rooftop tent and rack for your 4runner.

The 4Runner is a great vehicle for car camping. The versatility of the 4Runner to camp in either the back of the vehicle or on top of it in a tent make it an ideal car camping platform. If looking to sleep inside, there is a great deal of room and options for doing a seat delete or by simply laying the seats down to from a flat sleeping area. The rear cargo space and second row are both reasons why the 4runner has become a popular family or couples camping car. The following features are ways to customize your 4Runner and make it into an ideal rig.

Flat-Folding Rear Seats: if looking for a better platform for your dogs or turning the back of your SUV to serve primarily as storage, the 4Runner has the capability fold its rear seats in for a different form of utility.

Rooftop Tent Compatibility: From the factory the 4Runner is well setup to add a aftermarket roof rack and rooftop tent. Our of the SUV options out there, Toyota created a great platform with the capability to carrying many rooftop tent options.

Spacious Cargo Area: With Ample cargo space in the rear, the 4Runner makes for an excellent camping vehicle. The extra space allows for a potential drawer and kitchen setup, a space for dogs, or an easy space to throw your camping gear (coolers, sleeping bags, tents, gear ect.)

Interior Comfort Features: With comfortable interior futures, the 4Runner makes for a great camping vehicle for small families. Climate control, USB charging ports, and storage compartments that enhance the driving experience allow for families to comfortably roadtrip.

Customizable Sleeping Platforms: If looking for a cheaper sleeping option with the 4Runner, companies like Goose Gear have great seat deletes to create a sleeping platform. With this, you can still have a drawer system in the rear or even up front to replace the seats, to maintain storage capabilities.

Most stock 4Runner roof racks don’t meet the dynamic load rating needed for rooftop tents. Intrepid recommends heavy-duty crossbars rated for 130 lbs (SOLO) or 176 lbs (GEO 2.5/3.0), spaced at least 36" apart for safety and proper tent support.

The 4Runner’s dynamic roof load typically ranges from 120–150 lbs depending on model and rack system. This includes passengers, racks, and tent weight. Exceeding this may affect handling or stress mounting points, so confirm with your vehicle manual and rack manufacturer before setup.

Yes, most rooftop tents allow hatch clearance on the 4Runner if positioned correctly. Choose tents with minimal rear overhang and install crossbars further forward to avoid contact.