Words by Perry Mack
Roof Top Tents (RTTs) are expensive. Some are really expensive, especially when compared to a ground tent, which is why we’ve always admired them from afar, until now. We’ve been jonesing for more weekend and weeklong overlanding adventures for the last couple of years and pitching a tent for two just got old given the many options of RTT’s available.
We purchased our Sky Ridge Pike 2-person tent from Body Armor and also grabbed the optional Annex to go with it. We were drawn to the affordability, promise of comfort and ease of daily teardown and set-up. For us, it’s important to be able to get up and go when the mood and opportunity strikes.
Perry Mack
The Sky Ridge Pike RTT on our Silverado 3500HD diesel is a comfortable solution for spontaneous getaways and provides an extra bedroom when towing our Black Rock 22RKS travel trailer (or for the occasional evening spent in ‘the doghouse’).
Versatility is also key since this RTT could be mounted on our pick-up, Wrangler or an off-road trailer. It can essentially mount to any 4x4 vehicle with a decent rack. With our feet planted firmly in the present, but our eyes open to the future, the Sky Ridge landed in our garage in January and while we often encourage getting out whenever the chance arises, we decided to wait until the thawing in the spring to thoroughly test its mettle.
Affordability is great, just as long as quality construction and thoughtful features are included. Starting from top to bottom, the Sky Ridge’s travel cover is a tough 1200 denier (D), 680 grams per square metre (GSM) PVC coated tarpaulin. It’s heavy and fits just right - but not so tight that it’s hard to put on and not so loose that it will flap or prematurely wear when you’re headed down the road or trail.
The Sky Ridge features a 420D fast-drying, abrasion-resistant, polyester oxford rainfly with a waterproof coating – a water column that is 2500 mm (8.2 ft) high that won’t penetrate the fabric. This is a great balance of water protection and abrasion resistance. Umbrellas are usually about 420 mm, which resists rain but provides very little durability.
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Perry Mack
Assembly is as simple as attaching the ladder and rails to the tent as well as the rails to the rack on the vehicle. Since our rack is extra thick, we needed to buy A2-70 60mm stainless steel bolts to replace the 50 mm bolts that were supplied.
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Perry Mack
We mounted our aluminum ladder rack to the bed of the truck to keep the tent below cab height, reducing wind resistance and the accompanying noise, while also allowing us to mount a kayak across the tent and cab. It also reduces the number of dead bugs we have to clean off the heavy-duty travel cover.
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With the cover off, loosen four straps and the tent folds open and sets up.
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Stainless steel hardware and a rigid aluminum insulated floor keep the weight of the tent under 50 kg (110 lb).
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Zippered mosquito netting and tent flaps are held open by an easy-to-use toggle and loop.
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The mattress was more comfortable than the 6 cm (2.4 in) thickness suggested.
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Hooded roof vents on either side add ventilation when the windows are closed for privacy or during inclement weather.
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This RTT is spacious enough for two with plenty of light and ventilation from the windows and doors.
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Skylights aren’t just for houses.
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Sky Ridge RTT - There are two pockets below each window large enough for wallets, keys and phones.
The main tent and roof are a 280 GSM ripstop reinforced poly/cotton blend fabric with a 2000 mm waterproof coating. Ripstop consists of a reinforcing weaving technique that looks like a square pattern, making it resistant to tearing. We liked that the seams are taped for an extra layer of protection as stitching pokes holes in the fabric, thus allowing water through.
The mechanicals of this RTT is corrosion-resistant aluminum and stainless steel - a sturdy piece of the kit that keeps the weight of the whole tent at a mere 59 kg (108 lb). The floor has an insulated core and the telescoping aluminum ladder is surprisingly sturdy given its lightweight and extends up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft), enough for tall roof applications and to clear rough ground conditions. The lightweight, long ladder makes it easier than shuffling a deck of cards to set up (no tools required).
We weren’t too sure about the 6 cm (2.4 in) thick mattress being comfortable but it was pretty good. It helps that the floor is perfectly smooth, yet we still might add a self-inflating air mattress. The fact that it comes with a washable cover is reassuring as ‘stuff happens and you are living in the outdoors complete with dust, dirt, pollen and little creepy crawlies that might be squished into the mattress.
Perry Mack
Sky Ridge RTT - One of three incorrect ways to mount the essential first-floor Annex.
The zippers were strong and worked smoothly along the windows and door, all of which have mosquito netting as well as the ripstop nylon fabric covers. The skylight is a nice touch providing another source of natural light when the doors and windows are closed for privacy. With everything open, you get great cross-breezes and the tent feels very spacious.
The Annex is almost a necessity with its ample height and 4 sq m (42 sq ft) of space, which can be used for a change room or additional storage. The walls are made from a 420D, 2500 mm waterproofed, seam-sealed poly oxford fabric similar to the tent.
Use it with or without the 550GSM PVC waterproof floor that attaches with a heavy-duty zipper and is shaped with 10 cm (4 in) sides to keep moisture out. The upper edge slides easily into a gutter in the base of the tent. A zippered door and two mosquito-netted windows provide plenty of light and ventilation, and the windows have zipper covers for privacy with netting as well as to keep the bugs and bloodsuckers out.
Body Armor
Sky Ridge RTT - The tent with rainfly and window awnings extended, and the Annex in the proper orientation.
Annex Installation
As the RTT included simple easy to follow instructions, the Annex did not. Just a fuzzy picture on the box that didn’t match the website. If it could be installed pointed in the wrong direction, we did it and managed to avoid the correct orientation shown on the website as the gutter for the top edge of the Annex encloses the top of the ladder. Our sun-addled brains couldn’t work around this dilemma but hopefully, we’ll get to share the correct solution with you.
One item of note is regarding the placement of the RTT on the roof racks. To fully deploy the Annex, the tent has to be placed as far as possible to the side of the rack so the tent will open on to clear the side of your 4x4.
Nevertheless, to make getting ‘out’ into the backcountry easier and more enjoyable and on any vehicle you mount it on, it’s tough to beat the Sky Ridge Pike when you follow directions.
Sky Ridge Pike RTT: MSRP $945 USD
Pike Annex Room: $210
RTT safety tips
- Help kids on the ladder.
- Don’t drive with the tent set-up.
- Make sure your rack is strong enough for the 49 kg (108 lb) weight of the tent during travel and people or gear when camping.
- Your RTT could raise the total height of your vehicle. Measure it to avoid damage from low clearance garages, carparks, ferries, etc.
- The RTT and other rack accessories will raise the vehicle’s centre of gravity so adjust your driving accordingly.