Forget RVs and Travel Trailers: iKamper's DLX Proves Families Can Fit in a Rooftop Camper

Ladies and gentlemen and lovers of the greater outdoors, the image gallery you have before you is filled with pictures showing us iKamper's freshest rooftop-mounted gear, the Skycamp DLX and DLX Mini, two rather affordable and capable solutions for those of us who just need a place to rest while out and about.

But before I dive deeper into all that these mobile living solutions have to offer, allow me to bring you up to speed as to who iKamper may be. If this outdoor living gear manufacturer sounds familiar, it's because we've covered their work on several occasions.

If we consider that this team has been around since 2012 and, in that time, has given birth to numerous products, it's really no wonder. Some of the more notable mobile living solutions include the Skycamp 3.0 series, the BDVs, Raconteaur racks, and even complete outdoor dining solutions like the Aioks.

Now, to give us an idea of what's in store with the new lineup, I'll focus my attention on the standard DLX and only briefly brush up on the Mini as there isn't much of a difference, all but weight, that is. So, kicking things off, allow me to point out that you'll need to have at least $5,150 (€4,810 at current exchange rates) saved up to put your hands on it.

Overall, the foundation for the DLX is none other than the beloved 3.0, and as iKamper says, they "then added the smartest, most popular after-purchase upgrades we’ve seen. The result is the most deluxe rooftop tent on the market." As a result, you're not really buying just a rooftop-mounted tent but a bit more.

For example, the shell we see is crafted out of fiber-reinforced plastic with 1 inch of air insulation and an aluminum honeycomb base. The floor is then insulated with a layer of cork, and once a waterproof poly-cotton blackout canvas is thrown in, you're looking at a four-season camper that can accommodate up to four people.

A couple of other upgrades that iKamper included in this unit is integrated LED lighting that's powered through nothing more than a USB port, and the mattress inside is also one of this crew's most sought-after solutions, the RTT Comfort, a 4-inch air mattress with a foam top. Oh, and did I mention that setup is supposed to take around a minute? This is made possible with the help of air springs, but you'll have to unfold the ladder and part of the floor, too.

Once all those pieces have been put together, tension poles added, and a few others, we're looking at a floating habitat that only weighs 190 lbs (86 kg) and offers 44.3 sq ft of sleeping space. This low weight makes it an amazing pair for EVs and is the reason we see it mounted on top of that Rivian.

But, if you want to go even lower in weight, you can; that's what the Mini model is for. According to the manufacturer, this version is built using the same materials as the first, with one major difference: a smaller sleeping space, and the main reason why the Mini only weighs 140 lbs (63.5 kg). That said, only 29.4 sq ft of sleeping space is available in the Mini, enough for two guests. Because of that, this variation also sells for only $4,450 (€4,150).

Now, take all that and place yourself and your significant other and/or loved ones in the center of all the action. What do you have? Well, let's find out. To do that, kick back for a minute and picture yourself rolling into some camper park or simply in the middle of nowhere; a rooftop camper opens up countless exploratory venues as you can carry your home on your back through whatever terrain you've equipped your vehicles to handle.

Once you've made it to your destination, it's time to unfurl your iKamper magic. As you do, your significant other unloads a few campsite goodies from your vehicle, and before you know it, you're sitting around on a set of lawn chairs, listening to the sounds of the local wildlife and letting the sun's rays beat down upon your face and solar panels.

As night falls, you plug and turn on your LEDs to give the DLX a heavenly glow and to make it easy to find in the dark, and let the air pump do its work on that mattress. Grab a pillow and a blanket, and you don't even have to go to sleep; watch the stars through any of the windows and moonroof integrated into the DLX. It's a pretty nice alternative to spending tens of thousands of dollars on a towable or RV.