Jeep Patents Rooftop Tent That Clicks Directly on Top of a Wrangler
As overlanders and other adventurers who camp in vehicle-mounted roof tents already know, traditional roof-mounted tents attached to a car's roof rack come with a number of disadvantages. The tent is positioned high above the truck, resulting in significant aerodynamic drag and raising the vehicle's center of gravity, which can impact stability. Additionally, accessing the tent necessitates climbing a ladder, which can be quite tall and challenging. However, a new patent from Stellantis suggests that Jeep may be working on an innovative solution to these problems for Wrangler owners.
The concept for this new tent is detailed in an application submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in June 2023, and published in January 2025. This information was highlighted by Mopar Insiders. The application outlines a small pop-up tent that fits directly into the open space left by the removal of the front Freedom Top panels from a Wrangler's roof. This allows a Jeep owner to effectively use the tent as a replacement for the standard removable roof panels, integrating the tent more seamlessly into the vehicle rather than as a separate accessory.
Furthermore, with the tent now connected directly to the SUV's roof, campers can move between the tent and the vehicle's cabin without having to go outside. This direct connection between the two compartments offers easy and clean access to the tent, which can be a significant advantage in bad weather or harsh conditions that a Wrangler camper might face. The integrated design would also theoretically result in a lower center of gravity and reduced aerodynamic drag compared to a conventional roof-mounted tent, thereby preventing further deterioration of the Wrangler's already average highway fuel efficiency and high-speed handling.
Altogether, this package addresses many of the inherent challenges associated with mounting a tent on an off-road vehicle. It represents a clever innovation for owners who frequently take their Wranglers to remote locations for camping. It's a development we would be excited to see incorporated into a production model, as it promises to enhance the overall camping experience for adventurous Jeep enthusiasts.