The softshell rooftop tent

SOFTSHELLUnclip it. It rises. Sleep up top in 60 seconds.

$1,895.99

A pop-up rooftop tent on dual gas struts. Pull the travel cover, release one strap and it lifts itself open, with the foam mattress already made up inside. Closed, it sits just 7.5 inches tall on your rack, so you drive, park and get to camp first.

  • 1-year warrantyMaterials & workmanship
  • Opens in 60 secondsDual gas struts
  • Ships from Santa AnaLocal pickup in SoCal
  • Free US shippingFull-price orders over $600

Outfitting an overland rental fleet? Get wholesale pricing →

01 — The design

UNCLIP IT.
It does the rest.

No poles to thread, no crank to turn, no bed to make.

The Softshell rides on your roof rack under a PVC travel cover, just 7.5 inches tall. At camp, pull the cover, release the strap and two gas struts lift the tent open on their own. The high-density foam mattress stays made up inside, so your bed is ready the moment it opens. Up top you're off the mud, rocks and wet ground, with big mesh windows on every side and a 300D Oxford shell rated to 3,000 mm. Built for overlanders and road-trippers who move camp every day.

  • Gas-strut liftRelease one strap and it opens itself in under 60 seconds.
  • Bed stays madeHigh-density foam mattress, pre-installed.
  • Slim on the road7.5 inches closed. Less drag, easier parking.
Inside the Softshell: the foam mattress and mesh windows looking out over a valley
“Your bed is made before you are.”

02 — The anatomy

BUILT TO RISE.
Every detail explained.

Tap the numbers to explore the tent.

The Softshell open on an SUV roof rack with its ladder down

01 / 07

Dual gas struts

Two internal gas struts lift the roof the moment you release the strap. Nothing to crank, nothing to assemble. To close, pull it down by the webbing straps.

The SoftShell In Motion

Your car. Your basecamp.

Walkthrough
0:00

Videos

03 — Road to bed

SLIM ON THE ROAD.
Roomy at camp.

From highway to bedtime in about a minute. Tap a stage to see how it works.

7.5 in CLOSED · COVERED · 7.5 IN TALL RELEASE THE STRAP · GAS STRUTS LIFT IT 81 in long 49 in OPEN · 81 × 57 IN · SLEEPS 2

7.5 inches tall

Closed under its PVC travel cover, it adds just 7.5 inches to your roofline. Keep it under 75 mph on the highway and 25 mph on rough or mountain roads, and check your clearance for garages and parking structures.

  • Overlanding
  • Desert camping
  • Mountain trips
  • Road trips

04 — Specifications

THE NUMBERS.
Measured twice.

Size & space

Open size
81 × 57 × 49 in205 × 145 × 125 cm
Closed size
87.4 × 61 × 7.5 in222 × 155 × 19 cm
Sleeps
2 adults
Mattress
High-density foam, pre-installed
Color
Grey / orange

Materials

Shell
300D Oxford polyester, PU coated, 3,000 mm, UPF 50+
Frame
Aircraft-grade aluminum, rust-proof
Joints
PA66 nylon and stainless steel
Lift
Dual internal gas struts
Travel cover
PVC
Ladder
Aluminum telescopic

Rack & road

Tent weight
91.5 lb41.5 kg
Ladder weight
12 lb5.5 kg
Roof rack
Dynamic load rating of at least 165 lb75 kg
Top speed
Closed: 75 mph120 km/h, 25 mph40 km/h on rough roads
In the box
Tent · ladder · mounting kit · PVC travel cover · foam mattress · 2 shoe bags
Warranty
1 year, materials and workmanship
The Softshell open and lit up on an SUV at dusk, with campers below
“Parked to pitched before the kettle boils.”

05 — Setup

SIXTY SECONDS.
Parked to pitched.

Once it's mounted, opening takes one hand and under a minute. Closing takes a few minutes more: pull it down by the webbing straps, clip the handle and refit the cover. Fitting it to your rack the first time takes two people and a bit longer.

Open
Under 60 seconds
Close
A few minutes
Crew
1 person (2 to mount)

The steps

StepWhat happens
1Pull off the PVC travel cover
2Unclip the rubber handle strap. The gas struts lift the tent open on their own
3Hook the telescopic ladder onto the base and set its foot firmly
4Climb in. The foam mattress is already in place

To close: take out sleeping bags and pillows, pull the tent down by the webbing straps, hook the rubber handle onto its ball socket, refit the cover and stow the ladder. Let it air-dry before storing it closed. First fit: bolt the mounting brackets to your crossbars (flat washer, spring washer, then nut), center the tent so your tailgate still opens, and check every fixing point.

06 — Questions

GOOD TO
know.

Something we didn't cover? Call (949) 308-1038 or email info@trendtents.com.

What roof rack do I need?

Crossbars or a platform with a dynamic load rating of at least 165 lb (75 kg). The tent weighs 91.5 lb, and the mounting kit to fit standard crossbars is included. Check your vehicle's roof rating too, and keep the tent centered on the roof.

How fast does it open?

Under 60 seconds once it's mounted. Pull the travel cover, unclip the rubber handle strap and the dual gas struts lift it open. Closing takes a few minutes: pull it down by the webbing straps, clip the handle and refit the cover.

Can I drive with it on, and how tall is it?

Yes, closed and covered. It's 7.5 inches tall on your rack. Keep it under 75 mph on the highway and under 25 mph on rough or mountain roads, check the fixing points on long drives, and mind your clearance in garages and parking structures.

How does it handle weather?

The 300D Oxford shell is PU coated to 3,000 mm with UPF 50+ sun protection. Don't open it in a strong rainstorm, and if it's packed away wet, open it to air-dry as soon as you can.

Does the bedding stay inside?

The high-density foam mattress stays inside, pre-installed. Take sleeping bags and pillows out before you close it so the lid shuts cleanly.

What's the warranty, and does shipping cost extra?

A 1-year warranty on materials and workmanship. Full-price orders over $600 ship free within the US from Santa Ana, California, and local pickup is available in Southern California.

Ready when you are

UNCLIP IT.
Wake up anywhere.

Desert, mountains or the coast road: take it on your next trip, or talk to us about outfitting an overland rental fleet.

  • Factory direct since 2014
  • Ships from Santa Ana, CA
  • 1-year warranty