Deciding to install a sprinter roof top tent is usually the moment you realize that even a massive van can start feeling a bit crowded once you pack in all your gear. It's a funny thing about Sprinters—they look like giant metal boxes from the outside, but once you add a kitchen, a bed, and some storage, that interior space disappears faster than you'd think. Adding a tent to the roof is essentially building a second story on your mobile home, and it changes the entire dynamic of how you camp.
Why You'd Want an Extra Bedroom on Your Roof
If you're traveling solo or as a couple, you might wonder why you'd even bother with a sprinter roof top tent. But think about those trips where you bring a friend along or when you just want to keep the interior of the van dedicated to living space rather than sleeping space. Having that "upstairs" bedroom means you don't have to shuffle cushions every night to make a bed or move a mountain of mountain bikes just to find a place to lay your head.
For families, it's a total game-changer. Let's be honest, sleeping four people inside a 144" wheelbase Sprinter is an exercise in patience and Tetris. By putting the kids or the guests in the roof tent, everyone gets a little bit of privacy and a lot more breathing room. Plus, there is something undeniably cool about sleeping way up there. The views are better, the breeze is stronger, and you're far away from any curious critters wandering around the campsite.
Hard Shell vs. Soft Shell: The Sprinter Dilemma
When you start looking at a sprinter roof top tent, you're going to run into the classic debate: hard shell or soft shell? On a smaller SUV, people go back and forth on this, but on a Sprinter, the choice usually leans one way for a few specific reasons.
Hard shell tents are usually the favorite for van lifers. They look like a slim cargo box when they're closed, which helps keep the van's profile somewhat aerodynamic—or at least as aerodynamic as a giant brick can be. They pop up in seconds, which is a huge plus when you pull into a camp spot late at night and just want to crash. You unlatch a couple of buckles, give it a nudge, and the gas struts do the rest of the work.
Soft shell tents, on the other hand, usually fold out and offer a lot more interior floor space. They're often cheaper, too. However, they can be a bit of a pain on a high-roof Sprinter. Imagine standing on a ladder or balancing on your tire while trying to pull a heavy canvas cover over a tent that's nine feet in the air. It's not exactly fun, especially if it's raining. If you go the soft shell route, just make sure you're comfortable with the extra setup time.
The Logistics of Mounting Things Up High
You can't just throw a sprinter roof top tent directly onto the sheet metal of your roof and call it a day. Sprinters have specific mounting points, and you're going to need a solid roof rack system to bridge the gap.
Most people opt for a full-length roof rack. This gives you a flat platform to bolt the tent down securely. You'll want to check the weight ratings of your rack—both the "dynamic" weight (how much it can carry while you're driving) and the "static" weight (how much it can hold when you're parked and sleeping in it).
Keep in mind that Sprinters are already tall. Adding a tent on top of a rack might push your total height to 10 or 11 feet. You'll need to start paying a lot more attention to low-hanging branches, drive-thrus, and those "clearance" signs at parking garages. It's a bit of a learning curve, but you eventually get a feel for which bridges are going to be a problem.
How Does it Affect Your Drive?
I'm not going to sugarcoat it: putting a heavy sprinter roof top tent on top of an already tall van is going to change how it handles. You're adding weight to the highest point of the vehicle, which raises your center of gravity. You might feel a bit more "sway" when you're taking corners or when a big semi-truck passes you on the highway.
Most Sprinter owners find that upgraded suspension—like better shocks or leaf springs—helps settle things down. It makes the ride feel less like a boat and more like a truck. Also, expect your gas mileage to take a small hit. It's the price you pay for having that extra room, but for most people, the trade-off is worth it.
Dealing with the Height Factor
One thing people often forget about a sprinter roof top tent is the sheer height of the ladder. On a standard Jeep or Tacoma, the ladder is maybe five or six feet long. On a high-roof Sprinter, you are climbing up quite a way.
If you're someone who needs to get up multiple times in the middle of the night, that ladder can be a bit intimidating in the dark. Many van owners actually prefer tents that can be accessed from inside the van through a roof hatch. It's a more expensive and complicated setup, involving cutting a hole in your roof, but it's the ultimate "loft" experience. You just climb up from your galley area directly into bed. No cold wind, no wet ladders, and no wet feet.
Insulation and Comfort
If you're planning on camping in the shoulder seasons or during the winter, you'll want to look at the insulation of your sprinter roof top tent. Some brands offer "cold weather kits" which are essentially quilted liners that snap into the inside of the tent.
Since heat rises, you'd think the tent would be warm, but since it's exposed to the wind on all sides, it can get chilly. A good sleeping bag is a must. On the flip side, in the summer, being up high is a blessing. You catch breezes that people on the ground completely miss. Most tents have massive mesh windows, so you get 360-degree ventilation. It's often much cooler than sleeping inside the van where the air can get a bit stagnant.
Is It Worth the Investment?
A high-quality sprinter roof top tent isn't exactly cheap. When you add up the cost of the tent, the roof rack, and potentially the suspension upgrades, you're looking at a decent chunk of change.
However, you have to look at it as an investment in your travel style. It opens up so many possibilities. It allows you to travel with more people without feeling like you're living in a sardine can. It gives you a dedicated space to sleep that's always ready to go. And honestly, there's nothing quite like waking up, unzipping that tent door, and looking out over a mountain range from ten feet in the air.
If you value your floor space and want the most versatile van setup possible, adding a tent to the roof is probably one of the best modifications you can make. Just do your research on the weight and the mounting, grab a sturdy ladder, and get ready to enjoy the best view in the campground.
Making the Final Call
At the end of the day, picking out a sprinter roof top tent comes down to how you actually use your van. Do you move every single day, or do you park for a week at a time? If you're a "move every day" person, stick with a hard shell that closes quickly. If you stay put, a big soft shell might give you that extra "living room" feel you're looking for.
Whatever you choose, it's going to change the way you see the road. Literally. You'll be looking for campsites with the best views from the roof rather than just the flattest ground. It's a fun way to level up your van life game, and once you have that extra space, you'll wonder how you ever managed to cram everything inside the van in the first place.