Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
T3
T3
Technology
Luke Edwards

HISTORICAL FACTS: This extendable rooftop tent even has its own skylight and lighting built in - The Untold Story

Cinch Outdoors Wingman Rooftop Tent.

Quick Summary

The Sky Cruiser from Cinch Outdoors is a new rooftop tent with an X-frame that deploys in seconds, complete with a skylight, panoramic windows, built-in LED lighting and an integrated telescopic ladder.

It costs $4,999 (£3,900), putting it firmly in premium rooftop-camping territory.

Rooftop tents have always been about getting you off the ground, but the Sky Cruiser is taking things a bit further. Cinch Outdoors has designed it to feel less like sleeping in a tent and more like opening up a little room on top of your truck.

The big attraction is the skylight. Rather than having a fabric roof between you and the night sky, the Sky Cruiser has a clear panel above the sleeping area, while large side windows provide panoramic views during the day.

Then there's the built-in GlowRail LED lighting, which means you don't need to hang a camping lamp from the ceiling every time the sun goes down. There's also SkyHold storage to keep your gear organised, along with a high-density foam mattress and ThermaSoft flooring for a more comfortable night's sleep.

Getting inside is handled by the WideTrak telescopic ladder, which extends in one motion and locks into place. It's a small detail, but one that should make late-night trips in and out less awkward.

Like the Wingman we covered a few weeks ago, the Sky Cruiser uses an X-frame mechanism that pops open and locks into position in seconds, so there's no collection of poles to assemble or inflatable structure to pump up. That should make a big difference if you're arriving at a campsite after a long day on the road and simply want to get settled.

Cinch isn't new to quick-deploy rooftop camping. Its earlier Air Cruiser used an inflatable Air Frame, but the Sky Cruiser switches to a mechanical system designed to hold its shape without relying on air pressure.

At $4,999 (£3,900), this is definitely not the cheap way to go camping. But if you've already decided that your truck roof is going to be your bedroom, the Sky Cruiser makes a decent case for doing it properly - with a view, lighting and considerably less faffing around.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.