Rooftop tents for the Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S has a dynamic roof-load limit of roughly 249 lb — what the roof may carry while you are driving. 238 of the 246 rooftop tents we track fit under it once you add a 18 lb rack.
- Dynamic limit (driving)
- 249 lb
- Static limit (parked)
- 789 lb
- Rack allowance
- 18 lb
113 kg (250 lb) dynamic while-driving load per pair of crossbars, including the bars, per Rivian's Cargo Crossbars guide (static rating is much higher, ~780 lb). Confirm in the owner's manual.
Figure published by the manufacturer — but roof limits vary by model year, trim and market, so confirm yours.
Top picks that fit
Tents that fit the Rivian R1S
Sorted by floor area, roomiest first. Showing 12 of 238.
- Horntools Elements Gen II 220softshell · 7.04 m² floor234 lb total15 lb spare
- RoofBunk Explorer Super XLsoftshell · 6.98 m² floor176 lb total73 lb spare
- RoofBunk Explorer XLsoftshell · 6.05 m² floor161 lb total88 lb spare
- Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tentsoftshell · 5.98 m² floor157 lb total93 lb spare
- 23Zero Walkabout 87 2.0softshell · 5.39 m² floor216 lb total33 lb spare
- Eezi-Awn Familysoftshell · 5.37 m² floor234 lb total15 lb spare
- Horntools Elements Gen II 165softshell · 5.28 m² floor187 lb total62 lb spare
- Darche Basecamp 2200softshell · 5.06 m² floor209 lb total40 lb spare
- Wild Land Wild Cruiser 250softshell · 5 m² floor190 lb total60 lb spare
- Tuff Stuff Overland Elitesoftshell · 4.9 m² floor212 lb total37 lb spare
- Roofnest Condor 2 XXL Airhardshell · 4.89 m² floor223 lb total26 lb spare
- Overland Vehicle Systems HD Bushveld 4 Cantileverhardshell · 4.83 m² floor225 lb total24 lb spare
Roof-load figures vary by model year, body style, market and factory rail option, and the totals here use each maker's published tent weight with no safety margin added. Treat this as a shortlist, not a clearance: always confirm the limit in your vehicle's owner's manual and your rack manufacturer's documentation before loading a roof. See our terms & disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the Rivian R1S carry a rooftop tent?
- Yes. The Rivian R1S's dynamic roof load of about 113 kg — the limit while you are driving — clears 238 of the 246 rooftop tents we track once you add a typical 8 kg crossbar set. A parked roof holds far more, so the drive is the constraint, not the night's sleep.
- How much weight can the Rivian R1S's roof hold?
- The Rivian R1S's dynamic roof load — the maximum while moving — is about 113 kg. Parked, the static limit is around 358 kg. A rooftop tent, its rack and anyone inside must stay under the dynamic figure while you drive; the higher static figure is what carries you once the tent is pitched. This figure is published by the manufacturer — always confirm it in your owner's manual.
- Which rooftop tent is best for the Rivian R1S?
- Our best-overall pick that suits this roof is the Rhino-Rack Low Profile (61052) — the highest-rated tent whose weight makes sensible use of the Rivian R1S's capacity. If your priority is different, the Horntools Elements Gen II 220 gives the most sleeping space that still fits, and the Naturnest Andromeda is the cheapest that fits. Each leaves headroom under the dynamic limit with a typical rack.
- Can I fit a hardshell rooftop tent on the Rivian R1S?
- Yes. Hardshells are heavier than softshells, but 134 of the hardshell tents we track still come in under the Rivian R1S's dynamic limit with a rack — the lightest being the Naturnest Polaris Lite at 47 kg.
- Do I need a roof rack to put a rooftop tent on the Rivian R1S?
- Yes. A rooftop tent mounts to crossbars or a platform rack, never to the bare roof, and the bars' own weight counts against the limit — our totals assume about 8 kg of rack. Check both the Rivian R1S's roof-load rating and your rack maker's stated capacity, and work to the lower of the two.
More Rivian models
All Rivian models →Next: check another vehicle or rack or read the roof-load guide.