- New patent filed by Jeep shows off trick new take on rooftop tent
- The accessory would utilize existing roof brackets and a detachable roof panel
- One might be able to easily pass from the tent to the SUV’s cabin
The overlanding market has absolutely exploded in popularity the last few years, really taking off during COVID-19 when folks were looking to get away from everything and everybody. This has led to a proliferation of accessory equipment from aftermarket companies and, with the amount of money at play in this hobby, it’s only natural that OEMs, too, want a piece of this particularly profitable pie.
Jeep is one of the most obvious brands to push its way to the overlanding head table, given its propensity for off-roading and popularity out on the trails. Finding a Jeep without at least one accessory mounted somewhere on its square frame is rare, and it seems the brand is only too happy to help its customers spend some extra money.
As reported by those in the know at Mopar Insiders, folks within Stellantis have filed a patent for a rooftop tent—and it isn’t just a flimsy pop-up that gets hove on top of a Wrangler’s roof. According to the patent images, it would actually use the existing removable roof panel openings as part of its structure, cleverly integrating a key feature of the Wrangler with this accessory.
Those with a greater ability to read patent drawings than I are suggesting it may even be possible to access the tent’s sleeping area from inside the Jeep, a feature which would vault this tent leaps and bounds over just about anything else already on the market. Being able to avoid bad weather and the like would be an absolute treat, to say nothing of easily being able to pop down into the Wrangler cabin to retrieve a forgotten item. Owners wouldn’t even need to put their shoes on.
The patent drawings also suggest a more aerodynamic shape to the proposed tent than the typically squared-off boxes that are available in the aftermarket. Any nod to efficiency is a good thing, especially given today’s fuel prices. It would also make sense if the tent could tap into the Jeep’s electrical system; this would be especially advantageous on a 4xe, given the power solutions made possible by that powertrain.
As always, we’ll temper this speculation with a dose of reality by reminding readers that car companies patent stuff all the time that never ends up seeing the light of day. But this is a tremendous idea with many benefits and a logical extension of the brand, so one can always hope.
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