Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition rooftop tent tested: Effortless, comfortable and tour-ready

A rooftop tent only really proves itself when it’s used properly – not for a quick overnight stop in a caravan park, but over days on the road where camp becomes home.

The Alu-Cab Gen 3-R did exactly that on a trip that took us from dusty outback pubs along the Darling River, through New Year’s Eve at Sandstone Point, and into full beach-camping mode on Fraser Island.

By the time we hit the sand and set up camp for three nights, the novelty of new gear had worn off, which is exactly when the Gen 3-R Expedition started to shine. Warm nights, crashing waves, a full moon lighting up the beach, and early mornings chasing tides. Setup took seconds. Pack-down was painless. No wrestling canvas, no swearing at zips, and no worrying about pinched fabric before jumping back behind the wheel. That’s when it clicked: this is the best rooftop tent I’ve ever used.

For context, 12 months ago I travelled around Australia with a rooftop tent, and I can say with confidence that the Gen 3-R would have fundamentally changed that experience – in all the right ways.

One of the biggest unsung heroes is the space between the canvas and the shell. It sounds minor, but it makes it almost impossible to pinch canvas during pack-down – something you’ll deeply appreciate if you’ve ever owned an RTT before. When you’re setting up and packing down every day, those small design decisions matter more than flashy features.

At camp, the tent quickly became the best seat in the house. Opened up to the ocean breeze, it wasn’t just somewhere to sleep – it was where we escaped the midday heat, planned routes, watched storms roll past, and actually relaxed.

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Comfort that stands out

The Gen 3-R isn’t trying to reinvent the rooftop tent; it’s refining it.

The aluminium hard shell feels genuinely expedition-ready without being overbuilt, and the gas-strut-assisted pop-up design is quick enough that you stop thinking about setup altogether. But where it really separates itself is inside.

The reclining backrest is hands-down the standout feature. Being able to level your bed without moving the vehicle, especially on sand, feels borderline indulgent. Once you’ve used it, you’ll wonder why more tents don’t offer something similar. Add the fold-down internal table and the tent suddenly becomes a usable living and working space. Watching movies on a rainy afternoon, working on photos, eating dinner or playing cards all feels natural rather than forced.

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The canvas is another highlight. It’s thick, confidence-inspiring and feels superior to many tents on the market. Combined with the large windows, airflow is excellent, even on warm coastal nights. This is a tent you can comfortably spend time in, not just sleep inside.

The mattress is firm, and that will divide opinion. Some users will want to add a topper. Personally, I found it supportive and far better than softer RTT mattresses that tend to hold moisture. Waking up without that clammy feeling after a humid night is something you don’t fully appreciate until it’s gone.

At around 1200 to 1300mm of internal width, it can feel snug for some couples. That said, the comfort features, build quality and ease of use more than compensate. It’s also worth noting the tent looks far better than earlier Alu-Cab designs – lower, sleeker and more refined on the roof – and we were able to carry two sleeping bags and two pillows inside while driving without any issues.

Power, problems and competitors

Power integration is another area where the Gen 3-R largely nails it. Built-in 12V power and pre-wired solar cabling make setup ridiculously easy. There’s no need to run wires through windows or drill holes – it’s ready to go straight out of the box, which is exactly how touring gear should be. That said, there’s still room for improvement. I’d love to see:

• A 12V cigarette socket
• Additional USB-A and USB-C ports
• Rubber-covered plugs instead of the sliding door
• A voltmeter
• An amber light option for night use

The biggest issue internally was the sliding cover over the USB-C ports. I spent a good five minutes trying to keep the door open with one hand while lining up the cable with the other. It’s not a deal-breaker, but addressing it would elevate an already strong system.

Then there’s the ladder – the Gen 3-R’s biggest downside. On taller vehicles it’s awkward to hook on, and the locking system feels unnecessarily complicated. It works, but it can be frustrating, especially after a long day on the road or a few cold beers. The only real upside? No squeaking. If you’ve owned RTT ladders before, you’ll know that’s not nothing. Adjustable ladder mounting positions would solve most of the frustration here, and we often found ourselves simply resting the ladder on the spare tyre.

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How it compares

There’s no ignoring the elephant in the room: the only other rooftop tent that genuinely comes close is the Bush Company unit. Build quality, canvas and durability are right up there, making it a serious bit of gear. Where Alu-Cab pulls ahead is in accessories and ecosystem. The Gen 3-R’s reclining backrest, fold-down table, integrated power and modular add-ons make it feel more complete as a touring solution. If you plan on living out of your tent rather than just sleeping in it, Alu-Cab takes the win.

Our verdict

The Alu-Cab Gen 3-R isn’t perfect, but it’s close.

The ladder design and power socket layout could be improved, but in real-world touring use it’s one of the most enjoyable rooftop tents you can buy. It made beach camping easier, long trips more comfortable and downtime something to genuinely look forward to – and that’s the real test.

If Alu-Cab offered larger size options and addressed the minor shortcomings, there would be virtually no competition in this category.

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Specs

Pricing

• Rooftop tent: $6649.01
• Backrest: $629
• Interior roof drop down table: $849