Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 3 Roof Top Tent Review
Hands-on look at the Overland Vehicle Systems (OVS) Nomadic 3 Roof Top Tent—a burly, 4-season RTT built with 600D poly-cotton canvas, aluminum poles, and a double-insulated diamond-plate base. Below we cover weather performance, living space, setup, and whether it’s the right RTT for your rig.
Verdict
Rating: 4.7/5 — The OVS Nomadic 3 nails the fundamentals: thick canvas, stout hardware, a protective fly for weather, and a stable, insulated base. If you camp in real shoulder-season weather (wind, rain, cold) and want quick setup plus room for two adults and a kid or a pet, it’s an easy recommend.
- Materials-first build: 600D premium double rip-stop canvas, aluminum poles, marine-grade hardware.
- Four-season confidence: rainfly and tight seams help in wind and sustained rain.
- Cozy base: double-insulated, one-piece diamond-plate floor feels solid underfoot.
- Space & livability: covered entry keeps the ladder and doorway drier in storms.
- Total package is sizable on small SUVs—confirm rack’s dynamic load rating.
- Packs tall with the travel cover; watch garage clearance.
In the field
Setup & packing
Expect a straightforward fold-out design: remove the PVC travel cover, deploy the ladder, swing the tent open, tension the window awnings, and clip the fly. The fly gives more covered entry space which helps keep bedding drier in storms.
Weather performance
The thick 600D poly-cotton canvas and a proper fly shed rain well. With the windows cracked for cross-breeze, condensation is manageable. The insulated base helps cut the chill from cold racks and wind gusts.
Comfort & layout
It’s a three-person footprint in a pinch (two adults + small child/pet more realistic long-term). Large windows and a roof opening (stargaze vent) keep it airy, and interior pockets help with nightly odds-and-ends.
Photos
Features & Specs
- Occupancy: 3-person
- Seasons: 4-season
- Design: Vehicle-mounted, rectangular floor
- Installation: Roof-top (confirm rack dynamic load rating)
- Closure: Zippers
- Poles: Aluminum
- Water resistance: Waterproof; listed technology 600 mm
- Body: 600D premium double rip-stop poly-cotton canvas
- Base: Double-insulated, one-piece diamond-plate
- Pole material: Aluminum
- Rainfly: Polyester
- Floor: Diamond plate + canvas
- Hardware: Marine-grade stainless steel
- Care: Hand wash
- Dimensions (L×W×H): 122″ × 63″ × 51″
- Max height: 63″
- Packed height: 14″
- Weight: verify with manufacturer; confirm rack load rating
- Style/Color: Nomadic 3 / Grey
Who it’s for
- Weekend-to-expedition travelers wanting storm-worthy materials.
- Families or duos needing a roomier 3-person footprint.
- Four-season campers who value a protective fly/vestibule.
- Micro-rigs with low roof load limits or tight garage clearance.
- Ultralight minimalists—this favors durability over featherweight packing.
Buying advice
- Rack match: Ensure your crossbars/roof rack meet the tent’s static and dynamic load requirements.
- Mounting height: Lower is quieter/warmer; higher clears hatchbacks but catches more wind.
- Bedding: Leave sleeping bags inside when folding for faster camp setup.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases—this never affects our editorial verdict.
