Mammoth Overland’s SKL Is A Hard-Sided Rooftop Camper That Sets Up In 30 Seconds

For outdoor enthusiasts who have spent sleepless nights listening to canvas flap in the wind or worrying about what might be prowling outside the zipper, Mammoth Overland has just dropped a game changer. The Washington-based company recently unveiled the production version of its SKL, a product they are explicitly telling people not to call a tent. Pronounced Skull, the SKL rooftop camper is a fully hard-sided, all-aluminum shelter designed to bring the insulation and security of a travel trailer to the roof of a truck or SUV.

Engineering A Better Deployment

The journey from concept to production was driven by serious user feedback following the prototype’s debut at Overland Expo West. Mammoth Overland President Scott Taylor emphasized that their engineers spent six months refining the design to improve usability. The result is a masterclass in efficiency. The most significant update is the deployment system; the front door now folds up from the floor, allowing the entire structure to be set up in as little as 30 seconds.

Why SKL Rooftop Camper Is Built Like An Aircraft

Constructed from painted high-strength aluminum, the SKL is built like an aircraft fuselage—fitting, considering Mammoth is a subsidiary of Vashon Aircraft. This construction offers an R-5 insulation rating, a massive upgrade over the near-zero insulation provided by traditional fabric rooftop tents. Inside, it’s surprisingly spacious, measuring 89 inches long and offering a width between a queen and full-size mattress, plenty of room for two adults to sleep without elbows knocking all night.

Power, Comfort, and Safety

Beyond just being a sturdy metal box, the SKL rooftop camper is packed with creature comforts usually reserved for tow-behind trailers. It features a bidirectional three-speed roof fan for airflow, dual interior light strips, and six porthole windows for a cabin-like feel. Power comes from a standard 6-amp-hour Renogy battery bank, with options to upgrade for more capacity. The hard-sided design also arrives at a pivotal moment for campers frequenting national parks. With increasing bear activity leading to canvas tent bans in campgrounds across Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, the SKL can keep campers compliant and safe.

Ready for the Wild

Mammoth Overland has priced the SKL starting at $11,500, positioning it as a premium but highly functional piece of overland gear. With a roof rack capable of holding 500 pounds of gear and a design that prioritizes durability and ease of use, it effectively bridges the gap between a rooftop tent and a dedicated camper trailer. For those looking to explore the backcountry without towing a rig or sacrificing safety, the SKL looks like the new gold standard.