Rooftop tents have changed the way New Zealanders explore the outdoors. Instead of searching for a perfectly flat campsite, dealing with wet ground or spending valuable time assembling tent poles, travellers can create a comfortable sleeping space directly above their vehicle.
The Wild Land WL-Air Cruiser takes this idea further by replacing a conventional rigid tent-pole structure with inflatable air tube technology. The result is a compact, two-person rooftop tent designed for faster setup, comfortable sleeping and practical transport on SUVs, utes and 4WD touring vehicles.
The WL-Air Cruiser is an inflatable rooftop tent developed for overlanding, camping trips, 4WD touring and off-grid travel.
Unlike traditional rooftop tents that rely on folding metal frames or manually installed support poles, the WL-Air Cruiser uses Wild Land’s patented inflatable air tube structure. An integrated battery-free pump draws power from the vehicle’s cigarette lighter, allowing the tent structure to inflate without carrying a separate rechargeable pump.
This design reduces the amount of equipment campers need to assemble when arriving at a campsite.
It is particularly suited to travellers who regularly move between locations and do not want to spend a large part of each stop setting up or dismantling their accommodation.
Traditional ground tents remain a good option for many campers, but they can become inconvenient during frequent touring.
The WL-Air Cruiser combines several practical advantages:
Because the tent is mounted above the ground, campers are separated from mud, surface water, uneven terrain and many of the insects commonly encountered in a ground-level tent.
The elevated position can also provide better airflow and a wider view of the surrounding campsite.
One of the biggest benefits of the WL-Air Cruiser is its simplified setup system.
Once the vehicle is parked safely and the rooftop tent is opened, the inflatable air tubes create the main supporting structure. The pump is powered directly from the vehicle, so there is no separate pump battery that needs to be charged before a trip.
This can be especially useful during:
For travellers who change campsites regularly, reducing setup and pack-down time can make the overall trip considerably easier.
A rooftop tent should provide more than somewhere to sleep. It should also allow campers to enjoy the location around them.
The WL-Air Cruiser includes two closeable sky windows, large panoramic side windows, a wide entrance and adjustable privacy curtains. The sky windows can be opened during the day to bring natural light into the tent or used at night for stargazing. Sliding curtains allow the openings to be covered when privacy, shade or additional weather protection is required.
The tent has one large entrance and three large side windows, helping create an open interior with multiple ventilation points.
A large protective eave extends beyond the entrance area, providing additional shelter around the main opening.
The WL-Air Cruiser is designed to sleep two people.
When open, the tent measures approximately:
205cm long × 132cm wide × 136cm high
This provides a practical sleeping area for couples, solo travellers or one adult travelling with a child.
A 5cm high-density foam mattress is included. It features a skin-friendly thermal cover designed to create a more insulated sleeping surface than a basic ground mat.
The elevated platform also prevents the mattress from being placed directly against cold or damp ground.
Large rooftop tents can add considerable height and bulk to a vehicle. The WL-Air Cruiser has been developed around a more compact transport format.
When closed, the unit measures approximately:
139cm × 98cm × 28cm
Its low 28cm closed height helps reduce the overall height added to the vehicle and makes the tent easier to accommodate when travelling or storing the vehicle.
The compact footprint may also make it suitable for a wider selection of touring vehicles than some larger family-sized rooftop tents.
Although the streamlined format can help limit unnecessary rooftop bulk, drivers should still allow for additional wind resistance and vehicle height whenever a rooftop tent is installed.
The WL-Air Cruiser uses materials selected for outdoor touring and changing weather conditions.
The main tent fabric is manufactured from 280g rip-stop polycotton with a PU2000mm waterproof rating. Rip-stop construction helps limit the spread of small tears, while the polycotton fabric provides a balance between weather protection, durability and breathability.
The protective travel cover is made from heavy-duty 600D Oxford fabric with PVC coating and a PU5000mm waterproof rating.
Additional construction details include:
The fluorescent ladder markers can help users identify the ladder steps more easily when entering or leaving the tent in low-light conditions.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sleeping capacity | 2 people |
| Open tent size | 205 × 132 × 136cm |
| Closed size | 139 × 98 × 28cm |
| Packing size | 145.5 × 104 × 30.5cm |
| Net weight | 50kg |
| Gross packed weight | 56kg |
| Mattress | 5cm high-density foam |
| Main fabric | 280g rip-stop polycotton |
| Main fabric waterproof rating | PU2000mm |
| Travel cover | 600D Oxford fabric with PVC coating |
| Cover waterproof rating | PU5000mm |
| Base | PP honeycomb board |
| Ladder | Aluminium telescopic ladder |
| Structure | Inflatable air tube system |
The WL-Air Cruiser may be suitable for a range of vehicles, including:
However, suitability depends on more than the physical size of the vehicle.
Before installing any rooftop tent, owners must check the vehicle manufacturer’s roof load rating, the roof rack’s load capacity and the mounting requirements of the tent.
The vehicle’s dynamic roof load rating applies while the vehicle is moving. The static load rating applies while the vehicle is parked and must support the tent together with the occupants and their equipment.
Professional advice should be obtained when there is any uncertainty about roof rack compatibility or vehicle loading.
The WL-Air Cruiser is likely to appeal most to couples and solo adventurers who want a compact rooftop setup without the size and weight of a large family rooftop tent.
It is particularly practical for people who:
Its two-person capacity and compact closed dimensions make it a touring-focused option rather than a large base-camp tent.
For occasional campers staying in one location for several days, a conventional ground tent may still provide the space they need.
For road trips, overlanding and touring, however, convenience becomes much more important. A rooftop tent that is quick to open, easy to pack away and already connected to the vehicle can remove several repetitive jobs from each day of the trip.
The Wild Land WL-Air Cruiser combines an inflatable air-supported structure, compact rooftop transport, panoramic openings and an included thermal mattress in one practical two-person camping system.
For New Zealand travellers exploring beaches, forests, remote campsites and back-country roads, it offers a comfortable way to create a sleeping space wherever the next journey leads.
