Is a Roof Top Tent (RTT) Right for Me? - Expedition Utah

(ARB Simpson III Tent – Beef Basin, )

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Sunday Campers.

I get asked this question quite often, be it from customers, fellow travelers or randoms that wander into camp and peer at these strange devices. The delivery of my answer may change a bit but the overall message is the same, “it depends”. It’s not a cut and dry yes or no, rather it depends on the individual situation. Everyone has different needs and ultimately they need to decide if the tent works for them.

(Mombasa Expedition Series (Gen 2) – Lockhart Basin, )

I thought I would concentrate my thoughts and expand on the a bit. This isn’t meant to be the definitive guide on how to decide, rather my personal thoughts and experience from both a user of roof top tents (RTT’s) and a retailer of them alike. Through my travels I’ve had the opportunity to spend several hundred nights in RTT’s and closely examine many (most) of the different brands on the market. Units from Italy, South Africa, Australia, Asia and South America ranging in price from $400 to $+. The range of tents is radical, thus I’m not attempting to break down the difference between them as these are often best done in person or in an entirely different article. If there is any interest in product reviews of the tents I retail and use I would be more than happy to oblige. To find out more information, it could be as simple as doing a google search into something like Explore with TentBox, to do some research into the benefits of a Roof Top Tent.

First a quick history on RTT’s. As best as anyone can decipher, the first units were likely home built or low production units built in the late 40’s and early 50’s when auto ‘touring’ started to gain in popularity in both the US and overseas. Though it would have been more common at the time to see them on a family station wagon than a 4×4. By the late 50’s Italian manufacture Autohome was building production tents. Fast forward to the late seventies/early eighties and South African companies like Eezi-Awn, Hannibal, and Howling Moon had started mass production for their local markets and later for international export sales. Regions in Africa and Australia absolutely live by them, you don’t camp on the ground there like you would here. “Keeping you out of the food chain” they often say. :laughing: Fast forward to the current trend and they are gaining popularity all over the globe, especially here in the United States. Whereas there was once only 2 or 3 companies importing them to the states, just about every major RTT manufacture has a distribution infrastructure here in the states. Will the trend continue? We shall see.

(Mombasa Gen 1 – Hole in the Rock Trail, )
Now do you need one?

Let’s start with a quick rundown of the basic pro’s and con’s. They are in no particular order users will weight them differently based on their personal needs.

Pro’s

• The do a good job of keeping you out of the food chain ????
• They stay cleaner and bug-free in comparison.
• Mounted, set it and forget it. Its one less thing to load in the back of the rig and in many cases uses previously unused room up on the roof.
• No need for level ground, its far easier to toss a couple of rocks under a tire than it is to try and find a level flat spot for a ground tent.
• Built in mattress in most models. Some allow you to leave sleeping bags and pillows stowed with the tent too.
• No stakes, guy wires or ground covers.
• All season camping. Some better than others in this regard, they can be equipped with winter hoods, tent heaters, electric blankets, etc.
• Fast setup. Some as quick as a minute, most under 10 minutes from the time you turn of the ignition to the time your zipping up the door and slipping into your bag. I’ve got mine down to a couple of minutes.
• They are quite comfortable and roomy, depending on the model they can be well suited for 2-3 adults or 2 adults several children.
• Can be mounted over a pickup bed, over a flatbed, on a trailer or the conventional roof top setup.

Con’s

• Expensive, simply put, for a good reason. They have a remarkable amount of engineering, fabrication and assembly, far more than the average ground tent. That is not to say the price is proportionally fair compared to a ground tent, but given the radical market ratio of the two options, it’s easy to see why RTT’s manufacturers have to demand a higher price to turn any kind of profit.
• Must have a vehicle capable of mounting. Some vehicles simply do not, either they don’t have the needed mounts or the factory mounts are not up to the task. Additionally, you may have to purchase mounting systems, load bars or even a tent compatible roof rack to mount and distribute the load.
• Your tied to your vehicle. Where you can get your vehicle will dictate where you camp. So if your camping at a state park or improved campground, you’ll likely be setting up your tent in the parking area while the ground tent guys are in the soft grass.
• Basecamps require your vehicle stay put or pack it up daily. This is one of the bigger deal breakers for most. Unless your style of travel has you on the move each day, the RTT might be a pain. You would have to unload, stow and cover the tent each morning, just to redeploy that night. A deal breaker? Maybe. While it’s just a few minutes to set the tent, all the gear that would normally be left in a ground tent (clothes bags, blankets, etc has to go back in the rig or left in the open at camp.
• Constant weight and clearance on top of your vehicle. A RTT can weigh anywhere from 50 lbs to 150 lbs and stand an additional 12″ or more above the standard roof line. A run in with a tree or scuff against a rock could result in an expensive repair or replacement. Along with that they can affect the aerodynamics of your rig and result in lower fuel mileage.
• Can be uncomfortable or dangerous with children. With a typical on the roof mount, you could be dealing with a tent that is six feet off the ground. The middle of the night bathroom breaks could be more of a pain.
• Size issues. For a larger family or even a small family that packs a bunch of stuff, a RTT may not work or will feel very claustrophobic.
• Cold. All that air underneath you makes for a cold tent. Most manufactures have offset this by using foam filled bases and thick mattresses but its worth mentioning.
• No matter how much you spend on a RTT, it is still just a tent. On the ground or on the trailer or vehicles and a windy night can leave you restless. If this is a concern perhaps a hard sided camper or shell on a truck would be a more suitable investment.

Ultimately they are just another piece of gear, another tool that can potentially make your camping experience that much better. Some feel that having a mounted RTT will allow them to camp and get out more often, maybe I suppose but it hasn’t proven to be the case, I would not recommend buying one with that line of thinking. Others have wives and kids that “may” camp more often if they had a RTT. I would challenge you to really decide if that is truly the case, it very well could be, or it could be an expensive trial. At the end of the day they are just a place to sleep and beyond the easy of use and setup time, can’t really preach to offer any better sleeping experience than that of a ground tent. For me personally, the benefit comes in terms of that extra time I save at camp, the place I’m able to camp comfortably. Additionally I like to leave as much stuff loaded in between trips, so not having to worry about packing the tent, sleeping bags and pillows does the trick. Your results may vary.

So after reading this I would ask you the question. Is a roof top tent for you?

Common Roof Top Rent Brands:
3 Dog Camping
African Outback
Anaconda Tents
ARB
Autohome
Camping Lab
Eezi-Awn
Expedition Cabin
Hannibal
Howling Moon
James Baroud Tent
Mare
Mombasa
MyWay

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Car Top Tent Manufacturers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

(these are just the common names, there are literally dozens of other smaller, re-badged or our out of business manufactures/brands)

Pics of some of the popular models to get your minds thinking ????

What is a roof top tent?

Roof top tents have been making headlines as one of the best ways to camp, but what is a roof top tent? A roof top tent is a portable shelter mounted to the roof of your vehicle or rack system. They are quick to deploy, favored by overlanders, and bridge the gap between a traditional tent and a recreational vehicle.

If you're looking for a roof top tent that will fit your vehicle and sleep capacity, you can use out Ultimate Tent Finder Tool.

How roof top tents came to be

The first roof top tents originated in Europe in the mid-20th century. Independent travel was growing hand in hand with car tourism, and these new tents solved multiple frustrations. The everyday adventurer no longer needed to worry if the roadside hotel was fully booked when arriving in an unfamiliar town. Roof top tents also saved travelers money by forgoing the expense of formal lodging.

The first designs were a pop-up style with a hard shell and a fold-out canvas tent, now known as the ‘soft shell’ style. These roof tents were commonly referred to as “Air Camping” due to their elevated position on top of a vehicle. The appeal of air camping was clear from the start, though it has seen a resurgence in recent years as new designs have transformed the market potential. These include fold-out hard shell tents like the Skycamp, hybrid tents utilizing a book fold design, wedge-style tents, and even miniature tents that can mount to a compact car.

How does a roof top tent work?

Today, most roof top tents practically pitch themselves, so even the most inexperienced camper can set up in under five minutes. Modern RTT designs feature gas struts to lift the tent shell once the latches have been released. Depending on the model, you may also need to unfold an expansion panel and deploy the ladder.

What is the point of a roof top tent?

Roof top tents present many advantages over other options, most crucially how accessible they are. If you’re still wondering what is the point of a roof top tent? Here are 10 reasons why they’re worthwhile.

• They remove intimidation barriers to camping because of their simple design and ease of setup. No specialty experience is required to hop in the car, drive to a campsite, and lift the latch on your tent.
• They offer the opportunity to car camp while still sleeping under the stars in the fresh air of the outdoors. Many roof top tents feature a skylight which gives the experience another layer of romance.
• The views are better. No need to imagine what the scenery looks like without the picnic tables and the neighboring camper’s setup. From on top of your vehicle, you can bask in the views you drove out to see, entirely unobstructed.
• Roof top tents free up storage space inside your vehicle, allowing your gear to be better organized without blocking the rear view or blind spots.
• Roof top tents can go anywhere your car can go. This makes them especially popular for overlanding and dispersed camping because there’s no trailer or bulky recreational vehicle to maneuver.
• The average roof top tent includes a mattress that can be stored inside the tent, reducing the amount of extra gear to pack. (Goodbye cots and air beds!) Some RTTs have a generous enough shell that you can also store sleeping bags and pillows inside the tent between destinations, freeing up even more room inside the car.
• Camping in a roof top tent offers greater comfort and convenience than a traditional tent and is a more affordable alternative to an RV or camper van.
• They get you up off the ground. Quite literally. You won’t need to worry about finding a level spot to pitch your tent. You also won’t need to worry whether there are rocks or roots under your sleeping bag. You might even find there are fewer uninvited guests (of the critter variety) walking right through the tent door.
• Weather conditions are more forgiving from an elevated position. It is much more comfortable to camp in shoulder seasons if your tent canvas isn’t wicking up mud, rain, and snow. The cross breeze on summer nights isn’t bad, either!
• As the roof of your vehicle serves as the base of the tent, it is comparatively warmer than sleeping directly on the ground. Hard shell roof top tents can also serve as a windbreak, further sheltering you from the elements.

Do I need a special car for roof top tents?

With so many options to choose from, there’s a roof top tent for every vehicle. You do not need a special car or even an off-road vehicle to join the club. There are roof top tents like the X-Cover 2.0 Mini suited to compact cars and truck bed racks, as well as king-size tents like the Skycamp 3.0 suited to larger vehicles like SUVs. The best thing you can do is research the options, then seek out a style that fits your needs, your car, and your budget.

There are multiple considerations to account for, such as:

• The static and dynamic weight your car can support vs the weight of the tent.
• The dimensions of the tent vs the roof of your vehicle.
• How you will mount the tent to your vehicle. Does your car already have rails or cross bars? Do they align with the mounting hardware on the tent? Maybe your car is the right size, but the cross bars don’t quite work, and a roof rack is a better option to get the tent you have your heart set on.

Each tent manufacturer will have comprehensive specifications so you can make an informed decision. If you’ve never explored roof racks or static and dynamic weight, the customer service team of any RTT brand should be able to walk you through it all. If you want a complete showroom experience to see the tents up close and better understand the finer points of each model for comparison, many RTT makers have dealer locations where you can do just that.

Do I need anything to go with a roof top tent?

Depending on the experience you’re seeking, you can take a minimalist or maximalist approach to camping in an RTT. You want to be sure to cover your basic needs, so there are a few key items to pack for your next adventure.

Check the weather forecast and consider what clothes will be appropriate, as well as any topical toiletries like bug spray or sunscreen. Lights (flashlights, lanterns, headlamps) are not only a creature comfort but also a safety consideration to navigate camp once the sun goes down. Not every campsite will have running water, latrines, or communal waste stations, so be prepared. Pack 1 L of water per person per day. Bags to pack out your garbage and recyclables. Toilet paper and any toiletries and hygiene items appropriate for where you’re camping. If you’re unfamiliar with best practices for camping without a bathroom, give this a read. Looking for tent accessories to take things to the next level? Definitely consider an Annex that can provide shelter from wind or elements when you’re not sleeping. Storage Racks or Shoe Racks are a popular choice to keep essentials within arm's reach (and out of your bed).

Of course, you’ll need to pack something to eat and a way to eat it while camping. Kitchen systems can take whatever shape is most relevant to you. Maybe you just want a way to brew your morning cup of coffee and heat water for dehydrated backpacker meals. Though if you fish or hunt - or just like to eat well - you may want a more robust kitchen system like the Disco Series that allows you to prepare meals from scratch. If your meal plan includes perishable provisions, a cooler and ice should be added to your packing list. As well as dishes and utensils.

While roof top tents universally include a basic mattress, you’ll need a bit more than that to get a restful night’s sleep under the stars. You might have sleeping bags, pillows, or blankets at home that will work just as well as any you may find at an outdoor equipment store. We can promise that no RTT camp counselors are coming to do bed inspections and judge you for bringing an old comforter over a -20 mummy bag. However, some sleep system items are worth the splurge for the comfort and convenience they offer. Down blankets and sleeping bags can compress to a fraction of their size, allowing them to be stored inside your RTT. This means less time making and unmaking your bed, as well as fewer items to pack inside your vehicle. The RTT Sleeper is specially designed for use in roof top tents with more fill in the top half of the bag to keep you warmer where it matters most. If you’re thinking you might want to upgrade your mattress, or any other bedding for your tent, check out the Sleep Systems collection.

For more springbar canvas tentinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Thinking about a roof top tent?