3. Tent Weight
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The weight of the tent is crucial, especially if you have a smaller car. For larger trucks and SUVs, weight may be less of an issue. Remember, you’ll need to lift the tent onto your vehicle at some point. If you plan to do this often, even an extra 20 or 30 pounds can make a big difference.
4. Seasonal Suitability
Consider the type of weather you’ll be camping in. If you’re heading to a hot location like Moab in July, you won’t need the same type of tent as someone camping in cooler, wetter climates like the Cascades in April. Breathability is essential in high temperatures, so a thick canopy might not be ideal for hot days. For versatile use in various weather conditions, a 4-season model is recommended.
5. Installation Process
Installing a roof top tent can be more challenging than expected. Depending on the height of your vehicle and the weight of the tent, you may need help. Fortunately, many manufacturers provide detailed installation instructions. Make sure you’re prepared for the task, especially if your vehicle is tall or your tent is heavy.
6. Off-Season Storage
If your tent isn’t a permanent fixture on your vehicle, you’ll need a plan for storage during the off-season or between trips. Some hoist systems can store your tent suspended in a garage or storage facility. Ensure your hoist is designed for the tent’s weight, especially for long-term storage. If storing it on the floor, take precautions to protect it from damage.
7. Available Accessories
Some of the benefits of roof tents include quick set-up time, the ability to have a bird’s eye view of your surroundings (think glorious sunsets), protection from ground critters and you can't beat that stylish safari tent feel.
The main drawbacks someone switching from a ground tent to a roof tent might notice include the requirement of packing up each time you want to use your vehicle and needing to use a ladder (especially if you have a dog!). You’ll also need to find a tent which will fit onto your car unless you’re also looking to invest in a new set of wheels at the same time. Once you've chosen which tent to buy you'll need to have suitable roof bars installed on your car and ensure you're able to lift the tent on and off your car safely when needed.
TentBox is one of the most popular roof tent brands in the UK with a range of models available from the TentBox Lite that can be carried on a car as small as a Fiat Panda through to the Cargo for serious adventures. There is even a four-berth model – the TentBox Lite XL. All TentBox models are well constructed and ideal for those first making the switch to roof tents. Iain Geddes, one of the Club’s Technical Advisors reviews the TentBox Lite below.
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Italian brand Autohome has been making roof tents for over 60 years and has a large range of models to choose from. The brand has teamed up with car manufacturers, including Mini and Land Rover, to provide vehicle specific models so worth looking into if you own either of those.
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Born in the wilds of South Africa, Front Runner roof tents are built for rough terrain and are now part of the Dometic Outdoor stable. Its Roof Tent is one of the lightest, low profile units on the market today. Watch our review of the Front Runner Roof Tent below.
The company is the world’s best Car Top Tent Manufacturers supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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Founded in , Swedish brand Thule carries a strong passion for the outdoors in the design of its products. You’ll find a range of soft and hard shell roof tents on their website, with some sleeping up to four.
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With four decades of experience in the leisure industry, SkyPod are dedicated to providing innovation and quality. Check out our review of the SkyPod Lair roof tent below.
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4x4 enthusiasts, ARB, pride themselves on their innovative manufacturing techniques and their roof tents come from decades of experience of camping in the vigour of Australia’s camping wilderness. ARB Rooftop Tents are super strong, water resistant, and easy to mount.
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Priding themselves on versatility and simple installation, Somerset-based company, Latitude has three roof tents available with a range of accessories to help elevate your camping setup. Watch our review of the Latitude Pioneer roof tent below.
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Your car’s roof will have two weight limits – the static one (for when you’re on the campsite with people inside the tent) and the dynamic load limit (for when you’re on the road). The handbook should tell you whether your car can take your chosen roof tent.
Check out which roof bars or racks will be needed to fit your tent and don’t forget to include their weight in your calculations.
Will you need to keep the ladder in your car? Can you store gear in the roof tent while you’re travelling, and will this aid or hinder your packing away process?
The initial lift onto your vehicle can require a few strong people to get involved. How easy is the roof tent to pitch when you arrive at your campsite? Can you set the tent up on your own, and will you always have someone to help if not?
Roof tent manufacturers will often offer a range of add-ons and accessories to pair with your tent. A boot bag can be a useful addition to aid in keeping your tent clean and dry, while items like levellers for your car (for uneven ground) might be purchased elsewhere at a more reasonable price.
While generally more expensive and heavier than soft shell roof tents, hard shell tents can offer longevity and durability, especially in high winds and ease of set up.
Just as with ground tents, roof tents are built to stand strong against the UK’s varying weather. You’ll get the most wind protection from a hard shell roofbox tent, and full-coverage awnings on all windows and doors are ideal if you’re planning on camping year-round. However, you will always be more exposed in a roof tent so if very strong winds are forecast you may need to strike camp.
Are you interested in learning more about Fibreglass Roof Top Tents? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!