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.
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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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Rooftop tents are the best “pack up and go” tents around. You can set them up quickly and easily, camp wherever you can park, and they’re comfortable and durable. Read on to find out more about the benefits of a rooftop tent.
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Rooftop tents are an excellent choice for our climate and terrain. Built for ease of use, mobility and durability, they also enable you to camp almost anywhere as you don’t need perfectly level or smooth ground to camp. Designed for solo travellers, couples and up to four people (depending on which style you choose), they’re ideal if you’re time poor – meaning you can set off after work on a Friday and it doesn’t matter if you arrive after dark, you’ll still be able to set up quickly and easily. They’re also perfect for long overland trips where you’ll cover a lot of ground and don’t want to lose a lot of time to set up and pack down camp each day.
Rooftop tents are designed to mount on your roof rack and most come with a comfortable mattress and a ladder to help you climb up to your bed (in most instances you’ll be sleeping around 2m off the ground). There are three types:
Hard top rooftop tents have a rigid ceiling and floor made from hard materials such as fibreglass, plastic, or aluminium. The walls are made from softer yet still extremely durable materials like canvas or nylon. The majority of rooftop tent hard shells open with a hinge or pop straight up in a box shape with the assistance of gas struts, making set up extremely easy and fast, as well as easily manageable in poor light. With a footprint covering your vehicle's roof area, these tents are compact.
These are the most durable types of rooftop tent as the materials used are more weather resistant. They’re also the easiest to set up. However, with convenience comes a higher price tag and the smaller footprint, so they are best suited to for one or two people.
Soft shell rooftop tents open up like a pop-up book using a series of hinged poles. The tent body is made from a waterproof soft material such as nylon or canvas and attached to a rigid, hinged platform with a ladder so you can climb up and down. This type of rooftop tent can handle up to four people depending on the configuration and additional annexes, and takes a little longer to set up, but still less time than the average ground tent set up. Some soft shells also come with optional annexes, allowing you to create an extra room underneath your rooftop tent.
A hybrid rooftop tent has a hard shell when packed down and walls made of fabric like a hard shell rooftop tent. Hybrids benefit from the sturdier construction and roof top storage of the hard shell, plus the smaller pack down size. They also include a fold out tent section giving you the extra sleeping space of a soft shell. Some hybrids offer optional annexes, allowing you to create an additional room underneath your tent.
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