The purchase of a product as costly and technical as a rooftop tent is a bit of an overwhelming task. There’s an extensive list of aspects to take into consideration when buying these tents. Many people do not pay attention to some crucial points. If you make a hasty purchase, you may get an unsuitable tent for you and a rack that does not work with your vehicle, a tent that doesn’t work for your rack, or all of the above. The tents will arrive at your residence in huge freight trucks equipped with hydraulic lift gates. Therefore, returning one is quite the trouble. After years of trying out rooftop tents we’ve definitely learned this lesson in the most difficult way. It’s essential to take the time to research your options prior to purchasing a tent for your rooftop so that you don’t open a very costly and time-consuming can of worms. Keep reading to find the complete details of what it takes to get the best rooftop tent to save yourself from wasting any money or time.
Initial Ideas
The first thing to consider is the logistics involved in owning the rooftop tent, as they’re not suitable intended for all. Remember that you’ll need to go up and down a ladder before you go to sleep or get up at the end in the evening. Everything that will go inside your tent must be handed over to someone or taken down the stairs. If you have disabilities, injuries, or large pets A tent on the roof can be challenging or impossible to use. Be prepared to be leaning, crawling, and even stepping over your vehicle regularly as there’s no other way to avoid it. However, this doesn’t mean you will damage your vehicle by installing a tent for your roof however, it’s essential to be careful. Remember that they’re heavy and they require installation before you can think about installing. You’ll need the assistance of someone else to help with the process of installation. A few of the parts are much easier with two hands. However, certain models require power tools, and all weigh at minimum 90 pounds. The heavier versions that we’ve tested can weigh up to 160 pounds. It is better to set up the tent professionally.
I’m In. What’s Next?
When you’ve decided that you’re ready to invest in a rooftop tent isn’t a guarantee that you’re ready for one. Most vehicles are not designed to carry that much weight on the roof. It is essential to determine if your vehicle is rated to support the weight you are likely to have. It’s not just the weight of the tent but also the weight of your bedding, your gear, people and pets that you have to think about. If you overload your rooftop, then you may possibly damage your vehicle or cause injury to yourself or someone else.
The Rack
Any old rack is not suited for a rooftop tent The majority of racks aren’t rated to handle the weight. The crossbars you find on a variety of vehicles, trucks, and SUVs are only limited to a maximum of 100 pounds. There is no way to use other clamp-style rack systems from the market that hold onto your vehicle between the car door as well as the top. They place everything on just four roof points and will probably damage your car due to the weight of a roof tent. To secure a rooftop tent on the cab of your vehicle, you need to install a track system that distributes the weight across the length of the roof, as well as sturdy towers and crossbars rated to the right weight. If you’re planning on putting your tent on bed racks for trucks or on a trailer, it is important to examine the specifications of your equipment to ensure that they have a good enough rating for this much weight.
How to Choose a Specific Model
Once you’ve decided that you’re interested in a tent for your rooftop and that your car is able to manage it, and you’ve found the perfect rack You can start taking a look at the specs of the tent. Rooftop tents come in various dimensions and shapes, with a variety of features and prices.
Fold-out vs Pop-up
There are two kinds of tents for rooftops: softshells and hardshells. Softshell tents are less bulky when traveling, and come with the thickest covers made of rubber and Cordura covers when not being used. They unfold over the side or the back of your vehicle, and they generally take more time to convert from travel mode to camping mode and back. If you are planning to use the annexes, awnings, or rain fly to cover this kind of tent, prepare to put in another few minutes during camp setup and breakdown. In our experience, softshells require a certain amount of installation out of the box, which typically involves securing the tracks for mounting to the base of the tent and attaching the ladder. The majority of the time softshells are significantly more affordable than hardshells.
Pop-up hardshell tents look like massive fiberglass cargo boxes when they’re not in use. They extend either vertically or in an angle in the event of a campout. The ones that we’ve tested are fully constructed from the factory and require only one wrench for installation on your rack. Once it’s time to change this kind of tent from travel mode to camping mode, the majority tasks are performed through hydraulic pistons which open the tent like an open trunk on a modern hatchback car. When it comes time to fold the tent using the weight of the roof plus a small amount of your own body weight and gravity make the break-down process a breeze as well. The whole conversion process will take only a moment or two for setup or teardown. The upper portion of the shell can also serve as the tent’s roof, so there is no requirement for a rainfly. Hardshells typically cover an area that is larger over your vehicle than softshells do when in transport, however that footprint does not grow when you’re camping. This trait can be very advantageous if you’re camping inside the middle of a forest, or in the campground is packed. Hardshells are a bit more expensive than their soft-topped counterparts.
Weight
The weight of the tent can be a major issue in smaller cars and larger trucks and SUVs it’s likely to be to be a minor issue. Also, it is important to take into consideration that at some point, you’ll be lifting the tent off or onto from your car. Should this be something that you’re planning to do often and often, the extra 20 or 30 pounds can be a significant deciding element. But, with weight comes a greater toughness. If your tent is likely to see a lot of use, whether off-road, in festivals, or simply on a ton of road trips, then it might be worth the extra weight to purchase more robust models.
Seasons
It is important to think about the type of weather you’ll be camping in. If you’re heading to Moab in July may not need the same type of canopy that someone going towards the Cascades in April. Breathability is key in high temperatures, which is why a bigger canopy could make you feel hot during hot days. If you’re looking for a tent that can handle anything but still gives you plenty of airflow, then we suggest you choose a model that is four seasons. All of the softshell tents we’ve tested have a movable rainfly. But with seams taped and waterproof canopies, the 4-season models do not require one for lighter rain. Softshell models don’t require rainfly at all because the shell that encloses the tent when it’s in traveling mode transforms into the tent’s roof during camping mode.
Ladders
There are two kinds of ladders that are suitable for rooftop tents that are telescoping and sliding. Telescoping ladders are more adaptable, whereas sliding ladders are sturdier. If you’re comfortable drilling into the side of a sliding ladder in order to give yourself different height options the tents that are available with this kind of ladder tend to be less expensive.
Security and Privacy
Many people don’t have garages, and sometimes it’s necessary to leave your car at the trailhead or in a parking lot for extended periods. If that’s the case, getting a tent that locks to your rack is wise. For privacy in a roof-top tent you’re open to scrutiny in various ways. But, some tents feature large awnings or annexes that can give you a private place to change and shower or take a break at a packed campsite or festival.
Mounting System
The mounting system included with your tent is extremely important based on your vehicle, your rack, as well as the type of use you’re planning. If you’re going to remove the tent out of your vehicle regularly the tool-free option could be the right choice. It’s important to keep in mind that tool-free systems could be restricted to the distance and width of the racks and crossbars they fit. To have a long-lasting, more customizable mounting system we recommend using a tent that has normal trackmounts.
Accessories
When you’re car camping it is important to have all the amenities you can get and there are many different accessories to use with rooftop tents. There are shelves built into the interior and LED lights, as well as boot bags, mattresses with deluxe and canopies that are interchangeable. If you’re the type that likes to have all of those bells and whistles then you must choose a tent that has all the options. Remember that certain tents include extra accessories, while others cost you an arm and arm to add an upgrade.
Style
For a lot of people, fashion is everything. After all, it feels good to look good and stand out. On the other hand most people don’t really care about what a tent’s style is so long as it’s performing its job. Certain brands offer a multitude of styles and colors, while others only provide a general alternative. If you’re not afraid to sacrifice a bit of style for practicality, you could save money by opting for a less popular or colorful model.
Conclusion
Buying the right rooftop tent for your needs can be the difference between a successful and a bad camping experience. It’s essential to take your time reviewing every aspect that you can so that you don’t come up with something that isn’t suitable for you or breaks down. Look back through our comprehensive review of the rooftop tent and individual product reviews for a better understanding of what you want. Make sure you be careful and thoughtful when making your purchase in order to save yourself time and money as well as frustration.