Although rooftop tents are rapidly becoming mainstream camping gear, to some people, there still are many mysteries concerning how this essential gear works. Some popular questions people are concerned about are how to choose a rooftop tent or even what type of tent to choose.
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In this article, we will address popular rooftop tent questions to help you make the most of rooftop tents.
Rooftop Tent Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Rooftop tents have grown to be an integral part of camping as more and more people make the switch from regular traditional tents to these more modern options. In fact, ever since rooftop tents entered the market a few years ago, their demand has continued to increase, and the market has gone nowhere but up.
And for great reasons too!
Investing in a rooftop tent is an excellent option when you are constantly in pursuit of one outdoor activity or the other. It is a great way to make your camping or overlanding trips more convenient while enjoying the luxury many other ground texts do not offer.
Rooftop tents are rapidly gaining popularity, but many people still have many questions that fuel their skepticism about switching from traditional tents to rooftop tents. If you are among the many people who have questions about rooftop tents, we are here to help!
Below, we have compiled a list of possible questions you might have and detailed answers to these questions.
Your rooftop tent is your home away from home and should be made as comfortable as possible. Some easy ways you can do this include:
Invest in a high-quality waterproof mattress
Buying absorbent sheets and connection mats to keep wetness out
Buy comfortable pillows
Buy a rooftop tent in the correct size
Bring a ground mat with you on camping trips to keep the mud out of your tent
Light up your tent with power-saving LED lights
Keep your tent cool with a cooling fan
Use mosquito nets for protection.
2. How much does a rooftop tent weigh?
A rooftop tent’s weight depends on the materials it is made out of and its size. Generally, rooftop tents weigh between 100-200lbs.
A rooftop tent’s weight capacity varies with the type of tent. On average, rooftop tents can hold 200 lbs per occupant.
For example, the Tuff Stuff Alpha II Hard Top two-person tent has a weight capacity of 800 lbs, while the Tuff Stuff Ranger three-person tent also holds 800 lbs.
There are many advantages of rooftop tents, and one essential one is the ease of camping anywhere.
You can camp anywhere your vehicle goes! It doesn't matter if you find yourself in the desert or on a grassy plain, as long as you find a safe and legal place to park your vehicle, you can use your rooftop tent.
An uneven rooftop tent can be very uncomfortable and frustrating. To make the most out of your text and enjoy a comfortable night's rest, you need to level your RTT. To do this:
Choose a flat place to park your vehicle. If camping uphill, find an area with only a slight incline to pitch your tent.
Level your vehicle, not just your tent
Use leveling blocks if necessary. Use rocks if you don't have blocks
Position your rooftop tent ladder toward a hill
6. How do I keep a rooftop tent warm?
A chilly tent is uncomfortable. However, sometimes it can not be avoided, especially when camping in the winter.
To keep your rooftop tent warm:
Use insulation
Invest in electric blankets
Use a portable heater
Buy an insulating mattress
Use diesel-powered heat exchangers (
you can also create your diesel heater
!)
Rooftop tents are camping gear fitted to, you guessed right- the roof of a camping vehicle. However, some rooftop tents are also fitted to the bed of a motor vehicle.
Rooftop tents were designed to offer shelter like regular camping tents but in a more convenient, comfortable, and safer structure. With standard tents, your tent is on the ground, but with rooftop tents, your shelter is atop your vehicle.
There are many reasons people choose to switch their traditional camping tents to rooftop tents. Although rooftop tents are generally more expensive than conventional tents, they offer more game-changing benefits that many campers find essential to their outdoorsy lifestyle.
Some of these benefits are:
Easy set-up and pull-down
Ease of mobility as you can camp wherever you go with your vehicle
You can make the most of your vehicle space with your rooftop tent installed on top of your car.
Many rooftop tents are made of more durable materials (like
aluminum
) than some traditional tents.
Better sleep off the ground, you do not have to deal with rocks poking into your back as you sleep, water pooling in your tent as it rains, or mud splashing all over your tent.
They offer a vantage point of the ground which keeps you out of reach of animals like snakes creeping into the camping area.
When appropriately installed, rooftop tents do not pose a risk to a vehicle’s roof.
Rooftop tents are installed using roof racks or rooftop bars. The tent is not placed directly on the roof of the vehicle.
Of course, rooftop tents are heavy, so your concerns are valid. However, if you stick to your vehicle’s and roof rack’s weight limit, you should have no problem using a rooftop tent.
Although a vehicle’s weight limit is an overlooked feature, it is one of the many important factors to consider when installing a rooftop tent. Your vehicle’s weight limit determines how safe it will be to install a rooftop with a certain weight.
Your vehicle’s weight limit is categorized into static and dynamic weight. Static weight is your vehicle’s weight capacity when it is immobile. It is how much weight your vehicle can support when it is not moving.
The static weight capacity is often at least three times the dynamic weight capacity. To know if your rooftop tent is suitable for your vehicle, ensure that the tent’s weight and your weight is less than the static capacity figure.
For example, many SUVs have a static weight capacity of more than 1000 pounds. If your rooftop tent weighs 250 pounds, you must ensure that the combined weight of you and your camping company- and your camping gear- is less than 600 pounds.
On the other hand, dynamic weight capacity is how much weight your vehicle can support when in motion. Your rooftop tent’s weight should not exceed this weight limit.
You can find your vehicle’s weight limit by talking to your dealer or checking your manual. Either way, you must factor these numbers into your rooftop tent needs.
No! You should never purchase a roof rack for your rooftop tent without ensuring it has the correct specifications.
Some vehicles come factory-equipped with roof racks pre-installed. You might think you do not need to purchase another roof rack, but this isn’t the case. Pre-installed roof racks are not strong enough to support rooftop tents.
So, what roof racks should you buy?
There are different types of roof racks with other specifications. The roof rack you should buy depends on your vehicle type and rooftop tent requirement.
Many rooftop tent manufacturers often detail the best rack fit for their different rooftop tents, so this should not be a problem. They usually offer a guide so you know the correct roof rack weight limit, material type, length, and breadth is perfect for you.
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Yes, your pet can sleep in a rooftop tent! Many rooftop tents are animal friendly and are comfortable for human and pet campers.
All you need to do is find a rooftop tent that will hold you and your pet(s) comfortably and probably invest in a rooftop tent ramp to help your pet get up and down the tent quickly.
Many people wonder what to do with their tents when taking a break from outdoor activities. While some people prefer to leave their rooftop tent installed on their camping vehicle, we do not recommend doing this. Like regular camping tents, rooftop tents need to be stored properly to ensure it retains their durability and is in an excellent state for your subsequent camping trips.
One common misconception that people have about storing rooftop tents is they can leave them lying on the floor. However, this is not a practical option, as even if the floor is dry, small amounts of moisture can still find their way into your rooftop tent. This poses a high risk of degradation and can damage your tent.
So what are the best ways?
Flat on the garage floor: Instead of placing the tent directly on the floor, create a wooden platform and set the tent on it. Remember to store the tent and accessories in an airtight bag or thick blankets.
Lean it against a wall: this option is best if you do not have enough garage floor space. Create a stable platform along the bottom of the tent. Place the tent’s base on the wall and lean the top part against the wall. For added security, use ties to support the rooftop tent to the wall.
On the ceiling: Using a pulley system, you can store your rooftop tent overhead. This method saves space but will require more effort and financial investment than previous options.
Use a cart: Do you have a cart-like structure that your roof-top tent will fit in? Try storing your tent in it!
Rooftop tents are long-term investments which is why you should buy a rooftop tent that will serve you for years. This means you should take in several factors, like the tent size.
There are one-person, two-person, and even five-person rooftop tents with varying weight capacities. When choosing the size to buy, you should consider if you will be camping alone or will have companions with you. If you are not sure, you can “size up”! After all, it's better to be stuck with a bigger rooftop tent than a small one.
Maintaining a rooftop tent is easy. Ensure you never store it wet, and remember to clean out all dirt on or in it.
To clean your rooftop tent, remove all your sleeping gear. Clean the tent’s floor or base and air out the tent. Depending on how often you use the tent, deep clean your RTT to eliminate build-up. Remember to let it dry properly before putting it in storage.
Any car owner’s primary concern about installing a rooftop tent is how it affects mileage. After all, an object that is bulky on the roof of a vehicle is bound to create a drag effect.
A study shows that even roof racks impact fuel consumption. So, will rooftop tents do the same?
The short answer to this question is yes. Yes, installing a rooftop tent will affect your vehicle’s mileage. However, there is no specific formula you can use to calculate how much change in mileage occurs. To make it easier, we have provided all you need to know about how much rooftop tents affect gas mileage in this detailed article.
No, it doesn't. Installing a rooftop tent does not affect the overall performance of your vehicle when it comes to speed. However, it would help if you kept in mind that this depends on your vehicle’s capacity. It is also important to remember that going too fast while a rooftop tent is attached to the roof of your car will decrease your mileage.
There are so many vehicles out there, so it can get confusing trying to figure out if a rooftop tent can fit on your car. As an unspoken rule of thumb, RTTs are more commonly seen on SUVs and trucks. However, theoretically, any vehicle with a dynamic weight capacity of over 165 pounds and can fit the necessary roof racks can hold a rooftop tent. Regardless, rooftop tents are more commonly seen on off-road capable vehicles.
Both types of rooftop tents are great options. However, it would help if you considered your needs before choosing one.
Hard-shell rooftop tents are more compact and have smaller weight capacities. However, they are also more aerodynamic, durable, and easy to set up.
On the other hand, soft-shell rooftop tents are usually bigger but less aerodynamic and more challenging to set up.
Weigh your options and see which rooftop tent type best suits your lifestyle!
Rooftop tents are more durable than regular ground tents. When well maintained, you should be able to enjoy using your RTT for at least five and as much as ten years.
Unless you are camping in the winter, it is not advisable to leave your rooftop tent installed on the roof of your vehicle. Leaving your rooftop tent installed on your cars throughout the cold months can cause moisture to seep in. This moisture can be challenging to expel during the winter and damage your RTT.
Additionally, unless you plan to abandon your vehicle with the RTT installed, there is no point driving around with the tent installed. This will decrease your mileage.
No, you should not. This can damage your rooftop tent.
Rooftop Tents are the New Way
Although rooftop tents are growing increasingly popular, they are still relatively new to the camping scene. As a camper used to ground tents, it is normal to be skeptical about making the switch to rooftop tents.
However, ever since it became a mainstream camping gear, rooftop tents have offered nothing but benefits. Rooftop tents have consistently proven to be better options than regular rents.
To help you make the easier choice, we have provided an answer to all the questions you possibly have. With this article, we hope you are finally confident in the knowledge you have of rooftop tents.
In a nutshell, roof top tents are compact tents that are mounted on top of your vehicle with the help of a roof rack or cross bars and they work by functioning as compact packages than can be unfolded, raised, pitched through a bit of handy work or a mechanism in some cases, in order to offer you an insulated living space atop your vehicle when you’re camping.
Roof top tents have become extremely popular, as they offer multiple benefits, such as extra comfort in all weather conditions, freedom to camp almost anywhere, affordability compared to RVs & campers, increased safety / security and the opportunity for amazing sightseeing by being an awesome vantage point atop your vehicle.
If that’s a bit vague or superficial, then let’s go over all the details on how roof top tents work (including what they are and the various types of RTTs you can buy), from how they’re supported / mounted on your vehicle, how they’re pitched (or opened, unfolded, unpacked, depending on what terminology you prefer), how avid campers use them and then move on to some useful tips to consider when buying a roof top tent.
Definition: a roof top tent is a tent specifically designed and manufactured to be mounted on top of vehicles, with the help of specific cross bars or roof racks. Roof top tents must be closed or folded, depending on their style, while the vehicle is driven and they must be unfolded / unpacked / opened for actual use in a campsite. Roof top tents are now a very popular overlanding and camping habitat, as they are more affordable than RVs and camper vans and more expensive, yet more feature-packed, than classic ground tents.
» Read More: What are roof top tents?
The vast majority of roof top tents fall into the soft shell or hard shell roof top tent categories. A third type would be the inflatable roof top tent, but it’s not exactly a popular solution. Pop-top or pop-up camper tents are a separate type of roof top tent that is integrated into the vehicle. As far as sizes go, roof top tents are classified into 1-2, 3-4 and 5 person roof top tents, with the option of expanding living space with an annex and usable space with awnings.
If you want to learn more about the types of roof top tents and the differences between them, we recommend our separate post on the topic.
» Read More: Types of roof top tents
First thing’s first: roof top tents are designed as “collapsible” (in the case of hard shell tents), “foldable” (in the case of soft shell tents), or “deflatable” (in the case of inflatable tents) tent packages and, for the sake of brevity, they simply fold-out or pop-up to become your new living space in nature.
Roof top tents are attached through a combination of slide / mount plates, nuts and bolts to roof racks or cross bars that can support the weight of the roof top tent and its inhabitants. Mounting solutions can vary slightly from tent to tent, but all tents come with the required accessories to be attached to a roof rack system.
» Read More: How do roof top tents attach?
Generally, no, roof top tents are not too heavy. They are light enough to be supported by most roof racks and most vehicles’ roofs, without risking any damage or issues while driving. There are cases where a roof top tent might be too heavy for a specific vehicle or roof rack, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure that won’t be an issue in your case.
» Read More: Are roof top tents too heavy?
Yes, for any roof top that that you plan on mounting to your vehicle, a roof rack (or cross bars) is required to be able to do so. Furthermore, you need to ensure that the roof rack you’re mounting your tent on is designed to support the static and dynamic load of the roof top tent in order to drive safely and use the tent without potentially damaging your car.
» Read More: Do I need a roof rack for a roof top tent?
You’re a couple of searches and a simple calculation away from figuring out if your car can handle a roof top tent safely and without risking any damage during actual usage. In most cases, if you own an SUV, Jeep, van or truck, you’re good to go, whilst sedans, hatchbacks, coupes are almost never a safe fit for a roof top tent. On top of that, you can pretty much rule out putting a roof top tent on any vehicle with a rooftop load limit under 165 lbs.
But let’s jump to the steps you should take to be absolutely sure you can buy, install and safely drive with a roof top tent.
» Read More: How do you know if your car can handle a roof top tent?
While a roof rack is the only mandatory accessory you need for a roof top tent, you might want to consider a matching awning and a compatible annex room to make the most out of your camping / overlanding trip. Most if not all roof top tents come with the necessary retractable ladder and a high quality mattress. Additionally, there are some extremely useful accessories such as a condensation mat (if not included in your RTT of your) and more that you may want to consider for a great camping experience.
» Read More: What roof top tent accessories do I need?
Roof top tents are made from a surprising amount of different materials, mainly centered around aluminum, steel, custom alloys for the frame and combinations of poly-cotton, cotton, polyester, nylon and more for the canvas. Additionally, you’ll see a lot of fiberglass used for hard shells and baseboards due to its low weight and durability.
» Read More: What are roof top tents made of?
Of course, this all raises a series of other questions regarding the features, functions, materials, accessories and specifications of roof top tents and we’re more than happy to get into all of them in our Ultimate Guide to Roof Top Tents.
All reputable roof top tents come with all the accessories (in terms of brackets, tracks, nuts, bolts, clasps etc.) you need to properly mount your roof top tent to your roof rack and almost all of them have an included retractable ladder that’s also easy to install. Depending on the tent, though, you may need a friend to help you lift it and position it properly during the installation process.
Installation rarely takes more than an hour if you know your way around a screwdriver or if you have a handy friend nearby. Here’s an example of the installation process for a ROAM tent:
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Disclaimer: You should avoid any sort of improvisations or following any other installation guidelines other than the manufacturer’s recommended installation process. We’re going to quote the installation manual of one reputable roof top tent manufacturer: “Improper installation or use of your roof top tent may result in serious injury or death.”
There simply isn’t an absolute best roof top tent that will make every camper a happy camper, but there are ways to figure out what RTT makes the most sense for your budget, preferences and adventures.
From brand reputation, materials used, insulation level and ease of setup to the availability of various complementary accessories such as annex rooms and awnings, there are quite a few things that matter when purchasing a roof top tent. We go through at least 21 factors when ranking a specific roof top tent and our list can help you understand and identify the factors that matter most to you.
» Read More: Important Roof Top Tent Features?
Choosing the right roof top tent can be broken down into the following steps to ensure you get the most out of your budget:
As we love over-analyzing any purchase decision, we recommend reading further so you can make your own check list of priorities in terms of features and accessories for your ideal roof top tent.
» Read More: How to choose a roof top tent
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