Why Buy a Rooftop Tent?
Roof top tents pack neatly onto your car’s roof or truck’s bed and usually come with a built-in mattress, saving you a lot of gear. They’re also a good choice for overlanding because they offer a lot of room and can accommodate cargo like a camp stove, camping chairs, or a solar panel.
Size
Roof top tents come in a variety of sizes, from ultra-minimalist two-person designs to massive, four-season shelters that can accommodate up to six people. You’ll want to consider your specific camping needs, such as whether you prefer a soft shell or hard shell, how many people will be sleeping in the tent, and how often you plan on using it.
The size of a roof top tent also affects how much space it will take up on your vehicle’s roof rack. You’ll need to have enough room for the tent, the mounting tools (roof racks and crossbars), and any other gear you might be carrying.
You should also consider whether you’ll need to pack the tent in a backpack or use a carrying case when you’re not in use. If you’re planning to carry it in a backpack, you’ll need a larger, heavier tent.
Some hardshell rooftop tents can be adapted for external storage, meaning you can attach gear directly to the top of the tent without having to remove it when you’re ready to set up. Thule’s Foothill, for example, packs up to 24 inches wide and leaves about half of your roof available for standard mounting racks and gear.
If you’re looking for a roof top tent that won’t take up too much space on your vehicle, the Thule Foothill is one of the best options out there. This tent is made from a waterproof, heavy-duty polyethylene and comes with mounting accessories for standard roof racks.
It’s also worth noting that Thule’s Foothill is a great option for campers who need to transport large cargo, like bikes, surfboards, or kayaks. The iKamper X-Cover and Blue Dot Voyager are a few others that can accommodate external gear on top of the tent, but the Foothill is the first we know of to leave a space for standard racks.
James Baroud’s offerings are also a cut above the rest in terms of comfort, stability, and bombproof weather protection. They include features such as a solar-powered ventilation fan, gas-strut assisted opening, and LED lighting. We highly recommend checking out their base models if you’re in the market for a new roof top tent.
Weight
There are a few important things to consider when choosing a rooftop tent. One of the most important is weight. Rooftop tents are generally made with heavier, more durable materials than ground tents. This makes them more durable and able to handle rough use. It also helps ensure that they last longer.
Another thing to keep in mind is how much your vehicle’s roof rack can handle. electrical winch You’ll want to make sure that you purchase a rooftop tent that can be loaded with enough weight so that it doesn’t damage your rack or your car. This is called the “dynamic weight capacity” and it’s a specification that you’ll need to check both your vehicle owner’s manual and your rack system’s owner’s manual to verify.
If you’re looking for a lightweight rooftop tent, you may want to consider a softshell model. These tents are typically less expensive and can be set up more quickly than hardshell models. However, they don’t provide the same level of protection from the elements as hardshells do.
The average rooftop tent weighs between 100 and 220 lbs. This is a lot of weight that can be difficult to lift alone, so it’s best to have a friend or partner help you with this process.
This is why it’s important to get a rooftop tent that can be easily lifted and loaded onto your car’s roof rack. It also means that you’ll need to make sure that the tent can be taken down again.
Some people have rigged up hoist or lift systems to help with this process. These systems often use pulleys or a winch to make it easier for you to lift the tent.
Aside from the extra weight, rooftop tents also have a higher center of gravity that can be a safety hazard. This can make it harder to control your vehicle on uneven terrain or when driving on steep hills.
In addition, a rooftop tent can significantly decrease your gas mileage. This can vary depending on the size and style of your vehicle. Smaller cars and trucks will likely see a greater impact than large boxy vehicles.
Durability
If you’re an overlanding enthusiast or a camper that likes to set up camp close to your vehicle, a roof top tent is a great option for you. They’re incredibly easy to assemble and are a convenient upgrade to your camping setup. They’re also highly durable and a good choice for those who need to store their gear in a place that’s out of the elements.
These tents are made from coated denier canvas that is waterproof, UV- and mold-resistant. They’re also constructed with heavy-duty aluminum support structures that make them super sturdy. In addition, they often come with a high-density foam mattress for a comfortable night’s sleep. Some models also include a sky view window in the roof for extra light during the day and a relaxing view of the stars at night.
Despite their excellent build quality, roof top tents aren’t immune to wear and tear, especially in travel mode. You’ll want to be sure you take care of them by propping them up regularly to let them air out and storing them in a dry area after each use.
Some roof top tents also have awnings and annexes to provide additional electrical winch shelter from the sun or rain. They’re also useful for storing cooking gear, water bottles, and other things you wouldn’t want to put inside your vehicle.
Soft shell rooftop tents are the most common type and typically fold in half to expand their canopy as you open them. This is a convenient way to get into your tent quickly and efficiently when it’s time to sleep.
They are easy to assemble and install. This metric was given a perfect score by the Roofnest Sparrow EYE and Roofnest Falcon 2.
The two hardshell models we tested, the Thule Approach and James Baroud Evasion, were difficult to assemble and install, but they’re built for overlanding and are tough enough to withstand rough conditions. They do require at least one strong person to lift them up onto your rack, so be sure you have a partner ready for any long trips.
Comfort
Roof top tents offer a higher sleeping platform than standard ground tents, allowing campers to sleep comfortably without being at risk of insects or other creatures (snakes, for example) that may be in the area. They also have a built-in mattress that stays in place when you pack the tent up, saving you from the hassle of bringing an air bed or thin sleeping pad to camp with you.
Most rooftop tents are made with waterproof, breathable fabrics that help keep you dry and comfortable. Many also come with features such as mosquito nets and awnings that can further improve comfort levels.
In addition to these features, many tents also include a number of other accessories that can improve the camping experience. These can range from a solar-powered ventilation fan to a storage compartment or even an insulated inner tent.
Another important factor when shopping for a rooftop tent is how much interior space it offers. While most hardshell tents feature pop-up or clamshell designs that limit sleeping space to the size of their footprint, premium fold-out designs like the Condor XL increase sleeping capacity significantly.
The Condor XL also includes a comfortable and spacious interior, with enough room to fit a queen-size sleeping bag or blanket (along with several pillows, sleeping bags, and more). Its 93 x 74 inches of floor space is larger than a king-size bed, and the mattress is one of the most comfortable we’ve ever used in a tent.
Other notable features include a cargo net to hold gear in place when the tent is packed up, D-rings and guylines for attaching gear or securing the tent in squalls, and clear vinyl “skylights” in the fly that let light in in the event of rainy conditions.
If you’re a solo or couples traveler and want the convenience of a roof top tent without paying the premium price tag, the Condor XL is an excellent choice. It’s easy to set up (setup time is only 30 seconds) and offers plenty of room for sleeping, with a comfortable 3-inch-thick memory foam mattress that is one of the best we’ve tested in a roof top tent. It also has a storage pocket, LED lights that can be powered by USB, and a solar-powered fan to keep the tent cool and ventilated.