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How to Choose a Rooftop Tent

The purchase of a product as costly and complex as a roof tent can be an overwhelming task. There’s a lot of things to think about when buying these tents, and a lot of consumers overlook crucial aspects. If you rush to make a purchase, you may get an unsuitable tent for you or a rack that doesn’t fit in your car or a tent that doesn’t fit on your rack, or any of the above. The tents arrive at your home in huge freight trucks equipped with hydraulic lift gates, and returning them is a hassle. After many years of testing tents for rooftops, we’ve learned this lesson by trial and error. It’s essential to conduct the proper research prior to buying a rooftop tent to ensure that you don’t get caught in an expensive and lengthy pot of worms. Read on for an in-depth look at the steps to take to find the ideal rooftop tent and avoid wasting money or time.

Initial Discussions

The first thing to think about is the practicalities of having the rooftop tent, as they’re not suitable ideal for all. Be aware that you will need to go up and down a ladder in order to rest or get up at the end in the evening. Everything that goes inside your tent must be given to someone else or carried to the top of the ladder. For those with disabilities, injuries or pets that are large the rooftop tent could be difficult or even impossible to use. Be prepared to be leaning, crawling, and walking all over your vehicle frequently since there’s no escape from it. It doesn’t mean you’ll damage your vehicle by installing an outdoor tent on the roof however it’s important to be aware. Be aware that these tents are heavy and that a lot of models need assembly before you even consider installation. You’ll require the help of an accomplice to complete the process of installation. Certain parts of the assembly are simpler with two hands. However, some models need power tools, and all weigh at minimum 90 pounds. The larger models we’ve tested have a weight of 160 pounds. In some cases, it’s better to set up the tent professionally.

I’m In. What’s Next?

If you’ve decided to buy a tent for your roof but that doesn’t mean you’re in the right place to purchase one. The majority of vehicles aren’t designed to support that weight on their roofs. It is important to know if your vehicle is designed to withstand the weight you are likely to have. It’s not only the weight of your tent, but also your bedding, equipment, people and pets that you must consider. If you overfill the roof of your tent, it may possibly damage your vehicle or hurt yourself or someone else.

The Rack

A rack that is old and worn out is not suitable for a roof tent Most racks aren’t rated to handle the weight. The crossbars you find on a lot of cars, trucks and SUVs are capable of supporting up to 100 pounds. It is not recommended to use racks that are made by an aftermarket manufacturer and attach to the vehicle between the door of the vehicle as well as the top. They place everything on just four roof points and most likely harm your vehicle with all the pressure of a roof tent. To secure a rooftop tent on the cab of your car, you’ll need to install an appropriate track system that spreads the weight across all the way down the entire roof, including towers that are strong, and crossbars that are rated to the appropriate weight. If you plan to put your tent on bed racks for trucks or on a trailer make sure you examine the specifications of the products you are considering to ensure that they are rated with a high enough rating to support this kind of weight.

How do you choose a specific Model

After you’ve determined that you’d like to have a rooftop tent and that your vehicle is able to handle it, and you’ve found the perfect rack for the job then you can begin exploring tent specifications. Rooftop tents are available in a variety of sizes and shapes with a range of options and costs.

Fold-out vs. Pop-up

There are two kinds of tents for rooftops that are softshells and hardshells. Softshell tents are smaller when traveling, and come with large and durable rubber, or Cordura covers for when they’re not being used. They fold on the sides or rear of your vehicle and generally require more time to switch from camping mode to travel mode and to back. If you plan to use the annexes, awnings, or rain fly to cover this kind of tent, you’ll need to take an additional couple of minutes for camp setup and tear down. According to our experience, softshells usually require assembly from the box, which typically involves securing the tracks for mounting to the base of the tent and connecting the ladder. In general softshells are significantly cheaper than hardshells.

Pop-up tents made of hardshell look like huge fiberglass cargo boxes when not in use. They extend either vertically or in an angle when you’re ready to camp. The ones that we’ve tested are fully constructed from the factory and require only one wrench to be attached to the rack. When the time comes to convert the type of tent from a travel mode into camping mode, the majority of the work is performed by hydraulic pistons that allow you to open the tent in the same way as an open trunk on a modern-day hatchback. When it comes time to fold the tent and down, the weight of the roof along with some of your own body weight and gravity makes the process of dismantling it a breeze and fast. The whole process of conversion takes less than a minute or two to set up or teardown. The top half of the shell doubles as the tent’s roof and there’s no requirement for a rainfly. The majority of hardshells cover more space over the vehicle than softshells when they are in transit, however the footprint doesn’t expand while you’re on the camping trail. This can be useful if you’re camping in an area with a lot of trees or an area that is crowded. Hardshells can be a little more expensive than soft-topped counterparts.

Weight

The tent’s weight can be an issue for those with smaller vehicles but for those with bigger SUVs and trucks it’s likely to be to be less of an issue. It is also crucial to remember that eventually, you’ll be lifting the tent on or off from your car. In the event that this’s something that you are likely to do frequently the additional 20 or 30 pounds could be a major deciding aspect. But, with weight comes a greater strength. In the event that your camping tent likely to see a lot of usage, whether on the road, during festivals, or simply many road trips, then it could be worth the extra weight to purchase an extra-large model.
Seasons

It is crucial to think about the kind of weather you’ll be camping in. Someone who is heading towards Moab in July may not require the same kind of canopy as someone heading towards the Cascades in April. The ability to breathe is crucial in hot temperatures, and a more substantial canopy could make you feel hot during hot days. However, if you’re looking for a tent that can withstand any weather conditions but provides adequate airflow, we’d suggest you opt for a four-season model. The tents that we tried have a removable rainfly, however with seams taped and waterproof canopies, the models with four seasons do not require one for lighter rain. The models made of hardshell don’t require a rainfly because the shell that covers the tent when it’s in traveling mode transforms into the tent’s roof when it’s in camping mode.

Ladders

There are two kinds of ladders suitable for roof tents that are telescoping and sliding. Telescoping ladders are more flexible, while sliding ladders are more durable. If you’re not afraid of drilling into the sliding ladder to provide yourself with a few additional options in height the tents that are available with this type of ladder are typically less expensive.

Security and Privacy

There aren’t many people with garages or garage, so it’s sometimes necessary to park your car at the trailhead or in a parking lot for long periods. If that’s the case you should consider a tent that can be secured to your rack is a good idea. In terms of privacy when you’re in a tent on the roof you’re vulnerable to the eye of others in a variety of ways. However, certain tents have large awnings as well as annexes that provide you with an area to unwind or shower, or just relax at a busy camping site or at a festival.

Mounting System

The system for mounting that comes with your tent could be crucial based on the vehicle you drive, your rack, and the kind of usage you’ve planned. If you’ll take the tent off of your vehicle frequently then a system that doesn’t require tools could be a good option. It’s important to remember that these systems may be restricted in the dimensions and spacing of the racks and crossbars they can fit. If you want a longer-lasting, more flexible mounting system, we suggest you use an awning that comes with traditional track mounting.

Accessories

If you’re camping in the car you’ll want all the amenities you can get There are a variety of accessories for tents with roofs. There are shelves inside as well as LED lights, boot bags, mattresses with deluxe and canopies that are interchangeable. If you’re someone who wants all these bells and whistles, then you must choose one that offers all of the choices. Be aware that certain tents include accessories, while others cost you an arm and arm to add an upgrade.

Style

For a lot of people, fashion is all that matters. It’s nice to be stylish and make a statement. However many people do not care about what the tent’s design is as long as it is doing its job. Certain brands provide a variety of styles and colors, and some offer a basic choice. If you’re willing to sacrifice some style to gain practicality, you could save money by choosing an unpopular or less colorful model.

Conclusion

The right roof tent for you could be the difference between a successful and a bad camping experience. It’s important to take the time to research every aspect you can to ensure that you don’t end in a situation where something isn’t suitable for you or breaks down. Take a look at our extensive review of the rooftop tent and individual reviews of each product to get a better understanding of what you’re looking for. Make sure you take your time when making a purchase to avoid time and money as well as frustration.