There's no denying that rooftop tents are gaining popularity. Instagram is filled full of images of camp fires, 4x4s with rooftop tents and twinkle lights on top selling the idea that you can turn your car into a travel haven on the weekends for a fraction of the price of a van, or air bnb. I've owned a rooftop tent for some time now. I've camped in the depths of winter, summer, in wild spots and in campgrounds. Throughout the time we have had the tentbox, I have received a fair amount of messages asking questions about owning one, logistics etc so I have put together a useful guide in order to help others make a decision on whether or not a rooftop tent is for them.
In this blog post, I provide you with the my ultimate guide to owning a rooftop tent, including the highs, lows, tips tricks and hacks that you will need to decide if it's the right decision for you- and if you do have one? Use this as a one stop shop for tips and ideas.
Contents: Benefits
Benefits
I'll start off with the benefits to rooftop tent camping, and some of the key reasons I love it.
Quick installation - This was one of the main reasons I went for a rooftop tent to begin with. On a Friday night, after work there is nothing more convenient than jumping in your car and hitting the road with your rooftop pre installed on your car. One of the key benefits to this over a traditional tent, is it takes under 5 minutes to pop up and get your stuff in the tent once you reach your destination, which means more time in front of a campfire with a hot chocolate and less time in the dark trying to navigate tent poles.
Elevated floor means you're well insulated. It's pretty simple- you're elevated off the ground, which means you're not directly on top of anything wet and cold. This has served me particularly well in the depths of winter when we've camped in snow, gale force winds and torrential rain. I've always remained dry and comfortable. Tentbox (the brand of rooftop tent I use) are extremely comfy, warm and keep out all weather.
Comfy built in mattress which means less packing things like sleeping pads- This one is one of my favourites. The mattress in rooftop tents means that you don't have to pack an additional sleeping pad to your sleep system. I can't speak for all rooftop tents, but the Tentbox mattress is extremely comfortable.
Consistent flat surface to sleep on- this goes with the above, but because you can level the tent with your ladder, you constantly have a flat, even surface to fall asleep on which means a better sleep.
Less likelihood of insects crawling into your tent- I don't need to explain why this is a good thing, I'm sure. But, the further from the ground you are, the further insects have to crawl.
Easy to pack down- This is another thing I deeply appreciate about our rooftop tent. It's so freeing to be able to pack down in 5 minutes flat and be on your way. It frees up more time for things like hiking and adventure before heading back home, I'm all for it.
Restrictions
Limited campground options- This one applies to the UK mostly. In the UK, wild camping and park ups are illegal, and rooftop tents are not inconspicuous. That means, unless you have a high clearance 4x4 capable vehicle, it's not realistic for you to be waking up in a mountain somewhere next to a river, because your car won't be able to get there, or someone will own the land. This restricts you to campgrounds (more on this later) which might not be for everyone, especially if you're looking to escape the crowds.
You can't leave the tent set up- If you want to use your car, the tent comes down along with the set up. This is particularly frustrating when you're doing multi-day camp trips and need your car to get around each day. I have a pretty basic set up which means this isn't an issue, however, if you're looking to use a more complex installation with an awning etc. this may be something you wish to consider.
Cost- The cost of owning a rooftop tent comes from a coupe of places. Firstly, they're not cheap to initially purchase and install as the tents can cost over £1,000 and you'll need to ensure you have the correct roof racks, which is an additional fee. Once you have the tent, you'll also need to consider fuel efficiency. The tent isn't exactly streamline and will create drag when driving. It's also quite heavy so will naturally drive up fuel consumption for your car. Finally, if you keep the tent on top of the car like we do, these stresses over time could lead to your vehicle needing more maintenance long term.
Storage- Rooftop tents are quite big, this means you will either need to have the space to store the tent when you're not using it, or accept the fact that it's a permanent fixture on your car. Should you choose the latter, you will likely need to ensure that you install additional safety items to your tent to deter thieves, like this wireless alarm system
"Wild Camping"- How to find camping locations+ respectful camping
This one is areal tricky subject here in the UK. Firstly, it's important to note that wild camping is illegal anywhere, unless you have permission from the land owner to camp in any location. It's one thing to wild camp in a small tent and an entirely different thing to set up a large rooftop tent in a spot you're not technically supposed to be. With this being said, there are ways you can remain respectful and discreet when camping.
Campgrounds The first option is to use and pay for campgrounds. I typically like my campgrounds to feel remote with as few people as possible, which can be quite tricky in the UK. Where possible, I use pitchup to find a campsite which doesn't look too touristy and has a "wild" feel to it in the location I plan on camping in. If you're giong to use one of these campsites, be sure to check for the "trailer tent allowed" notices that are listed when booking, as some campsites don't allow for trailer tents (which rooftop tents are classified as). Another fantastic option is Wild with consent where you'll find some incredible wild feeling locations you can camp in safely with the permission of the landowners. It's important to remember that some of these sites will require a high clearance vehicle so if you have a "city car" you'll need to evaluate whether or not each campsite is suitable for you.
The second option is to "wild camp" or illegally camp. I have made a list of rules of respect below for this option, as I strongly believe that free camping should be done at no detriment to the environment or locals. Some apps I have used successfully are:
Park4night
Stayfree
Both of these apps have lead me to some fantastic, remote spots. Keep in mind, that they can be busy due to many people having access to the same locations. Here's my list of rules for a safe, secluded and respectful stay:
- Make sure your camp spot is away from main roads, lay-bys and popular carparks
- Check the area on google maps to make sure you're not too close to houses or communities
- Check you're not close to a popular trailhead
- Arrive late
- Leave early
- Leave no trace
Staying safe in your rooftop tent
To date, there hasn't been a time where I have personally felt unsafe in my rooftop tent, however, there are a few ways I ensure I follow a few simple steps to feel safe and secure: Choose your camp spot wisely- By using Park4night, you can use the review section to see how others viewed the area, safety notes and look at crime stats for the area. This will help you make the right decisions in terms of safety for your trip.
Keep valuables out of sight- as you would in your car, make sure any valuable items are not visible both in your car or in your tent. Where possible stash your cameras/ expensive gear in your glove compartment or under seats. I personally cover my items with a blanket or bring them into the tent with me.
Close your tent and lock it- Locking the tent from the inside means no one can get in, I typically lock mine with a padlock like this one which really helps with safety.
Keeping warm in a rooftop tent
Keeping warm in a rooftop tent is very similar to any other tent. The first thing you're going to need to do is ensure your tent is equipped for the season. In winter, I like to insulate ours with a roll of insulation. We line the floor of the tentbox with this roll as an additional layer of warmth. It's important to insulate the floors as well as the sides of your tent because the bottom is what you will be laying on. You can look into camping heaters. Be sure to take additional safety measures if you are to use one of these, as gas inside a tent isn't safe, you will need to ensure sufficient ventilation and be sure to turn it off before falling asleep.
Other methods of heating yourself before bed include: campfires, hot water bottles, hot chocolate (my personal favourite, of course).
What you wear can also make a huge difference to your quality of sleep. I personally wear a set of merino wool baselayers, wooly hat and merino wool socks to bed which keep me more than toasty in the winter months. Check out my blogpost on what to wear hiking for my recommendations on merino layers and favourite beanies.
Lastly (but certainly not least) your sleeping bag is crucial to ensuring you get a good nights sleep. I recommend either buying a down blanket to go inside your 3 seeason sleeping bag, or investing in a down sleeping bag which can be pricier. My favourite is the RAB Ascent 900 which has kept me warm to temperatures down to -15C.
Condensation- A note on condensation, because it plays a large part in keeping warm: Make sure you keep your tent well ventilated and let in some air. It's worth cracking one of the windows slightly and ensuring any wet gear is dried outside of the tent as this can contribute to your tent getting wet. Once your sleeping gear is wet, it'll become less effective and potentially difficult to dry! Before packing down in the morning, I like to bring a spare towel to wipe off any condensation which has accumulated in the night. This ensures that the mattress stays dry once the tent is folded back up.
Rooftop tent vs ground tent
I have often been asked if a rooftop tent is worth buying in the UK over a ground tent and I often struggle to answer this question. It ultimately comes down to multiple factors including; the type of car you own, your wild camping vs campground camping preference, budget and what you're looking for with your experience. If you're looking for a camping option that's warm, safe and quick to erect, then the rooftop tent could be for you. If you don't have a 4x4 and are looking for a wilder, more flexible experience when camping, then it may be more beneficial to buy a hiking tent.
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