- Why buy a Rooftop Tent?
- Roof Top Tent or Trailer?
- How to Install a Roof Top Tent
- Hard Shell Vs Soft Shell Option
- Roof Top Tents For.....
- Accessories and Features
- Things to Consider
How do Rooftop Tents Work? - A Complete Guide
See how quick and easy it is so set up a tent with the below demonstrational video
Rooftop Tent or Trailer/Van/RV
A rooftop tent is more affordable than a trailer, camper van or RV - but is still a mobile home transported by your vehicle which makes them more flexible. They also handle bumpy terrain making them perfect for off-road adventures.
A trailer, Van or RV is a better option for those who like being in a home away from home, with a water and plumbing/heating system, They are larger thus less flexible than roof top tents.
How to install a roof top tent
How to use the rooftop tent
Many people wonder how long it takes to open one of these roof top tents. In general, it takes about 3 to 4 minutes. The process of opening, setting up the windows and rainfly rods can take a little longer but you should be good to go in around 5 minutes. Hard-shell tents are usually quicker since there are no extra attachments to fix.
Hard shell vs Soft shell
Roof Top Tents for.....
Families - The largest tents usually have a max weight of about 650lbs (290kg) which is perfect as a 4 person tent for families. A roof top annex also gives you extra space to get the little ones ready in the morning, or even a separate place for them to sleep.
Weekends and Short Trips - If you're the type of explorer who likes quick weekend getaways or a short stay at a campsite, a compact lightweight roof tent is ideal. The Thule Foothill is a perfect example which frees up space on the roof of your car. This makes it ideal for smaller vehicles like crossovers and wagons and means you can bring extra equipment like a bike or kayak.
Rugged Adventurers - If you have a long trip planned out to the hinterlands, choose a roof top tent that is designed for where the road ends. Thicker tent material and padded flooring, for example, helps your tent withstand brutal weather and off-road conditions. Perfect for your 4x4, trailer or off road rigs. Hard-shell tents are ideal for jeeps and truck beds.
Accessories and Features
Comfort - All of Thule's Roof Top Tents include a built-in foam mattress for extra comfort.
Space - Some roof top tents come with a detachable annex. This gives you more sheltered space to get dressed or extra space to keep your gear. Alternatively, an awning is also available providing cover from the rain or shade from the sun.
Bedding - A huge benefit of these tents is the fitted mattress which allows for a well-deserved nights' rest. The mattress is in place and ready to use once you open the tent.
Condensation - Anti-condensation mats can be purchased to help reduce the chances of the tent becoming musty and damp inside. Placed underneath the mattress, these mats also add an extra layer of comfort.
Cleanliness - Keep your muddy shoes away from the inside of the tent with a handy boot bag which is hung on the outside of the tent near the top of the ladder thus easily accessible when you want to step outside again.
Inside the tent - Other optional accessories include a table with drink compartments with built in tablet/smartphone holder and a tent organiser for those additional camping items.
Things to consider
We know how important it is to make sure the roof top tent is secure and safe. Below are some considerations to ensure the tent fits your car properly.
We only recommend Thule Roof Bars are used with Thule's range of tents. Thule cannot guarantee any compatibility with other brands and styles of roof racks and/or their load capabilities.
Weight Capacity - The Dynamic Weight Capacity is the weight your vehicle can handle when driving. This is the maximum weight capacity specified by your vechile manufacturer. It's basically the weight capacity needed to hold the roof top tent.
The Static Weight Capacity is the weight that your car can take when the car is parked, the tent is set up and the ladder is in place. Since the ladder adds extra support, the static weight capaicty is usually 3 times more than the dymanic weight capacity. This tells you the weight needed to hold the tent and the people sleeping inside.
Distance Requirement - There are aluminium bars at the bottom of the tent used to attach the tent to your car roof. These bars can't be too wide for your car. Check the recommended distance requirement for the relevant tents' manual to make sure it fits your vehicle.
Roof Type - Roof top tents work with all roof types except those with bare roofs with no trails or rails (as shown below). A car with a sunroof works fine, but not glass roofs.
A rooftop tent works on vehicles with crossbars, siderailes, gutters, tracks and fixed points (as shown below). Do not mount your tent on factory installed crossbars or siderails that come with the vehicle as the often won't be able to support the load.
Do's and Don'ts
DO NOT use Tepui Tents with any type of Clamp or Edge style roof rack as the high static weight may cause damage to the roof. i.e any Roof Bar Kit that contains the Thule Evo Clamp (7105) and the Thule Evo Edge (7205).
Tepui tents will fit crossbars with a maximum width of 3.25"/80mm and height of 1.5"/38mm. Roof Bar Kits they fit include the SquareBar Evo, ProBar Evo and WingBar Evo ranges.
DO NOT use Tepui tents on factory installed crossbars.
DO NOT use Tepui tents with any type of Slide Bar.
DO NOT use Tepui tents with any type of vehicle with a glass roof. Cars with sunroofs are compatible but the opening function should not be used.
WHEN MOUNTING Tepui tents to vehicles with raised rails make sure the raised rails are structurally supported and that the crossbars are positioned next to the supports of the raised rails.
CROSSBAR DIMENSIONS:
Minimum railing distance required is determined by tent model.
- 2 Person tent = 25.2"/64cm
- 3 Person tent = 33.5"/85cm
- 4 Person tent = 30.7"/78cm
For roof rack foot spreads greater than 50"/127cm, use WingBar Evo or ProBar Evo. DO NOT use SquareBar Evo.
And Finally............Roof Bars
You will need a set of Roof Bars to be able to load a Roof Top Tent onto you car. At Roof.Bars.co.uk, we have a vehicle look up guide that allows you to input your cars' details and be shown complete roof bar kits that fit your vehicle. We also have guides that help you choose a suitable style of roof bars, help you understand different roof types and more. And don't forget, if you need any assistance, we are more than happy to help.
We appreciate there is a lot of information and it can be overwhelming. That is why we are here to help. Everyone is welcome to visit us in Maidstone to view the tent range or have a demonstration. We are happy to help fitting tents too. If you want more information or just want to discuss anything to do with roof top tents then please get in touch with us. We are more than happy to help. Call us on 01622 230988 or email us at info@roof-bars.co.uk