roof top tents

see also:

• photography and camping main index page
• trailer shelters, vans and caravans for camping
• shelters and tents for car camping or alpine 4 season use
• choosing a tent for Australian conditions
• comparison of mainly mesh tents for warm nights
• comparison of full fabric 2P and 3P tents for colder nights
• swags, tents and inflatable / bubble tents for star gazing
• hiking tents with part fabric - part mesh inner tents
• tarps for camping and hiking
• overnight hiking camping checklist (for hiking during daylight to a camp site, not hiking in the dark!)
• overnight ultralight bushwalking shelters and equipment
• taking the Subaru Outback off road
• tips for camping in the rain
• how to reduce your risks in lightning storms
• treating water to make it potable / drinkable
• camping off-grid - power, batteries, solar, fridges

• these are essentially the size of a narrow 2P tent
• roof top tents (RTT) are probably best when they are hard shell ones mounted on trailers, NOT on the vehicle rooftop.
• many campers have a love-hate relationship with them for their convenience and for getting off the ground but they can be a pain and expensive
• example hard shell tents:
  • OCAM Aluminium Hardshell Roof Top Tent $AU2799 65kg incl a 40mm thick foam mattress
    • see Youtube preview of the OCAM and 3 month review in Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMJN2wH5mOQ

• keeps you away from larger animals on the ground such as crocodiles as well as reduces risk of spiders, snakes, wombats, etc
  • personally the ONLY benefit in Australia is if you were camping in the far north where there are crocodiles
  • however if you are in certain areas such as NSW alpine then you might feel safer when the wild dogs and dingoes start howling or if the area is known for wild boar
  • spiders can still get into and onto a rooftop tent, as could a python snake
  • insects, snakes and spiders are not going to get into your 2-3P tent if you keep it zipped up
• keeps you off the flooded ground
  • if the ground is that flooded you can't make your tent safe, then you probably shouldn't be there
• after or during rain you don't have to pack up a muddy tent (your roof top tent will be wet but hopefully not muddy)
  • the downside is that you somehow will need to dry your roof top tent out - this wont happen when it is packed down and mould starts within 12 hours or so
• theoretically slightly reduced set up and pack down time - especially the hard shell ones
  • once you have the car set level, it may only take 2 minutes to set up vs 5-10 minutes for a 2-3P tent - time saving is NOT a significant benefit
• you get better privacy when you want ventilation because you are higher up
• sometimes you may be able to find a spot to camp where a normal tent can't be pitched due to space issues or other issues
• some countries (not Australia), do not classify roof top tents as “camping” but as “sleeping in the car” which can allow overnight stays where camping is not permitted
• less sand and dust gets into the tent than with a tent on the ground in strong winds
• easier to set up and pack up in the dark - especially if your vehicle has self-levelling air suspension
  • ideally you should NOT be arriving or leaving in the dark as this is the time you are most likely to hit wildlife such as kangaroos, plus arriving at night does not give you the opportunity to check out the safety of the camp ground, its hazards, the other campers, or other issues.

• very expensive to buy and repair
• big and heavy and significant wind resistance when driving
  • more petrol usage ~10% more fuel
  • issue with roof capacity for your roof rack system
  • risk of it ripping off and damaging cars travelling behind
  • increases centre of gravity and risk of rollover
  • can be too heavy to constantly remove from or install onto the roof with only one person
• you can't drive once you have it set up unless on a camper trailer - very restrictive!
  • can't have your camp site reserved and then drive to your sunset destination
  • if you do drive to sunset you need to set up tent in the dark
• you have to climb up a ladder
• you have to climb down the ladder to have a pee at night - a recipe for disaster!
• snakes like to hide under cars in hot weather - you will not see them if you are getting down from a roof top tent instead of walking around on the ground
• they are harder to close down as the top is high and you do need to use a bit of muscle to close them fully
• you may need to deflate air mattresses when folding up (hence most use a foam mattress but then there may not be room for a quilt
• you have to level the vehicle
  • restricts location and requires leveling options
  • may require damaging environment to get a level spot
• must sleep where you park - this can be dangerous from other traffic hitting your vehicle at night or be very dusty if vehicles use that gravel road
• take longer to dry out
• can be very noisy in the wind
• catch more wind as higher up, harder to find high enough wind breaks, and strong winds can kick up the bottom while you try to sleep
• may have openings large enough for mice to get through
• sun will hit you earlier and you get less sleep ins
• can't use a roof rack for other things unless the rooftop tent is designed to carry things as well but then you will probably exceed the weight limit of the roof
• choice of site may be restricted due to height clearance issues
• generally colder in winter than a swag or 2 man tent
• can result in condensation UNDER your mattress
• does not provide much amenity during prolonged rain periods - you need to bring a separate tent for that
• when you go for a drive, you will need pack up and leave something to keep your camp site - or lose it - you need a separate tent for that too
  • when you get back to camp you will have to go through the levelling process and set up again
• you still need a separate hiking tent if you decide to do an overnight hike
• you may not realise there is a major overnight flood occurring until the water is up to your tent level and then you may need a helicopter out like the couple camping at Newbridge Recreation Reserve camp ground needed when the river level rose dramatically overnight
• many campgrounds now have bollards which means the vehicle may need to be near a noisy or dusty road and you will not be able to escape to a quieter section of the camp ground
• some designs require two people to set up and pack up
• if you get injured camping, get a sudden attack of sciatica, or have mobility issues, you may not be able to get up or down the ladder

• hard top ones can become very hot under the sun
• hard shell ones are easier to et up and pack down
  • soft shell ones are actually take longer to set up fully than most 2 man tents
• hard top ones may allow mounting a solar panel
• soft tops are generally less expensive
• soft tops may have more head room
• soft tops may have a ceiling mesh to allow star gazing
• soft tops can be designed to extend sideways from the car and thus don't need to cover as much of the roof which leaves space on roof rack for other gear