The Ultimate Guide to Rooftop Tents
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Rooftop tents can provide one of the most exciting ways to camp. You get to enjoy a blend of road-tripping and regular camping while enjoying an elevated view of nature.
If you’re in the market for a rooftop tent, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a newcomer to rooftop camping or a veteran “king of the overland”, you’ve come to the right place.
Your Vehicle
One of the first questions many potential rooftop campers have is, “can my vehicle handle overland camping?” The answer to this question all depends on your roof rack.
Most rooftop tents weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. The best estimate for each person and their gear is an additional 200 pounds. You can come up with an approximate weight based on how many people will be staying in the tent.
Most factory vehicle roof racks aren’t rated to carry anything over 200 pounds. You’ll most likely have to purchase a third-party roof rack with added durability.
If your roof rack isn’t quite rated for the weight you’re expecting to carry, all is not lost. Many rooftop tent companies carry mounting brackets and other setups that can compensate for this lack of rating.
Types of Rooftop Tents
There are many brands and manufacturers of rooftop tents. However, there are three primary designs these tents come in.
- Hard shell rooftop tent
- Soft shell rooftop tent
- Hybrid hard- and soft-shell tents
Choosing which style of tent is typically based on the type of terrain you’ll be adventuring to. If the climate is unpredictable with frequent precipitation, choosing a hard-shell tent could be a better idea.
Softshell tents typically weigh less than the hard-shell versions Take this into account when factoring in the efficiency of your roof rack.
Benefits of Overlanding and Rooftop Camping
Rooftop camping has several advantages over normal camping. The beautiful view you get from the elevation isn’t the only benefit of this camping style.
- Rooftop tents are easy to set up. You don’t have to fight with poles and stakes. This can be especially important if you’re camping on wet ground, or you arrive in the dark.
- Having a rooftop tent means one less tarp you must purchase. There’s no need for a groundcover with this version of tent.
- Some styles of these tents double as rooftop storage boxes. These types of tents can be used even when you’re not camping.
- They’re carried on the roof, so you’ll save a ton of cargo room in your vehicle.
- You’re at such a high elevation, there’s no need to worry about flooding or soggy ground from rain.
Are you convinced yet? If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and haven’t tried rooftop camping, you’re seriously missing out.
Start doing some research and plan to go on your first over-landing adventure. Find a reliable rooftop tent supplier and find out which model works best for you.
