Purchasing a product as expensive and technical as a rooftop tent (or RTT) is a bit of a daunting task. There is a long list of factors to consider with these tents, and many people overlook some very important details. If you make a hasty purchase, you could end up with a tent that doesn't work for you, a rack that doesn't work for your vehicle, a tent that doesn't work for your rack, or all of the above. These tents show up at your house in massive freight trucks with hydraulic lift gates, so returning one is quite the headache. After years of testing RTTs, we've definitely learned this lesson the hard way. It is crucial that you do the necessary research before purchasing a rooftop tent so that you don't open a very costly and time-consuming can of worms. Continue reading below to get an in-depth overview of what it takes to get the right RTT to save yourself from wasting any time or money.

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Initial Considerations

The first thing to consider is the logistics of owning an RTT because they are not for everyone. Keep in mind that you have to climb up and down a ladder to go to sleep or get up in the middle of the night. Everything that will go into your tent needs to be handed up to someone or taken up the ladder. For folks with injuries, disabilities, or large pets, a rooftop tent can be difficult or impossible to use. Also, be prepared to be climbing, crawling, leaning, and stepping all over your vehicle a LOT because there is no way around it. This doesn't necessarily mean that you will damage your vehicle by having a rooftop tent installed, but it is important to be cautious. Remember that they're heavy and that many models require assembly before you can even think about installation. You'll need some help from a friend for the installation process. Some of the assembly is much easier with two sets of hands, certain models require power tools, and they all weigh at least 90 pounds. The heavier versions that we've tested weigh upwards of 160 pounds. Sometimes, it might be best to install the tent professionally.

I'm In. What's Next?

Deciding that you're ready to purchase an RTT still doesn't mean that you're ready for one. Most vehicles are not designed to hold that much weight on the roof. You must know if your vehicle is rated to hold the amount of weight on the roof you will have up there. It's not just the weight of the tent but also your bedding, gear, people, and pets that you need to consider. If you overload your roof, you could potentially damage your vehicle or injure yourself or somebody else.

The Rack

Any old rack is not suited for a rooftop tent — most racks are not rated for the weight. The crossbars that come stock on many trucks, cars, and SUVs are only rated to around 100 pounds. You absolutely cannot use any aftermarket clamp-style rack systems that grab onto the vehicle in between the car door and the roof. These racks put all the weight on four roof points and will likely damage your car with the weight of a rooftop tent. To safely mount a rooftop tent over the cab of your vehicle, you need to have a track system that distributes the weight down the length of the entire roof, beefy towers, and crossbars rated to the proper weight. If you're going to mount your tent on truck bed racks or on a trailer, again, be sure to check the specs of your products to confirm that they have a good enough rating for this much weight.

How to Choose a Specific Model

Once you've decided that you want an RTT, that your vehicle can handle it, and that you've purchased the right rack for the job, you can start looking at tent specs. Rooftop tents come in many shapes and sizes with a variety of features and prices.

Fold-out vs Pop-up

There are two types of RTTs: softshells and hardshells. Softshell tents are more compact while traveling and have thick rubber or Cordura covers when they are not in use. They unfold over the side or the back of your vehicle, and they generally take more time to convert from travel mode to camping mode and back. If you want to use the awnings, annexes, or rain fly for this type of tent, be prepared to spend another extra few minutes during camp setup and breakdown. In our experience, softshells tend to require some assembly out of the box that usually involves attaching the mounting tracks to the bottom of the tent as well as attaching the ladder. For the most part, softshells are substantially more affordable than hardshells.

Pop-up hardshell tents look like massive fiberglass cargo boxes when they are not in use and extend vertically or at an angle when it's time to camp. The ones that we've tested come fully assembled from the factory and only require one wrench to install on your rack. When it's time to convert this type of tent from travel mode to camping mode, most of the work is done by hydraulic pistons that open the tent like the trunk of a modern hatchback car. To fold the tent up, the weight of the roof plus a little bit of your body weight and gravity make the breakdown process super easy as well. The entire conversion process takes no more than a minute or two for setup or teardown. The upper half of the shell also doubles as the roof of the tent, so there is no need for a rain fly. Most hardshells take up a much larger area over your vehicle than softshells do while in transport, but that footprint does not grow when you're camping. This trait can be very helpful if you're camping in a tight forest or a crowded campground. Hardshells are quite a bit more expensive than their soft-topped cousins.

Weight

The weight of the tent can be a big deal for people with smaller cars; for people with larger trucks and SUVs, this is likely less of a factor. It's also important to consider that at some point, you will be lifting the tent onto or off of your vehicle. If this is something that you plan on doing often, that extra 20 or 30 pounds can be a significant deciding factor. However, with added weight generally comes added durability. If your tent is going to be getting a lot of use, whether it be off-road, at festivals, or just a ton of road trips, then it might be worth the extra weight to get a beefier model.

Seasons

It is important to consider the type of weather you will be camping in. Somebody headed to Moab in July probably does not need the same type of canopy as someone headed to the Cascades in April. Breathability is key in high temps, so a thicker canopy might leave you baking on hot days. That being said, if you want a tent that can handle anything but still offers a good amount of ventilation, we'd recommend you go with a 4-season model. All of the softshell tents we tested have a removable rainfly, but with taped seams and waterproof canopies, the 4-season models don't need one in lighter rain. Hardshell models don't need a rainfly at all because the shell that encloses the tent during travel mode becomes the tent roof while in camping mode.

Ladders

There are two types of ladders for RTTS: sliding and telescoping. The telescoping ladders are more versatile, but sliding ladders are sturdier. If you aren't afraid of drilling into a sliding ladder to give yourself a few more options for height, tents that come with this ladder type are generally cheaper.

Security and Privacy

Not everybody has a garage, and sometimes it's necessary to leave your vehicle at a trailhead or parking lot for extended periods. If this is the case, getting a tent that locks to your rack is wise. As far as privacy goes, in an RTT, you're a bit exposed to onlookers in many ways. That said, some tents include large awnings and annexes that can give you a private place to change, shower, or hang out at a crowded campground or festival.

Mounting System

The mounting system that comes with your tent can be very important depending on your vehicle, your rack, and the type of use you have planned. If you're going to be taking the tent off of your vehicle regularly, a tool-free system might be the right choice. It is important to note that the tool-free systems can be limited as far as the width and spacing of the crossbars and racks they fit. For a more permanent, more customizable mounting system, we recommend you go with a tent with the standard track mounts.

Accessories

When you're car camping, you want to have all of the amenities available, and there are all kinds of accessories for RTTs. There are internal shelves, LED lights, boot bags, deluxe mattresses, and interchangeable canopies. If you're the type that likes to have all of the bells and whistles, then you should choose a tent that has all of the options. Keep in mind that some tents come with included accessories while others will charge you an arm and a leg to upgrade.

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Style

For many people, style is everything. After all, it feels good to look good and stand out. On the other hand, a lot of people don't care what the tent looks like as long as it does its job. Certain brands offer a multitude of colors and styles, while some only offer one generic option. If you don't mind sacrificing a bit of style for functionality, you can save yourself money by going with a less popular or colorful model.

Conclusion

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Your Rooftop Tent

The Ultimate Rooftop Tent Buyer's Guide

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Your Rooftop Tent

Roof Top Tents (RTTs) have become increasingly popular among campers and outdoor enthusiasts in recent years. They offer a convenient and comfortable way to sleep while camping, without the need for traditional tents or RV's. If you're looking to buy a roof top tent, there are several important factors to consider before making your purchase. This guide will help you navigate the world of roof top tents and find the right one for you.

1. Vehicle: Roof top tents come in various sizes and weights,most of them can be used on a wider range of vehicles. Certain type of RTTs are specifically designed to fit specific vehicle models, just be aware of. 

2. Size: RTTs come in different sizes, ranging from two-person tents to 5 Person RTT tents. Consider the number of people who will be using the tent and the amount of gear you'll need to store inside/outside. The more people you have, the larger the tent you'll need. Also, keep in mind that larger tents will take up more space on your roof and may affect the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.                        

3. Style：On the current market, there are two main types of roof top tents (RTTs) - soft top and hard shell.                                                               The soft top RTT can be 180 degree fold out with or without an attached annex. Hard shell RTTs come in three styles - fold out, clam shell, and pop up. Regardless of the price, the main differences between the styles are capacity and setup/take down time. The most popular style of hard shell RTT is the fold out style, which is compact in size but can accommodate more people. Among the fold out RTTs, aluminum models are more versatile as they can carry more gear like bikes, kayaks, and snowboards, and have a longer lifespan compared to ABS models.                                The Clam Shell RTT offers the quickest setup and take down time, but with limited space and a sleeping capacity of only 2 to 3 people. On the other hand, the Popup RTT provides 360 degree views and similar space as the Clam Shell RTT, but with improved height from end to end.

4. Weight: While the weight is an important factor, it's not the primary concern. Tents with a bit more weight tend to offer greater stability and durability. If the tent's weight is within the capacity of your vehicle, it will have minimal impact on fuel consumption. However, tents that are extremely light might be easy to transport but lack stability and insufficient insulation and protection, especially in inclement weather conditions like wind, rain, or cold. In these situations, adequate protection should be the top priority when making your selection. 

5. Material:

   When selecting a tent, the material of the tent shell is an important aspect to consider. ABS plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum are the commonly used options for tent shells. However, ABS plastic and fiberglass tend to have a shorter lifespan due to aging and can deteriorate over time. On the other hand, aluminum is known for its strength and durability but can be more expensive.

   Regarding tent material, the two most prevalent choices are canvas and synthetic materials. Canvas tents are renowned for their toughness, insulation properties, and air flow, but they can be weighty and more costly, and they demand upkeep after camping in damp or humid environments since they consist of over 25% cotton. On the other hand, synthetic materials are lighter and more affordable, but is not provide adequate protection from the elements.

6. Frequence of setting up and taking down :  It's important to take into account the type of camping you will be doing and the frequency of setting up and taking down the tent. For road trips that involve quick stops, a tent that is easy to set up and dismantle would be a better choice. In this case, a hardtop roof tent is the most suitable option. However, if you plan to camp at a site for more than three days, you have a wider range of options to choose from.

7. Service accessibility :  When making a purchase, it is crucial to take into account the brand's reputation for customer service, particularly for mechanical products like roof tents. It is reassuring to know that the company in question has readily accessible customer service and that RTTs accessories can easily be purchased. Additionally, it is wise to consider the cost and timely availability of replacement parts in case of any damage or wear and tear over time.

8. Price: The cost of soft-top roof tents can vary from $800 to $2,300, while the price of hard-top roof tents ranges from $2,000 to $4,000. Many clients question the significant difference in price, despite the similar appearance of roof top tents. However, I explain that opting for a low-priced option from overseas suppliers like Alibaba may result in an unreliable product with little to no support. The cost of raw materials for roof tents is comparable, but the key factor in determining which brand you want to buy from is the quality of service and timely delivery they offered. Some brands that take responsibility for their products and offer fair pricing are usually a better option, compared to those that charge high prices and place blame on the customer in case of any issues.

In conclusion:

With a little research and careful consideration, you can find the perfect roof top tent for your next camping adventure.

Are you interested in learning more about Awning Roof Top Tent? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!