Question 1

What are the requirements for a Rooftop Tent?

Accepted Answer

Camping with a Rooftop Tent does require a few things to be set up:  1. You need a set roof bars or roof racks for your 4x4 that fit your vehicle  2. These roof bars / racks need a large enough weight limit to take the weight of your chosen rooftop tent  3. Check the dynamic weight limit of your vehicle is greater than the weight of the rooftop tent plus your roof bars.  Then you're all set to go on your adventure!

Question 2

What is a Rooftop Tent?

Accepted Answer

A Rooftop Tent is a Tent specifically designed to attach on top of the roof of your vehicle.  You're elevated off the ground rather than a traditional ground tent.  Rooftop Tents come in all shapes and sizes and materials.  The two main types of Rooftop Tents are Hard-shell or Soft-shell Rooftop Tents  You attach a Rooftop Tent with a set of roof bars or roof racks.

Question 3

Are Rooftop Tents Worth it?

Accepted Answer

This question can only be answered by how frequently you plan to camp in the future.  If you regularly camp and want to travel far and wide with your car then we absolutely think a rooftop tent is worth it.  Some benefits:  1. Easy and quick set up times for a tent  2. They are more comfortable than regular ground tents  3. You save a lot of money in the long run (The average cost of a hotel stay in the UK is £79 according to hotels-and-discounts.com)  4. You're above the cold floor and away from the mud  5. You're closer to the fantastic views by parking where you sleep!

Question 4

How much does a Rooftop Tent Cost?

Accepted Answer

Rooftop Tent prices can vary greatly between £999 to over £3,000.  It may be difficult to understand which one is better than the other.  There are a few features which we believe makes it worthwhile paying more for a rooftop tent:  1. How fast and easy is it to set up?  2. Does it have good water resistance?  3. How comfortable is the mattress?  4. Does it have good wind and noise resistance?  5. How many can the rooftop tent sleep?  Read our guide to the best rooftop tents here.

Question 5

Rooftop Tent Pros & Cons

Accepted Answer

Pros  + Fast set up times (some can be set up in 30 seconds!)  + You're up off the ground away from the cold floor  + No worries about a flooded tent with a ground tent  + Better comfort than a ground tent  + Better views than a ground tent as you are elevated  + Save money on accommodation costs in the long run  + More durable materials used for the tent    Cons  - They can be bulky and heavy  - You will need to purchase roof bars and set up the rooftop tent safely  - They can be expensive  - You need to learn about weight limits of your vehicle  - Heavier load on vehicle affects mileage

Question 6

Rooftop Tent vs Ground Tents

Accepted Answer

Why choose a Rooftop Tent over a Ground Tent  + You can set up a rooftop tent much faster than a ground tent  + You're up off the ground away from the cold floor  + No worries about a flooded tent with a ground tent  + Better comfort than a ground tent  + Better views than a ground tent as you are elevated  + More durable materials used for the tent    Why choose a Ground Tent over a Rooftop Tent?  + Ground tents are cheaper  + Some ground tents can sleep much more than rooftop tents  + You can camp even closer to the amazing views  + Lightweight and takes up less space  + More versatile for motorcycle touring, hiking and hunting

Question 7

Hard-shell vs Soft-shell Rooftop Tents

Accepted Answer

A Hard-shell rooftop tent is just a rooftop tent made of a hard exterior material whereas a Soft-shell rooftop tent resembles a traditional ground tent and do not have hard exterior material.  Why choose a Hard-shell rooftop tent over a Soft-shell?  + Usually faster & easier to set up.  + Are more durable as they are made from tougher material.  + Can usually store mattress & gear in the tent when closed.  + Some hard-shell rooftop tents allow you store gear on top i.e. your mountain bike.    Why choose a Soft-shell rooftop tent over a Hard-shell?  + Usually more spacious as they fold out into a larger sleeping area.  + More affordable than hard-shell rooftop tents.  + Lighter in weight so are more suitable for smaller cars.  + Pack down smaller as they usually fold in half when closed.

Question 8

Best Rooftop Tent Guide

Accepted Answer

We've compiled the Best Rooftop Tents for 2022 which will help you choose the right Rooftop Tent for you.  We go through the following things to consider:  1. How many will sleep in the tent?  2. Hardshell vs Softshell rooftop tents  3. Best Rooftop Tents for cars and weight limits  4. Will you be camping in the winter?  Click-through to our guide here.

Question 9

Are Rooftop Tents waterproof?

Accepted Answer

As long as there is no damage, a rooftop tent can provide very good water resistance.  Additionally, as you are off the ground you do not have to worry about water getting in from the ground.  However, just because a rooftop tent is waterproof does not mean it is waterproof to different kinds of rainy conditions.  See if you can find out the Hydrostatic Head Rating  For example a 2000m Hydrostatic Head Rating just means that during testing the column of water was 2 metres (2000mm) tall before the material leaked.  We have the following ratings and what level of conditions it can take:  1. 1,500mm HH - Can take general rainfall but may begin to leak if you are in heavy rainfall.  2. 2,000mm HH - The most common rating and is common for 3-season tents. This can withstand heavy rainfall.  3. 3,000mm HH - This can withstand extreme rainy conditions (we don't recommend actually camping in these conditions! But its good to know) and good for camping in high altitudes.

Question 10

How much wind can a Rooftop Tent take?

Accepted Answer

Rooftop Tents are built for windy conditions as windy days are inevitable in the UK!  We do not recommend setting out and camping when there is a weather warning for high speed winds.  Most Rooftop Tents are capable of withstanding 38km/h winds and being attached to your car and elevated off the ground it is harder for the wind to blow them shut.  However, we do recommend the following in windy conditions:  1. Avoid setting up for the night amongst large trees in windy conditions.  2. Choose a spot that is slightly in the open to keep you away from hazardous objects in the wild.   3. Checking the wind direction before setting up might help limit the effects of heavy wind. Wind should hit the tent's narrowest area.

Question 11

Are Rooftop Tents warm?

Accepted Answer

In general, rooftop tents are warmer than traditional tents.  There are a few reasons why they are warmer than traditional tents but we do advise additional cold protection like inner tent insulation for the cold winter months.  What makes them warmer than traditional tents?  1. Elevation - Getting away from the cold ground will increase the warmth in the tent  2. Thicker materials - especially hard-shell rooftop tents are made of more durable and thicker materials which are better at retaining heat.  3. Some rooftop tents are designed for better insulation keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter days with your body heat.

Question 12

How can you store your Rooftop Tent?

Accepted Answer

Consider storing your rooftop tent away in your garage or storage space when you will not use it for long periods.  You can store your rooftop tent on top of your vehicle all year round.  We think you should consider a few things if you want to this:  1. Protect it from the rain by using a extra water resistant PVC cover  2. Factor in the extra fuel usage by carrying the rooftop tent on your vehicle all year round  3. Risk of theft. Add extra security bolts or get your rooftop tent insured for peace of mind

Question 13

What do I need to know about Weight Limits?

Accepted Answer

The main weight limit we need to consider is the dynamic weight limit of your vehicle.  You’ll want to take a look at your car’s manual for the weight limit when choosing tents for the top of your car.  Dynamic weight  Dynamic weight is simply the amount of weight you can have on your car while it’s in motion. Basically how the forces affect it from all directions while driving.  Static Weight  Static weight is just the amount of weight your car can carry while standing still; this includes your gear and passengers.  As long as the roof bars plus the rooftop tent in total are less than the dynamic weight limit of your vehicle then you're set!  Read our in-depth article on How Much Weight Can My Car Hold?  Check out our guide to the best Rooftop Tents for cars

Question 14

What is the Weight Limit of my car?

Accepted Answer

You’ll want to take a look at your car’s manual for the weight limit when choosing tents for the top of your car.  We've linked the manuals for a couple of the most popular brands below:  - Mercedes  - Ford  - BMW  - Audi  - Toyota  - Volkswagen  Want more help on weight limits?  Read our in-depth article on How Much Weight Can My Car Hold?

Question 15

How fast can I drive with a Rooftop Tent?

Accepted Answer

We do not recommend exceeding 70mph whilst driving with a rooftop tent on your vehicle.  This is because the extra weight on your vehicle can affect your brakes causing more effort to stop with a longer braking time.

Question 16

Can I attach items on top of my Rooftop Tent?

Accepted Answer

Some Rooftop Tents do allow you to attach items on top.  There are Hard-shell rooftop tents that allow this;  But the rooftop tent needs to be designed to allow this and you will need to purchase roof bars specifically for this.  Finally, we need to factor the total weight of all your equipment plus your roof bars and your rooftop tent.  If this is less than the dynamic weight limit of your vehicle then you're set!

Question 17

What are the rules of overloading?

Accepted Answer

UK Police or enforcement offers can identify whether a vehicle is overloaded visually by assessing whether or not the back end is too low to the ground or tyres appear flat.  Ensuring the vehicle is not overloaded is the responsibility of the driver.  Currently, a punishable offence under the law comes with a fine as much as £300 with a three point penalty on your licence.  More serious offences in breach of The Road Traffic Act 1988 will incur a £5,000 and up to two-year prison sentence.  Check the following:  1. Your Gross Vehicle Weight in your cars manual and that everything you carry on the car does not exceed this weight  2. Adjust the tyre pressures to the correct figure for a heavy vehicle which can be found in the handbook or manual.  3. Revert back to standard tyre pressure once you have removed the weight  4. Consider taking two trips or going in separate vehicles if you are at risk of overloading.

Question 18

Does a rooftop tent affect my mileage?

Accepted Answer

Yes a rooftop tent will decrease your mileage due to the added weight and drag from the wind.  By how much it is difficult to estimate and depends on two main factors:  1. The weight of the rooftop tent  2. How bulky the rooftop tent is when closed causing wind resistance  To reduce the impact on mileage choose a rooftop tent that is lighter than 65kg and has a slimeline frame when closed.

Question 19

Where can I camp in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Here are our top picks for camping areas in the UK:  1. Lake District  In the northwest of England lies the most famous national park in the UK. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, The Lake District is known for its deep lakes, craggy peaks, and over 3,000 km of right of way.   2. Isle of Skye  Whales, dolphins, sea eagles, dinosaur fossils, clan castles, UK-shaping history, and world-class hiking and climbing are all here in the Isle of Skye.    The largest of the Inner Hebrides Islands, the Isle of Skye has a little something for everyone. You’ll want this list of Isle of Skye Campsites.  3. Loch Etive  Located in Argyll and Bute Council, this area is known as Scotland’s Adventure Coast.  As a 30km sea loch, the outgoing tides create a unique tidal rapid known as the Falls of Lora, which has become a mecca for white water rafters and kayakers.  Just as a reminder if you purchase a rooftop tent with us you get:  + Top 10 camping destinations in the UK  + Top 5 Campsites in the UK

Question 20

How long will it take to receive my order?

Accepted Answer

We aim to deliver your items within 14 days from the day you purchase the item.  Read our full shipping policy here.

Question 21

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

We do not ship internationally. We ship only to the UK.  Please read our full shipping policy here.

Question 22

I never got my order, what to do?

Accepted Answer

We aim to deliver your item in 14 days.  If you still haven't received your item we do apologise for the inconvenience.  Give us a call on 020 3576 0569 and we'll get right on it!  Alternatively, email us at info@OutdoorRoadie.co.uk

Question 23

What is your return period?

Accepted Answer

We provide a 14-day return period if you change your mind.  As long as the item is repackaged in its original package and not damaged then we can accept your return.  Please read our full Refund & Return policy here.

Question 24

Can I exchange an item?

Accepted Answer

If you decide you would like a different item than the item you purchased we can organise an exchange within 14 days of your payment confirmation.  Please email us at info@OutdoorRoadie.co.uk to let us know what item you would like to return and what item you'd like to exchange it for.  Please read about exchanges here.

Rooftop Tent Frequently Asked Questions

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