Pros and Cons of Roof Top Tent Camping

Pros and Cons of Roof Top Tent Camping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqrC6P53XQI

Although rooftop tent camping offers you a lot of benefits, it has got some disadvantages too. We would be discussing its pros and cons in this roof tent camping buyer’s guide.

Pros of Roof Top Tent camping

Camping in a rooftop tent makes you have an interesting and remarkable camping experience. Rooftop tents are designed to be installed on the roof of a vehicle. Since it is installed on a vehicle roof it makes you more comfortable and safe than a ground tent. Campers who own a roof top tent have testified that these tents are the perfect choice for camping. Let’s have a look at the benefits you enjoy from roof top tent camping.

Easy to set up

Even if a rooftop tent requires to be set up on a vehicle roof, you don’t need to be worried about how to install it. This tent is very easy to set up if you follow the instructions. Ensure that your vehicle has a roof, if it does, then off you go. Another good thing is that it doesn’t take much time to set it up, you can install it within a few minutes.

Comfort

You will enjoy a lot of comforts when you camp in a roof top tent. This tent features a built-in thick mattress that enables you to have a sound sleep. The comfort you get from roof top tent can’t be compared to other tents. The whole floor is also soft which makes it easy to roll around as you like. One of the reasons people go for camping is to have a nice time and a refreshing feeling, good bedding can make you achieve this. You can also leave your bedding in the tent even when you are done using it, so, you don’t need to pack pillows and mattress anytime you are going camping.

Safety

When camping in a roof top tent, your safety is guaranteed. This tent keeps you away from crawling insects, wild animals, and petty thieves unlike, a ground tent that is vulnerable to insects and petty thieves. You can sleep soundly in a roof top tent as you don’t need to keep one eye open because of insects and thieves.

Mobility

Even after setting up this tent on your vehicle roof, you can move it to another camping spot. If you are going to be changing your camping spot, then you should consider getting a roof top tent if you don’t have one. If the distance between your former camping spot and the new one is not too much, you don’t need to bring your tent down, just move it with the vehicle.

Durability

Roof top tent for camping is very durable since they are made with tough and sturdy materials that don’t tear. Once get this tent, be assured that it is going to serve you well. Since a tent is not something you want to keep buying all the time you can go for a roof top tent.

Weather-resistance

Roof top tents are made with weather-proof material which makes them useful in any kind of weather. These tents can be used when it is rainy, sunny or snowing. It has the ability to keep you warm during cold days and can also keep you cool when it is sunny.

Off-ground

This is one of the benefits you will enjoy from roof top tents. Since these tents are off-ground they allow more ventilation. It is like a treehouse where you don’t experience flooding or mud.

Space

Setting up the tent on your vehicle roof makes you have more storage space in your vehicle. You can use the backseat of your vehicle as an extra room. This is lovely!

Are there any cons of roof top tent camping?

Yes, roof top tent camping has some disadvantages which we would be discussing here:

It is expensive

Roof top tents are known to be very costly since they are made with durable materials. If you don’t have much, you can’t get this tent.

It is heavy

These tents are very heavy which makes it difficult to lift up and off. The weight of a roof top tent ranges between 100 to 175 pounds, which means it requires 2 strong people to lift it. If you don’t have a camping partner, this might be a difficult task for you.

Road handling

While most manufacturers claim that roof top tent has n effect on your vehicle’s gravity, this tent affects your vehicle’s gravity over time.

Tips on Roof Top Tent Camping

It is important you know what it requires to go for a roof top tent camping. You will need to keep some things in order before going camping. In this roof tent camping buyer’s guide, we have taken our time to discuss the things you need to know about roof top tent camping.

Have a camping partner

Roof top tent is easier to set up when you have a camping partner with you. Remember, roof top tents are very heavy and require strong people to set them up. If you are short, ensure that your camping partner is tall enough to access your vehicle’s roof. Short people always have issues when it comes to setting up an RTT.

Have a trial run

It is very important that you learn to set up your tent first before going camping. This will enable you to know more about the installation process and as such, set up the tent without difficulty. A trial run is important if you want to have successful camping.

Apply lubricant in the necessary parts

Applying lubricants in certain parts of your tent will help you to prevent friction. When camping, ensure you go with lubricant.

Install LED lights

When going camping, you will need to install lights in your tent to have illumination. This is needed more at nights when you might need to carry out some activities. You can get a solar light or LED light installed in your tent. A poorly lit tent can cause an accident and you wouldn’t want such to happen, so ensure your tent has light.

Look for an even surface

Since you would be installing the tent on your vehicle’s roof you will need to look for an even surface to park your vehicle. If the ground is not leveled, you can carry some blocks of wood with you, this will level up the ground.

Keep your windows open during hot days

You will experience different kinds of weather when camping. Sometimes it might be very hot, in such a case, you need to open your windows for fresh air to circulate in your tent. You don’t want to sleep in a hot tent in days like this, so you need to do the needful.

Ensure your roof top tent is ideal for your vehicle

You need to be certain that the RTT you purchase meets your vehicle’s requirements. Check the roof of your car and be sure that it can hold the weight of your tent. Roof top tents are very heavy and if they are not compatible with your car, they could cause damage to it.

Make use of pillows and duvets

If you want to have a comfortable tent where you can feel relaxed, you have to make use of duvets and pillows. A duvet will keep you warm during cold nights and a pillow will make you comfortable.

Tie a plastic bag on your ladder’s end

A roof top tent always comes with a ladder to make it easy for you to access the tent. Sometimes it can be muddy and you wouldn’t like to put your muddy shoes in the tent. You can avoid this by placing a plastic bag at the end of your ladder.

How to Maintain your Roof Top Tent

To keep your roof top tent in good condition, you have to take certain measures. Below are some ways you can maintain your tent.

• Always inspect the hardware of your roof top tent. Inspect every part to ensure they are working well. You can also lubricate some parts of the hardware with a light lubricant.
• Ensure that your roof top tent is dry enough before you pack it. If it isn’t dry enough, open it and air dry. If you fail to do this, your tent can start building up mold and mildew which can cause offensive odor and discoloration. Remember that your roof top tent warranty doesn’t cover mildew and mold buildup.
• Store your tent in a proper place when it is not in use, this will prolong its life span. Store it in a place that is free from direct sunlight.
• Pull your tent’s zippers carefully to avoid damaging it. Ensure your zippers are protected from dirt and dust. To prolong your zippers’ life span, a non-scented bee wax can be applied to the zipper teeth.
• Wipe out any dust or dirt from your ladder. You can also use silicone spray and a clean cloth to wipe the side rails of the ladder. Avoid spraying it directly on the ladder.
• Before closing your tent, ensure the mattress is dry and clean. If otherwise, remove the mattress and dry.
• When cleaning your roof top tent, make use of mild detergent and clean water. Wash gently and rinse thoroughly.
• Do not expose your tent to too much sunlight, Ultraviolet rays can damage the material of your tent.

Related Questions

How can I have a more comfortable sleep in my roof top tent?

If you want to be more comfortable in your roof top tent you can make use of pillows and duvets. You can also ditch the inflatable pillows and sleeping bags to sleep better. Whenever you are closing the tent, fold the mattress into half and compress well to ensure the mattress doesn’t disturb the tent poles.

Does a roof top tent worth the price?

Although roof top tents are very expensive, these tents worth the price because they are made with weather-proof and durable materials that make them withstand any kind of weather and rigorous use. The benefits you will enjoy from these tents outweigh their cons. These tents are also very comfortable and safe for camping.

Conclusion

Roof top tents are the best type of tent you should get for camping. These tents offer numerous benefits which make them ideal for camping. In this roof tent camping buyer’s guide, we have provided well-detailed information you need to know about roof top tent camping. It is important that you know the right thing to do when going camping.

To have a good camping experience, consider getting a roof top tent. This tent indeed worth the price since it makes your trip worthwhile. Before buying a roof top tent, it is important you know what to consider so as to choose what meets your requirements.