Roof tents
Enjoy comfortable camping with the car roof tent
Sublime camping - there's something about that, isn't there? Not to mention the beautiful view that you can enjoy (in the morning) from your tent (with a cup of coffee). Everything is a little further away - annoying neighbour noises, creepy-crawlies and wet ground. Rooftop tents simply offer the best of both worlds - camping close to nature with maximum comfort.
Why a roof tent? Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
Why a roof tent and not a normal camping tent? Rooftop tents are much more comfortable and practical than camping tents:
- Camping close to nature with maximum comfort
- Feeling of safety thanks to a "real" roof over your head
- Enjoy beautiful views thanks to the raised pitch
- Save costs for additional tent pitches
- Practical for frequent changes of location
- Quick assembly and dismantling
- No more wet tent floors
- Additional storage space for bedding
- Works everywhere
- Annoying crawling creatures far away
- Comparatively expensive
- Sleeping in a roof tent is considered a legal grey area thanks to the roof load
What to consider when buying a roof tent?
What material are roof tents made of?
Like "normal" tents, roof tents usually consist of an inner and outer tent. However, the material is usually much more resistant and more densely "woven". Make sure you use waterproof and durable materials such as synthetic fibres. After all, the tent has to withstand a lot, as it is folded and unfolded or bent and must be able to withstand more than just the wind. The shell of our hard shell tents is made of fibreglass plastic, which can withstand even the most adverse weather conditions.
How big and heavy can the roof tent be?
The right size and weight of your car roof tent depends on how many people you are travelling with, whether you want to store items in the roof tent and, of course, what roof load your car can carry. We have a suitable tent for every requirement: our lightest roof tent weighs approx. 50 kg and can therefore be attached to almost any vehicle. Our largest car roof tent offers space for up to 4 people. In any case, there is enough space to store the bedding in the car roof tent even when it is folded up.
- Roof tents are available in different sizes
- Large models offer space for up to 4 people
- When buying a roof tent, you should pay attention to the roof load your vehicle can carry
Folding roof tents or hard-shell tents? - The design
There are two different types to choose from when it comes to construction: Folding tent or hard shell tent. Although hard-shell tents are quicker to set up, more protected from the wind and weather and more stable, they cost a little more than the weather-prone pop-up roof tents. These tents are particularly interesting for campers who like to change locations frequently and don't want to waste a lot of time setting them up. Folding roof tents, on the other hand, are lighter and also cheaper. In terms of space, they are also not limited to the car roof. However, the tent is less suitable for frequent or heavy rain, wind, storms and thunderstorms.
Pay attention to the roof load of the vehicle when buying a roof tent
The roof load indicates how much weight the car can carry on the roof. Generally speaking, roof tents can be fitted to almost any car, as the roof load is usually at least 50 kg. The exact roof load your car can carry depends on the car manufacturer's specifications. These can be found in the manufacturer's operating instructions. Worried that the calculation won't work out? The weight of the car roof tent is covered, but not the weight of the people who want to sleep in the tent? Don't worry. For one thing, the roof load specified by the manufacturer refers to the permissible load in a moving (dynamic) state. Secondly, the car can always carry a multiple of the specified roof load.
Fastening system: roof rack
Roof tents are attached to the car using roof racks. Profile rails are attached to the roof tent itself, which are connected to the roof racks. Depending on the size of the roof tent and the road surface, two roof racks may or may not be sufficient. For example, two roof racks are sufficient for good roads, but for car roof tents in 4-person format or poor road surfaces, you should invest in at least three roof racks.
Setting up the roof tent
If you like to change locations or campsites frequently, a roof tent that can be set up and taken down quickly is worth its weight in gold. How or how quickly the tent can be pitched often depends on the type of construction. For example, a hard shell roof tent usually pitches more quickly than a folding tent. The majority of our tents even pitch themselves thanks to gas struts!
Car roof tent: hard shell or folding tent?
There are two basic types of roof tent: hard-shell and folding. The hard-shell tent already shows its stability visually. It consists of a fibreglass or carbon fibre housing covered with fabric. The tent can be erected in no time at all using a crank or gas struts. Drawback: The sleeping area must not be larger than the roof area of the car and the width of the roof rack. In contrast, there are no limits to the folding tent in this respect. A lower roof load is also sufficient for this model. However, it can be uncomfortable in this tent in wind and weather. The following overview shows you the pros and cons:
| Hard shell | Folding tent | |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Higher | Lower |
| Protection from thunderstorms & co. | Good | Medium |
| Limited space | Yes | No |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Assembly | Fast & uncomplicated | Takes longer |
| Cosiness factor | Fixed roof over your head | No |
| The price | More expensive | More favourable |
| Roof load | Higher | Lower |
| Insulation | Good | Medium |
| Required pitch size | Smaller | Larger |
| Entrance | Several | One |
| Driving behaviour | Noticeable at higher speeds, lower fuel consumption | Changed centre of gravity |
Conclusion: The hard shell roof tent is suitable if you want to set up and take down your tent frequently (and quickly) and also often camp in cooler regions.
Regulated by law: Where can you camp with a roof tent and how fast can you drive?
There are no special rules for camping on campsites with a car roof tent. If you are camping in the wild, you should observe the same rules as for "normal" camping. Nature reserves are of course taboo. You should also research and take into account prohibition signs and country-specific rules for wild camping in advance. In Germany, the road traffic regulations do not specify how fast you are allowed to drive with a roof tent, but you can find the specifications in the operating instructions for your roof tent - the maximum speed is usually 100 km/h.
Frequently asked questions about roof tents
What are the advantages of a roof tent?
With a roof tent, you can camp close to nature and still be comfortable. You are protected from wet ground and small animals. As a rule, roof tents are also quicker and easier to set up than camping tents.
What should you look out for when buying a roof tent?
Of course, the size of the roof tent should match the size of the car. In this context, the roof load should also be taken into account. The roof load indicates how much weight the car can carry on the roof. The exact roof load your car can carry depends on the car manufacturer's specifications. This can be found in the manufacturer's operating instructions. Roof tents are available from as little as 50kg and should fit almost any car in terms of weight.
Should I choose a hard-shell roof tent or a folding tent?
A hard-shell tent is usually quicker to set up than a folding tent. It is also often more stable. The disadvantage: the sleeping area must not be larger than the roof area of the car and the width of the roof racks. The folding tent, on the other hand, has no limits in this respect. A lower roof load is also sufficient for this model. However, it can be uncomfortable in this tent in wind and weather.
Read our blog post: Roof tent - more than just a trend
