So you've decided to buy roof top tent, but now you need to pick one out. With so many options and styles, how do you know which tent is right for you? We're going to outline the key factors to consider to help you decide which roof top tent is right for you.
Your Vehicle
The first thing to consider is what kind of vehicle you're going to mount the tent on. If you already drive an off-road capable SUV or truck you probably won't face many limitations when choosing a roof top tent. However, smaller SUVs and even some sedans are capable of handling specific tents with a smaller footprint.
It is important that the mounting footprint of the vehicle must be no bigger than the available space on your vehicle. You don't want the tent to hang over the edges. You need to consider more than just the total area of your roof, but also any conflicting pieces such as light-bars, antennas, or other mounted accessories. When mounting on the bed of a truck, consider if you want the tent to overhang the tailgate or not. Leaving a little gap allows you to still transport larger objects resting on the tailgate.
Thinking about weight is also important. Just because you might be able to fit one of the heavier tents on a small SUV, the driving experience may suffer from the extra weight. Likewise, if you plan on removing the tent between trips, extra weight can make the process harder on taller SUVs.
Roof Rack Considerations
Just as important as the vehicle is the rack. We're talking about both the cross bars and the towers. The rack that came with your vehicle is almost never strong enough to handle the load of an average roof top tent. We need to look at two specifications for your rack to determine which tents will work.
Static Load
Many, but not all, roof racks provide two different load limits. If provided, the static load designates how much weight the rack can hold when your vehicle is parked. This weight limit will almost always be higher than the dynamic load limit because there are not extra forces from braking, turning, accelerating, and hitting the occasional pothole or bumpy trail. This number, while useful, is not going to be as important.
Dynamic Load
The dynamic load takes into considerations all the realities of driving around. When flying down a washboard road, the load on a rack is actually bouncing up and down. Sometimes lifting in the air and reducing weight on the rack, then giving in to gravity and applying way more force than normal. Think about stepping on a stick vs jumping on it. The dynamic load is what will determine what tent you can safely carry.
Hard Shell vs Soft Shell
The hard vs soft shell difference is the main divide between tents. Hard shell tents are sandwiched between two rigid outer layers typically made of fiberglass. They are often a pop-up style that extend vertically or at an angle with the aid of gas struts.
Soft shell roof top tents are more compact when folded up, and are usually paired with a durable cover for transport. These tents unfold over the side or back of your car.
If you want the absolute quickest setup and teardown for your tent, don't mind a little extra bulk when traveling, and aren't as concerned with maximizing space then a hard shell tent is probably right for you. If you want a smaller package for driving around, need all the room you can get, and are ok spending a little extra time fiddling with the cover and folding/unfolding the tent then you likely want a soft shell tent.
Hard Shell RTTs |
Soft Shell RTTs |
|
|
Sleeping Capacity & Size |
Smaller |
Larger Some models can fit up to 6 adults |
| Setup & Tear Down |
Faster |
Slower |
| Affordability |
Pricier |
Cheaper Straightforward design and simple materials. |
| Size and Weight |
Bulkier |
Sleeker Lighter and folds up smaller. Great for leaving on the vehicle full time. |
| Livability |
Minimalist |
Luxurious This design offers 360° views and more headroom. |
Seasons & Weather
Every roof top tent is going to offer a dry night of camping thanks to their excellent waterproofing, heavy duty materials, and distance from the ground. However, tents can differ wildly in their ability to withstand cold temperatures or extreme weather.
Roof top tents are naturally going to be warmer than a regular ground tent. The included mattresses typically have a high R-Value and since these tents don't need to be carried, they are built with thicker materials. This ensures that almost all RTTs will be suited for 3-season camping. If you want to extend your adventures out to winter, you need to consider a true 4-season tent.
A 4-season tent will typically have heavier duty materials to withstand wind, added insulation, and a heating/cooling port so that you can run an external diesel heater. These ingenious devices create a dry heat with all of the combustion completely isolated from the air that gets inside your cabin. Of course, this added insulation can create a tent that feels stifling in the summer. So consider when you plan to take most of your adventures. A 3-season tent is "good enough" for the majority of people, but it's nice to have the option to camp in cold weather when the urge hits.
Accessories
Lastly, the accessories and add-ons can differ wildly between tents. There are the nice-to-have features like lights, storage pockets, heating ports, and power connections. These may not seem like a big deal, but anything that helps you stay organized will greatly enhance your camping experience.
You also have to think about how you want to use the tent. If you plan to add walls or an annex to your tent then understand that you will need a soft-shell tent that folds out. If you're more concerned with the ability to permanently mount accessories to the side of your tent, then a hard shell tent may be better suited.
Understanding the nuances of how you like to camp and stay organized is often the hardest part. If you have any questions, shoot us an email and one of our experts will gladly share their first-hand experience with what has and hasn't worked for them.