8 Considerations to Make When Shopping Around for Roof Top Car Tents

Camping has become a lot more accessible and enjoyable in recent years, not least because of a number of equipment-related developments. Campers who own rooftop car tents combine ease of setup with go-anywhere agility that opens up entirely new options. When shopping for a rooftop car tent, keeping the following eight ideas in mind will make the process simple.

1. Aerodynamics Matter

Mounting a collapsible tent to the roof of a car or truck will always impact gas mileage and handling. The best rooftop car tents, though, are designed to interfere as little as possible with these important traits, under normal circumstances. Some manufacturers put relatively little thought into how neatly and aerodynamically their tents pack up. It should normally be fairly easy to eyeball how the profile of a stowed-away tent will affect a car’s fuel efficiency and steering.

2. Weatherproofing pays off

There are few experiences more miserable than being stuck in a leaky tent in the middle of an intense storm. High-quality rooftop tents are designed to keep occupants sheltered from high winds, heavy rain, and even large hailstones. Features like rugged seam tape help protect vulnerable parts of a tent from springing leaks. The areas that unfold and articulate when a rooftop tent is being put up or stowed away should always be inspected for weatherproofing measures.

3. Setup should be simple

One of the joys of rooftop camping is doing away with much of the preparation and work that conventional tents demand. A rooftop tent should be easy to put up, with some of the best virtually assembling themselves on command.

4. Durability counts

Even a tent that initially seems great can end up disappointing before long. Camping tends to be fairly rough on equipment, even when those involved are always careful. Rooftop tents should be designed to withstand not only wear induced by campers, but also the rigors of the road.

5. Weight makes a difference

Ultralight backpackers often carry tents that weigh a couple of pounds or less. Rooftop campers can afford to be a lot less miserly, but weight still makes a difference. All vehicles are only designed to accommodate a certain amount of mass on their roofs. Buying a lighter rooftop tent will mean not needing to worry as much about such issues.

6. Accessibility is important

Entering and leaving a rooftop tent often prove to be some of the most challenging camping activities of all. Tents designed to be easy to get into and exit are always more enjoyable to own.

7. Extras can be valuable

Looking beyond the basic need for shelter, rooftop tents can provide support of other kinds. Some tents, for instance, can be fitted with specially designed racks that allow them to hold bikes, skis, and other types of gear when stowed away.

8. There’s a perfect tent for every car

It will always be best to keep an open mind when shopping for rooftop tents and not become overly fixated on any one model. The size and style of the vehicle to be used will impact the suitability of particular tents greatly. Start from that point and look into the best available tents, given those details, and success will surely follow.

Join the Rooftop Camping Revolution

Keeping these eight facts in mind when shopping for a rooftop tent will always pay off. People who do so inevitably discover that rooftop camping can be one of the most enjoyable kinds of all.