Best Roof Top Tent: Ultimate Guide to Choosing

When you order these camping tents, they arrive at your doorstep on huge delivery trucks with special lift gates. Returning one can be a real hassle, as we've discovered after years of testing RTTs. It's essential to research thoroughly before buying a rooftop tent to avoid a costly and time-consuming mistake. Read on for a detailed guide on choosing the right RTT to save yourself from wasting time and money.

When you purchase a roof top tent, expect a big delivery truck with a lift gate to show up at your home.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Roof Top Tent

Setting up and managing a rooftop tent requires careful consideration due to the ladder access involved. Keep in mind that a rooftop tent may not suit everyone, as you'll need to ascend and descend a ladder for bedtime or nighttime movements. All items for your tent must be passed up to someone or carried up the ladder.

For individuals with injuries, disabilities, or large pets, a rooftop tent that comes with a ladder, cover, or limited space might pose challenges. Expect to engage in a fair amount of climbing, crawling, leaning, and stepping on your vehicle due to the nature of rooftop tents. While having a rooftop tent doesn't automatically mean damage to your vehicle, it's essential to exercise caution. Keep in mind that these tents are heavy, and many models need assembly before installation can begin.

Installing a rooftop tent can be a two-person job, as some parts are easier to handle with an extra pair of hands. Certain models may require the use of power tools, and all options typically weigh a minimum of 90 pounds, with the heaviest ones we've tried tipping the scales at over 160 pounds. In some cases, it might be wise to have the tent installed by a professional.

Before jumping into buying a rooftop tent, it's crucial to ensure your vehicle can handle the extra weight. Most vehicles aren't built to support the load of a rooftop tent along with all your camping essentials. It's not just about the weight of the tent itself, but also everything else you plan to carry up there – bedding, gear, passengers, and pets. Overloading your vehicle's roof could lead to serious damage or even cause harm to yourself or others.

How to choose the right roof rack for your tent?

Not just any roof rack will do for a rooftop tent - most racks can't handle the weight. The crossbars that come standard on many vehicles are typically only rated for about 100 pounds. It's crucial to avoid using aftermarket clamp-style rack systems that attach to the vehicle between the car door and the roof.

To securely install a rooftop tent on your vehicle's roof, it is essential to have a track system that evenly spreads the weight along the entire length of the roof. This system should include sturdy towers and crossbars that are rated to support the tent's weight. Avoid using racks that concentrate all the weight on just four points as this could potentially damage your car under the weight of the tent.

If you're going to mount your tent on truck bed racks, roof, or on a trailer, again, be sure to check the specs of your products to confirm that they have a good enough rating for this much weight.

What Roof Top Tents Does Roaming Rig Have to offer?

We have a great selection of roof top tents to suit different needs, including hard shell tents and soft shell tents as well as 2 person tents, 3 person tents, and 4 person tents. Our brand range includes top-quality rooftop tents from leading brands like Overland Vehicle Sytems (OVS), TentBox, NaturNest, Badass Tents, and SmittyBilt.

Naturnest Clamshell Hard Shell Roof Top Tent

The Naturnest Clamshell Hard Shell Roof Top Tent offers one of the swiftest set ups in the tent world. The set up time is no more than 30 seconds and the tent can perfectly accommodate 2 adults.

The tent is equipped with safety locks to give you peace of mind while you’re out being adventurous. To top it off, the tent comes with a 1 year warranty and guarantees satisfaction!

OVS MAMBA 3 HARD SHELL ROOF TOP TENT

The OVS Mamba 3 hard shell roof top tent boasts a remarkably fast setup and put-away process, taking less than a minute for both. Simply unlock two latches, pull down the ladder, and insert two window rods to set it up.

The Mamba 3 is known for it’s comfortability with it’s thick mattress and low condensation within the tent. The tent comes with a 4 year warranty and is a great universal tent for any overlanding vehicle.

BUSHVELD HARD SHELL ROOF TOP TENT

The Bushveld is also known for its quick set up time and longevity. The tent is made with marine grade steel and comes with a comfortable memory foam mattress so you can sleep like a baby at night. To top it off, the Bushveld comes with a skylight so you are truly falling asleep under the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are soft shell tents reliable?

• Yes, as long as you take care of them. Consider equipping your tent with a travel cover and an extra rainfly. If these features are already in place then you are good to go!

Will my tent come with setup instructions?

• Yes, you will put the tent together yourself if it is a soft shell tent, but if it is a hard shell tent then most of it will be put together for you when it comes.