Car roof tent advice

No experience, but I’m curious about the load rating for lost cars being 75kg. Presumably more limited by the forces under movement (braking, etc), but I don’t think they list a a max static weight

The load rating on roofs is for moving. I think static (as a rule of thumb) is something like 10x the dynamic  load, but not 100% on that.

Rule of thumb is 5 times. Some of the new integrated roof rails allow 7.5 (as they spread the load better) the bars may then become the limiting factor.

BTW, i'm not aware of anyone actually quoting static limits, so it's most definitely at your own risk!

My only experience of roof tents was watching a lad with one at a campsite last week.

Had it on an Audi estate, had a tarp coming off it to provide a shelter to sit on the ground, and an electric hook up into the tent.

The only real problem I could see was lifting his big shaggy doggy in and out as it slept up there with him.

i have a roof tent and love it however it's on top of the van.

no sure about having one on a car, seems odd

Depends on the camping you do. One night and gone, they make some sense in countries with less rain and nasty hungry animals.

in the uk I would say get a ground tent you can leave setup whilst you head off for the day.

Does suspesion movement not feel weird as you move in the tent?  I have never used one but this puzzles me

Had one for a few years on our Defender, good for overnighting on tarmac/hardpack, otherwise packing away used to annoy me (soft cover type Howling Moon RTT).

They have to be bolted to your vehicle with shear or security bolts otherwise scroats will pinch it.

Edit: I have got experience of one! The mother in law hired a couple of landrovers with roof tents for her birthday. From memory, not as good as a tent. Flappy, cramped and condensation issues, possibly single skinned?? And adventure, but not something id repeat on a regular basis

The BMW GS touratech aluminium panniers while off to Sainsbury’s for some Prosecco and baked beans of camping devices. Just sling a tent in the car. For the price of one, a Hagloffs tent, nice alpkit double dozer and a duvet.

They are something I’m not convinced by.

You should ask on Instagram. That's what they're really for.

I thought they were for Australia to protect you from all the beasties out to kill you

The above pic was taken in Cardif city centre campsite last year.  roof tent on the landy and one on the trailer.

I've yet to see one in use on the Outer Hebrides...

I’ve slept in the outback on both the ground and on a trayback in a swag. Really, the nasties will find their way anywhere. Sticking a tent on a roof isn’t a barrier. Possibly useful in Africa to stop being trampled?

Does suspesion movement not feel weird as you move in the tent?

I expect it's no different to sleeping in the upper bed in a poptop campervan. No experience of a rooftent, but I noticed movement when sleeping in the upper bed in my old T5 - any that was with firmer than standard lowered suspension. Probably more due to the raised poptop catching the wind which would be no different to a rooftent.

I had one for a while and really liked it - bolted to the top of a Discovery 4

Lots of reason to either buy or avoid but headline...

Pros:

Superfast set-up and take down

So much space in the boot for all your stuff, kept our sleeping bags stowed up there too (using boxes in the boot  and keeping it organised is a joy when camping)

Sturdy

Comfy (Ours had memory foam mattress and also a cell style liner underneath to avoid condensation)

Superfast set-up and take down

Cons:

Better for overnighters as even though its quick to put down, it's stilleeasier just leaving a tent set up and driving off

Leaving it bolted to the car all the time even when not using it - they're heavy beasts and its not the quickest job in the world to fix on and take off, especially with the height of a Disovery.  I left it on all summer as its not something to do in 5mins after work every Friday.

In short - if you're prepatred to leave it on the car they're great - if not they will be a pain

Daft question - bolting to the car, what did you use/how?

I'm toying with one for a 3 series with roof rails (no shower, no bar and no cooked breakfast are the main things putting me off) but no idea how is attach it to the car!?!

I saw one on a VW camper today. To be honest I haven’t recovered yet

Don't come knocking if the vehicle is rocking?

I’ve yet to see one in use on the Outer Hebrides…

There was one at Evie, Orkney last week. Good weather mind.

dangeourbrain
Full Member
Daft question – bolting to the car, what did you use/how?

I had standard Thule Aero bars - the roof tent attched to that like a cargo box...U bolts - then used special nuts on those, bit like locking wheel nut to prevent theft.

Like I say with the weight, it's not something to be putting on and taking off easily on a regular basis

Roof rails must weigh 10-15kg + a roof tent + 120-200Kg of people.

What if you're in the roof tent with your lovely partner and you decide to have "special cuddles"?

How does the load rating work then?

I had no idea that these existed. Seems like a crazy idea to me 🙂

“special cuddles”?

How does the load rating work then?

Dynamic loading information needed for that.

“special cuddles”?

How does the load rating work then?

About 300 ki-loh!-ohhhh!-oh?

I was on a campsite recently looking at one. My thoughts were, big bloke, small car, big load, dented roof. What's the point?

If you're on safari or in the outback they're useful but on a campsite in South Wales... WTAF?!?!?!?!

Thanks all for the thoughts, some things to think about.

My potential use is mainly one or two nights in remoter parts of Scotland so no campsites and moving the car each day. I'm not likely to plan camping in poor weather, however this is Scotland.

Still thinking.....

There was one at Evie, Orkney last week. Good weather mind.

There was a couple at Point of Ness, Orkney too on a Jeep and a car based van.

I watched one dude set it up. All very clever and hashtagable, but I would think they are the worst idea ever in practical terms.

The one on a little van, he was part of a group of divers, all of whom decided to play practical jokes on the roof tent guy and they stole his ladder. He wasn't happy and resorted to a picnic bench dragged by his van to clamber in.

How often do you set up your tent and want to go off and get food and a pint, or go explore a bit or nip out for a pint of milk?

You can't do any of this without taking everything down again.

Terrible idea. 😂

Serengeti - yes
UK - No

We hired one for a week in Iceland a few years ago. Roof tent on top of Mitsubishi pick up truck 4x4. It looked the mutts nuts in the Iceland landscape. Proper insta banger (don’t have insta tho)

Reality was less good. What we found was when it’s raining, and you get into the tent, there’s no porch so where do you put your wet jacket, clothes and shoes? the tent was the same size as a standard 3 man tent so not much extra space for wet stuff.

secondly, the roof was too low to sit up in - who where do you sit at night if it’s wet / midge? We spent our nights sat in the front seats of the car whilst drinking our wine. Might be ok on a campsite, but not something day want to do again

Ironically I think they would work best atop a campervan - you have your living space below and a bed up above.

I know I went out thinking it would be amazing and I’d buy one on our return. Ended up very glad I never bought one.

We have one. I like it. Originally on our type 2 veedub. Currently on the jeep. It’s a faff to fit and remove.

it’s like having a mobile treehouse.  Quick to erect, quick to drop. Pita to dry and service.

I love it.

The entry and exit in the rain was a concern of mine

I haven’t thought of the bed beginning permanently set up. I’d say that rolling a mat takes as long as Taking down a small tent so that is a gain

RTT have to be used with side awnings or something to shelter under in the rain - they are only effectively your bedroom.

We had a drop down room on our Howling Moon and a large side awning. Was a bit of faffage to deploy/pack away every day.

I'm building an XC90 overlander for a Scandinavian roadtrip and will probably not be going the RTT route, I'm looking at Dometic inflatable boot awnings or Oztent RV5 in conjunction with a side awning for maximum living space/area but am not decided yet.

I was tempted by one a while back, however decided against it after reading these two threads:

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/roof-box-tents/

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/gear/roofbunk_-_the_perfect_way_to_camp_on_your_adventures-751139

One question: WHY?

WE LIVE IN THE UK! YOU ARE NOT TRAVELLING THROUGH THE SERENGETI!

Stop watching YouTube idiots and get to GoOutdoors and by a cheap tent that you will use twice, and throw it in the back of the garage for the rest of it's life.

Does suspesion movement not feel weird as you move in the tent?

Don't come knocking if this tent's rocking.

I can see the advantages when you want to camp somewhere and it's not peg friendly. Pub stopover carpark, race meet and staying in the car park etc.

In fact I met a chap at a Thruxton race (as a spectator) and he'd made a platform out of wood to go on top of his car. Did the whole folding out thing and had a ladder, then he put a pop up tent on top. I had a chat with him about it, was a good way of doing it for about 15% of the cost.

Quote from that Climbing UK thread above - classic work 🙂

I see these things all the time and I can never understand the point, it seems to combine the disadvantages of camping with the disadvantages of having a Van. I get it if you're touring across the Serengeti but in the uk??? Unless, like the gentleman in the picture, your on some 4x4 Bear Grylls fantasy wet dream get a tent. And while your at it get a sensible car.

Yawn. Typical libtard comment. These roof tents are perfect kit for a bug out wagon. I used one of these during my NC500 livestream and it was great. Having spent many long nights on stag I was used to holing myself up in a 3ft high coffin. I can understand why civvies (anyone who hasn't served in the forces, cadets or boys brigade) will find this a challenge but that's what separates those that do and those that don't.

scotroutesFull Member
I’ve yet to see one in use on the Outer Hebrides…

Here you go. Us on Harris a couple of years back. The wind that night was absolutely horrendous but the tent was rock solid

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