Never used one but like the idea for the following reasons:
Easy to set up/down.
Easy to dry after use.
Almost turns a car into a campervan.
But why are they're so expensive? Are they often stolen off cars?
Are there any cheaper versions? Even second hand ones are not exactly cheap.
Downsides -
heavy to put on the roof (hence they tend to stay on the car)
You have to empty and collapse the tent to drive anywhere
You still need somewhere to sit and cook,etc so you need another shelter.
Its not a van, its a car with a tent up a ladder.
Positives
The lions can't reach you
Negatives
There aren't any lions
When weve been camping and seen folk with them they end up stuck on site. They were happy watching their kids play though.
Fancy the idea of one for the roof of my swb Caddy, saves the faff of setting up a tent on enduros ect, I could sleep on top whilst the bike/associated shite stays in the van. However they're expensive and weigh a tonne, and the roofs needed for ladders otherwise so its not gonna happen.
Plus if you're running around with one fittrd all the time I'd imagine the mpg's would take a hammering.
Accident waiting to happen as I stumbled half asleep out the tent for a nocturnal toilet visit.
Had a Howling Moon set up on our Defender before they became popular. They work well on an overlanding vehicle that is in use everyday but otherwise they kill MPG.
Scroats now know about them so they are a target.
There are a lot more pros and cons but I use a regular tent nowadays.
Never used one but like the idea for the following reasons:
Easy to set up/down.
Easy to dry after use.
Almost turns a car into a campervan.
Really? I think they look a ball ache to set up and dry. And I really don't think they turn a car into a campervan..
Possibly good for a single brief overnighter, but what a faff putting it on and off the car/van. Multiple nights away? what a faff everytime you want to use the car whilst away.
Personally I've become a fan of air beam tents for decent size family tents for ease or just regular pole tents for 3ish man - pretty straightforward really!
But why are they're so expensive?
Because idiots are prepared to pay these prices for an inferior product
I think they look a ball ache to set up and dry
I assume to dry them you drive around with them out 😂 otherwise I can only see them rotting quicker than normal tents would. All the salt, rain, changing weather will reduce its life compared to a normal tent
Most people do leave them on their car as they are so heavy. Others use fork lifts/ diggers / install cranes at home - not joking
It can’t be good for your car, will effect handling and mpg massively
Useful information here edit : link won’t work Facebook tentboxankers if you follow what I mean
Also: Two sorts... Hard clamshell (smaller, looks more like a big roof box) and the one that RNP showed, which is more like a tent inna box that opens up like a magical origami surprise.
I have a friend that got tired of sleeping in his car at the dropzone and bought a smaller "tent" roof tent. He loves it because it is a place to sleep that is not his car, but then he does not leave the DZ when he is there and so only needs to pack it up when he leaves. That's probably the perfect use case for one.
I had one ("cheese wedge" hard clamshell), I never used it because I had a van and the van is warmer, has a full sized bed and power in. And I don't have to climb up a ladder to get into it.
Edit: I also have a drive-away awning that, if I really care about having extra space, I can put up. In two years of this van I have not used it. I did use it with my old van though.
I used one in Aus - great for conditions there. Too compromised for europe
Get a tent that is easier to put up. So much more flexible, better space, easier to use. I think putting a tent up is one of those jobs that is actually pretty quick and easy but somehow you think is faffier.
Make sure you budget for a ‘One life live it’ window sticker and a Dryrobe (camo, so people know). 🤙🏼
...yes, they obviously can get nicked if left on. (A bit more involved than nicking a £2k bike off a rack but....
https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/24329298.police-issue-warning-increase-roof-tent-thefts/
Make sure you budget for a ‘One life live it’ window sticker and a Dryrobe (camo, so people know). 🤙🏼
Alarmingly accurate. Usually worn as they wander up to the campsite cafe in the morning, lunch and evening.
I am another one who just does not get them in the UK. Having sat watching on a more than a few occasions as people wobble down the wet ladder as the whole car and tent rocks in the wind, no-where to store things, sit or cook in even slightly poor weather. I do wonder how people roll over at night - most of the vehicles they are on seem to rock like crazy. They just seem to be a fashion thing that works when lions and snakes are around, which is not the UK last I checked.
In my view a good tent is a much better option, and if you really need to be off the floor buy a decent camp bed or really decent carpet, inflatable mattress etc. You then have ground space to sit (on chairs), cook, shelter out the wind.
I can just about believe they make sense if you are moving on every night and either eating out or in reliably dry climate.
But you have no where to cook. Getting in and out in the rain looks a nightmare.
I’m browsing tents at the moment for car camping. A few hundred quid buys something that will go up in minutes and have a decent bell for kit, cooking and getting in and out without getting your sleeping kit wet.
Cynical ..
To me they are about signalling to other motorists that you are a cool outdoor type person. But do so little outdoor stuff that you don’t realise the cool outdoor people are laughing at you
All of the above applies to fold out in roof rails
PS slept on the ground in Africa every night for 6 months. I wasn’t eaten by a lion. I did see a scorpion scuttle past one night but i bet scorpions love roof tents
I have one - a Ventura fold-out one which is about as budget/cheap as you can get (but still c. £800). I think it's great for some use cases. Compromised on others. No regrets getting it though.
Reason I got it was for attending events - 10 Under the Ben, SDA races, enduros and the likes where you're stuck in a car park. Tents are a ball-ache to set up and I'm too cheap/skint to get a van. It's brilliant for these - comfy enough, seems waterproof (2 days pissing rain in Torridon no problem). Easy to set up and saves space in the car that a tent would otherwise fill. Space for 2 (me and the lad) and a dog no problem. We normally have a gazebo along as well so cooking / sitting around with beers etc. can be done there.
I wouldn't use it for general camping - I enjoy my normal tents for that. Bit easier to get the dog in/out etc. and more space.
It doesn't stay on the car. I've got an Octavia estate and it's only a couple of minutes (well, more like 10) work to whip it on/off. It's something like 40-50kg and I've got access to a 6'3 teenager to get the other side of it so no problems to get that on an estate car. It could be a bit more involved on a higher van/4x4 or if you're trying it alone.
It's not really a van replacement - you're still cooking on camp stoves on folding tables etc. rather than the convenience of everything being fitted. Nowhere to sit hiding from midges/rain and have blether. Well you could, but not as comfortably as you would in a camper/motorhome. Also no heater if you're thinking of using it for Strathpuffer or the likes!
For your points - yes easy to put up/down. Unfold, 2 guy lines and put in a few supports for the windows/vents.
Drying is easy - just unfold when you get home. Depends on weather being kind. Normal tent you can hang over bannisters etc. inside if it's wet outside.
Mine doesn't stay on the car and I live in the sticks so theft not a huge concern.
You even get a Facebook group specially for you -
- though I'm not sure if "Tent Box ****ers" is for owners or those that mock them (or both).
Be careful with your car insurance - it can be a minefield with a rooftent as some class it as a camper conversion blah blah and others flatly refuse to cover a car with them on - and in some cases with good reason....
Make sure your roofbars are sufficient - these things were originally designed for overland capable 4x4's with roof platforms bolted onto fixpoints. These days you'll just as likely see them on a Mini Countryman or a Ford Focus. Make sure the roof bar mount system is either proper rails (some flushmount rails are not suitable) or fixpoints - not clip under the doors type. I reckon half of them driving around would leave the roof under emergency braking.
With all things like this, everything is a compromise.
The being 'stuck' on site can be a problem, but if it's a one nighter, then ideal.
Very nearly bought one, but storage is an issue as is weight. My bike rack always needed two of us to lift it on the roof, and not helpful if it's even heavier and your 'assistant's aren't tall.
We ended up with a large 'square' bell tent. In a rush, provided we've pre-zipped in the ground sheet, we can get it up in 20 minutes. Did this in a storm in August. Usually we take a fair bit longer.
I'm also a little concerned about these being left on a car - unless a hard shell, then they aren't really being stored in dry conditions on top of a roof. condensation etc. plays a part. We make sure our tent is fully dried, sometimes leaving for days hung over the banister, as it doesn't take much moisture to cause damp ! Once dried it's in the garage with a dehumidifier on all the time.
Positives
The lions can't reach you
Negatives
There aren't any lions
This. Although I can see the positives for not having to pitch a tent in piss wet through field and kipping on the floor.
I have a van though so I don't really care. Vans are ace.
Tents are much easier to live with.. and cheaper.. if you want super quick then perhaps an inflatable tent, assuming a standard camping type scenario, ie staying somewhere for a while..plus they are huge.. thinking storage when not stuck on your roof
if you are driving to dogging spots and want a quick set up and then dash, i guess something on the roof might be easier
I used one for a month mounted on a Hilux in Namibia. They are a faff. The night time piss is an expedition if you have to get out and down to the floor in the dark.
When the floor has things to be wary of, they are worth the hassle to stay away from bitey things.
A couple of negatives from me.
Firstly you will soon notice if you haven’t parked on a nice flat piece of ground.
Secondly, depending on the car and its age, you might well be invalidating any warranty. Most car roofs and roof racks have a max weight they are designed to carry, usually around 100kg. By the time you are in it and the weight of the tent itself then you are probably overloading the roof. If there are 2 adults then you almost certainly will be. Will the roof be fine, almost certainly. Will some snotty insurance company or warranty department try to wheedle out of a claim?……..
I've been eyeing up a Tesla Model Y for the camp mode - better or worse? I'd imagine there is a Tesla camper w**kers group as well somewhere.
Secondly, depending on the car and its age, you might well be invalidating any warranty. Most car roofs and roof racks have a max weight they are designed to carry, usually around 100kg. By the time you are in it and the weight of the tent itself then you are probably overloading the roof. If there are 2 adults then you almost certainly will be. Will the roof be fine, almost certainly. Will some snotty insurance company or warranty department try to wheedle out of a claim?……..
The roof weight you find (around 75 or 100kg) is the weight you can have on the roof and drive about (presumably without affecting handling and you can crash without compromising integrity etc.).
The weight you can have when parked up is considerably more - though I've not found figures other than roof tent companies saying, "static limit is typically 3-5x the dynamic limit". Hardly definitive though; would be reassuring to get something from the car manufacturers.
The night time piss
Isn't that what fabric conditioner bottles were invented for?
The night time piss
Isn't that what fabric conditioner bottles were invented for?
I was think you could just hang the todger out the side of the rooftent and let it all out.
I would add, from having had a look at someone else’s -
the tent box ones are the size of a small backpacking tent. There’s no space for bags and no porch for shoes.
youre on top of the car springs - if there’s two of you in there when one moves or gets out the other gets bounced (though we had the same issue in a coach built camper without the props down)
Budget option - put a sheet of marine ply on your roofbars and use a pop-up tent from Decathlon
Positives
The lions can't reach you
You do realise lions can jump and climb don't you? They are cats and cats are good at that stuff.
I have thought about one of these for the Disco 4 for MTB trips. It's a Commercial, so no rear seats and a flat load area - room for a full bike inside stood up with front wheel off and a sliding tray for cooking stuff etc. Drop down/lift up tailgate for seating and 'some' shelter. Would only be for me. Would also get an X-Lifter which extends individual wheels on the air suspension to get it level
surely the advantage is the mattress rather than the tent. I know a couple who have one on the top of their van. Looks pretty comfy and cosy, without having to setup or clear the van..
close it down and drive, i think you can leave the bedding up there?
whether its offset by being up on the roof, in the wind, and needing to climb down for a piss, i coulnt tell you.
We have a popup 3 man tent, and air beds to compliment the van. Doesnt take a few minutes to set up.
We used one in Botswana for a month and it was awesome. Seems like a stupid setup for the UK/Europe though, I just can't see the benefits.
It works well if:
You really don't want to sleep on the ground (but some trailer tents address that)
You don't mind packing absolutely everything away when you want to drive anywhere
It is mounted on a vehicle which is (near) exclusively used for camping trips
You don't need the tent for anything much besides sleeping in
We've had our tentbox classic for nearly 5 years and like everything in life there are pros and cons with it, some of the pros are that it's quick and easy to put up and down (at least if there's 2 of you), it's a nice and comfortable place to sleep with a bit more room than a pop top, as to the cons the biggest one for me is climbing into the thing when it's raining and it's almost impossible to put down if you're on your own (mines on top of a van) we do have a bed in the van but much prefer sleeping in the Tentbox.
Decathlon do a hard shell pop up that looks good. I was considering one, but instead I might go the other way- sleep in the back of the Passat (estate) on a mattress, put all my shit in a roof box.
Tarp awning attached to the roof bars would mean I could have window open on that side and cook and sit under the tarp. There are also boot lid tents, but that involves buying something.
Bike in mates van helps as well.
surely the advantage is the mattress rather than the tent.
Exped Megamat - genuinely more comfortable than a lot of mattresses.
Decathlon do a very good free standing awning that will work well with cars/vans etc. We have one when not in the tent and sleeping in the van. Stands up to storms well too. Packs up small and is only £120.
Think Thule does a towbar mounted tent that doesn't have a lot of the disadvantages of roof mount, but you need a towbar.
£3.5k for the towbar tent.
What tents do people have that are such a ball ache to put up?
10 minutes has any of my small tents up and often alot less. And a small tent is the equivalent of a roof tent so comparable in terms of volume to faff ratio.
A big tent takes longer i guess but equally you get something you fan walk around in and has multiple rooms and is comfortable.
Finding a flat pitch to park is surely more faff than popping a tent up.
I have one on my Caddy which is only really used for travelling somewhere with the bikes to ride and/or stay so it stays on there all the time. It was mainly purchased so I could lock everyones bikes, kit etc. away in the van and then I sleep on the top with minimal faffing and it works for me. We then use the back of the van to change/sit/cook in if the weather is a bit naff or just outside as you would anyway if it's nice!
It's up by the time my mate has laid out the groundsheet on his tent, but packing it down is a similar amount of time to square it away neatly, although if you weren't driving a long way you could easily rush it and have it packed away in a couple of minutes.
I will say though I only bought it (OEX Vertex from GoOutdoors) due to an alignment of discounts and sales that meant it was under £600 delivered. I'd say for that price it's paid for itself many times over as I've stayed in it in some foul weather that otherwise would have had me bailing on the trip or booking a cheap hotel/BnB.
like everything in life there are pros and cons with it,
Yes. But there are few things in life with quite such an overwhelming number and severity of disadvantages versus the limited number of advantages.
Not been my experience, they're some disadvantages but only minor ones and for our use, outweighed by the advantages, each to their own, live and let live and all that.like everything in life there are pros and cons with it,
Yes. But there are few things in life with quite such an overwhelming number and severity of disadvantages versus the limited number of advantages.
I don't know why some people appear to be so triggered by RTT's, if you don't like them you don't have to buy one.
There does seem a disproportionate amount of negativity towards something that doesn't affect anyone other than the person who has bought it (and generally is glad they have) but I think a previous thread went a similar way.
For me it's not really replacing a tent, it's allowing me to have a small cheap to buy and run van with bolt-on sleeping quarters for less money (and various other positives) compared to a larger van or motorhome.
Anyway, all this talk of tents and camping isn't improving the weather. We've usually got a few camping trips booked already. Given the weather, we've only got one in July booked so far.
Never used one but like the idea for the following reasons:
Easy to set up/down.
Easy to dry after use.
Almost turns a car into a campervan.
Really? I think they look a ball ache to set up and dry. And I really don't think they turn a car into a campervan..
Possibly good for a single brief overnighter, but what a faff putting it on and off the car/van. Multiple nights away? what a faff everytime you want to use the car whilst away.
Personally I've become a fan of air beam tents for decent size family tents for ease or just regular pole tents for 3ish man - pretty straightforward really!
Oddly DoD as a lad used to have family weekends in Brean in an inflatable Igloo tent in the ‘70s 🙁
Blimey, who’d have thought a tent on a roof rack would elicit so many strong opinions.
I am not usually interested in anything car related and I don’t want a camper van. When on holiday I want to get away from cars and not live in one.
Saying that, I do sometimes kip in the back of my car at the beginning or end of a trip. I recon a roof tent would work well for trips up the hills when all you want is a Friday night kip before starting a hill on Sat morning. A normal tent is no good in a scruffy layby or car park. Some cars are too small to sleep in so a roof tent would work.
How much hate I've got just about every type of tent and I've just bought one last week to go on top of our Caravelle. The Caravelle has served us well for 14 years and been so many holidays with the family in those years but as the kids have got older the number of hols we can goi has reduced due to exams and skiing has replaced MTBing for one of the hols the van just wasn't getting used. It's not been out since the alps in the summer.
Similar to other folk I've bought it fior races and quick get aways so I can keep bikes and inflatable kayaks inside. I've got a Jackary to run a fridge and charge devices laptop etc. I'm taking the rear seats out and the front seats already swivel plus its got a desiell heater so it will be a nice place spend an evening without needing an awning. Its also our 3rd car so the roof tent will live on the top all year round.
I've camped in the Caravelle a few times biut it's such a faff to fold out the seat and juggle everything around the roof tent should make a huge difference.
I got a tentbox go with mattress for £650 in mint condition from a guy who was emigrating. I figured that if doesn't work out I could sell in for not much less than Ive paid for it.