Rambler by ROAM – 2 Person Hard Shell Roof Top Tent

From brand reputation, materials used, insulation level and ease of setup to the availability of various complementary accessories such as annex rooms and awnings, there are quite a few things that matter when purchasing a roof top tent. We go through at least 21 factors when ranking a specific roof top tent and our list can help you understand and identify the factors that matter most to you.

» Read More: Important Roof Top Tent Features

While a roof rack is the only mandatory accessory you need for a roof top tent, you might want to consider a matching awning and a compatible annex room to make the most out of your camping / overlanding trip. Most if not all roof top tents come with the necessary retractable ladder and a high quality mattress. Additionally, there are some extremely useful accessories such as a condensation mat (if not included in your RTT of your) and more that you may want to consider for a great camping experience.

» Read More: What roof top tent accessories do I need?

In a nutshell, roof top tents are compact tents that are mounted on top of your vehicle with the help of a roof rack or cross bars and they work by functioning as compact packages than can be unfolded, raised, pitched through a bit of handy work or a mechanism in some cases, in order to offer you an insulated living space atop your vehicle when you’re camping.

Roof top tents have become extremely popular, as they offer multiple benefits, such as extra comfort in all weather conditions, freedom to camp almost anywhere, affordability compared to RVs & campers, increased safety / security and the opportunity for amazing sightseeing by being an awesome vantage point atop your vehicle.

If that’s a bit vague or superficial, then let’s go over all the details on how roof top tents work (including what they are and the various types of RTTs you can buy), from how they’re supported / mounted on your vehicle, how they’re pitched (or opened, unfolded, unpacked, depending on what terminology you prefer), how avid campers use them and then move on to some useful tips to consider when buying a roof top tent.

» Read More: How do roof top tents work?

You’re a couple of searches and a simple calculation away from figuring out if your car can handle a roof top tent safely and without risking any damage during actual usage. In most cases, if you own an SUV, Jeep, van or truck, you’re good to go, whilst sedans, hatchbacks, coupes are almost never a safe fit for a roof top tent. On top of that, you can pretty much rule out putting a roof top tent on any vehicle with a rooftop load limit under 165 lbs.

But let’s jump to the steps you should take to be absolutely sure you can buy, install and safely drive with a roof top tent.

» Read More: How do you know if your car can handle a roof top tent?

Roof top tents are designed, built and tested to be highly stable products both in a closed (when driving) and open state (when camping). Even camping in strong winds has little impact on the stability of the roof top tent, although some level of wind noise is unfortunately inevitable even with great insulation. As for driving with a roof top tent, owners report no significant changes to their driving experience, but it’s best to gradually increase your speed to the point you are comfortable, while adjusting to any minor changes in maneuverability.

» Read more: Are roof top tents stable?

Simply put, roof top tents do not damage cars as long as they are installed correctly and weight limits for the vehicle, the roof rack and the tent are respected. Mounting and unmounting the tent is also an easy and safe procedure that does no damage to your vehicle. There is an argument that the extra weight causes extra wear to your vehicle’s suspension for example, but that same logic applies to literally anything else in your car, including passengers.

» Read more: Do roof top tents damage cars?

Yes, roof top tents definitely affect gas mileage negatively, with some RTT owners reporting as little as a 5% decrease (light tents with a more aerodynamic profile) and some reporting as much as 20%-25% increase (heavier tents that are bulkier and basically less aerodynamic). However, there are some useful tips and tricks to ensure that your roof top tent doesn’t affect fuel economy drastically.

» Read more: Do roof top tents affect gas mileage?

Most vehicles, especially trucks, vans, Jeeps and SUVs can support a roof top tent by using a heavier duty roof rack and the general rule is that any vehicle with a rooftop load limit under 165 lbs won’t support a roof top tent safely. Trucks can support a roof top tent either in an elevated position using an elevated truck bed rack or as a truck bed tent, depending on the particular roof top tent model. Furthermore, it is fairly straightforward to find out the weight limits for the vehicle, the rack and the tent itself to ensure you can safely drive and use your roof top tent.

» Read more: What vehicles can support a roof top tent?