How to Choose a Rooftop Tent for Your Car or 4WD

A rooftop tent changes how you camp. You pull up, open it, and you've got a bed off the ground, out of
the mud and away from whatever crawls around at night. No pitching poles in the dark and no wet
canvas rolled up in the boot.

But rooftop tents aren't one size fits all. The right one depends on your car, your roof racks and how you
actually camp. Here's what to check before you buy, so you end up with a tent that suits your setup, not
just the one with the best photos.

Start with your car, not the tent

The most important question isn't which rooftop tent to buy. It's what your car can safely carry. Three
things matter here.

Dynamic roof load. This is the weight your roof can carry while you're driving. You'll find it in your
owner's manual or from your vehicle manufacturer, and it's the number that limits your tent choice.
The tent's weight, plus your roof racks and anything else up there, needs to sit within it. Never guess this one.

Static roof load. This is what your roof can hold when the car is parked, and it's much higher than the
dynamic figure. It's what supports the tent, the mattress and everyone sleeping in it at camp.

Roof racks. A rooftop tent needs a solid set of roof racks, fitted to your roof rails or your car's proper
mounting points, and rated for the load. If your car doesn't have racks yet, sort them before the tent,
not after.

To give you a sense of the numbers, the Roof Space 2 weighs 67kg including its mattress and needs a
minimum dynamic roof load of 75kg. The larger Roof Space 4 needs a minimum of 100kg. Every tent is
different, so always check the specs against your car.

One more practical check: a rooftop tent adds height. Measure your garage and think about the
underground car parks you use before you commit.

Hard shell or soft shell rooftop tent?

Rooftop tents generally come in two styles, and each suits a different kind of camper.

Soft shell rooftop tents fold out from a base under a zip up cover, usually hanging over one side of the
car. They often give you more sleeping space for the money and room for an annex underneath. The
trade off is a longer setup and pack down, and the canvas needs a bit more care.

Hard shell rooftop tents have a rigid lid that lifts or opens with the help of gas struts. Setup is fast, often
a couple of minutes, and the shell stands up well to weather, branches and general knocking about.
They're usually more aerodynamic on the road, and you generally pay more for that speed and
toughness.

If you move camp every day or often set up solo, a hard shell rooftop tent is hard to beat. If you tend to
set up base camp for a few days and want maximum space, a soft shell can be the better value.

Some designs blend the two. Roof Space tents, for example, pair an aluminum hard shell with a full fold
out sleeping area. You can see the range in our Roof Space collection.

How many people does it need to sleep?

Be honest about who's coming. A tent rated for two adults is a snug fit for two, and a family tent is
heavier and needs a higher roof load. Size up if you camp with kids, a dog or plenty of gear, but check
the extra weight still suits your car.

Think about setup and pack down

This is where rooftop tents earn their keep, or don't. Ask yourself:
      • Can you open and close it on your own?
      • How long does pack down take on a wet morning?
      • Does the bedding stay inside when it's closed?
      • Is the ladder easy to set up on uneven ground?

A tent that's quick to pack away gets used more. One that's a fight every morning ends up in the shed.

What else you'll want with it

The tent is the start of the setup. Depending on how you camp, a few extras make a real difference.

• A rooftop tent annex: a room at ground level for changing, storage or extra sleeping space, like
               the Roof Space Family Base or Light Base
• A rooftop tent awning: shade and rain cover at camp without a second setup, like the Roof
               Space Light Awning
• A thermal inner tent: for places where the nights get properly cold, like the Roof Space
              Thermal Inner Tent
• A mozzie screen: airflow and the view without the insects, like the Roof Space Panoramic Screen
• Power at camp: lighting, charging and a fridge all run better with a proper 12V setup. See our
               batteries and 12V power range

Is a rooftop tent worth it?

For most people who camp more than a few times a year, yes. You get a flat, comfortable bed off the
ground, faster setup than most ground tents, and more room in the car because the tent lives on the
roof.

The trade offs are real, though. It's a bigger investment than a swag, it adds weight and height to your
car, and you need to pack it up before you drive anywhere, even for a quick trip to the shops. If you
camp a couple of nights a year, a good ground tent or swag might suit you better.

Your rooftop tent checklist

Before you buy, run through this list. It applies to any tent, not just the ones we sell.

      • ☐ You've checked your car's dynamic roof load
      • ☐ Your roof racks are fitted and rated for the tent
      • ☐ You've chosen hard shell or soft shell based on how you camp
      • ☐ It sleeps the people who actually come with you
      • ☐ You're comfortable setting it up and packing it down, solo if needed
      • ☐ You've checked the height against your garage and car parks
      • ☐ You know which extras you'll add, like an annex or awning

Rooftop tent FAQs

How much does a rooftop tent weigh? It varies a lot between models and sizes. As an example, the
Roof Space 2 weighs 67kg including its mattress. Always compare the tent's weight with your car's
dynamic roof load.

Can I put a rooftop tent on any car? Many cars can take one, but not all. You need a roof with a high
enough dynamic load rating and a suitable set of roof racks.

What's the difference between a hard shell and a soft shell rooftop tent? A hard shell has a rigid lid
and sets up in minutes. A soft shell folds out under a zip up cover and usually gives you more space for
the price.

Do I need an annex with my rooftop tent? Not always, but it's handy for extended stays or families. An
annex gives you a sheltered room at ground level for changing, storage or extra beds.

Browse rooftop tents

See our full rooftop tents range, including tents from Roof Space and Baintech. If you're not sure what
suits your car, give us a call on 02 9413 3166 and we'll help you work it out.