We've added a new brand to the range. East Coast Spares now stocks Roof Space, a German engineered hard shell rooftop tent built for anyone who wants a proper night's sleep without the setup hassle. You can browse the full rooftop tent range here, or come see it in person at the Sydney 4WD Show on Stand E17.
What is a hard shell rooftop tent?
A rooftop tent is a tent that mounts directly to your car's roof racks, giving you an elevated, insulated place to sleep instead of pitching on the ground. Most rooftop tents ask you to choose between a hard shell (rugged, aerodynamic, but a smaller sleeping area) or a soft fold out tent (more room, but bulkier and slower to pack away).
Roof Space combines both. It pairs a rugged aluminium hard shell case with the full fold out sleeping area of a classic canvas tent, so you get the durability and low profile of a hard shell without giving up interior space.
The story behind Roof Space
Roof Space started in 2020 in a home garage in northern Germany, built by two school friends, Immanuel Schneider and Jakob Heider, who wanted a rooftop tent that met their own standard rather than an existing one on the market. Progress came prototype by prototype: gas struts on the fourth attempt, the hard aluminium shell on the sixth, and panorama mode on the eighth, the feature that turns the tent into an open air lookout rather than just somewhere to sleep.
The company became official in April 2021, and a 2022 crowdfunding campaign turned the idea into a real product with real customers. Feedback from that first batch of buyers shaped small but genuine improvements, like quieter zippers and a proper connection point for a diesel heater. Roof Space has since expanded into the US and Australian markets, and the Roof Space 4 was built as the world's largest hard shell rooftop tent, going on to win the German Innovation Award in 2025 after the Roof Space 2 won the German Design Award the year before.
How it sets up, and why it's stable without a ladder
Setup is under two minutes, one handed, thanks to gas struts and a steel cable frame doing the heavy lifting. The tent uses a self supporting design, an aluminium frame and steel cable suspension system that holds it up without relying on the ladder (the ladder should still be used for support, since roof rack substructure can't be guaranteed).
A few other things worth knowing:
- Double panorama mode, opening both sides to turn the tent into an open air lookout, or closing it up weatherproof for a cosier night
- Tested in genuinely rough conditions, including 20 days of continuous rain, 40°C heat in Namibia and snow in Alaska, with wind resistance rated up to force 8
- Waterproof fabric, a polyester ripstop with a 3000mm water column rating, paired with a 100% aluminium case
- Every part is replaceable, which matters if you're planning to keep the tent for the long haul rather than replace it in a few years
Two sizes to suit your setup
Roof Space 2 sleeps 2 to 3 people, weighs 67kg including the tent and mattress, and needs a minimum dynamic roof load of 75kg. It comes with an integrated LED light with USB port, a high quality foam mattress with an anti-condensation mat, a 260cm telescopic ladder, mounting clamps and a shoe bag.
Roof Space 4 sleeps 4 to 5 people and is built for families, overlanders and van owners, with a 100kg minimum dynamic roof load requirement.
Both mount to standard 2-bar roof racks or a flat platform, and fit cars, vans, 4WDs and camper trailers.
Are rooftop tents worth it?
It depends on what you're replacing. Against a swag or ground tent, a rooftop tent gets you off wet or uneven ground, sets up faster once you've done it a few times, and doesn't need a flat clear patch of dirt to pitch on. Against the cost of doing nothing, it's a genuine investment rather than a small purchase, which is exactly why the build quality and setup speed matter as much as the price tag. For anyone camping more than a handful of nights a year, most owners find the speed and comfort pay for themselves quickly.
Built out with accessories
The Roof Space range also includes annexes and add-ons if you want to expand your setup: a Light Awning for quick weather protection, a Light Base annex for short trips, a Family Base annex with more room for the family, a Thermal Inner Tent for cold weather comfort, and a Panoramic Screen for mozzie protection when you're running panorama mode in summer.
Backed by the brand
Roof Space products carry a manufacturer's warranty. We're confirming the exact terms with the team before we publish them here, so check with us directly if you need the specifics before you buy.
Have a look through the full rooftop tent range, browse our wider 4WD and touring range, or give us a call if you want a hand working out which model and roof rack setup suits your vehicle.
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