You’ve read our big DOWNTOWN roof top tent test, and now you’re really eager to embark on your own roof top tent adventure? Here are the ultimate tips to help you become the Queen or King of the Rooftops. Our editors have compiled their roof top tent experiences just for you. Let’s go!
Roof top tent trips are the epitome of freedom and adventure. You can sleep in the most beautiful natural spots, while enjoying the comfort of your own mobile home. However, before you set off on your journey, there are a few things to consider to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible. From proper loading and adjusting your driving behaviour, to choosing the right campsite – we’ve got everything covered for you. Ready for the ultimate road trip? Then read on!
1. Travelling with a roof top tent
Every adventure begins with the right preparation. Here are a few points to keep in mind beforehand:
Loading and roof load: Make sure you don’t overload your vehicle. The permissible roof load is crucial when fitting a roof top tent. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find out the exact roof load, as overloading can result in fines.
Adjust your driving style: Vehicle dynamics change with a tent on the roof. Adapt your driving style to compensate for the car’s altered cornering behaviour. You should also be prepared for longer braking distances due to the heavier weight and, if necessary, keep more distance from the vehicles in front of you.
Maximum speed: The recommended maximum speed with a roof top tent is normally between 100 and 120 km/h. Please note that aerodynamics might worsen at higher speeds.
Tolls and vehicle height: Some toll stations and ferries charge their fees depending on the height of the vehicle. Measure the height of your vehicle beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises. This also applies to underground car parks in the city.
Choice of roof top tent: The size, height and roof load of your car influence the choice of roof tent. Make sure that the tent can be secured to the roof bars safely and that it doesn’t protrude excessively from the car roof perimeter.
Driving noise: If the roof tent protrudes over the front of the car roof, it might cause some unpleasant noises. Test this before you travel and adjust the tent’s position accordingly.
2. Where can you stay overnight?
Into the wild
Being away from the crowds, immersed in unspoilt nature, sleeping where the foxes and hares say goodnight and only the owls break the silence of the night – that’s the dream of every roof top tent traveller. But what’s allowed and what not? In principle, wild camping is prohibited in Germany and most European countries. Find out about the rules in your country of destination before setting off.
Wild camping or boondocking: That is the question
Now it gets a little trickier! In Germany, for example, there’s a distinction between free-standing and wild camping, and that’s exactly where the grey area begins, because this distinction is hard to define. Free-standing for one night to “restore your ability to drive” is generally permitted in Germany. This means that you are not allowed to do the things you would do in a campsite, (i.e. setting up tables and awnings, making campfires, etc.), only stay one night and behave inconspicuously. Everything else is wild camping. Parking inconspicuously is of course easier in a campervan, but is usually no problem with a roof tent. Please note: there are designated motorhome car parks, but a car with a roof tent is not a motorhome and organic waste (we are not talking about banana skins…) isn’t welcome here, which actually makes a lot of sense.
Romance vs. reality: the wilderness dilemma
Apart from the impact that wild campers can have on nature and the environment, it’s no fun sleeping in a roof tent if you’re woken up at night or early in the morning by hikers, rangers and self-appointed police officers knocking on your door. So is it better to stay in a campsite? Parcelled out areas, communal showers and strict rules often have nothing to do with a romantic trip into the great outdoors.
Off the beaten track: cool campsites for your roof top tent
To avoid getting stressed on your holiday, you can use platforms such as Nomady, Alpaca Camping and Dachzeltnomaden to find private landowners that welcome rooftop campers. There are pitch maps and countless offers where you can find super nice spots away from conventional campsites.
Otherwise, you can simply do it yourself. For example, ask the farmer you just bought your eggs from, the idyllic inn where you had dinner, or the farm shop where you stocked up – just ask, you’ll be surprised how many will be fine with you parking on their land for one night, and some will even let you use their toilet. As a general rule: when camping in a roof top tent, leave only tire tracks and footprints.
3. Must-haves
Now that we’ve discussed all of the legal aspects, let’s move on to the practical part, because there are a few things you should have with you, even as a roof top tent newbie:
Drive-on wedges: Especially when you’re not in a campsite, the vehicle might be parked on a light slope. To compensate for this, you can use drive-on wedges to prevent the vehicle from tilting sideways.
Organisers: Before you throw everything into the car and set off, you should organise the space well. Use boxes or crates in the boot, organise them according to the intended use (cooking, eating, hygiene, sport, rain…). This will help you find all important things again, especially if you want to set up your tent in the evening, when you’re tired from a long drive. The same applies to the roof tent: it’s a bedroom, hallway and cupboard all in one. Shoe bags on the outside, organisers on the walls inside and nets on the ceiling will make life much easier.
The right shoes: Sounds banal, but if you’ve ever stood in the mud with your white Air Forces, you’ll know what we’re talking about. You’re better off using shoes that you can put on and take off quickly: Wellies, Birkenstocks, flip flops, Crocs…
Tarps and awnings: If you have found a nice spot and want to stay longer, a tarp or awning will provide privacy while protecting you from rain and sunshine.
Anti-condensation mats: Just like a slatted bed frame, they ensure better air circulation under the mattress, providing an additional insulation layer and preventing dampness from forming. Some manufacturers already include one in the box.
Light: In our test, only hard-shell tents like the Vickywood, the Arcta and the Alu-Kraftkiste von Naturbummler have an integrated LED light inside the tent. If you buy a tent that doesn’t come with one, we recommend getting a good torch or headlamp, an LED light, or even a string of lights, which is best left in the tent.
Warming upgrade: If you’re travelling in winter, we recommend investing in some good thermal insulation, which is often enough given that the people inside the tent also produce heat. In sub-zero temperatures, you can get an auxiliary heater to blow warm air into the inside of the tent via a hose.
4. Condensation
What is condensation and where does it come from? Especially when the tent warms up after a cold night, moisture collects on the walls and on the sleeping bag. Moisture condenses on the cold tent walls, turning into little droplets of water. Several factors contribute to this: Your breath (up to 1 litre in one night), wet clothing or equipment inside the tent, the natural humidity of the environment, and the number of people in your tent. With a few simple tips, you can reduce the amount of condensation inside the tent.
- Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate! The best and easiest way to minimise condensation inside your tent is to leave the windows open at least a crack to create a slight draught. Wind from the outside can be a great help. Keep this in mind when choosing your camping spot and orientation. Alternatively, a small fan can help you dry wet clothes before getting into the tent.
- Don’t bring wet clothes into the tent.
- Not only people, but also animals increase humidity and radiate heat through their breathing – in this case it helps to let the dog sleep one floor lower, i.e. in the car.
- Avoid sleeping near rivers, lakes or other wet environments, as there the humidity is always slightly higher.
- Improve ventilation: place an anti-condensation mat under the mattress.
- If you can’t avoid condensation at night, a waterproof dry pack will at least keep your clothes dry.
5. Mattress
Mattress size: If you already have space problems in a 1.60 m Queen-size bed at home, we advise against roof tents with narrow sleeping areas. With a 1.20 m mattress, your holiday will most likely end in divorce. Many of the manufacturers featuring in this test offer different tents in different sizes.
Mattress thickness: In our test, we had all sorts of mattresses, from Thule’s 4 cm foam mattress to the 8 cm memory foam mattress of the Naturbummler Flitzer I L. Here, everyone has to decide for themselves how sensitive they are. Are you a fakir type who prefers to sleep on the bare floor, or are you more of a princess-on-a-pea type? In that case, we recommend a DIY upgrade: whether it’s a topper, sleeping mat or an additional blanket is up to you. In any case, it ensures a softer sleep and insulates against the cold from below. Spoiler: Even on the 8 cm thick mattress of the Naturbummler Flitzer I L, we still needed an additional sleeping mat, as the grooves in the floor of the roof tent’s shell were still noticeable. What was the story with the pea?
6. The weather
25ºC, cosy summer nights – when buying a roof tent, the idea is often far more pleasant than the reality. Depending on the time of year and holiday destination, you should also be prepared for bad weather. One thing’s clear: in good weather, any roof tent will do. But if you have to endure pouring rain for days on the shores of Lake Garda, or want to travel through northern Europe in autumn, you should make sure you’re choosing the right roof tent. A hard-top roof tent is often the better option, as you literally have a solid roof over your head rather than a thin piece of fabric, which ensures better insulation, amongst other things. On the other hand, a folding tent with a rain cover and canopy scores points when getting out. When it rains, it helps if the tent can be set up quickly, so you don’t get completely soaked.
There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing – if you take the same approach with camping, you’ll be prepared for any situation. Following the onion-skin principle, a woollen hat, scarf, blanket, hot water bottle and a good sleeping bag will get you through the coldest of nights – you can’t have too many layers. Zippered sleeping bags help in the cold and let you forget about narrow mattresses if you’re travelling with your loved one. Tip: Set up the roof tent, but leave the bedding in the warm car until just before going to bed.
Unforgettable experience or nightmare trip? The right roof top tent and essential must-haves will make all the difference. Whether it’s sunshine or rain, with the right preparation, you can fully enjoy the freedom and nature. So, pack your gear, plan your route – or don’t – and get ready for your next big roof top tent adventure under the stars!
Words: Susanne Feddersen, Felicia Nastal Photos: Robin Schmitt, Mike Hunger
