If you are an avid camper and outdoor enthusiast, but still have not tried roof top tents, here are the top benefits of using them, given in no particular order.
Elevated Camping
One of the most obvious benefits of a roof top tent is that you’re elevated off the ground.
So there is no lumpy, bumpy or uneven terrain, and no more worrying about creepy crawlies in your tent. With a roof top tent, you’re safely elevated from the ground, with a comfortable and sturdy base to sleep on.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about finding a flat, dry spot to pitch your tent – the roof of your car will do just fine.
Easy Setup
Setting up a roof top tent is incredibly easy and quick. They come with a ladder that attaches to the side of your car, so you can easily climb up and into your tent.
Some models even come with an automatic setup feature, which means your tent will be ready to go with just the push of a button.
Comfortable Sleeping
Roof top tents are designed to be as comfortable as possible. They usually come with a thick foam mattress, in some of them it is 10 cm thick.
Many roof top tents are fully closable and materials are thick, so when closed they are completely dark inside. This makes them dark rest type shelters, so you can sleep longer in the morning. But it is fair to say that there are many ground dark rest tents as well.
Better Protection from the Elements
Roof top tents are designed to be tough and durable, which means they’ll protect you from the elements. You won’t have to worry about rain or even snow, as your tent will keep you warm and dry no matter what.
But they may be uncomfortable in very windy places. They are high above ground and usually boxy and bulky, bear this in mind.
See more in this video, this is about some of iKamper roof top tents:
Lots of Storage Space
With a roof top tent, you’ll have plenty of storage space available simply because this is about camping on the car.
Equally important, in many of them you can leave your bedding and other essentials in the tent when you’re not using it. This is usually so with hard shell roof top tents.
When you’re camping in a traditional tent, you have to pack everything into your car. This includes also your mattress. This is not so with roof top tents where a mattress is always inside of the roof top tent.
Easy to Transport
Roof top tents are incredibly easy to transport. Once it is installed on the car, it will always be ready. They’re easy to install and remove, so you can switch between camping setups whenever you want.
But such am item on the car indeed consumes extra fuel. Some good manufacturers will always give data about effective wind resistance. For example, in the iKamper X Cover 2.0, this is 23 mph (37 km/h).
Better Airflow
Roof top tents are designed to provide better airflow than traditional tents. If you look around in the site, you will see that they always have large openings on at least three sides, mostly on all sides.
In addition, many of them have large skylight windows that are under a fly with translucent windows that match these openings. So the skylight windows double also as huge and protected roof vents. You can see them in the mentioned iKamper X Cover 2.0 roof top tent.
Some models even come with one or even two built-in fans which will help to circulate air throughout the tent. This feature you can see in the BunduTop Roof Top Tent.
More Privacy
When you’re camping on the ground, you have to worry about people walking past your tent and invading your privacy.
With a roof top tent, you’ll be elevated off the ground, which means you’ll have more privacy and security. As mentioned, they have large windows on all sides, but they are closable and you can regulate privacy.
Safety
If you know you will be camping in areas with wild and dangerous animals, roof top tents are a great option. They keep you out of reach of many of them.
In addition to this, many roof top tents can be locked up securely when you’re away from camp, giving you peace of mind.
Affordability
Now, we all know that roof top tents are far more expensive than ground tents. But compare them with campers and motorhomes. Roof top tents require no extra costs, no maintenance, etc.
So they might seem expensive at first, but they’re a long-term investment that will save you money in the long run.
Easy to store
This is again in comparison with campers and motorhomes. When you’re not using your roof top tent, it’s easy to store it away.
Soft shell type is usually more compact than a hard shell roof top tent, but not always. But hard shell type can be very thin. Bear this in mind if you have a limited space in your garage.
So you do not have to worry about finding a dedicated storage unit.
Easy to Keep Clean
Roof top tents are usually with shoe bags on the sides, or you can order such items separately. This keeps the interior naturally clean.
As you surely know, this is not so with ground tents that easily become messy, simply because they are so close to the exterior space with lost of dirt and debris around.
Also, most roof top tent come with a removable, machine-washable covers on the mattress, so you can keep it fresh and clean.
Versatility
Roof top tents are incredibly versatile. You can use them for camping, road trips, festivals, and even as a base for your outdoor adventures.
They can be fitted to almost any type of vehicle, from SUVs to trucks. But did you know that some of them can be used even on the ground? So yes, the Crua AER is such a type.
Perfect for Those Who Change the Place Frequently
If you are on a tour and change your camping place frequently, a roof top tent is the perfect option for you. You have already seen that they are easy to set up and take down.
With the added safety and privacy, you can feel more comfortable and secure when camping alone.
More Fun & Unique Experience
Last but not least, camping in a roof top tent is just more fun! You’ll feel like you’re on a real adventure, and you’ll be able to explore the great outdoors in a whole new way.
This all with convenience and comfort of sleeping on a sturdy platform.
In conclusion, a roof top tent is an excellent choice for anyone who loves camping and the great outdoors. With all the benefits listed above, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to camp in a roof top tent.
So why not give it a try on your next camping trip? You might just fall in love with this exciting and unique way to camp.
Bookmark this site and keep as a reference, you will always have new texts added here and this will keep you informed. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.
Hi, I am Jovo, the founder of this Off-Ground Tents site and several other outdoor sites. I have been mountaineering for almost 40 years already, and I have created this site to use as a reference for various types of above ground tents.