Let’s start with the “why”.
If you want to spend more time outdoors with less faff (and ideally without blowing your budget), a roof tent is a seriously tempting upgrade. You get your bed with you wherever you go, you don’t have to hunt for perfectly flat ground like you would with a standard ground tent, and you can be ready for the night in just a couple of minutes.
These days there are loads of brands and models to choose from, and you can find a roof tent for almost any vehicle and travel setup. Here are the five most important things to think about before you click “add to basket”.
1) Can your vehicle handle the weight?
If you’ve ever used a roof box or bike rack, you’ve probably seen your car’s “roof load” figure in the handbook. That number is the dynamic roof load, meaning how much weight the car can safely carry while driving, including hard braking and sudden manoeuvres.
With a roof tent, the rule is the same when you’re on the move:
Roof tent + roof rack/crossbars + mounting hardware must stay within the vehicle’s dynamic roof load.
Many cars have a dynamic roof load of 75 kg or 100 kg, which works for a lot of roof tents. Smaller cars can be lower, so check before you order.
Once you’re parked up and the tent is unfolded with people inside, the weight will obviously be higher than your car’s dynamic roof limit. But at that point we’re talking about static roof load, the vehicle is stationary, so it isn’t dealing with cornering forces or emergency braking.
Most roof tent suppliers suggest that a vehicle’s static roof load can be 3 to 5 times higher than its dynamic rating. The tricky part is that many car manufacturers don’t publish static roof load figures, because it isn’t a standardised requirement in every market.
Practical tip:
If you’re unsure, add up the total weight (tent + rack + people), and speak to the roof tent supplier before buying. It’s much nicer than ending up with a tent you don’t feel comfortable sleeping in.
2) What size do you actually need?
Let’s start by dividing the question into two parts, first we have the desired size depending on the number of people and then we have size restrictions that are directly related to which car model you have.
Let’s start by dividing the question into two parts, first we have theyou want based on how many people (and pets) will sleep up there and then we have size restrictions that you can have based on your vehicle you have.
SUVs and 4x4s are often “roof-tent-friendly” because they tend to have:
- A larger roof area
- Higher roof load limits
- Dtronger roof rails and mounting points
But most vehicles can carry a roof tent of some kind. The key is that the tent should:
- Sit stable and centred
- Not overhang so much that it affects visibility or risks catching on things
- Not noticeably throw off the vehicle’s balance and handling
Many manufacturers provide a vehicle fit tool or compatibility list, which is a great place to start if you’re even slightly unsure.
Then comes the fun part: who’s sleeping up there?
- Two adults?
- Two adults and a child?
- Two children and a dog who insists the whole tent is “his”?
- Where will shoes, coats, phones, head torches and power banks live, while driving and while camping?
Also think about how the tent opens:
- Does it fold out to the side or the rear?
- Do you have room for the ladder?
- Are you adding an awning or annex, and do you have space for it once the tent is open?
A real-life roof tent moment (that still makes us laugh)
A couple of our friends run a roof tent setup, and one of the funniest things happened when we bumped into them by pure chance. We were on totally separate adventures, totally different routes and somehow ended up on the same lakeside car park one evening.
They were feeling very smug and announced they’d “just pop it up quickly”. You know that confident tone you get after doing something three times and deciding you’re basically a professional.
First attempt: the ladder went on the wrong side.
Second attempt: they forgot to clip one of the straps properly.
Third attempt: the tent popped open with so much enthusiasm that a pillow launched out like a tiny catapult and landed perfectly in a puddle.
It was one of those nights where you laugh until your ribs hurt and it made the whole “sleeping on the roof” thing feel very human. Roof tents are fast, yes… but they don’t make you immune to small, chaotic moments. Plan for them, then enjoy them.
3) Hard shell or soft shell?
There are two main types: softshell and hardshell.
Softshell roof tents
Softshell is often the go-to if budget matters most. They’re usually:
- Lighter than hardshell tents
- Better value for a larger sleeping footprint
- Easier to expand with an awning or annex for extra living/storage space
Some also come with skylights, perfect if you like the idea of falling asleep under the stars.
Hardshell roof tents
Hardshell models are usually:
- Quicker to set up (sometimes under a minute)
- More robust in bad weather
- Faster to dry out after rain
- More expensive, but often longer-lasting
Bonus: Some people use a hardshell as extra storage, a bit like a roof box, when they’re not camping.
4) Weather, ventilation and storage
Be brutally honest with yourself here: are you a “fair weather only” camper, or do you want to travel year-round?
If you’re camping in colder climates (think Nordic nights, shoulder seasons, or mountain trips), you may want:
- Better insulation
- A thermal liner
- A setup that handles condensation well
If you’re heading south (or doing a full Europe loop where temperatures swing wildly), focus on:
- Ventilation and airflow
- Quality mesh screens to keep bugs out
- How windows and doors are designed for hot weather
And because weather loves improvising, it’s worth thinking about:
- An awning for wind/rain cover
- A “mud zone” for wet boots, coats, or dogs
A roof tent can be incredibly cosy, but you don’t want your sleeping space to turn into a drying rack after a rainy day. The reality is similar to a ground tent, just with a few extra perks.
5) Can you actually get it onto the roof?
A roof tent needs lifting onto your vehicle. Many retailers will fit it for you, which can be worth it simply to avoid lifting awkwardly and scratching your roof.
If you’re doing it yourself, consider:
- The tent’s weight
- How many people you have to help lift
- Whether you have a safe surface to stand on
You’ll also need the right crossbars for your vehicle. A common spacing is roughly 80 cm to 1 metre apart, but always follow the requirements from both the roof rack and the tent manufacturer.
Storing your roof tent when it’s not on the vehicle
If you don’t want it mounted all year round, you’ll need a plan for taking it off and somewhere to store it.
Storage tips:
- Make sure it’s clean and completely dry first
- Avoid leaving it flat directly on the ground
- Store it upright if possible, protected with a blanket/cover
- Air it out occasionally to reduce moisture build-up
- Keep it away from heat sources that could damage materials
Your roof tent supplier should also be able to advise on the best storage method for your model.
Quick checklist before you buy
Before you commit, double-check:
- Your vehicle’s dynamic roof load (tent + rack must fit within it)
- The right size for both your vehicle and your people
- Softshell vs hardshell (budget vs speed and robustness)
- Weather, ventilation and your plan for wet kit
- Lifting, fitting, and where you’ll store the tent off-season
Want to read more?
- Build a campervan guide: www.camperpals.com/en/tag/build-a-campervan/
- External installation: www.camperpals.com/en/external-installation-campervan/
- Electrical system: