What is roof tent hire?
Roof tent hire allows you to experience rooftop camping without buying your own tent.
Instead of purchasing and storing a rooftop tent yourself, you can hire one for a specific trip, weekend or holiday. This can be a great option if you want to try rooftop camping, only plan occasional adventures, or want to test whether a rooftop tent suits your style of travelling.
A rooftop tent is fitted to a suitable roof-rack system on your vehicle and provides an elevated sleeping space when parked. When travelling, the tent folds away so you can continue your journey as normal.
Before hiring, always check that the specific rooftop tent, roof-rack system and vehicle are compatible.
Why hire a rooftop tent before buying?
A rooftop tent can be a big investment, and hiring one first lets you experience rooftop camping before committing to buying your own.
Renting gives you the opportunity to discover whether a rooftop tent suits your type of travel, your vehicle and the people you’re travelling with.
Before buying, you can try:
- The setup process — see how easy you find opening, closing and preparing the tent for the night.
- Sleeping comfort — experience the space, access and layout of a rooftop tent before choosing a model.
- Vehicle practicality — understand what it’s like travelling with a rooftop tent fitted, including the extra height and equipment involved.
- Different tent styles — compare different designs and features before deciding what matters most to you.
- Real-world camping — find out whether rooftop tent adventures fit the way you actually like to travel.
For many people, hiring first is a way to avoid buying a rooftop tent that ends up being used less than expected. It gives you the confidence to choose the right setup if you decide that rooftop camping is for you.
How much does roof tent hire cost?
The cost of hiring a roof tent varies depending on the tent, location, rental duration and what is included.
Unlike buying a rooftop tent, where you make a significant upfront investment, hiring allows you to choose a setup that suits your trip without committing to owning and storing the equipment.
Factors that can affect the hire price include:
- Tent type and size — larger or more feature-rich rooftop tents may have different pricing.
- Rental duration — longer bookings may have different rates depending on the owner.
- Location — availability and pricing can vary depending on where the tent is listed.
- Included equipment — some listings may include additional items such as roof bars, accessories or fitting support.
- Collection or delivery options — arrangements vary between owners.
Always check the individual listing carefully to understand what is included, any requirements for your vehicle, and the terms of the rental.
If you own a rooftop tent that is sitting unused, listing it on RentMyRoofbox could help you offset some of the cost of ownership.
What’s included when hiring a roof tent?
What is included with a roof tent hire depends on the individual listing and owner.
Before booking, check exactly what is provided and what you need to supply yourself.
A listing may include:
- the rooftop tent itself;
- any compatible mounting equipment supplied by the owner;
- setup guidance or a handover demonstration;
- accessories included with that particular tent;
- collection or delivery arrangements (where offered).
Some owners may be able to provide additional support, such as helping you understand the setup process, while others may offer equipment-only hire.
Always check the listing details before booking and make sure your vehicle, roof-rack system and the supplied equipment are compatible.
Can my car have a rooftop tent?
Not every vehicle is suitable for a rooftop tent.
Before hiring a rooftop tent, you need to check that the specific tent, roof-rack system and vehicle are compatible.
Important things to consider include:
- Vehicle details — the exact make, model, year and roof type can affect compatibility.
- Roof-rack system — the roof bars and fitting system must be suitable for the rooftop tent being used.
- Vehicle and equipment limits — follow the requirements provided by the vehicle, roof-rack and rooftop-tent manufacturers.
- Overall setup — consider the additional height, weight and how the tent changes the vehicle setup.
A roof-rack system that is suitable for carrying a roof box, bikes or other equipment is not automatically approved for use with a rooftop tent.
If you’re unsure whether your vehicle is suitable, check the requirements before booking rather than assuming the setup will work.
What roof bars do I need for a rooftop tent?
The roof bars you need depend on your specific vehicle, roof type and the rooftop tent being used.
A suitable setup normally requires:
- roof bars that are compatible with your exact vehicle;
- a fitting system appropriate for your roof type;
- a roof-rack system that is approved for use with the rooftop tent;
- correct installation following the manufacturer’s instructions.
It’s important not to choose roof bars based only on appearance or a generic weight rating. A roof rack that works for a roof box or other accessories may not automatically be suitable for a rooftop tent.
Before hiring, check what roof-rack requirements apply to the specific tent and whether the equipment supplied in the listing is suitable for your vehicle.
If a listing includes roof bars, check that they are supplied specifically for your vehicle and the rooftop tent being hired. If you are providing your own roof bars, confirm compatibility before booking.
Do I need insurance to hire a rooftop tent?
Insurance arrangements vary, so check both your own motor insurance and the rental agreement before using a hired rooftop tent.
Before booking, check:
- whether fitting a rented rooftop tent needs to be declared to your motor insurer;
- what cover applies to the rooftop tent itself;
- responsibility for accidental damage, theft or loss;
- any deposit, excess or security requirements; and
- what is included in the owner’s rental terms.
Don’t assume that your vehicle insurance or the owner’s cover automatically protects every situation. Make sure you understand the arrangements before setting off.
For more information, read our Rooftop Tent Insurance UK guide.
Where can you camp with a rooftop tent?
A rooftop tent gives you more flexibility when travelling, but it does not automatically mean you can camp anywhere you park.
The best places to use a hired rooftop tent are usually:
- Campsites that accept rooftop tents or vehicle-based camping;
- Approved overnight stays where camping is permitted;
- Private land where you have permission from the owner;
- Designated camping locations that allow rooftop tents.
Before travelling, check:
- whether the campsite accepts rooftop tents;
- whether the pitch type is suitable;
- local parking restrictions and by-laws;
- any requirements from landowners or booking providers.
Rules around overnight stays vary depending on where you are in the UK, so always check the specific location rather than assuming a rooftop tent can be used anywhere a normal tent might be.
Looking for somewhere to stay with your rooftop tent?
Planning your destination is just as important as choosing the right equipment. Community resources such as Boxspot can help rooftop tent users discover places to stay and share ideas with other campers.
Roof tent hire vs buying a rooftop tent
Whether hiring or buying is right for you depends on how often you plan to use a rooftop tent and how much flexibility you want.
Hiring can be a great option if you want to try rooftop camping first, only plan occasional trips, or don’t want the commitment of buying and storing your own equipment.
Buying may make more sense if you already know rooftop camping suits you and you want your own setup available whenever you travel.
| Hire a roof tent | Buy a rooftop tent | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Trying rooftop camping or occasional trips | Frequent use and owning your own setup |
| Upfront cost | Lower cost for individual trips | Larger initial investment |
| Storage | No long-term storage needed | Requires suitable storage when not fitted |
| Choice | Try different tents and setups | Choose one setup that suits your needs |
| Maintenance | Usually handled by the owner | Your responsibility |
| Availability | Depends on local listings and dates | Available whenever you need it |
If you’re unsure whether rooftop camping is right for you, hiring first can help you understand what works for your vehicle, your travelling style and your adventures before making a larger investment.
List your rooftop tent and earn from unused equipment
Already own a rooftop tent that spends most of the year stored away? Listing it on RentMyRoofbox could help you make better use of equipment that is otherwise sitting unused.
RentMyRoofbox helps connect rooftop tent owners with people looking to try rooftop camping without buying their own setup.
As an owner, you can choose when your rooftop tent is available, set your own rental price and decide how you want to manage bookings.
Before listing, make sure you can provide accurate information about:
- the rooftop tent make and model;
- its condition;
- vehicle compatibility requirements;
- roof-rack requirements;
- what equipment is included; and
- any collection or handover arrangements.
Clear information helps renters choose the right setup and helps create safer, better rental experiences.
Ready to try rooftop camping?
Thinking about your next adventure?
Hiring a rooftop tent is a great way to experience rooftop camping before committing to buying your own setup.
Explore available listings on RentMyRoofbox, or if you own a rooftop tent that is sitting unused, find out how you can make it available to other campers.
