What Is a Rooftop Tent?
A rooftop tent (RTT) is a portable shelter that mounts on your vehicle’s roof rack. Unlike traditional ground tents, rooftop tents:
- Mount securely to roof bars or roof racks
- Fold/unfold in minutes
- Include integrated mattress and sleeping platform
- Elevate you off the ground (away from mud, water, wildlife)
- Provide 360° views from your camping spot
- Can be left set up between locations
Types of Rooftop Tents
Soft Shell (Folding) Rooftop Tents
Design: Fabric tent that folds flat when closed, unfolds like a book when open
Advantages:
- ✅ Lower profile when closed (better aerodynamics)
- ✅ Lighter weight (40-60kg typical)
- ✅ Less expensive (£800-£1,500)
- ✅ Easier to fit on smaller vehicles
- ✅ Lower fuel consumption impact
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Slower setup (3-5 minutes)
- ❌ Must be dry before packing away
- ❌ Less headroom when open
- ❌ Canvas can sag in heavy rain
Best for: Budget-conscious campers, smaller vehicles, frequent travelers
Hard Shell (Pop-up) Rooftop Tents
Design: Rigid shell with gas struts, pops open in seconds
Advantages:
- ✅ Ultra-fast setup (30-60 seconds)
- ✅ Better aerodynamics (sleek shell design)
- ✅ Can pack away when wet
- ✅ More weatherproof
- ✅ Better in extreme conditions
- ✅ Sleeker appearance
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Higher cost (£1,500-£3,500)
- ❌ Heavier (55-80kg typical)
- ❌ Limited sleeping capacity (usually 2 people max)
- ❌ Higher profile impacts fuel economy
Best for: Frequent campers, premium vehicles, those wanting ultimate convenience
Hybrid Rooftop Tents
Design: Combines elements of both soft and hard shell designs
Features:
- Hard shell base with soft shell expansion
- Balance of aerodynamics and space
- Mid-range pricing (£1,200-£2,200)
- Good compromise for UK conditions
UK Vehicle Compatibility
Roof Load Requirements
Static Roof Load: Weight capacity when vehicle is stationary
- Minimum required: 200kg (tent + 2 people + gear)
- Recommended: 250-300kg for safety margin
- Most SUVs, 4x4s, estates: 250-400kg static load
Dynamic Roof Load: Weight capacity while driving
- Minimum required: 75kg (for the tent itself)
- Must be verified in vehicle manual
- Never exceed this limit while traveling
Suitable UK Vehicles for Rooftop Tents
Ideal vehicles:
- Land Rover Discovery/Defender
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- VW Transporter/California
- Nissan X-Trail
- Jeep Wrangler/Cherokee
- Subaru Outback/Forester
- Mitsubishi Outlander/Shogun
Suitable with care:
- Large estates (Volvo V90, BMW 5 Series Touring)
- Mid-size SUVs (Nissan Qashqai, VW Tiguan)
- Pickup trucks (Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux)
Generally not suitable:
- Small cars (insufficient roof load)
- Convertibles (roof structure not designed for loads)
- Vehicles with glass roofs (weight restrictions)
- Cars without roof bar mounting points
Roof Rack Requirements
You’ll need a robust roof rack system:
- Roof bars: Heavy-duty crossbars rated for tent weight
- Spacing: Typically 90-120cm apart
- Load rating: Minimum 75kg dynamic capacity
- Mounting system: Secure, professional-grade installation
- Recommended brands: Thule, Yakima, Rhino-Rack
Costs: Rental vs Buying
UK Rental Costs (2025)
- Weekend (2-3 days): £60-£100
- Week rental: £100-£150
- Two weeks: £180-£250
- Month: £300-£450
What’s typically included:
- Rooftop tent in excellent condition
- Integrated mattress and bedding platform
- Ladder for access
- Rain cover/fly sheet
- Setup instructions and demonstration
- Sometimes: Bedding, pillows (extra cost)
Purchase Costs
- Budget soft shell: £800-£1,200
- Mid-range soft shell: £1,200-£1,800
- Premium soft shell: £1,800-£2,500
- Entry hard shell: £1,500-£2,200
- Premium hard shell: £2,500-£3,500+
Additional ownership costs:
- Heavy-duty roof rack: £250-£500
- Storage when not in use: £50-£200/year
- Maintenance and repairs: £50-£150/year
- Cleaning and reproofing: £30-£80/year
Best UK Locations for Rooftop Tent Camping
Scottish Highlands
Why it’s perfect:
- Wild camping is legal in Scotland
- Stunning landscapes and remote locations
- NC500 route ideal for rooftop tent touring
- Midges less bothersome when elevated
Top spots:
- Glen Coe
- Loch Lomond
- Cairngorms National Park
- Isle of Skye
- Applecross Peninsula
Lake District
Considerations:
- Use designated camping areas (wild camping restricted)
- Many campsites accommodate rooftop tents
- Excellent touring opportunities
- Access to dramatic scenery
Recommended sites:
- Great Langdale Campsite
- Wasdale Head Campsite
- Borrowdale sites
Wales & Snowdonia
Features:
- Mix of campsites and wild camping spots
- Coastal and mountain options
- Less crowded than Lake District
- Good facilities for rooftop tent campers
South West England
Highlights:
- Cornwall coastal camping
- Dartmoor wild camping
- Beach access camping
- Milder weather year-round
Setup & Usage Guide
First-Time Setup (30 minutes)
- Prepare vehicle: Ensure roof rack is secure
- Position tent: Center it on roof bars for balance
- Bolt tent down: Follow manufacturer torque specifications
- Check security: Shake tent firmly to verify mounting
- Practice opening: Learn the mechanism in daylight
- Set up ladder: Understand ladder attachment/positioning
Daily Setup (2-5 minutes)
- Park on level ground
- Release tent locks/straps
- Unfold tent (soft shell) or pop open (hard shell)
- Extend ladder and secure
- Enter and arrange bedding
Packing Away
Soft shell tents:
- Must be completely dry before packing
- If wet, set up at home to dry before storage
- Fold carefully following manufacturer guide
- Secure all straps and covers
Hard shell tents:
- Can pack away when wet (air out later)
- Simply close and lock
- Wipe down shell exterior
- Check drainage holes are clear
Tips for UK Weather Conditions
Rain Protection
- Always use rain fly/cover (even if forecast is clear)
- Angle vehicle nose slightly downhill for drainage
- Bring towels for condensation management
- Use tent vents to reduce internal moisture
- Pack a tarp for underneath ladder area
Wind Considerations
- Park in sheltered spots when possible
- Position vehicle to minimize wind exposure
- Close tent in extreme wind warnings
- Use guy ropes if provided
- Consider wind direction when positioning
Cold Weather Camping
- Bring 4-season sleeping bags for Scottish Highlands
- Use insulated mattress topper for extra warmth
- Keep wet clothes in vehicle cab overnight
- Condensation management more critical in cold
- Hot water bottles make cold nights comfortable
Safety Considerations
Weight Distribution
- Never exceed vehicle’s static roof load
- Position heavier person towards vehicle center
- Store heavy gear in vehicle, not tent
- Check tent mounting bolts weekly
Ladder Safety
- Always use provided ladder (never improvise)
- Secure ladder properly before climbing
- One person on ladder at a time
- Take care in wet/icy conditions
- Children should be supervised
Driving with Rooftop Tent
- Increased fuel consumption (15-25%)
- Higher vehicle center of gravity (take corners slower)
- Increased wind resistance (drive defensively)
- Check height clearances (bridges, car parks, ferries)
- Recheck bolts after first 50 miles, then weekly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Packing tent wet: Leads to mold and smell
- ❌ Ignoring weight limits: Dangerous and illegal
- ❌ Poor parking choice: Unlevel ground causes discomfort
- ❌ Forgetting ladder: Can’t access tent!
- ❌ Not practicing setup: Fumbling in darkness/rain
- ❌ Overloading tent: Exceeding person capacity
- ❌ Inadequate roof rack: Using budget bars for heavy tent
- ❌ Leaving tent open while driving: Extremely dangerous
Should You Rent or Buy?
Rent a Rooftop Tent If:
- You camp 1-3 times per year
- Want to try before committing to purchase
- Don’t have storage space (they’re bulky!)
- Unsure which type suits you best
- Want to test vehicle compatibility
- Can’t justify £1,000+ investment yet
- Like variety (try different models)
Cost example: 3 weeks/year rental = £450/year vs £2,000+ to buy
Buy a Rooftop Tent If:
- You camp 6+ times per year
- Have dedicated storage space
- Want ultimate convenience
- Plan multi-month touring trips
- Live the overlanding lifestyle
- Want specific brand/model
Break-even: Around 15-20 nights camping per year
Essential Accessories
Must-Have Accessories
- Bedding: Sleeping bags or duvets (fits better than regular bedding)
- Pillows: Compact camping pillows
- Torch/headlamp: For nighttime access
- Condensation towel: Morning moisture management
- Ground tarp: Protect area under ladder
Recommended Accessories
- Awning: Additional shelter area
- Annexe: Extra sleeping/storage space
- LED strip lights: Interior lighting
- Shoe organizer: Keep boots accessible but outside
- Gear hammock: Interior storage nets
Conclusion
Rooftop tents offer a unique camping experience perfect for UK adventures. Whether you’re exploring the Scottish Highlands, touring the Lake District, or coastal camping in Cornwall, a rooftop tent provides comfort, convenience, and spectacular views.
Key takeaways:
- Verify your vehicle’s roof load capacity before renting/buying
- Soft shell tents are budget-friendly; hard shells are ultra-convenient
- Rental is economical for occasional campers (1-4 trips/year)
- UK weather requires good waterproofing and condensation management
- Scotland offers the best wild camping opportunities
- Practice setup before your first trip
Ready to try rooftop tent camping? Renting is the perfect way to test this exciting camping style before committing to a purchase. Experience elevated camping and discover why rooftop tents are revolutionizing UK outdoor adventures!