People have long sought relief from their busy lives in retreats that bring them closer to nature. Two popular pursuits of this pastime, overlanding, and off-grid camping, have gained significant traction in the recent years. Although in Australia, camping in the presence of a plethora of crawlies and dangerous animals can make you feel a bit uneasy.
That’s why many frequent Australian campers have invested in rooftop camping tents. They are quick and easy to set up, lightweight, and take up minimal space. With a rooftop tent attached to your camper or vehicle, you can be sure that you will be able to relax and lessen the chance of unwanted intruders. All while providing access to spectacular views and keeping you close to nature.
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What is a Rooftop Tent?
A rooftop tent is a type of vehicle roof rack which has been designed to carry a portable tent. It allows you to stay in comfort and shelter whilst enjoying the great outdoors. It’s an alternative to camping in a traditional tent and is particularly suited to those who wish to travel light and enjoy the comfort of their own private space.
Tent sizes vary but as it’s designed to be carried on a vehicle, it tends to be much smaller than a conventional tent, which makes it more suitable for caravans and motorhomes where there’s generally limited space. It can also be used on smaller vehicles such as 4×4’s, camper vans, and trailers. Some rooftop tents come with the option of using them as standalones if you wish to pitch them at your favourite campsite or caravan site rather than on top of your vehicle.
They come in many different styles, shapes, and sizes but they all have the same basic principle in common. The roof rack will be fitted permanently (or semi-permanently) to your vehicle, allowing you to quickly and easily set up your shelter on top at any time.
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Benefits of a Roof-Top Tent
For starters, the easy to set up roof top tent camper is much more convenient than traditional tents. Not wasting time with the set-up can be especially beneficial when you’re trying to pitch your tent in the dark or on difficult terrain. Many users also report that it takes far less effort to break down and pack up this type of tent compared to the regular alternative. Because of these factors, it’s ideal for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations where access might otherwise be difficult or impossible by foot.
Another advantage of this tent is that it allows you to sleep under the stars without having to worry about pesky insects getting inside your sleeping bag and biting you all night long. Traditional tents allow bugs inside easily because they have large openings around the bottom, whereas rooftop tents seal out bugs completely because nothing can enter through the top opening except for you.
When you’re camping in a roof top tent camper you can keep your valuable belongings locked in your vehicle, rather than packing them up and packing them away every time you need to sleep. Additionally, such tents are self-contained units that sleep three to six people. This means that you don’t have to keep a tent, sleeping bags, and air mattresses stored in your vehicle for outdoor camping trips.
This frees up room in your vehicle for the cooking equipment or other supplies. Some brands offer a wider variety of roof-top tents, including more rugged models designed for extreme weather conditions and all-mesh canopies. Additionally, most RTTs have an extra space at the top that allows you to pitch a separate tent where you can leave your bedding in place even when the main tent is packed down. This makes it easy to move straight from your bed into the tent without having to inflate an air mattress.
Getting a Roof-top Tent to Fit Your Vehicle
When you shop for a roof tent Australia outdoor stores specialise in, one of the big questions you’ll have to ask yourself is whether or not your vehicle can handle the load. If you buy a four-person tent that weighs more, then you’ll need to be sure that your rack is up to the job.
Tent manufacturers don’t always tell you how much their tents weigh, so if you’re shopping online, you’ll need to ask away or do some research. You might also want to contact your vehicle manufacturer and your rack manufacturer directly to get the information that you need. Make sure that all of these specifications are compatible before you make your purchase.
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Mounting the Tent to Your Roof Rack
The installation of the roof top tent camper requires a few basic tools and equipment. You’ll need a ladder or step stool to reach the top of your vehicle. You’ll also need at least one strong partner nearby to help lift the tent onto your roof rack. The last thing you’ll need is something to secure the tent to the top of your car, such as ratchet straps or tie-downs.
It can be helpful to have a few extra straps on hand for securing loose items inside the tent when in use. Tents will come with instructions on how best to attach them to your vehicle, so make sure you read through them carefully before attempting to attach anything.
To Sum Up
With such a huge number of options in the market, it can be hard to choose the best rooftop tent for your needs. However, as long as you know what to look for and which features are most important, finding the right tent shouldn’t be difficult. Also, remember that all of these benefits come in addition to the standard camping items.
If you’re looking for a tent that’s ideal for both comfortable camping and traveling in inclement weather, then consider investing in the rooftop design. These tents have high sides made of hard-wearing materials to keep out the wind, rain, hail, and snow. As long as you have room on top of your vehicle to carry the tent, you will really gain so much.
