What Is a Car Top Tent?
What Is a Car Top Tent?
What is a car top tent? Simply put, it is a tent that is fitted onto the top of a motor vehicle. It allows the owner to sleep on top of the car while leaving the interior load space free for other purposes. These devices first became popular in the 1930s in Western Europe. They have become an extremely popular accessory for both travelers and drivers. In this article, we will take a look at some of the features and options that are available.
Cost
One of the most popular rooftop tents is the Thule Tepui. This brand is specialized in vehicle rack systems and also made rooftop tents. In recent years, Yakima has entered the vehicle camping market. Their car top tents are lightweight and fit onto the roof crossbars of most small cars. You may also want to consider the Thule annex that doubles the size of the tent. Its price may be higher, but the annex adds additional space and provides a better viewing area.
Car top tents can cost up to $2,800. If you plan to sleep in it all night, you need to be prepared to spend quite a bit of money. It requires several friends to install it, and you might not be able to take it off for weeks or months. For this reason, it is a good idea to purchase a car with a lower mileage to avoid sacrificing gas mileage. If you want to go camping more often, the roof tent will not be practical for you.
The price of a car top tent depends on the material you choose. There are lightweight models and expensive ones. You should consider the cost of the materials and any accessories you need. If you plan to sleep three people in the tent, the YS Skyrise Rooftop Tent is the right choice. It weighs only 115 pounds and is ideal for a family of three. You can add extra sleeping space by purchasing an annex.
Soft overland style tents fold into a rectangular or square box and stay attached to the car’s roof rack. These tents are waterproof and very durable. These tents can live on the roof for months at a time. The only downside is that it might be hard to find a roof rack. Its price is more than a couple hundred dollars. In comparison to the traditional ground tent, it can save you a lot of time and money.
Size
The size of a Car top tent is an important factor to consider when purchasing one. You want to ensure that you have enough space to sleep and move about in the tent. In addition, you should choose a model that will protect your vehicle’s roof from the elements. Some tents can weigh over 100 pounds, so be sure to choose one that will not add too much weight to your vehicle. Otherwise, you will end up sacrificing gas mileage and increasing your camping costs.
The first consideration is whether the roof of your car can handle a roof tent. Most SUVs and pickup trucks can handle a four-person tent. Even some sedans can accommodate a one or two-person setup. In any case, you should consult your owner’s manual before making your purchase to ensure the best fit. The tent should not exceed the vehicle’s dynamic weight threshold or damage other vehicles. You may need to choose a larger tent if your car is too small or does not have a roof rack.
The footprint of a softshell tent is almost twice as large as the roof of a car. It is supported by a foldable ladder that allows you to get in and out of it without stepping on it. The softshell model typically accommodates three to four people, and some models even have an extra layer of padding for privacy. The hardshell model is typically more expensive than its softshell counterpart. However, if you’re not a big fan of the softshell tent, there are still plenty of cheaper models available.
The Ranger Overland includes an annex room that measures 90 x 90 inches. It can accommodate two adults with a foam mattress. The annex room also serves as a kitchen, living room, or changing room. If you’d like to extend your tent’s lifespan, the Ranger Overland is a great option. In addition, this car top tent is easy to set up and fold, so you can enjoy camping with your vehicle.
Coverage area
The car top tent is an easy way to increase the coverage area of your vehicle without sacrificing comfort. Most manufacturers list the coverage area of their product on the website. Despite this fact, you should always measure the size of your vehicle before purchasing a rooftop tent. Ideally, you should buy a large SUV or large sedan with room to accommodate a car top tent. Then, you can check the coverage area of your car top tent by examining the dimensions on the product page.
Accessibility
If you’ve ever wanted to take your car camping, the top of the car top tent will make it easy. Many of these tents feature easy access doors and a convenient sideways installation so you can reach the car while seated in the annex. However, you should consider how accessible it is and whether it will compromise the vehicle’s fuel economy or driving dynamics. A few important tips to keep in mind when choosing a car top tent.
Brands
While a car top tent is a relatively new concept in North America, it has long been popular in Australia and other places. Because of its unusual look and the need for a car roof rack, it’s still a novelty here. However, it isn’t as difficult to install as many people make it out to be. Ensure that you get a quality car roof rack. A Tepui car top tent, for example, can withstand wind speeds of 50 mph.