Sleeping in a roof tent – ​​why these mobile sleeping places are popular

Camping has always been something very special for us humans. Out here, far away from the influences that we encounter in everyday life and that sometimes get on our last nerves, it feels as if we have air to breathe again. Not only because you are automatically exposed to a good dose of fresh air - rather, " taking a breath " can be classified as a kind of liberating act that allows us to put aside the many stressful burdens for a short moment. What caused great anticipation and butterflies in our stomachs in most of us as children still evokes the same glow in adulthood. Camping 2.0, as you could call spending the night in a roof tent , is enjoying increasing popularity. It has never been so easy to spend the night " under the stars " and the high level of comfort of this type of tent turns even the biggest camping reluctants into genuine outdoor fanatics. We present the topic in more detail in our blog post.

The 5 star hotel of the tent versions - the interior at a glance

With a slight wink, a roof tent for your car can actually be described as a 5-star hotel. Compared to conventional tents that are placed on the ground and transported in a backpack, you experience a real wave of comfort before and during use of such a model, which ensures that you fall in love with your new purchase in no time.

The mattress does not have to be laboriously inflated with such a model, so you can save your air for other things and do not run the risk of turning blue. A mattress is permanently integrated into the floor of most roof tent versions, so that in terms of comfort you are in a different league to what you are used to with a conventional air mattress. The outdoor experience is not diminished by the unusual luxury in this environment. It still feels like you are lying in a ground tent, except that you are doing something good for your back at the same time.

The windows on the roof tent ensure constant air circulation. Is there something interesting to discover outside or do you just want to enjoy nature outside a little in the evening? You can be sure that you have the best place in your roof tent. Even the stargazing enthusiasts among you will not be disappointed. Some models even have a lookout on the ceiling so that you can comfortably observe the stars before falling into a deep, relaxed sleep.

Even the bloodsuckers can't do much harm, as many of the models come with an integrated mosquito net . The roof tent itself can be entered and exited without complications via an external ladder. Regardless of whether you want to go on holiday alone, as a couple or with up to 4 people - the market is extensive and offers the right tent for every size.

3,2,1 - ready for overnight stay

The comfortable, energy-saving and well-thought-out impression of the roof tent, which you could already get from the previous lines, does not diminish in the further course of this text. This becomes particularly apparent when it comes to setting up the tent. Did you have a strenuous journey? Did you get caught in an exhausting traffic jam? Is it still raining outside and the last thing you want to do is hastily set up the tent because the sunset seems to be approaching in a threatening manner? All worries that could come into play with a conventional ground tent, but not with camping 2.0.

The roof box, which is ideal for transporting smaller items of equipment such as a sleeping bag, pillow, etc. in addition to the integrated mattress, also makes it extremely quick to set up . Depending on the variant, a crank mechanism or a gas pressure spring ensures that the tent is ready in just a few minutes - without having to sacrifice a single bead of sweat.

Spending the night in a roof tent - possible with any car

You can safely remove your current car from the online car market if you have already fallen in love with the idea of ​​a roof tent and are worried that your own vehicle is not designed for such a purchase. We can reassure you and tell you that generally every car and therefore every single brand qualifies for the use of a roof tent, as long as you pay attention to a few basic things.

Almost every car has a roof load of at least 50 kilograms. It doesn't matter whether you own a luxury car or a rust bucket with 400,000 km on the clock. Manufacturers are obliged to provide information about the roof load because the car could roll over in the event of an accident and must therefore be prepared for the forces that would then act on it. It is important that when specifying the roof load, however, one always refers to the driving state and not to the stationary state. This in turn means that the roof of the car can take a load that is many times greater when stationary.

However, with regard to a possible insurance claim, there is one point that must be taken into account before using the roof tent. Since the specified roof load is undoubtedly exceeded when using the roof tent, the manufacturer or seller of the car is not liable for any damage caused as a result. However, this does not have to cause concern, as there are many thousands of roof tent owners in the country and only very few report damage to their car. If the roof tent is installed conscientiously and correctly, nothing will happen!

On asphalt roads, at least 2 crossbars should be used on which the roof tent is placed. Depending on the type of ground and the number of people, you may need to increase the number to 3 or 4 if necessary. Have your trusted dealer show you everything in detail and explain it to you beforehand.

Focus on high-quality material

The market for roof tents is becoming increasingly large, so you should make sure that you choose the right one from the jungle of suppliers. The material in particular should be examined very closely, as this will determine whether you will enjoy your mobile sleeping accommodation for a long time or whether you will be frustrated after a short time.

Waterproofness and durability are always the focus - logical, but you should also do your research to see whether the material can hold up well in the long term when it is opened and closed so often. Roof tent trade fairs or online reviews can be very helpful in this regard, as manufacturers and owners share their experiences. Make sure that the tent shell is made of injection molding or plastic, as this will prove to be first-class in the long term.

The roof tent fasteners also have to be very robust, so you should definitely use stainless steel. Transport rails and sealing strips are usually made of aluminum. Also always make sure that the screws used are made of aluminum, as only a rust-resistant design promises quality in the long term. The perfect tent is rounded off with a high-quality sealing lip, which ensures that no rain can run into the interior of the roof tent while driving and soak the mattress, equipment , etc.