Assuming you have a rooftop tent, how should it be stored? Your rooftop tent has to be taken down from the truck and stored somewhere dry and elevated. Your rooftop tent’s size and the available storage space will determine whether you should fasten it to the wall or ceiling, or place it on a cart or platform. In this article we guide how to store a roof top tent.
The ability to properly store your rooftop tent is essential because most tents are made for three seasons and you probably won’t be overlanding constantly. This will protect the tent from wear and tear, enabling you to use it for many more years of camping excursions. How you choose to store your tent depends on factors including available storage area, the tent’s build, and how often you want to use it.
Space constraints and the nature of your rooftop tent will determine the optimal storage solution. Despite these distinctions, rooftop tents should always be stored away from the ground to keep animals out and in a dry place to minimize damage from weather and water.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your rooftop tent is stored safely:
- Discussing available storage space and settling on a strategy
- Free and easy car extrication
- Establishing tent’s location
Take Care Of Tent’s Rooftop Space
You should check where your rooftop tent will fit before you start packing. As such, a ceiling or wall is ideal for stowing a rooftop tent, as they provide the following features:
- Keep rooftop tent off the ground: It’s advisable to store the tent up off the ground to prevent any further harm from occurring. Mice and other small rodents may be enticed to chew through the tent’s covering or make it their home if it is kept in a garage or shed. If a flood strikes, being on the ground will further increase the likelihood of experiencing water damage.
- Tents should be kept in a dry place: In addition to storing it somewhere dry, you should keep it off the ground to prevent water damage. There is a risk of the covering being damaged or moldy if there is a lot of moisture present if water is close. A roof won’t prevent rain from getting into your roof top tent. Also, you should have side walls. It’s possible for moisture and rain to enter from any direction.
- Safe emplacement: Ensure that the tent is stable and secure (or falls off the wall or ceiling). For more fragile versions, this might lead to structural failure. Tents are more likely to be damaged if they are placed in high-traffic areas or leaned against walls at an angle. The tent might fall on someone and cause injury if it is not properly fastened.
To keep your rooftop tent in compliance with these regulations, it is recommended to install a pulley system to store on the wall or ceiling. There are, of course, certain constraints. If you’re keeping it in a garage, placing it on the ceiling means making room for the garage door to open and close.
Removing A Rooftop Tent From Vehicle
Taking down a rooftop tent by yourself might be a difficult task. Having a group of people hoist the tent off a car cautiously is the simplest method of removing it. If you can’t find someone to help you or your squad still can’t take down the tent, you’ll need to get resourceful.
- Lift or hoist system: To get the tent off the car’s roof while it’s parked in the garage, use a hoist or lift that is attached to the roof to lower the tent. To use this procedure, you just need to remove certain bolts and slide some straps or wires, and the lift will handle the rest. Later, we’ll talk about the specifics of how to accomplish this.
- Forklift: In the unlikely event that you have access to a forklift, this will be the quickest and most convenient method for taking down the tent. Be careful where you put your fork. You must take care not to wreck your rig by accident.
- Wooden ladder and electric winch: Building a wooden ladder out of 2x4s with hooks at the end and using an electric winch is a novel and easy method. Ladder should be raised until it is parallel to the roof of the car using a winch rope attached to the very top rung. Move the tent to the opposite end of the improvised ladder, then lower it using the winch. Absolutely no hefting (or enlisting of aid from others) required.
Rooftop tents may be durable, but they still need to be stored out of the way when they’re not in use. This will not only preserve them in pristine shape, but also stop them from becoming a nuisance.
Where To Store Your Rooftop Tent
Storing a rooftop tent requires securing it to a ceiling, wall, or other elevated surface. Because of the extra space, weather protection, and lack of inconvenience, most people keep their rooftop tents in their garages rather than in their homes. Depending on the approach you use, you’ll have to store your tent in a variety of different ways. Types of storage space include:
- Ceiling Storage: Hanging your rooftop tent from the ceiling is a great way to save space and keep it out of the way. Always make sure to find the studs in the ceiling before attaching anything to it. Make sure it’s the tent fall and hurt anyone!
- Wall Storage: Smaller tents that can be strapped up and fixed to a wall are ideal for wall storage. The weight capacity may not be as high as with a ceiling lift, but there are less spatial constraints for most individuals. Tying brackets into a wall is one method of securing a tent. Once more, check for studs to hold the load.
- Storage Carts/Platforms: If you prefer mobility over static storage, a mobile storage cart or platform will meet all your needs. This is the most convenient choice for people who need to pitch their tent further away from their vehicle.
How To Store A Rooftop Tent In A Garage
A rooftop tent may be conveniently stashed away in a carport or garage. You may stow your rooftop tent in a handful of different ways. Better tent installation and removal mechanisms will make it easier to carry the tent from the car to the garage as needed.
Some recommended practices for stowing a rooftop tent in a basement or attic include:
- Build a pulley or a suspension system to access storage bins overland.
- Build or acquire a rolling cart to facilitate transport.
- Mount a tent pole to the wall of your garage securely.
- Place rooftop tent on a raised platform.
The ways you can store a tent should be guided by both personal taste and practical considerations. If you can pack up your tent quickly and easily, you’re more inclined to do so when it’s not in use. So that you can make an informed decision, we’ll break down each of these possibilities.
Preference and practicality will determine your storage technique. The easier it is to stow the tent, the more likely you are to remove it. We’ll explain each choice so you can pick the best one.
4 Ways To Store Your Roof Tent During Winter
There are four ways to store a rooftop. We’ll examine the several winter storage options to determine which is best for you, your money, and your storage space.
- Ground-level: If you have adequate room, storing your rooftop tent flat may be easier. You must store your rooftop tent in your car. To prevent moisture damage, install the tent on a slightly elevated ground to prevent moisture. Don’t store anything on top of the roofnest.
- Sitting On A Wall: Leaning a rooftop tent against a wall is convenient for some. This solution is good for individuals who don’t have the room to lay your tent flat or the funds to construct a pulley system. If you store your tent on the side, you may use wraps and ties to keep it dry and protected. You may also lean it against a wall.
- Ceiling: Storing a rooftop tent on the ceiling is difficult and expensive. You may store the tent on the ceiling using a shelf, rack, or webbing with an automated or manual pulley system. This approach is risky since the tent might fall and damage what’s below, so you’ll need a good storage system.
- Vehicle Roof: You may store your rtt year-round on your vehicle’s roof. You may achieve this with rooftop tents designed with a robust ABS fiberglass shell or one made to endure the weather.
Some of the Easiest-to-Store Rooftop Tents
1. Thule Tepui Kukenam 3
The Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 is a great roof for any car. Two adults can ride inside if luggage is left outside. It’s quicker to set up than hard-shell tents. Unfolding the tent’s hinged platform takes less than ten minutes.
Durable 600D ripstop sidewalls and a 420D rainfly The sun won’t fade or mold it. I’ve spent days and nights in Kukenam during violent storms that make you question sleeping “in the wild.” It’s one of the few Thule Tepui tents with lightweight replacement canopies, making it a good alternative for summer camping trips. The Kukenam 3 will keep you warm and dry in a storm.
What we like
- Robust and skillfully made to last.
- Useful at any time of year
What we don't like
- Extremely expensive price.
2. Thule Tepui Foothill
Thule Tepui Foothill’s modest profile disassembles into a rectangle. Its tiny size allows you to carry more roof-rack-ready items, such as a kayak.
Foothill’s A-frame top panels offer amazing views. One central support will block your vision because of how it opens. Open the entryway and three walls to enjoy the nighttime landscape.
The Foothill’s tiny package size makes it more time-consuming to set up. This isn’t ideal, but it’s a little price to pay for the room and panoramas.
What we like
- Robust and skillfully made to last.
- Useful at any time of year
What we don't like
- Extremely expensive price.
You can read our review on the Best Roof Top Tents of 2022.
FAQs on How to Store a Roof Top Tent
Q. What is the best way to store my hard shell roof tent?
Your hardshell roof tent is best kept in a horizontally level dry location. When not folded, the hardshell tent should be stored upright against a wall, either along its short or long sides. However, a foam sheet or block of foam placed below is essential, as is placing protection between the wall and the hardshell. A hardshell’s sides are often curved rather than straight. Install wall anchors so you may use a strap to attach the tent’s roof to the structure.
Q. What is the best way to store my soft shell roof tent?
If you want to keep your softshell roof tent upright when storing it, it’s best place to do it is on the side opposite the hinge. Place it on its short end if you’re pressed for room. If you must place it on its shorter side, support it with a foam plate or block. We suggest positioning the soft roof tent on the side of the automobile that is ordinarily flush against the wall.
If you want to secure the roof tent to the wall with a strap, it’s a good idea to install anchoring points in the wall.
Final Thoughts:
One can lay them on their sides, place them on shelves, lay them flat, or stack them on a little platform above the ground.
The Thule Tepui Kukenam 3 is our top pick for a car top tent since the producers guarantee it will last through all four seasons when left atop a vehicle.
