Every car travel lover knows very well that spending the night on the road can cause a lot of difficulties. Of course, having a Toyota Sequoia or Volkswagen Caravel at your disposal will not arise any special problems. There is enough space, and the conditions can be arranged accordingly. But when traveling to Suzuki Jimny or Niva, there will not be enough space in the car, even for one person.

Tent or car?

Depending on the preferences and requirements for the comfort of the crew, you can use different options for organizing the night, up to renting a motel. But those who prefer active recreation in the wild may not reckon on the benefits of civilization.

There are only two options left - either to spend the night in the car or in a tent. Each of these options has its pros and cons, however there are several reasons why many people ditch a car in favor of a tent.

Why spending the night in a tent is more attractive

The rationale that sleeping in a car is uncomfortable may not be scientific basis, and nevertheless, here are the arguments of those who basically spend the night in a tent:

It is for these reasons that many people prefer tents in all their diversity.

A regular tent that is set on the ground can be a great option for an overnight stay. It is always fresh, neither cold nor hot, you can sleep well in it and you can pick up any model in size that will suit any crew. But for the installation of an ordinary tent, a flat platform is needed, and such a tent is put up for a long time. Depending on the design and skills of the traveler, this can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Do-it-yourself car roof tent, made or bought ready-made - great optionto quickly transform the roof plane of a car, a pickup truck into a cozy camping. The expedition tent, which is installed on top of the vehicle, can be of only two types.

People who prefer to travel by car should consider purchasing a tent that can be installed on the roof of the car. Their choice is great. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to understand the purpose of use, possible designs and advantages of each of the models.

The car roof tent is in great demand, since there are much more advantages from its use than disadvantages.

Positive aspects of using a tent:

Factor	Description
Heat	A tent that does not touch the ground retains heat well, especially in the morning. Cold air freely penetrates through doors and other openings in the car body. Even a warmed and sufficiently sealed car cannot compare with a tent installed on its roof.
Condensate	In a small space after a night, condensation droplets can be found on all surfaces of the vehicle interior. Frequent use of an overnight car can lead to corrosion of the body and other surfaces.
Convenience	It is inconvenient to sleep in a car because of the uneven sleeping surface and limited space. The tent is much more comfortable for sleeping. An alternative to it can only be a roomy minibus or a motorhome
Comfort temperature	It is very stuffy in the car in the heat. An open window will attract many mosquitoes. The tent has mosquito nets, and its surface is made of breathable materials. The fabric does not retain heat as long as metal, so it will be more comfortable in a tent than in a car in summer
Spaciousness	To expand the sleeping space in the car, it will have to be freed from things that take up a lot of space. If the trunk is busy, you will have to leave them outdoors. With the installation of a tent on the roof of a car, this problem is solved by itself
Opportunity to stay overnight in any convenient place	No need to choose a place to set up a tent for a long time, just park your car on a relatively flat surface

Negative aspects of using a tent:

Factor	Description
The cost	The price of the tent varies depending on the model. It can be in the range from 70 to 300 thousand rubles.
Additional security measures	The presence of a tent on the roof provides for movement at a speed of no more than 130 km / h. It is necessary to regularly check the reliability of the fastening of the structure
Aerodynamics	Since the tent is mounted on the roof of the vehicle, it creates a certain amount of interference when driving. Fuel consumption may increase slightly when driving at high speeds

The number of positive aspects of using such a tent significantly exceeds the number of disadvantages of using this design. The only significant negative factor is the price of the tent itself.

How to make a choice

You can make such a tent yourself or purchase it ready-made. The cost of a tent depends on many factors. For a high-quality and durable model, you will have to pay more than 300 thousand rubles. When choosing a box, you should focus on certain parameters of the car and wishes for the quality of the structure itself.

Design

Based design features, tents can be soft and hard:

• The folding mechanism for soft structures is similar to a suitcase. The base of the tent consists of 2 parts, which are attached to each other with a special bar. An additional support for such a structure is a staircase. Some manufacturers provide supports that remove this function from the ladder.
• Rigid roof and floor tents can be deployed either manually or automatically. Such structures when folded resemble a luggage box on the roof of a car. And they can be successfully used for this purpose. Manual rigid tents are unfolded using a special handle. Automatic structures are deployed using hydraulic struts and springs.

The car roof tent allows you to relax anywhere on the road.

For frequent use, it is better to purchase a tent with vertical walls and a sloping roof. This shape allows you to increase the capacity of the tent, but requires a rigid base.

Tents in the classic triangular shape are less comfortable and more suitable for single use.

There are tents that combine places to rest on the roof and next to the car. Their designs are quite voluminous, and the cost is high. However, this is the only option for accommodation a large number people.

the cloth

The most common fabric for a tent is nylon or tarpaulin:

• Nylon lightweight and strong enough material. It is most relevant for use in modern conditions.
• Tarpaulin has significant weight. A tent made of such material is difficult to straighten and transport. Its service life is short.

The tent fabric must be water-repellent. There are also additional silicone and heat-insulating layers that make it possible to successfully use the structure even in winter time.

How is it attached

The tent is attached to the roof of the car on special rails. They must be of sufficient strength and reliability. For this purpose, a classic trunk or a specially constructed structure can be used.

The main requirement for fastening is reliability. It is necessary to avoid the likelihood of accidents while driving a car with a tent, as well as misunderstandings in the process of using a tent for sleeping.

Extra options

A car roof tent should take into account some extra options:

• Features of the car... This is the ability of the roof of the car to withstand a certain load. Its value is usually 30-40% of the total carrying capacity of the vehicle specified in the technical documentation.
• The ratio of the size of the tent to the size of the roof of the car... there is certain models tents, the dimensions of which can be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the roof of a particular car. Otherwise, you will have to use extension cords. A special place is occupied by tents with supports, the function of which can be performed by a ladder.
• Height of the tent... A tall tent requires additional installation effort and is less stable in adverse weather conditions.

There are many parameters by which you can choose a tent. Therefore, it is necessary to be guided by personal preferences and features of the operating conditions.

Types of car roof tents

On the market for this type of tents there are 7 main model lines... When choosing a specific model, the main emphasis should be placed on manufacturers, each of which specializes in a specific market segment.

CTV MT. McKinley

The main advantage of this brand of tents is size. They are perfect for traveling with children or friends. This is a real home. The structure of the tent assumes a rigid base. 2 berths are located directly on the roof of the car.

The space on one side of the machine is used. A staircase leads to the second floor. The construction is durable and reliable. The roof of the tent is sloping, which provides additional protection from moisture.

Distinctive features:

• Dimensions are 3.3 m long, 2.2 m wide and 1.2 m high.
• The interior space can be divided into 2 halves. The tent also has 2 separate entrances.
• The design has a dedicated storage space, which can also be used for sleeping.
• The fabric has a water-repellent coating, and will protect from strong winds and scorching sun rays.

Since the tent is large enough and equipped with many additional features, the price is high. You can buy such a bed for a price tending to 150 thousand rubles.

Maggiolina Grand Tour

This type of tent is a compact and well-designed box that is available in various sizes.

The box has a rounded roof. This allows you to transport a number of things in a folded tent.

The fabric of the tent is made of carbon fiber. It reliably protects against moisture and retains heat.

Distinctive features:

• Maximum occupancy is 4 people. Produced by the manufacturer and smaller sizes.
• Excellent aerodynamic performance. When folded, the tent takes up a minimum amount of space. And its rounded shape does not significantly affect the air flow of the car.
• Easy to install. To prepare a sleeping place, you just need to open the tent.
• There is an internal lighting made by diode lamps.
• The bed mattress does not change its shape during use and is equipped with removable cotton fabric covers.
• The roof and bottom of the tent are protected against condensation.
• Lots of small details that can improve the comfort of using the tent. Steel zippers, additional fasteners, interior pockets, insulated roof, ventilation and mosquito nets.

The approximate price for this tent is 200 thousand rubles.

ARB Simpson III

The tents of this brand are produced in Austria, which affects the quality of all parts in a positive way. Tent fabric is poly / cotton. It is breathable. Additional moisture-repellent impregnation allows it to resist rain and snow.

Construction dimensions:

• length - 2.4 m;
• width - 1.4 m;
• height - 1.3 m.

The structure of the tent is a classic shape. A ladder serves as a support for one of the ends of the tent.

Distinctive features:

• Possibility of installation in different directions. The tent can be extended to either side of the vehicle, and an additional support can be placed at the back.
• Cotton fabric does not transmit light well. Therefore, it is recommended to use the tent in spring and summer.
• The staircase is made of aluminum. It is durable and lightweight.
• The tent mattress has a removable cover to keep it clean.
• Most models come with an awning that can be fastened in the form of a dressing room.
• Anti-mosquito nets on windows and doors.
• It is easy to unfold the tent. This operation will take no more than 15 minutes.

For the ARB Simpson III tent, the buyer will have to pay about 70,000 rubles.

Tepui ayer

A rooftop tent of this line is a budget option. Its cost does not exceed 80,000 rubles. Despite the low price, the flaws of the tent are not so significant. The main one is size. It is suitable for free accommodation of 2 people. The length is 2.1 m, the width is 1.2 m, and the height is 1 m.

The design is a classic form with a ladder.

Fabric - poly / cotton. It contains impregnations against moisture, mold and UV protection. The latter feature allows it to retain its original color for a long time.

Distinctive features:

• low cost;
• small size;
• with active use, the tent is able to serve 4 tourist seasons;
• internal and external parts are made of PVC material;
• folded weight of the tent is 95 kg.

The Tepui Ayer tent is a great option for traveling alone or as a couple. It's small and cheap.

The tamarack constellation

The main advantages of this model of tents are reliability. The design is a sloping form that can be used with or without an additional ladder.

Unfolded dimensions:

• length - 3 m;
• width - 1.4 m;
• height - 1.2 m.

The fabric of the tent is impregnated with fire protection. Despite this feature, it is breathable. The material is based on polyester and 420d polyester, which has a high protection against moisture.

Distinctive features:

• Thanks to the aluminum profile used as one of the tent materials, it weighs only 97 kg.
• A large number of windows for ventilation and light access.
• Plenty of space inside. AT classical model easily accommodates 2 people as well as many things.
• The fabric resists various weather conditions.
• The set includes a reliable foam mattress.
• One of the significant drawbacks is the poor aerodynamic properties of the tent.

You will have to pay about 110,000 rubles for the purchase of The Tamarack Constellation tent.

James baroud

Car tents, which are installed on the roof, were created by the traveler James Baroud. He was guided by his observations and extensive travel experience.

The line of tents of this brand has about a dozen different designs. But they have one thing in common - ease of installation and folding, as well as excellent aerodynamic properties. All tents of this model are transported in a rigid box, which can additionally function as a small trunk.

The fabric of the tent is made of polyester. It reflects ultraviolet rays, is waterproof, breathable and water-repellent. Also, the fabric has antibacterial impregnation.

Distinctive features:

• box-like design;
• automatic unfolding takes less than a minute;
• the set comes with a polyurethane foam mattress with a sufficiently high density;
• bolted connections are made of stainless steel.

To purchase a tent of this brand, you will have to spend from 170 to 230 thousand rubles.

Ikamper Gi Gadgets

The buyer can choose from 2 types of tents of this brand:

• The first one, called Hardtop One, is unique in that it unfolds in 1 minute. The roof of the tent is made of solid fiberglass. The floor is made of aluminum frames. It has a small retractable platform supported by a ladder. The tent can accommodate 4 people. But there is also a smaller version, designed for 3.
• The construction of the second type of tents has several tents that descend to the ground. It is suitable for longer camping. Its shape adds stability to the tent in bad weather.

Distinctive features:

• high-quality fabric that reliably protects from wind and moisture;
• a special patented bunch of aluminum structures significantly lightens the weight of the tent;
• air pocket idea to improve thermal insulation.

The cost of a tent of this brand varies depending on its type, ranging from 170 to 250 thousand rubles.

Self-made autobox

A car roof tent can be made by hand. It is necessary to have some skills in working with metal and fabric.

The main details to consider when manufacturing:

• Plywood is suitable for the bottom of the future tent. The weight of the future structure and its strength depend on its thickness. Plywood from 8 mm in thickness can be considered strong enough. Before using it, it must be coated with linseed oil.
• For the manufacture of the frame, aluminum tubes with a diameter of 20 mm or more are suitable. They are lightweight and resistant to corrosion.
• The tent fabric must be water-repellent. It is good if it has fire retardant and anti-condensation impregnation, but such properties significantly increase the cost of the material. A two-person tent will require about 25 linear meters of fabric.
• Foam rubber can be used as a mattress. Select the thickness and density according to personal preference.
• It is worthwhile to think carefully about the place of attachment of the tent to the roof of the car. A trunk is suitable for this purpose. It must be appropriately sized. Fastening must be done as reliably as possible. Clamps are suitable for this purpose.

Self-production a tent will require significantly less money than purchasing it.

Step-by-step assembly instructions

It is better to make a tent in stages. This will allow you to make adjustments to the size and design on time.

The main stages of the assembly:

Any tent that is installed on the roof of a car has a lot of advantages in use over structures for ground installation and spending the night in the cabin.

It is easy to manufacture with my own hands and does not require a lot of materials. For more comfort and less time spent, you can purchase factory finished products, in which everything is thought out to the smallest detail.

Article design: Lozinsky Oleg

Car Roof Tent Video

Assembling and installing a tent on the roof of a car:

Looks like the hikers got one of the best car mount tents. Now outdoor recreation will become really comfortable - after all, in fact, tourists received a two-story tourist house.

Everything you need to make outdoor recreation comfortable when going on a trip, attach a new tent from Treeline outdoors.

It should be noted that the new tent takes up a lot of space, but it is justified. The fact is that one part of the tent is installed directly on the roof of the car, and the second is directly next to the car. The side attachment is provided by a folding ladder made of high-strength alloy, so the safety of the structure is guaranteed.

Hinge systems, tent frame, holders - all made of stainless steel or aluminum, so the parts are not subject to rust and toxicity.

The cover of the tent is made of waterproof and UV-resistant polyester. The dimensions of the upper part of the tent are 210 cm by 240 cm. There are windows. There is a foam mattress inside the sleeping compartment. Bedding can be folded into the same compartment during travel.

A sleeping place on the "second floor" allows you not to worry about the weather and choosing a place for a bivouac - you will still sleep dry and evenly. And you don't have to worry about the night attack of wild animals. They won't get to tourists.

Undoubted dignity new tent Treeline Outdoors is a removable bottom. In fact, this is a small room with a flight of stairs. However, this space is quite enough to be used as a changing room, shower or veranda.

The Treeline Outdoors hybrid tent is a great addition.

Car tents can be installed on the roof of any car: not only an SUV, but also a sedan, station wagon, minibus or truck.

Car tents are fastened with special clips on the cross rails or mounted on the trunk.

The most famous tents are ORT, James Baroud and Autohome. Recently, IKamper tents have been added to their company. The list of manufacturers is much wider. There are also Russian tents. For example, Alex from Rosavtoturizm and Nikita from the Vladimir company ABC-design. I have not seen them personally, competitors claim that it is better not to save money.

The main question is, probably, what is it for. Personally, I would prefer a tent on the ground. Still, if you need to go out somewhere at night, doing it going down the stairs in the forest is not very interesting. However, in some cases, these tents compare favorably with the classic ones.

The advantages of roof tents:

a) do not take up space. Convenient in campsites, where there is a separate fee for a car and a tent.
b) there are no requirements for the earth's surface. Can be installed on a small patch and not be afraid of swamps.
I often see this option in illustrations of travels in Iceland.

We studied the variant of a wardrobe trunk at MIAS-2016, where tents from James Baroud were presented. The main plus is that it takes almost no time to unfold it, and the built-in mattress is a handy piece.

Since the principle of tents is the same, I will tell you about two manufacturers that I personally like.

As a child, the founder of IKamper dreamed of his own tree house and read the travel novels of Jack Kerouac. Today his "home" can be taken to any place that can be reached by car. IKamper specializes in car roof top tents.

The park was inspired to create its own tents by the novel "On the Road" by the American writer Jack Kerouac. However, unlike his idol, who preferred to hike, Park set off on his first trip by car with a trailer. Since 2004, when Sun Park traveled from Boston to Los Angeles, its fascination with camping began. The first example of a roof top tent went on sale in 2014. Before that, Sun Park had tried and tested 20 prototypes.

The buyer can choose from two types of tents. The Hardtop One is unique in that it takes 1 minute to set up and 3 minutes to remove. Built-in spacers automatically raise the roof of the tent. All that needs to be done for installation is to unfasten and fix two internal stabilizer... The tent has a solid fiberglass roof, waterproof and breathable wall fabric and an aluminum honeycomb floor. Retractable floor: it is used to install an awning and a ladder. Hardtop One can accommodate up to 4 people, its smaller version can accommodate up to 3 people.

The second tent is called Road Trip and is suitable for longer camping in nature. Due to several tents that descend to the ground, it is convenient to have a picnic in such a tent. The U-shape of the assembled structure allows the tent to remain stable in the wind and prevent stagnant rain drops.

James baroud

For more than twenty years of his life, James Baroud has dedicated to the production of the world's best roof top tent. An experienced camper, he was simply not satisfied with the available car tent options. James realized that most of them were not comfortable enough and poorly equipped. This is how the Evasion Evolution tent was born.

The tent is designed to fit on standard crossbars. Two longitudinal aluminum guides are pressed into the bottom. Clips are inserted into the guides that can be moved along the tent. Clamps, with the help of nuts, fix the structure on the crossbars.

And this is the Horizon Vision model:

“If people knew how pleasant it is to walk on the roofs, they would have stopped walking the streets long ago,” Carlson once used to say, but this madman was clearly “in the subject”. Most people not only did not walk on the roof, but also did not see the world from the height of the roof ... of their car, although autotravellers certainly more than once stared at the tourist tents open there, above.

Rooftop life has obvious pros and cons. Let's start with the installation features. Unfortunately, the manufacturers have not yet figured out how to quickly and without unnecessary dancing with a tambourine to set up a tent on the roof. To set up a tent, you will need at least strong cross-bars, and preferably a good expeditionary trunk... It will take some time and effort to secure the tent to the roof.

“Why did you lie that you are 7 years old? You weigh all 8 "...

Do not forget that the crossbars (roof rails) or the trunk must withstand not only the weight of the tent, but also the weight of its inhabitants, and the tent itself will take up most of the space.

For example, two universal luggage crossbars from an auto parts store are clearly not enough to evenly distribute the load, and with a high probability the tent will collapse with its entire mass on the roof when fully loaded.

“- Well, did you fly? - asked Carlson. The kid weighed everything once more.
- What if you drop me? He said anxiously. This proposal did not embarrass Carlson at all.
- Great trouble! He exclaimed. - There are so many children in the world. One boy more, one less - trifles, everyday business! "...

Among the disadvantages of operating an aboveground dwelling are the methods of lodging in the den, and the options for leaving it. Do not forget that the tent is set 1.5-2.5 meters above the ground and just stretching, you won't be able to get out of it, or it will be accompanied by an acrobatic sketch.

"- Of course, the stars are seen better from the roof than from the windows, and therefore one can only wonder that so few people live on the roofs" ...

In the list of positive aspects of life on the roof, in addition to the stars, I will note the relatively constant combat readiness of the home and the soft mattress in it, as well as the comfort of placement on an uneven or flooded surface. In some cases, it may turn out that it is simply not possible to put up an ordinary tent and you will have to sleep half-sitting in armchairs.

For a separate stratum of the population will be an important positive factor - excellent protection from crawling, jumping and running intruders from the world of wild animals and insects. Many of them clearly will not be eager to learn to climb stairs or slippery surfaces of a car.

“-Well, tell me, please, is it possible to do without a fight at all? Any dispute can be resolved with words! "...

To decide which of the options for tents on the market is better, you need to know what is in general, but there are not so many available - in total, there are only three types of roof houses.

1. Book tent... When folded, the tent is covered with a special awning and during transportation looks like a rectangular object covered with an awning.

It is brought into the working position by tilting half of the floor to the side or back of the car and rests on a standard stop ladder attached to the edge of the reclining half. The roof of such a tent rises automatically, and the "awnings" of windows and entrances are fixed manually using special stops.

On the downside: less protection from external influences and the inability to close the cover (cover) of the tent with a lock.

2. Tent with rigid (plastic) fully raised top... During transportation, such a tent looks more like a plastic box-trunk. When preparing a berth, the roof is raised manually using a special handle. Along with the roof, soft side walls with doorways and windows rise.

The tent can be equipped with a standard ladder, but it is not convenient to use it on all types of cars and, in most cases, on SUVs and buses it is better to have a stationary (fixed on the car body) ladder to the roof.

The casing (roof) of the tent is attached to the lower part with ties, which can be closed with a small lock, and the plastic casing relatively reliably protects the tent material from external influences.

3. Tent with a hard (plastic) top, type 2, but with only one lifting part of the roof... In the transport state it differs little from type 2, but in the working position only one edge is raised, creating a lateral "triangle" view.

A distinctive feature of this type of tent is a different organization of the internal space, since the lifting part rises higher than that of a tent with a fully raised roof, and the other part remains in place. Raising the edge of the roof higher can be helpful for changing clothes, for example.

This type of tent is highly resistant to wind gusts. In the case of setting up a tent in a windy place, the car turns with a rigid bevel against the wind, thereby ensuring greater stability of the structure.

To choose the required type of tent, it is worth considering not only the operating conditions, but also the method of fastening to the car. For example, on the roof of an ordinary pickup truck (not a North American monster), the plastic shell of the tent may not fit and there is nothing left to do except choose the option with the half that folds to the side. Again, due to the convenience of climbing inside with the help of a standard stop ladder.

“- You can take yourself a little break and make me coffee.
- Make coffee? - asked the Kid.
- Yes, please, - Carlson confirmed. “I don’t want to bother you too much. All you have to do is light a fire under the taganka, bring water and make coffee. And I will drink it myself "...

It is worth mentioning separately that tents with a lifting roof are put on alert in a few seconds - you just need to open the clamps and raise the roof and no other action is required. Except for installing a ladder if it is not present on the vehicle.