Roof top tent guide
Everything you should know before you buy
This guide gives you a quick, neutral overview of roof top tents: how they work, the different types, what you need, the pros and cons, and the key questions to help you decide.
What is a roof top tent?
A roof top tent is a tent that mounts permanently on your car roof and folds open once you reach your pitch.
It combines the mobility of your vehicle with the comfort of a proper bed.
What are the advantages of a roof top tent?
Roof top tent
- Flexible, spontaneous & usable anywhere
- Comfortable bed already built in
- Fits any car
- No extra camping gear needed
- €3,599 for 10 years of outdoor freedom
Campervan hire
- High daily and per-kilometre costs
- Dependent on pitches & availability
- High fuel consumption & parking problems
- €3,599 for roughly 3–4 weeks of van hire
Cabin / tiny house
- Tied to one location & books out fast
- Weekly rates + extra costs (cleaning, service)
- Almost no room for spontaneity
- €3,599 for roughly 3–4 weeks in peak season (depending on the region)
Classic camping setup (tent + mats + accessories)
- Lots of pack volume & lugging about
- Little comfort & limited
- protection from the weather
- Time-consuming setup
- €2,599 for a complete kit, but less comfort than a roof top tent
Will a roof top tent fit my car?
Whether a roof top tent fits your car doesn't depend on the vehicle model alone. What matters most is the permitted roof load, the right roof rack, and the number of people the tent needs to sleep.
We're happy to help you work out the right roof top tent for your vehicle:
Find your perfect roof top tentWhat types of roof top tent are there?
Roof top tents fall into two basic categories: fold-out tents and hard-shell tents. Fold-out tents offer a particularly large sleeping area and plenty of room, while hard-shell tents focus on fast setup and pack-down and high durability. The Roof Space brings both concepts together in one solution.
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Fast setup and pack-down |
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Tent canvas is easy to pack away |
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Rugged lid protecting against weather and branches (hard shell) |
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Double sleeping area |
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Low noise levels in the rain |
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Compact package on the car roof |
Roof top tents – what do I need to know?
Step 1
Check your roof load
Whether a roof top tent fits your car doesn't depend on the vehicle model alone.
What matters most is the permitted dynamic roof load, the right roof rack, and the number of people the tent needs to sleep.
Step 2
Dynamic vs. static roof load
The dynamic roof load tells you how much weight your car roof is allowed to carry while driving – including the roof top tent and any other luggage – and must not be exceeded.
You'll find the dynamic roof load in your vehicle registration document.
Important: the weight of your roof top tent plus anything loaded (beside or inside the tent) should always stay within the dynamic roof load.
Step 3
Roof racks
Roof racks are the foundation for your roof top tent.
Many cars need cross bars fitted to factory roof rails or to special roof tracks.
If your vehicle has no roof rails or another unusual roof construction, special rack systems are required.
Important: check with your car's manufacturer which roof racks are recommended for roof top tents.
Step 4
Choose your roof top tent
The good news: the Roof Space 2 fits 95% of all cars, and at 89 kg the Roof Space 4 needs a roof load of only 100 kg, so it fits most larger vehicles.
We're happy to help you work out the right roof top tent model for your vehicle:
Step 5
Installation
How do I mount my roof top tent?
Take a look at our summary:
What does a roof top tent cost?
Roof top tents come in a range of price brackets. Depending on the construction, size and equipment, they usually cost between €1,500 and €7,000 (and some more than that).
With roof top tents in particular, one thing is clear: cheaper models look appealing, but a slightly bigger investment pays off over time through more comfort, longer life and better value for money. That way you'll enjoy your tent for longer – whether on weekend trips or longer journeys.
Tip: if you do change your mind later on, higher-quality models tend to hold their value longer and are correspondingly easy to sell on.
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