Find out how you can use an SUV tent effectively, including what to look for when shopping and the right way to set up your vehicle-based camping equipment.
When it comes to choosing a camping tent, there are a few options when it comes to vehicles – you don’t have to sleep INSIDE your van to experience van life! You can go with a traditional tent that you set up on the ground, or you can use an SUV tent (truck tents) mounted on a roof rack.
These types of rooftop tents are designed to be used with SUVs and other larger vehicles for off road camping trips. They come in both pop-up and fold-out styles, and can provide additional weather protection for your camping trip. Many SUV tents pack away very compactly and can even be left on the car when not camping.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of SUV tents, as well as some tips for using them successfully. We’ll also talk about some of the common issues people have with these tents, and how to solve them!
“Designs range from budget-friendly softshells to premium hardshell and overlanding models built to take a licking, but all of the rooftop tents below keep you off the ground, are relatively easy to set up and stow, have rugged builds, and free up valuable storage space in your vehicle.”
Switchback Travel
Tip 1 – Choosing a SUV tent style
SUV tents are a rooftop tent that come in two main styles: pop-up and fold-out. The most popular type of SUV tent is the fold-out variety because they tend to be much larger, offering more sleeping space, and are cheaper than their pop-up counterparts. However, fold-out SUV tents do take a bit longer to set up and pack away. A fold out SUV tent is usually best for family camping trips, as most tents in this style are a larger tent and provide more floor space and living space.
Tip 2 – Measure your garage before buying an SUV tent!
Whilst no-one really ever plants to errect their SUV tent in a garage or other indoor space, you should make sure it will actually fit in your garage or parking area whilst stowed (packed away) before purchasing one of these tents. SUV tents come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll want something that fits inside the garage, but most SUV tents for camping are pretty compact.
Tip 3- Find out how much room is needed for your SUV tent
Before buying an SUV tent, find out how much room is needed to safely set up your rooftop tent (including any guy lines or other tie-downs needed). It’s always better to be safe than sorry – especially with large purchases like this! You don’t want any surprises after arrival at a campground like being parked too close to your mates car! They vary in size as there a larger SUV tent with separate rooms and storage space comfortably sleeps a family, wheras smaller ones are more suited to couples.
Tip 4- Don’t camp under a tree
The canopy of both pop-up and fold-out SUV tents are not designed to withstand the weight of falling branches, so don’t go SUV camping under trees or large bushes when using these on vehicles. This is a fairly good rule of thumb for any camping activities (not just SUV camping), as large falling branches have killed many unsuspecting campers before.
Tip 5 – SUV Tents are best used in summer
SUV tents for camping work great during warmer months as they often have large mesh windows, but they’re not as great in winter as they don’t tend to have the best waterproofing or insulating properties. If you’re looking to camp during periods of inclement weather during the colder months, it’s might be worth looking to invest in traditional stand alone tents (a regular tent) with superior weather protection that will keep you warm and dry throughout your trip.
Having said that, as long as you invest in a good quality sleeping bag, you should stay toasty warm! Storm covers can be fitted to an SUV tent with storm flaps for weather protection during rainy nights.
SUV tents also make a great place to hang your portable camping shower.
Tip 6 – SUV tents can be used for other activities
Just because you have an SUV tent doesn’t mean you have to use it for camping! SUV tents can also be used as a great rest spot during road trips for a driver-reviver, they make an awesome sun shelter at the beach or during picnics to set up a picnic table, or you could even use one as an extra bedroom when hosting guests at home. If you’re looking for an easy way to create more interior space, then an SUV tent could work.
Tip 7- Use a footprint
Whilst not all SUV tents come with footprints (a groundsheet that goes under your tent), they are definitely worth investing in if your chosen model does not include one. A footprint will protect the bottom floor space of your tent from wear and tear, and will help keep it clean – especially if you’re using it on sandy or muddy surfaces.
Tip 8 – SUV Tents are not just for SUV’s
Whilst SUV tents were originally designed to be used with SUV’s and other large vehicles, they can also work great on smaller cars like sedans, wagons or even hatchbacks. The size and weight of an SUV tent compared to your car and roof rack’s permitted weight loading will determine how well it fits on your vehicle, so make sure you measure the roof area before purchasing one! You may need to adjust where the guy lines attach so that they don’t pull against door handles or windowsills – but this is usually quite easy if necessary.
Tip 9- Use a sleeping pad or foam mattress
If you’re planning on using your SUV tent as a regular camping shelter, then it’s worth investing in some sort of sleeping pad (or even better yet a foam or inflatable mattress) if you want to sleep comfortably. SUV tents are usually quite roomy, but they’re not that easy to sleep in without some padding underneath you. A sleeping pad will help prevent aches and pains from sleeping on a cold or hard surface – something I know all too well!
Tip 10 – Use guy lines for extra stability
If you want better protection against windy conditions, then it’s worth attaching some additional guy lines (ropes) to your SUV tent where the tent connects and the use of fiberglass poles as supports. This is often most easily achieved by looping them through any existing attachment points on both sides before tying them off at an angle so that they
Summary
SUV tents are gaining in popularity due to their ease of use and the fact that they don’t take up much ground space at campgrounds. SUV tent camping can be a lot of fun – but only if you plan ahead! Make sure you’re prepared for all contingencies before heading out on your next SUV tent camping adventure.
So there you have it – my top tips for SUV Tent Camping! I hope this list helps anyone looking to get into SUV Tents or just wants some extra information when choosing one. If there’s anything else important that has been left off here, please let me know in the comments below.
If you don’t have space or roof racks to fit rooftop tents, or prefer to keep things at ground level, consider a Tent trailer or Camper Trailer that you can tow. Small camper trailers can be surprisingly nimble, but it is worth renting one first to find out if its for you or not!
P.S – When choosing a great tent, Look for rooftop tents without a permanently attached ladder, one that has storm flaps, taped seams, mesh pockets, plenty of additional living space, gear pockets, a lantern holder, a conveniently located gear pocket, and a durable tent sleeve for when it’s packed away. A standard tent may not have all of these features.
