How to choose your roof tent?

Combining road and adventures in the great outdoors? We help you to choose the best rooftop tent for your car or van, depending on your vehicle and your needs!

The rooftop tent is a lot more than just the pretty pictures you see on Instagram and Pinterest: It’s the freedom to go camping (almost) wherever you want, with a view that would leave even the most scenic hotels green with envy. The good news is that this type of tent has become more affordable, with more and more models available. The downside? There’s so much choice that it’s not always easy to find the right fit, or should we say, tent, for your roof. We help you to find out how to choose your rooftop tent according to several criteria: vehicle, required space, number of beds, level of comfort, type of canvas, pitching system and available accessories. But first, let’s start at the very beginning: why is this type of tent an enjoyable way to camp, no matter what type of trip you’re planning? We’ll tell you everything!

What are the advantages of a rooftop tent?

Sleeping high up in your vehicle, in France or abroad, offers many advantages. Which ones? We list them for you, right here!

1. Avoid insects and other creepy crawlies: you know, the type that sometimes decides to come and say hello in a traditional tent, even when the door’s closed. Or any other animal, for that matter! Foxes, raccoons, goats, horses... Nothing really life-threatening here in the French countryside. But in countries that have slightly less "friendly" roamers, this could prove to be somewhat useful.

2. Escape those pesky little floods on heavy rain days: perched on top of your car, you don’t run the risk of finding yourself ankle-deep!

3. Sleep on a truly flat surface: if you still have nightmares about that tiny stone that prevented you from getting some shut eye last summer, the advantage of sleeping on your roof, is that you’re definitely going to be sleeping flat.

4. Make your wake-ups easier: with this type of tent, its height and ladder give you a bed edge to make the shift from the lying position to the standing position easier, for a gentle wake-up.

5. Being able to camp (or nearly) anywhere you want, without paying the price of van life: no need to kit out the interior of your van or utility vehicle, nor invest in a new vehicle. All you need is the roof of your car! Even though the purchase price of a rooftop tent isn’t negligible, it’s nowhere close to the purchase or fitting out of a van, nor its upkeep.

6. Rekindle those childhood memories: let’s admit it, sleeping on the roof of your car or van is kind of like the adult version of the top-level bunk (or finally getting that "treehouse")

you’ve always dreamed of...).Not yet swung on the idea of a rooftop tent for your next trips? Be sure to read our article so you find the best type of camping tent to suit your needs!

The rooftop tent so you can move as you like: testimonials

Is travelling wherever you want, in France or elsewhere, freely and without constraints, a dream you’d like to see come true? What if we were to combine these aspirations with enhanced safety, socialisation, experiences and comfort thanks to the rooftop tent? Listen to this great conversation recorded for the podcast “Conseil Sport” with Céline, Quechua product manager, and Etienne de Galbert, founder of HomeCamper.

which vehicle tops the list for a rooftop tent

Which vehicle can handle a roof tent?

Rest assured, you don’t need to invest in a van, a cargo van or a 4x4 to pitch a tent on the roof of your vehicle. Although it’s not possible to fit a roof tent to a convertible two-stroke (lack of space), most vehicles, from city cars to 4x4s and trucks to vans, will be able to support a rooftop tent and its occupants. Be warned, however: we advise you against pitching one on a car with a sunroof, as they reduce the mechanical strength of the roof. Do you have a vehicle that’s already pretty high? With the rooftop tent on top (even when folded), you risk changing categories when passing through motorway tolls, or you may no longer have access to all car parks.

Do you need a roof rack to install a tent?

This all depends on your vehicle and tent model. For example, at Quechua, our inflatable rooftop tent for vans doesn’t require a roof rack or any particular accessories, it goes directly on top. But it’s an exception! Our design teams wanted to create this model for vans that weren’t able to install a roof rack owing to height and access issues.

Our Quechua MH500 Fresh & Black, MH900 Fresh & Black and Quechua x NaïtUp Fresh & Black models can be pitched only on vehicles with ISO11154-certified rooftop bars. As take note: not all standard roof racks are created equal! Some are actually more aesthetic than functional (to get that coveted "SUV" look). Other roof racks will support the weight of your luggage, but not a tent and its occupants. So check the number of kilos that yours can support and change it if necessary so your vehicle is properly equipped.

How do you choose a rooftop tent? Our guide based on 4 criteria

Criteria no.1: the weight that your car or van can support

Check the specifications of the rooftop tent for the minimum number of kilos that each roof rack bar should be able to support, and compare it with your vehicle. For example, the Quechua M500 2-person rooftop tent, with its cover dimensions of 146 x 123 x 35 cm and a total weight of 55.5 kg can be fitted to any vehicle that can be equipped with two roof rack bars able to support a minimum of 75 kg. In any case, we advise you to refer to the manufacturer’s logbook of your vehicle or van, where the maximum load supported is specified. You’ll immediately know which tent can work with these essential accessories!

choosing your tent based on the number of occupants

Criteria no.2: the number of expected campers (2, 4 or 5/6 people)

As with a ground tent, there are several sizes of rooftop tent depending on the desired number of beds. With models offering enough space for 2 to 5/6 beds, depending on the tent, it’s your choice whether you set off as a duo or a family. Beware, however, that rooftop tents that claim to have a large number of beds are often based on a very small bed space of 50 cm or less per person. If you like to have some space between you and your tent mate, look at the measurements of the tent instead. For family tents, the size of its occupants is important: generally work on either 3 adults or 2 adults and 3 kids (teens naturally fall into the "adult" category: the important thing is the size and weight (in kgs) that the tent can accommodate. Also take into account the tent’s inside volume, or "habitable area", to assess its bedding capacity.

1) The structure of the rooftop tent: self-supporting, "fold-out" or inflatable. Once the tent has been pitched on your vehicle rooftop (this is the job that takes the longest), you just need to fold it out so that it takes shape. For self-supporting tents that consist of a shell that opens (like an oyster), without protruding from the vehicle, pitching and disassembly will be quick and easy. Once pitched, they offer quite a limited living area. "Fold-out"tents aren’t self-supporting, which means that the top of the tent is supported by the ladder. The ladder must always be securely locked. Otherwise, the platform will lean "into the void" and will not support any load. There are also rooftop tents with an inflatable structure, such as the Quechua MH900 Fresh & Black 2-person inflatable rooftop tent which inflates in 20 seconds and must be secured with a ladder. The advantage of inflatable tents? More compact, they’re better suited to smaller cars, leaving some space to carry the rest of your sports equipment on the roof of your car, such as a surfboard or kayak.

2) The material of the rooftop tent: this affects the quality of the tent and its hold over time, but not only that! For example, a 100% synthetic fabric is lighter than a cotton fabric. On the other hand, cotton and polycotton (a mixture of polyester and cotton) perform better against UV rays! They are also more breathable, but they are heavier and less compact. Concerned about leaks if it rains? Look for a tent that has been laboratory-tested in heavy rain so that you’re not rudely woken by a water leak in the middle of the night: look for the mention of a water column test expressed in Schmerbers. This measure of waterproofing is defined in two standards: EN 208111 and ISO 81. We also recommend opting for a tent with a flysheet, which makes it easier to ventilate the tent. By the way, if you’re going camping in the summer and the heat and waking up at the crack of dawn aren’t part of your idea of getaway bliss, our Fresh & Black fabric offers you darkness and coolness. The little bonus: some rooftop tents have a window for you to "sleep under the stars" while staying as comfortable as possible.

3) The type of cover or storage case: hard or soft. The cover or case you store your folded tent in on your rooftop is also a criterion of choice. It can be "soft", like our MH500 tent model, or "hard", like our Quechua x NaïtUp tent. A hard case saves pitching and folding up time. More aerodynamic than a soft cover, a hard case is also more fuel-efficient when you drive. However, rooftop tents with a hard case are more expensive than equivalent models with a soft cover. They are also heavier.

Criteria no.4: the comfort level of the inside mattress and available accessories

Sleeping properly in your tent is far from being a minor detail! Each rooftop tent model comes with a built-in mattress, compatible with the exact measurements of the tent. Be sure to check the thickness, but more importantly the density of the mattress to see how comfortable it is. Some models even have an under-mattress to minimise condensation. In terms of bedding, the best thing is still to try it out by testing display mattresses directly in the shop.

In terms of accessories, little storage compartments are always welcome so you have everything you need at hand! The tent entrance and exit is essentially outside so if you forget something in your vehicle, you’ll have to venture outside (in the dark, in the rain, etc.) to go and fetch it. So look for rooftop tent models with at least one shoe pocket. Keen to have your own"terrace" adjoining your car? Choose a tent model that’s compatible with an extension, like the Quechua awning compatible with the MH500 rooftop tent . This will help keep you protected from the heat and rain when using the ladder!

Comparison of Quechua rooftop tents

To help you choose between Quechua brand rooftop tents, we guide you by comparing our various products. We give you specific information for each criterion, for the following four models:
- MH500 Fresh & Black 2-person
- MH900 Fresh & Black 2-person inflatable
- Van 500 Fresh & Black 2-person
- Quechua x Naït Up Fresh & Black 2-person [available in December 2024]

1. Ease of pitching/disassembly on the roof or roof rack
- MH500 / MH900: 10 mins.
- Van 500: 5 mins thanks to its inflatable structure.
- Quechua x Naït Up: 5 mins thanks to its patented Nufix attachments.

2. Speed of opening/closing of the tent once installed on the roof
- MH500 / MH 900 / Van 900: less than 5 mins.
- Quechua x NaïtUp: less than 3 mins with its hard case.

3. The compactness of the tent on the vehicle roof bars (aerodynamics)
, the size of the closed tent and the design of the storage cover all affect its aerodynamics and consequently your fuel consumption when you drive with it. We advise you to pay attention to the following: if you choose a hard and compact case, you gain aerodynamism.
- MH500 : cover 146 x 123 x 35 cm / total weight 55.5 kg (tent 48.5 kg + ladder 7 kg).
- MH900 : cover 148 x 77 x 35 cm / total weight 52 kg (tent 45 kg + ladder 7 kg).
- Van 500: cover 130 x 37 x 32 cm / total weight 23.6 kg (tent 16.4 kg + ladder 7.2 kg).
- Quechua x Naït Up: hard case 138 x 127 x 22 cm thick, the most compact in our range (tent 53 kg, ladder and tools 7 kg).

4. Habitability or the space you have inside the tent
- MH500: tent surface area = 240 x 140 cm / bedroom (w) 140 x (l) 240 x (h) 106 cm / mattress 139 x 237 x 5 cm, density 26 kg/m3.
- MH900 : tent surface area = 220 x 145 cm / bedroom (w) 145 x (l) 220 x (h) 101 cm / mattress 138 x 207 x 5 cm, density 26 kg/m3.
- Van 500: tent surface area = 210 x 130 cm / bedroom (w) 130 X (l) 210 x (h) 93 cm / mattress 130 X 205 cm / tarp 193 x 190 cm.
- Quechua x Naït Up: tent surface area = 218 x 117 cm / bedroom (w)127 x (l)218 x (h)110 cm / mattress: 215 x 125 x 5 cm, density 30 kg/m3.

What’s the best rooftop tent?

The best rooftop tent model for cars or vans on the market is the one that meets YOUR personal needs and fits YOUR particular vehicle! With this in mind, we advise you first to measure the space available on your van or on your car roof rack. Then, it’s up to you to make a decision in line with your priorities: habitability, number of sleeping places, price and comfort level, accessories, quick assembly, storage, etc. To find out everything you should know, use the above points in this article as a guide to help you find the best rooftop tent to suit your needs!

Are you allowed to sleep wherever you want with a rooftop tent?

Want to camp wherever you want, and whenever you want: sound too good to be true? This type of tent offers great freedom, with some constraints, however. In theory, you can open your tent wherever you can park, as long as it does not exceed the dimensions of your vehicle. But there is some regulatory uncertainty about rooftop tents, so we advise you to consider camping-related laws. In France, you can camp everywhere, except in certain areas: public spaces, classified areas, the surroundings of historic sites or at the seaside. And, of course, on private properties. For more information, you can read our article on wild camping, and also browse the website of the FFCC (French Federation of Camping and Caravanning). The advantage of a rooftop tent is that you can set off on the roads in France, and cross borders, essentially with your house on your back! But don’t forget to find out about the regulations in each country.

What weight can a rooftop tent take?

It all depends on the tent you choose! In principle, they are all made to support at least two people, but we advise you to check the user manual of your tent to avoid any mishaps.

How much should you pay for a good rooftop tent?

The purchase price of a rooftop tent isn’t nothing, even if it’s justified by the whole technical design of this type of gear. To give you an idea, prices can vary by a few hundred euros to more than 4,000 euros. The price of the product depends on its size, the materials used, accessories, where it’s manufactured, the brand, and other factors.

See the price of rooftop tents sold at Decathlon

You need to take into account several key criteria when choosing a rooftop tent specifically suited to your needs! The type of vehicle, the weight that the roof bars can support, the space required according to the number of beds, the accessories available and the specific characteristics of the tent (price, faster or slower pitching, aerodynamics, etc.) must all be taken into account. Don’t hesitate to compare different tents on the market so you make the choice that will turn your outdoor adventures into memorable moments on nature sites or while camping. Happy travels! 🚗

Maguy

Van life and bivouac enthusiasts.

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