i just ont see how and why? for a start they are way to heavy for most cars roofs,, which are only rated to carry 50 kgs, 2 people could weigh around 200 kgs! a roof tent is many times heavier than that before you even climbed into it, best way of not being able to shut yours doors properly that i can see.
add to that the fact that the only thing you can do is to sleep in it, you have to cook and sit around outside, so what happens when its raining?
Not for me personally, as I camp with my dog and do not believe he would like to climb up and down the ladder - I know I don't, especially in the middle of the night!
Besides, it is only for sleeping. Still need to find a way to cook and eat etc. during the day.
The set up I have seen on campsites so far involved some form of canopy at the back of the car or an utility tent on the side. Looked kind of messy for my liking.
As it is quite bulky and heavy, it would need two people to take it down and put it back up, which may not be feasible for some (not for me definitely as I am on my own). I could just about load and unload an empty roof box on my own when I was a tenter.
Leaving it on the car permanently would increase wind drag and fuel cost.
Each to their own at the end of the day.
DK
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I see more & more round my town these days, maybe people aren’t taking them off the car because it’s a faff. (And yes, reduced fuel efficiency.) On sites, cooking has to happen outside or you put up a tent to cook in & sit in the car, or eat out at a pub. Wouldn’t do for us because of needing to get dressed & climb down the ladder for the loo in the night.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a UKCS member posting about having one.
Probably need a newbie to come along and tell us the pros and cons of owning and using one.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We see many cars fitted with roof tents coming through the village every day, but have never seen one being used on any of the camp sites.
Most of them look as if they have never been used and appear to be modern status symbols for owners of large cars and 4x4's.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 17/6/2024
I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a UKCS member posting about having one.
Probably need a newbie to come along and tell us the pros and cons of owning and using one.
I searched on Roof Tent. There are a number of posts in ‘camping under canvas’. Some posts may be from people who joined to post once, I’ve not checked.
All things considered, not really sure I see much point in them for 'regular' camping, the high cost and inconvenience of having to clamber up and down ladders far outweighing all else, you really cant do anything other than sleep in it, so compelled to come down to terra firma for every other camping essential, so FAR worse off than all but the most basic 'canvas coffin' type ground tent!
Wild camping seems to make more sense, but AFAIK you can't wild camp with a vehicle in UK! - Wild camping intended/permitted for backpackers WITHOUT vehicles heading off into the wilds!
I can see some benefits in say remotest Africa, America or even some parts of Europe where some of the wildlife may be 'troublesome' at ground level, but then you'd only expect to see them on vehicles built and equipped for rough terrain!
Some of the manufacturers claim set up times of only a few minutes, so maybe that's the appeal! Mind you, they also claim you can camp anywhere you can park a vehicle! - think the reality of that may be a little different, and some places very unpleasant 'mistakes' indeed!
The usual stated load limit on car roofs is for dynamic loads (as in driving conditions), the static load can be much higher, that said don't think I'd want to put a couple of blokes my weight on MY car roof, 4-5x (weight of tent PLUS people!) the stated load limit for roof rails seems to be pushing luck pretty hard to me, that's getting on for 1/4 tonne!
Suspect they may sound like a good idea from the marketing material, but how many are truly put to use!
As to anyone on UKCS with one, seem to recall someone setting up a vehicle with one, but a quick search didn't reveal their ID or past posts!
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 17/6/2024
I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a UKCS member posting about having one.
Probably need a newbie to come along and tell us the pros and cons of owning and using one.
I searched on Roof Tent. There are a number of posts in ‘camping under canvas’. Some posts may be from people who joined to post once, I’ve not checked.
There are four posts, three from the same person. Not a lot of light shed.
Oh there is a fifth post but it’s only about mounting brackets.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Have seen several in use on our current trip to southern France. More suited to warmer weather when you can cook & sit outside. You might get a roof tent but the users also put up a shelter/gazebo type tent sort of thing Decathlon sell & fill it with fridge & cooker. Also on this site is a Dutch built teardrop caravan with a roof tent.
On foreign sites you get all sorts of unorthodox camping equipment. If you tried that on a UK site they would throw a wobbler as their list of chargeable extras would not include any of it. They would probably try to charge for 3 pitches.
Currently in Scotland - two on site at Beecraigs, one here at Alloa and there another two at Yellowcraigs. Seeing more and more a out, mainly on Landrover type vehicles but one here on a family type saloon
Spoke to a solo Dutch female user who had one on her smallish Volvo, she had no negatives to say about as she was firing up her bbq.
What she loved about her particular pitch was that she was right beside the facilities block.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Rooftent
via mobile 17/6/2024 at 8:06am
