Ready to turn your car into a mobile basecamp? The UK’s camping scene is being revolutionised by the roof tent, a piece of kit that combines the freedom of car travel with the comfort of a dedicated sleeping space. Turning your car into a mini camper! If you’re looking to buy your first roof tent, navigating the options can be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through what a roof tent is, how it works, and a look at some of the most popular models available for UK adventurers.
What is a Roof Tent and How Does it Work?
A rooftop tent is a portable shelter that mounts directly onto the roof of your vehicle. Unlike a ground tent, it keeps you elevated, away from the cold, wet ground, and creepy crawlies. They are a popular choice for those who want a quick, convenient, and comfortable alternative to traditional camping.
Mounting and Installation: Roof tents are designed to be mounted on a vehicle’s cross bars or a full roof rack. The installation process is straightforward but requires two people due to the tent’s size and weight.
Vehicle Preparation: Ensure your car’s roof and rack have the required static and dynamic weight ratings to support the tent and its occupants. Just Google your car make and model.
Lifting: With a partner, lift the tent onto your car’s roof bars.
Securing: Using the provided brackets, bolts, and tools, the tent is clamped or bolted securely to the cross bars, typically at four anchor points. Once mounted, it’s a semi-permanent fixture that can stay on for the entire camping season.
Cost and Delivery: Prices for roof tents in the UK typically range from around £1,000 for entry-level soft shells to over £4,000 for premium hard shells. Due to their size, delivery is a specialist process. Most brands use a “two-man delivery service” and will coordinate a delivery slot with you. Delivery costs can be a flat fee, and some brands offer a free collection service from their warehouses.
A Look at the Top UK Roof Tents
Here are the best rooftop tents. These are some of the best and most popular models on the market today.
1. TentBox Lite 2.0
TentBox is a British brand that has become synonymous with roof tent camping in the UK. The TentBox Lite 2.0 is their most popular model, known for its balance of affordability, compact design, and features.
Features: This is a two-person, soft-shell tent with a simple fold-out design. It boasts a new, upgraded dual-layer foam mattress, two skylights for stargazing, and an improved ladder with flat rungs for comfort. The fabrics are high-performance, stormproof, and breathable.
What Makes It Unique: The Lite 2.0 is specifically designed to be lightweight (50kg) and compact when folded, making it suitable for a wide range of vehicles, including smaller cars. It’s the perfect entry-level option for anyone new to the hobby.
Pros: Very quick setup (under 5 minutes), lightweight and versatile, great value for money, and designed and supported by a UK company.
Cons: Not as fast to pack away as a hard shell, and the soft cover can be slightly fiddly to secure.
2. OEX Vertex Lite 130 Roof Tent
The OEX Vertex Lite 130 is a popular soft-shell roof tent that provides a compelling option for those looking for an affordable and lightweight entry point into rooftop camping. It’s often praised for its simplicity and the excellent value it offers, making it a direct competitor to some of the more well-known brands.
Features: This tent is designed for two people and has a fast, fold-out setup. It includes an integrated high-density foam mattress, a blackout bedroom for a great night’s sleep, and large panoramic mesh windows. The silver-coated flysheet offers excellent UV protection and helps to regulate temperature inside the tent.
What Makes It Unique: The Vertex Lite is one of the lightest roof tents available, weighing in at just 39.5kg. This makes it a great choice for smaller vehicles that have a lower dynamic roof load rating. Its affordability also makes it highly accessible for those who are new to roof tenting and don’t want to make a large initial investment.
Pros: Very lightweight and suitable for most cars, excellent value for money, fast to set up, and features a full blackout bedroom.
Cons: Some users have reported condensation issues, and the mattress may not be as thick as more expensive models, which could require an additional topper for comfort. The door design can also be prone to letting in rain if not managed carefully.
3. Ventura Deluxe 1.4 Roof Top Tent + Annex
The Ventura Deluxe 1.4 is a highly-rated soft-shell tent designed for those who want a complete camping solution with plenty of space. It’s a popular choice for its affordability and comprehensive features, including a large annex that sets it apart from many competitors.
Features: This tent is capable of sleeping 2-3 adults inside and is constructed with a durable poly-cotton canvas that has a 3000mm hydrostatic head rating, making it highly waterproof. It comes with a 2-inch high-density foam mattress and an included annex, which provides an additional living area or sleeping space for 3-4 people.
What Makes It Unique: The most significant feature is the included annex, which massively extends the usable space. It’s also designed for fast setup and is built to withstand a wide range of weather conditions, from heat to cold and strong winds. Its universal fixing brackets allow it to be mounted on a variety of vehicles.
Pros: The included annex offers a huge amount of extra space, it’s quick and easy to set up, and it’s compatible with almost any vehicle. It provides a high level of comfort for its price point and is made from durable materials.
Cons: While the included mattress is comfortable, some users might find it less thick than more premium options. The overall packed size is also quite large, which could be a consideration for those with limited storage space on their vehicle.
4. TentBox Classic 2.0
As one of the UK’s most popular hard-shell tents, the TentBox Classic 2.0 has a loyal following for its clever design and effortless use. It is an evolution of a classic model, with improvements to comfort and aerodynamics.
Features: The Classic 2.0 features a durable ABS hard shell and a gas-assisted opening mechanism that allows it to set up in under 60 seconds. The interior is spacious with a vertical wall design that maximises headroom. It comes with a comfortable dual-layer mattress and ample internal storage space, allowing you to leave bedding inside when packed away.
What Makes It Unique: The “pop-up” style opening provides a spacious, bedroom-like feel with nearly vertical walls, which is a key advantage over many sloping-wall hard shells. Its redesigned aerodynamic shell and gas-strut system make it incredibly simple and fast to use, whether setting up or packing away.
Pros: Very quick to set up and pack away, spacious interior with plenty of headroom, integrated storage, and a robust, aerodynamic shell.
Cons: It is a heavier option compared to soft-shell tents, and the price is at the higher end of the market.
5. TentBox Lite XL
For families or groups who need more space without the bulk of a hard shell, the TentBox Lite XL is an excellent solution. It takes the popular design of the Lite model and super-sizes it, creating a comfortable and spacious sleeping area for up to four people.
Features: This soft-shell tent boasts a super-king size dual-layer memory foam mattress, providing a spacious and comfortable bed for a small family. It features two large skylights for stargazing, as well as ample windows with anti-bug mesh for ventilation. The design is simple to set up in minutes with its fold-out mechanism and telescopic ladder.
What Makes It Unique: The Lite XL is one of the largest soft-shell roof tents on the market, offering a huge amount of internal space while remaining relatively light (62kg). It’s a perfect option for those who have a larger car and want to maximize sleeping capacity without the added weight or cost of a hard-shell tent.
Pros: Very spacious, comfortable for up to four people, quick to set up, and a more affordable and lighter alternative to 4-person hard-shell tents.
Cons: Due to its size, it can be less aerodynamic on the roof than a smaller model, and the soft cover can be more work to pack up than a hard shell.
Your Roof Top Camping Adventure Awaits
Choosing the right roof tent is a personal decision based on your vehicle, your budget, and the type of adventures you want to have. Whether you opt for the versatile and compact TentBox Lite 2.0, or a larger hard shell, you are investing in a new way to explore.
With your new home on wheels, you’re no longer limited to campsites—the world becomes your backyard. So, get out there, climb that ladder, and wake up to a new view every morning. Your next car camping adventure is waiting for you.
Camping Articles You May like
Gear Guides
