On the road with a roof tent: 10 tips from hinterland.camp

The roof tent is in vogue - after all, it is a cheap alternative to the motorhome or a camper. It promises easy handling and offers you a lot of freedom for the next camping adventure. But before buying, many camping fans have a lot of questions. We have therefore taken up the 10 most frequently asked questions about roof tents and give you simple answers. 

1. Which cars are suitable for a roof tent? 

In principle, roof tents can be mounted on almost any car. The decisive factor is whether there is a roof rack suitable for roof tents and whether the roof load of your car is sufficient for a roof tent. You can find the roof load in the owner's manual of your car. It does not have to be stated in the registration certificate. If you want to buy a roof tent, it is advantageous if you drive a car with a large roof area and the highest possible roof load. Station wagons, SUVs or vans are ideal for mounting roof tents. 

2. What do I have to spend on a good roof tent? 

When you start looking for a roof tent, you will find that prices for standard tents range from 800 to around 4,000 euros. Basically, all roof tents are suitable for their purpose, so you should list the most important criteria for you. Should your roof tent have a mattress? Should a ladder be integrated for climbing up? Do you still need an add-on tent? Do you want a hard-shell roof tent or should it be a hybrid model? Roof tent tests are also helpful for making a purchase decision. The ADAC, for example, has tested roof tents.

3. Can I leave a roof tent on my car all year round? 

Roof tents are designed for wind and weather and are accordingly weatherproof. Theoretically, you can leave your roof tent on your car all year round. The advantage is that you do not have to mount and dismount the tent. However, similar to roof boxes or roof racks, you should also remember that the aerodynamics suffer, you have to move additional weight, and you therefore consume more fuel. 

4. How much weight can a roof tent withstand? How heavy is my car allowed to be for a roof tent? 

A roof tent is made for one or more people, depending on the design. This is independent of the specified roof load. This refers to the weight of your roof tent. If the roof load of your car is 70 kilograms, the roof tent including the carrier must not weight more than 70 kilograms. This is the maximum weight that can be placed on the roof while driving, because acceleration forces act on this weight while driving. If you load your roof with more kilograms than permitted, damage can occur during braking or acceleration. Since the roof tent distributes the weight over the crossbars and the bodywork when the vehicle is standing, people weighing far more than 70 kilograms together can sleep in the tent. 

5. How far may the roof tent protrude? 

Basically, no common roof tent protrudes over the windshield at the front when it is still closed. Therefore, you usually don't have to worry about § 22 para. 3 StVO, according to which cargo up to a vehicle height of 2.5 meters may not protrude over the front of the vehicle. If your roof tent overhangs to the rear, § 22 StVO also applies. According to this, cargo in the rear area may protrude up to 1.5 meters. However, if your roof tent protrudes more than one meter over the rear, you must mark the tent with a flag or a sign.

6. How fast can I drive with a roof tent? 

If you have a folding roof tent, you should drive at a maximum of 100 km/h with it. If it's a roof tent with a hard case, a maximum of 130 km/h is recommended without any additional roof load. You should always keep in mind that enormous forces act on the roof tent when driving fast. The faster you drive, the more the wind pulls on your tent. In the worst case, the roof tent will not only tear off the roof rack, but also parts of the car roof.

7. Where can I park with my roof tent? 

As long as the roof tent is not set up, you can stand or park anywhere you are usually allowed to stay with your car. If the roof tent is set up, the same rules apply as for camping with a motorhome or camper: You are allowed to stand in public space for one night to rest, but then you have to move on. Otherwise, it can be considered wild camping in Germany, for which you risk a fine.
8. What is a hybrid roof tent? 

Hybrid rooftop tents are stored in a hard shell. However, once they are set up, the tent walls are made of fabric. The roof then forms the hard shell, which otherwise serves as a "lid" for the roof tent box.

9. how does a roof tent work and is it safe? 

A roof tent is a tent construction designed to be mounted on the roof of a car. The tent is mounted on a roof rack and unfolded for overnight camping, similar to a camper's setup. By mounting it on the roof rack, the load is distributed when you spend the night on the car. Accordingly, the design is safe. 

10. Roof tent or camper? 

If you are faced with the decision whether to buy a roof tent or a camper, you should compare all the important aspects. A roof tent is of course much cheaper than a camper, and in principle you can convert almost any car with sufficient roof space and roof load to a "car tent". If you mount a roof tent e.g. on a four-wheel drive car, you are more flexible when outdoor camping. With a camper, on the other hand, you can benefit from more comfort, such as a built-in kitchen or built-in cupboards. Ultimately, you have to decide what matters more to you when camping: Comfort, cost or flexibility. 
Here on hinterland.camp you will find many private campsites that you can use with your rooftop tent. You can browse online on our website or download our free camping app to the hinterland from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store!