A car with a sunroof works well, but not with glass. Rooftop tents can be very durable and are similar to regular tents. Soft roof top tents fold down to the side of your vehicle so that part of the tent hangs off the edge. They open like a pop-up book.
A series of hinged posts and manually placed posts and tensioning ropes pierce the tent. The tent body is made of a soft, waterproof fabric, such as nylon or canvas. The tent is attached to a rigid platform with hinges. A roof top tent requires a roof rack to support it.
Once the roof rack is installed, the tent mounts to the top and stays there as you drive to your destination. During the trip, the tent folds up and you open it when you arrive at your destination. Roof tents are supported by a roof rack system that is placed on top of your vehicle. The roof rack system must have cross bars so that the tent can be securely mounted on it.
Larger roof tents generally have a weight capacity of approximately 650 pounds (290 kg), which is perfect as a 4-person tent for families. If you were to distinguish them, the dynamic roof load would indicate what roof load you can safely continue to drive with. You'll need to be a little more careful when driving on steep or uneven terrain with a heavy roof top tent set up. Many manufacturers also install condensation pads under the mattress or on the ceiling to absorb excess moisture.
Because roof tents are so high above the ground, annoying creatures such as ticks, ants, slugs, scorpions, snakes, and mice can't get in as easily, even if the door is left open. If you plan to leave your roof top tent mounted on your vehicle for the long term, you'd better choose a hardshell model with UV and mildew resistant fabric. Rigid wedge-shaped tents can also withstand stronger winds if parked with the hinge pointing towards the wind. Manufacturers can use heavier, more robust materials to build roof tents because your vehicle carries the weight instead of you.
You'll also need to buy a roof rack that is compatible with both your vehicle and the roof tent you plan to use. While the roof of the vehicle usually supports the RTT, the roof rack is the most important component to keep the tent in place. Depending on what you're doing, a rooftop tent can be a wonderful comfort or a horrible headache. Another benefit is that the interior of your car will be kept cleaner because you will never store a damp and dirty tent inside.
Remember that the store's wind resistance reduces fuel consumption by about 2 to 10 mpg, depending on the type of vehicle and its speed. Prices have dropped in recent years, but rooftop tents are still quite expensive for what they are. Even if the rule in a stationary vehicle states that the load should only be below the total mass of the cabin, the integrity of the cabin and passengers is at risk if the roof tent and roof rack exceed the permissible roof load.
