The perfect car roof tent for your vehicle

The choice between a folding and hard shell roof tent depends on your personal usage requirements, preferences and budget.

✅ Fixed shell construction: This makes the roof tent flatter and more aerodynamic on the roof.
✅ Resistant hard shell: This protects you from any weather and makes you feel particularly safe.
✅ Time-saving: The horntools hard shell roof tent can be set up in under three minutes. You can save extra time by stowing your bedding in the roof tent when it is folded down.
✅ Convenient size: The roof tent usually does not exceed the side mirrors of your vehicle, so you can easily spend the night almost anywhere.

✅ Less expensive: You need a little more time to set it up.
✅ Low weight: Ideal for vehicles with a low roof load.
✅ Very spacious: If you are traveling with child(ren), a folding tent offers you enough space.
✅ Overlapping surface provides a shaded area: you usually don't need an additional awning.

The pop-up tent is mounted on an aluminum plate, is set up by folding out the plate and is protected by a rubber cover when closed. When closed, it is around 10 cm higher than the hard shell roof tent.

In summary, there is no such thing as THE roof tent variant that has more advantages than the other. It is important to look at your own needs and to match these with the pros and cons of the respective roof tent variant. Here is another comparison between folding tents and hard shell tents to help you make your decision:

In our ADVENTURER magazine you will also find an article with a detailed comparison between folding tents and hard shell tents.

Folding tents are generally cheaper than hard shell roof tents. Depending on the size, the Desert folding tent is between 1,490 and 2,990 euros and the new Elements roof tent in the colors Ocean & Stone is between 2,290 and 3,590 euros. The tried and tested Themis hard shell tent costs 2,890 euros.

Depending on the model, roof tents offer space for up to 4 people (2 adults and 2 children). Generally speaking, the 140 cm mattress is designed for two adults, the 165 cm mattress for two adults + one child and the 220 cm mattress for two adults + two children.

The Elements roof tents in the colors Ocean and Stone as well as the Desert 220 version are particularly suitable for 4 people or families. These versions come with two separate ladders and a partition wall. The car roof tent is divided into two separate rooms and thus offers ideal accommodation for 4 people. The partition wall is attached using Velcro and can also be removed if necessary. The length of the sleeping area is always around 230 cm.

In general, you can mount a roof tent on any car, provided a roof rack is attached to your car roof. It does not matter whether it is two cross struts as a carrier or a roof rack platform. It is important that the width and length of the car roof offers sufficient space for the roof tent and that the width of the roof rack is compatible with the roof tent bracket. In addition, the permissible roof load specified by the car manufacturer for the installation of the roof rack and roof tent must be observed. This can normally be found in the car manual or can be obtained directly from the manufacturer. Folding tents with less weight are therefore recommended for smaller vehicles with a lower permissible roof load.

The roof load that the vehicle manufacturer refers to in the manual is the dynamic roof load. This is the permitted load that you are allowed to carry on the roof of your vehicle while travelling. For example, if you have specified a roof load of 80 kg for your vehicle, your roof tent + roof rack may weigh a maximum of 80 kg. When stationary, you can then sleep in the roof tent without any concerns.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

There is no standard roof load for a roof tent. This always depends on the individual weight of the roof tent. For example, if a roof tent weighs 50 kg, a maximum permissible roof load of 70 kg specified by the vehicle manufacturer including roof rack may be sufficient. However, if the roof tent weighs 70 kg, for example, you will obviously need a higher roof load on your vehicle.

A roof rack is always a prerequisite for fitting a roof tent. As long as the width of the carrier is compatible with the roof tent bracket, you can mount a roof tent on any roof rack.

💡Tip: Don't have a suitable roof rack yet? Then take a look at our brackets - these can be flexibly adjusted in width as required and can therefore be optimally adapted to your vehicle model.

To install the roof tent, you must lift it onto your roof racks. This is best done with the help of two to four people. The roof tent is then screwed onto the roof rack at four points using screws and counter plates. All fastening material and tools are supplied with our roof tents.

How long it takes to set up the roof tent depends on the roof tent model, of course. In general, it can be said that setting up a hard-shell tent takes around 3 to 5 minutes and setting up a folding tent takes between 7 and 20 minutes. After setting it up 2-3 times and with a little practice, setting up the roof tent is generally very easy.

If you do not use your roof tent or awning for a longer period of time, e.g. over the winter months, it makes sense to remove them. This not only protects and preserves the products, but also makes your vehicle more economical and safer to drive (without additional structures). The roof tent should only be assembled and closed when it is completely dry. Moisture could lead to mold growth in the long term.

Theoretically, you can leave the roof tent - whether it's a folding tent or a hard shell roof tent - on the car all year round. The rubber cover or the hard shell protects it well from all weather conditions. However, in order to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and thus fuel consumption, it is worth removing the roof tent if it is not going to be used for a longer period of time.

The secret to a long service life for your roof tent is: ventilate, ventilate, ventilate - even during use. Ventilate your roof tent regularly, even when traveling, ideally in sunny weather. It is best to open all the windows to allow as much air circulation as possible. We also recommend using a mattress pad to prevent moisture build-up.

The roof tent should only be cleaned with cold or lukewarm water and a soft brush. Do not use any chemicals, soaps or cleaning agents. The zippers will last the longest if you spray them with silicone spray. If mold forms, remove it with a sponge and then allow the tent to dry completely. It is then best to waterproof it again.

To ensure the longevity of your roof tent even after purchase, there are a few recommended maintenance options. The seams of your roof tent are the heart of the tent and must be looked after with particular care. To ensure that they last a long time, they must not dry out completely, as this can lead to the seams breaking. We therefore recommend checking them regularly and treating them with a block of beeswax. This brings elasticity to the seams and promotes waterproofness. If the seams start to leak, you can remedy this with seam sealant. The zippers also need to be treated with silicone spray to ensure they work reliably.

You haven't used your roof tent yet? Or have you just cleaned it thoroughly and are planning to store it for a longer period of time? Then this is the ideal time for a (fresh) waterproofing treatment. You can repeat this every one to two years, depending on use. It's best to use a high-quality product or waterproofing spray from a specialist tent or outdoor retailer - this provides waterproofing and UV protection.

Wild camping, i.e. spending the night at undesignated campsites, is legally regulated or even prohibited in many regions. Austria and Germany in particular have strict regulations on this. The following always applies: designated nature conservation areas are taboo for overnight camping. Private land and private forests offer a good alternative - wild camping is possible here with the express permission of the owner. Spending the night in (rest) areas is generally prohibited unless it is to restore your own fitness to drive.

However, every country has different laws! Sweden, Norway and Finland are considered an absolute paradise for wild campers, whereas the west of Europe is rather difficult. In any case, find out about legal wild camping options and, if in doubt, ask the relevant municipality or local police station.

All of our roof tents are equipped with a comfortable mattress that is at least 7 cm thick. Most people use a sleeping bag to sleep in a rooftop tent. Of course, this also depends on the temperature. In cooler temperatures it definitely makes sense to use a functional sleeping bag. Attention : even on summer days it can cool down significantly at night in some regions. We have a 3-season sleeping bag in our range, with good moisture regulation and water-repellent synthetic fiber insulation. Thanks to the synthetic filling, this sleeping bag is very easy to care for and is ideal for spending the night in a roof tent.

Une vitesse maximale de 100 à 130 km/h est généralement recommandée, selon le modèle de véhicule. Veuillez noter que la hauteur supplémentaire de la tente de toit peut affecter la hauteur totale du véhicule et donc également le comportement de conduite. Ceci est particulièrement important en cas de vent fort.