Roof Top Tent Vs. Regular Tent: Ultimate Guide

Are you about to plan on a camping trip with your friends and family in the coming days? If yes, you would probably be looking for the appropriate gear for your trip. One of the basic things to carry along is a camping tent. But, have you thought of the one you are going to choose? Well, there are different types of camping tents out there, and selecting the most appropriate one is a hard task.

The most basic types of camping tents include:

• Rooftop tent
• Regular tent

Tanking the difference amongst them for granted can turn your trip into an awful one. If you are trying to figure out the pros and cons of each, don’t panic, as we are offering you a complete information guide and side-by-side comparison of both the tent types. So, without any further delay, let’s get going.

What Is A Roof Top Tent?

Have you ever feared crawling insects while going to sleep on a camping trip? Does it feel uncomfortable to sleep on the rough and rocky surfaces? If yes, a rooftop tent can be a perfect choice for you. As this one sets up on the roof of your car, you will not have to be afraid of prowling animals and insects as well. Check our guide about the best rooftop tents for more guidelines & tips to help you pick the right brand that will boost your camping experience.

What Is A Regular Tent?

Whereas a regular or a traditional tent sets on the ground. The formation of these tents is different as compared to the rooftop tents.

When it comes to the query about the better version, we cannot state a clear winner, as both the types possess certain drawbacks and offer certain advantages as well. Let us compare the two versions side by side in light of different aspects and features.

Set-up Procedure:

Ground tents appear to be a little tougher to put up, as a rule of thumb. These may normally need some form of tarp sheet or a cover to be used for safety as a base beneath, and sticks, poles, and hook-downs will be necessary for certain situations as well.

A rooftop tent demands you to place the supporting parts after unfolding it to open. However, certain ground tents can be very convenient for one person to set-up while some of the rooftop tents can be harder to pitch, especially in the case of cars that have greater heights.

Nevertheless, as they don’t need as much equipment to build, rooftop tents usually set-up faster. You can save you time because the bedding in a rooftop tent will stay in place, while it must be rolled up and put away when a ground tent is demolished.

Installation Area:

For a proper and better configuration, a ground tent needs an even floor. However, in the case of rooftop tents, you won’t have to consider this factor. Certain techniques, like digging a hole for tires or landing them on a rock or log, can help you get a flat surface for convenient sleeping time. But, in certain areas, the rocky or rough surface may not be able to welcome the supports or poles.

In the case of rooftop tents, you won’t have to face these challenges as all. These tents will offer an additional benefit of dust and mud-free place to relax on. Moreover, you won’t have to deal with the coldness of the ground with these as well.

But, everything is not that favorable for tents that you are going to mount on your vehicles. The wind is the greatest enemy of these tents, as there is a higher chance of them flying off in case of strong winds. However, regular tents are comparatively a safer option in this case.

Space:

Typically, there is a room for two to three people to sleep easily when it comes to this particular type known as rooftop tents. However, with ground tents, you can easily find options that have space for three or more people to comfortably sleep in it.

Regarding this particular aspect, regular tents can offer you a more facilitating room, especially when the whole family is camping together. Moreover, if you want to stand up inside your tent, the regular tents can provide you ample space for this factor as well. At the same time, rooftop tents do not offer this benefit.

Access:

Rooftop units have immediate access to the bedding after setting them up. While in the case of a regular tent, you will have to pack up the padding, sleeping beds, and pillows separately.

On the other side, you just have to open the flap to enter a regular tent. Hence, access to it is quite simple. But, for entering inside a rooftop tent, you will have to climb up a ladder. This can be challenging in the middle of the night for people, especially the ones with physical disabilities.

Another way of access to the regular models that makes them beneficial is by external ventilation flaps. Everyone can reach them easily in case of a regular or ground tent. However, with the rooftop tents, it will be quite difficult for anyone to reach them.

Comfort:

It’s a clear win-win situation for rooftop tents regarding the level of comfort they provide. You will not have to pack the bedding separately as with the regular tents. So, you can simply pack them in it, which is quite quick and convenient.

Other than that, the land can be exceptionally cold, especially during the winter season or at high elevation. So, for having a comfortable time in your tent, a rooftop one can prove as a better choice.

The fact that you will not have to face prowling animals and insects with the rooftop tent can also prove as a dominating factor. Moreover, with these, you will not have to worry about the uneven surface as well.

Convenience and Mobility:

You wouldn’t want to pack up your tent after it has been covered from dust and mud due to set up at the ground, would you? With a rooftop shelter, this would not be a problem for you at all. Although all kinds of tents get messy on the outside, regular ones frequently accumulate more dirt than you bring into your car afterward. In contrast, a model on the rooftop remains outside your car.

Also, the dirt and debris that is collecting on your boots or shoes can get kicked off when you ascend the ladder. More space within your vehicle is created by the fact that a rooftop tent is placed on the outside.

However, the drawback is that the rooftop model needs to be installed on your roof-rack and can prohibit you from transporting bigger objects such as a cycle or kayak boat.
Moreover, a tent on the rooftop will potentially weigh more than a regular tent on the ground will. This adds up the heaviness on the car’s roof and makes it difficult for you to drive because the wind-resistance gets increased. Plus, the regular tent becomes smaller when folded as compared to a rooftop tent.

The Conclusion:

The performance of a tent for camping depends upon multiple things. This involves the comfort it provides, the space that you get in it, the level of convenience, and much more. We are hopeful that our take on a side-by-side comparison regarding a rooftop tent and a regular tent would help you in choosing the one that suits your priorities.