Alright, so I finally got around to trying out one of those rooftop tents for my SUV, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience. I’ve always been into camping, but I wanted to see what this whole craze was about. Here’s how it went down.
First off, I started by doing some basic research on which tent would fit my SUV. I learned that it was important to check the weight capacity of my roof rack, it was also important to make sure the tent I wanted would fit the kind of rack I had. After some digging, I decided on a model that seemed pretty popular and had good reviews. Nothing too fancy, but it looked solid enough. But most important of all it would fit on my SUV.
The next step was getting the tent. I ordered it online, and it arrived a few days later in a big box. I am glad I got some help to move it to my garage, as it was pretty heavy. Unboxing it was an event in itself. Inside, there were the tent, the ladder, the mounting hardware, and a surprisingly thick mattress. Everything looked good, so I started on the installation process.
Mounting the tent was a bit of a chore, I won’t lie. I decided to grab a friend to help me lift it onto the roof rack. We followed the instructions closely, bolting it down to make sure it was secure. It took us a good couple of hours, with some breaks in between because it was hot as hell outside. But finally, we managed to get it all set up. It was a pain, but the sense of accomplishment was real.
With the tent mounted, I was eager to try it out. I planned a weekend trip to a nearby campsite. When I got there, setting up the tent was a breeze compared to the installation. I just unzipped the cover, pulled out the ladder, and the tent popped open. It was that easy. Inside, it was surprisingly spacious, and that mattress was a lot more comfortable than I expected.
Spending the night in the rooftop tent was a whole different experience from regular tent camping. For one, it felt safer being up off the ground. I didn’t have to worry about critters crawling in or water seeping through if it rained. And it didn’t rain, but boy was it windy! Luckily the tent was very securely fastened, and it didn’t budge at all.
- The view was way better than ground-level.
- It felt pretty cool to be up high.
- The airflow was great, and it stayed nice and cool inside.
Packing up was just as easy as setting up. I folded the tent back, zipped up the cover, and strapped everything down. It took me no time at all, and I was on my way.
Would I recommend a rooftop tent?
Yeah, I would. It’s definitely more expensive than a regular tent, and you need a solid roof rack to mount it. The initial setup is a bit of work, and it will probably make your gas mileage worse and add some noise when you’re driving on the highway. But the convenience and comfort are hard to beat. If you’re serious about camping and have the budget, it’s worth considering. Just make sure you get one that fits your vehicle and your needs. Overall, it was a pretty awesome experience, and I can see why these things are getting popular.
In conclusion, this rooftop tent adventure was a success. I learned a lot, had some fun, and got to enjoy the outdoors in a new way. I can’t wait to take it out again on my next trip! It’s not something I’d use for every camping trip, but for those longer weekends or when I want a bit more comfort, it’s perfect.
