Alright, so, I’ve been itching to get back into camping, but I wanted to try something a little different this time. I’ve always been intrigued by those SUV tents, the ones that connect to the back of your car. Seemed like a cool way to add some extra space and convenience. So, I finally decided to take the plunge and got myself a Rightline Gear SUV tent.
I did a bit of research beforehand, of course. It looks like there are a few types out there, like rooftop ones, but I went for the tailgate kind that attaches to the back of my SUV. It just seemed more practical for what I had in mind. I wanted to use it as an extension of my living space, kind of like a covered porch but for camping.
First off, I unpacked the tent and all its bits and pieces. I laid everything out on the ground to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. You know, just the usual tent setup drill.
- Tent body: This is the main part, made of water-resistant fabric.
- Poles: These are fiberglass, pretty standard stuff.
- Stakes: For securing the tent to the ground.
- Rainfly: To keep the rain out, hopefully.
- Straps: These are used to connect the tent to the SUV.
- Carry bag: For storing everything when not in use.
Next, I started assembling the tent itself. It was surprisingly straightforward. I connected the poles, slid them through the sleeves on the tent body, and before I knew it, the tent was starting to take shape. It is a bit like a small house, only that it’s made of fabrics. I even feel it is much easier than building a kid’s Lego, lol.
Now, the moment of truth: attaching it to my SUV. I backed up my car close to the tent opening, then used the straps to secure the tent to the rear of the vehicle. It took a bit of adjusting to get a snug fit, but it wasn’t too bad. This tent from Rightline Gear actually fits pretty well. I was a bit worried about it being loose or something, but it’s designed to be pretty universal, so it worked out fine.
Once everything was set up, I was pretty impressed. It’s surprisingly spacious inside. It says it can fit up to six people, but I think that might be a bit of a squeeze. Four people would be more comfortable, I reckon. But the cool part is, you could technically connect two of these tents to two SUVs, making it a huge camping setup. Imagine having a party out in the woods with that kind of space!
I spent the next couple of days testing it out. I slept in it, cooked in it, just generally hung out and enjoyed the extra space. It really does make a difference having that extra room. It’s like having a mini living room attached to your car. I even invited some friends, we spent two nights in the tent, and we had so much fun. It was a little crowded, but we made so many great memories.
All in all, I’m really happy with this Rightline Gear SUV tent. It’s a simple but effective way to upgrade your camping game. It’s not perfect, of course. Setting it up takes a bit of time, and you need to make sure you have enough space to park your SUV and set up the tent. But the added space and convenience are totally worth it, in my opinion. It really felt like glamping!
If you’re thinking about getting an SUV tent, I’d say go for it. Just do your research, make sure it’s compatible with your vehicle, and be prepared to spend a little time getting it set up. But once you do, you’ll have a sweet camping setup that’s sure to make your outdoor adventures even more enjoyable.
Next time, maybe I’ll try to find another SUV to connect to. That’ll be a real camping party.
