The best thing about rooftop tents is that they are easy to set up for camping. This is the main reason behind the popularity of rooftop tents in the world of overlanding. Some even consider mounting a rooftop tent to their overland vehicle the best modification that they ever did.
A rooftop tent mounted on the roof of your overland rig truly serves a purpose on your entire overland journey, but when that journey finally comes to an end, it is not good for your vehicle to continue carrying this heavy load. It’s time to remove the tent.
But are rooftop tents removable and are they easy to remove given their weight of over 100 lbs? If installing, setting up, taking down, and removing rooftop tents discourages you from having your own rooftop tent for overlanding, consider your problem solved, for these are the things that we will tackle in this article.
Rooftop tents are removable and the process is easy with the aid of a friend, a hoist, or a track system.
Are Rooftop Tents Removable?
If your car is not mainly for overlanding and you use it on-road most of the time, like going to work, it is recommended that you remove the rooftop tent mounted on its roof race after your week-long overland trip. Why, in the first place, do you even have to remove them after your overland trip?
Why Do You Need to Remove the Rooftop Tent?
It is challenging to install the rooftop tent because it’s too heavy and too big for one person. The unmounting process is equally challenging. If it’s like this, why do you even have to remove it? Why not just leave the rooftop tent on top of your car and have the car carry it every single day going to your workplace? Here are the reasons why it is recommended to remove the RTT after your weekend camping trip.
- If the rooftop tent stays at the top of your car, you speed up its wear and tear process. You expose it to the rain and heat of the sun, which can shorten its life. It’s like using your rooftop tent without even opening it up for camping.
- The rooftop tent will be an additional weight that your car will have to carry every day. This can negatively affect your gas mileage.
- Because the rooftop tent is heavy, it can wear out your suspension and your tires.
- A rooftop tent increases your car’s height, and not all garages have enough headroom to fit your car.
How To Remove a Rooftop Tent
Are rooftop tents removable? Yes, they are! Recall that when you secured the rooftop tent to your crossbar, you only screwed them together, and any moment you want to remove the tent, you can just loosen this screw. The only problem is how to lift the tent off the car. There are several ways to remove a rooftop tent from your car’s rooftop. You can even do it all by yourself.
Using a Hoist to Lift Your Rooftop Tent
A hoist to remove a rooftop tent is a pulley system that is mounted on the ceiling to lift up or move an object. To remove the rooftop tent at the top of your car, place your car under the hoist and make sure it’s properly aligned. One small mistake can have a big impact on your car. Go slowly but surely. Remove the mounting components of the rooftop tent. Attach the straps of the hoist and then slowly hoist up the rooftop tent.
Using a Track System to Remove Your Rooftop Tent
A track is a ramp system that slides the tent down to get it off of your car’s rooftop. You just have to attach it to your car’s roof rack system to begin the removal process. For those who can’t afford a hoist, a track is a much more practical way to remove the rooftop tent. Just make sure that the slope you create is not too steep because the fast speed going down can crush your rooftop tent. Guide the RTT as it makes its way down the track.
Using A Front Runner Quick Release Tent Mount Kit
If you are looking for a tool that can make the installation and removal of rooftop tents a piece of cake, give the Quick Release Tent Mount Kit from Front Runner a try. With this kit, you can mount and unmount your rooftop tent in just seconds without the use of any mounting components or tools. The kit comes with four lockable latches that you can easily release to remove the rooftop tent from your roof rack.
Also, here is an example from a homeowner to remove and store at the same time.
Are RTTs Easy to Put Up or Take Down?
Rooftop tents are easy to put up and takedown. This is actually what made them popular and preferred over traditional ground tents. It would only take you a maximum of 10 minutes to be able to have a cozy place to sleep in. You can find lots of videos on YouTube to guide you on how to set up and pack a rooftop tent. See the video below.
How to Set Up a Rooftop Tent
On average, setting up a rooftop tent only takes 3-4 minutes. So, to answer the question, “are rooftop tents easy to set up?” The answer is definitely, Yes! The ladder is actually the key to opening up your softshell rooftop tent. You just have to pull them down. But before you can touch the ladder, you have to unzip and remove the rooftop tent cover first. Pull down the ladder slowly until it touches the ground to extend the covered area of the rooftop tent. And then you can now proceed with making your tent into a cozy room for a good night’s sleep.
How to Take Down a Rooftop Tent
It is easy to take down a rooftop tent, and it will only take you 7 to 10 minutes to do it. Unhook the window poles and then zip up the window nets. Remove, unhook, and detach everything you have set up inside the tent. After this, you can now push the ladder up to fold the tent back up. Push all the fabric inside the fold. Place the tent cover back on and zip it up to secure the rooftop tent.
Can You Lock a Rooftop Tent?
Because your rooftop tent costs thousands of dollars, it will look like gold in the eyes of thieves. Stolen rooftop tents are actually a common incident, especially for inexperienced campers. Rooftop tents are removable and easy to unmount, so it would only take minutes for the thief to steal your rooftop tent. Better be safe than sorry. You can lock a rooftop tent, and this is actually highly recommended. Here’s how you do it.
Locking Straps
Secure your rooftop tent with locking straps that cannot be cut even the sharpest knife. Locking straps for rooftop tents are manufactured with stainless steel that knives cannot cut, so you are ensured that your rooftop tent will still be there even if you leave it for minutes or hours.
Mounting Bracket Locks
Some tents come with locks and small keys to secure your rooftop tent to your roof rack system. This tool can make it impossible for thieves to remove your rooftop tent because you are the only one authorized to do it. Just make sure that you also keep the key safe, and if the lock uses a password, don’t forget about the number combination.
Small Padlocks or Bike Locks for Tent Zippers
If you have valuable items inside your tent, don’t leave your rooftop tent unzipped. Always remember to zip it closed. At times when you have to leave your car with your cellphone and laptop inside your rooftop tent, you can secure its zipper with small padlocks or bike locks to avoid trespassers who want to steal your gadgets.
What Other Safety Features do Rooftop Tents Have?
It is a norm among rooftop tent manufacturers to equip their products with safety features to keep the rooftop tent secured and to really provide the safety that clients expect from rooftop tents. Here are other safety features to protect your rooftop tents from getting stolen and also protect you from the small possibility of falling.
Locknuts
Rooftop tents come with nuts and bolts to tighten your rooftop tent to the metal frame and to the roof rack system of your car. This way, it will be difficult for the thieves to remove the rooftop tent from your car. These locknuts require a specific tool to unscrew the rooftop tent. and only you know and have access to this tool.
Insurance
Yes! You can get your rooftop tents insured. They fall under a Homeowners or Renters Personal Property policy. In times like damage or theft, this insurance system is the one to compensate you. Just make sure that the RTT really qualifies for one.
Tough Materials
If you are quite worried about the possibility of falling because rooftop tents are installed at the top of your car, there is no need to be. The sturdy ladder can support your weight as you climb up to the rooftop tent. RTTs are also made from high-quality materials that make them unbothered even by strong winds.
Takeaways
Rooftop tents are easy to install, put up, and takedown. This means that rooftop tents are also easy to remove from your car after your overland journey. This makes them prone to theft, so make sure to properly secure them with locks or sign them up for an insurance system. Do not miss the awesome camping experience that rooftop tents can give you on your overland journey. Why don’t you give camping closer to the sky a chance?
