Upgrading from a ground tent to a rooftop tent is a pricey vehicle modification, but overlanders say they are a game-changer. If you want to join this trend in overlanding, you will need to at least consider dropping $1000 to find a quality rooftop tent, but if you want a high-quality one, prepare for $2000-$3000.
Is this kind of ownership a worthwhile investment? An expensive object that you purchase will only be worth it if it’s durable. In this case, a rooftop tent will only be worth it if it can provide you with its benefits for a long period of time.
Rooftop tents are made from high-quality materials such as thick canvas and heavy-duty aluminum frames, so they are really made to last. If you are wondering how many years you can use them.
Rooftop tents last for 5 to 10 years on average. Softshell tents usually last between 5 and 10 years while hardshell tents can last 10 to 15 years.
The lift expectancy of rooftop tents depends on many factors, such as the materials used to construct them, how often they are used, and the maintenance and care they receive. Additionally, how they are stored, and how waterproof they are.
How Long Do Rooftop Tents Last?
Let’s say Owner A likes to overland for a weekend getaway and owns a fold-out rooftop tent. Owner A treasures everything he buys, so he always makes sure that after the weekend overland trip, he removes the rooftop tent from his car, cleans it, and stores it properly. Owner B owns the same kind of rooftop tent but is a full-time overlander. The rooftop tent stays permanently at the top of his car and is only seen when Owner B needs it. Which rooftop tent do you think will last longer? If Owner B owns a pop-up rooftop tent, will this last longer?
Factors that Can Affect the Longevity of a Rooftop Tent
Some say that rooftop tents last for 3-5 years if heavily used, and up to 10 years if used once in a while. Some say that hardshell rooftop tents that pop up open have a higher life expectancy than softshell rooftop tents that fold-out open. There is no exact number of years how long you can use a rooftop tent because its longevity will depend on different factors.
Materials
Softshell rooftop tents are made from thick and durable fabric. Its body is attached to a rigid platform made of fiberglass or hard plastic. Its support structure that gives the tent its form is all aluminum poles. On the other hand, hardshell rooftop tents have a tough outer shell (ceiling and floor) that is made either from fiberglass or aluminum. This outer shell makes them more durable than softshell rooftop tents, making them last for 10-15 years.
Frequency of Use
If the rooftop tent is heavily used, which is the case for full-time overlanders, this will speed up the wear and tear process of the RTT. Expect that a rooftop tent that is only used once in a while lasts longer than a rooftop tent that is used daily and permanently mounted on a car’s roof rack. So, if you are someone who has a full-time job and only goes overlanding for a temporary escape from reality, then your rooftop tent will last for 5-10 years regardless of whether it’s a hardshell or a softshell tent.
Features
A rooftop tent that is either weather-resistant, UV-resistant, or mold-resistant will last longer than a rooftop tent without just one of these. Mold is the greatest enemy of RTTs. A mold build-up can shorten their life expectancy and cost you an additional fee for repairs. The heat from the sun can also speed up the wear and tear of an RTT. Lastly, a waterproof feature is important to keep a rooftop tent dry despite heavy rain.
Care and Maintenance
If a rooftop tent is properly cared for and maintained, then it will last longer. This is no surprise at all. If you pay attention to your rooftop tent, like you always ensure that they are dried and cleaned before packing them up, you can extend its life up to 10 years or even longer. This is actually the key to making a softshell RTT last longer than a hardshell RTT.
Environment
A rooftop tent that is most of the time used in a friendly environment, like a forest or under the shade of a tree, lasts longer than a rooftop tent that lives in a harsh environment, like in the middle of a desert. Too much rain, too much wind, and too much heat can speed up the wear and tear of an RTT.
How to Properly Care for a Rooftop Tent
It’s really the care and maintenance that will determine how long a rooftop tent will last. If you like to make your investment worthy, you just have to keep in mind simple tips on how to properly care for your rooftop tent, so that it can still provide you with its benefits even after 5 years or so.
Cleaning
The cleaning instructions will depend on the materials of your RTT. To be safe, you can follow the cleaning process that is indicated in the RTT’s manual or you can ask overlanders you know who have the same brand as yours on how they clean their RTT. To clean softshell rooftop tents, use only mild cleaners or detergents because harsh chemicals can possibly damage the fabric. Wipe down the tent after every use to make sure that it remains dry.
For hardshell rooftop tents, you can use soap and water to clean the fiberglass or aluminum outer shell and then spray a marine wax for rooftop tents for extra protection from harsh weather conditions.
Mold Prevention
Mold and mildew thrive in a damp and moist environment. They not only eat up your tent’s fabric, but they can also cause respiratory problems due to their musty, earthy smell. To prevent mold, make sure that the RTT is always dried up after a rainfall and wipe down any moisture inside the tent. If you see any mold buildup, immediately scrub it away with the use of a mold and mildew stain remover for rooftop tents.
Zipper Care
Zippers always test our patience. If you want the RTT to last longer, you’ll need more patience when using the zippers. Go easy on them as they are more likely to break when you force them to open or close the rooftop tent. Make sure that they are always cleaned to prevent dust, dirt, or mud from filling up the small spaces and blocking the zipper from closing or opening. You can also use a bar of beeswax and rub it on the zipper to improve its functioning.
Storage
After your overland trip, if you have to remove the RTT from your car’s rooftop for easy driving to work, store the RTT in a dry place. Store the RTT in an enclosed area safe from moisture or extreme temperatures. Always make sure that the tent is fully dried up before storing it. Make time to constantly check and visit the RTT in the storage area to address any issues that can threaten the life of your RTT.
What Are Rooftop Tents Made From?
Rooftop tents can last for 10 years or more. What materials are they made of that are durable and can withstand even the harshest weather conditions? A rooftop tent is made from different durable materials that make up its fabric, poles or frames, and outer shell.
Fiberglass
Some hardshell rooftop tents have an outer shell that is made of fiberglass. This material is a plastic made tougher with glass fiber. When it comes to rooftop tents, fiberglass and ABS are the two competing materials. Fiberglass is resistant to aggressive chemicals. It’s cost-effective, corrosion-resistant, fire-resistant, and can withstand even extreme weather conditions.
ABS Plastic
ABS plastics are a much tougher version of the typical plastic material. They are even stronger and more durable than PVC. They are chemical, stress, and creep resistant. As compared to fiberglass, ABS plastics are more lightweight.
Aluminum
The structure or frame of a softshell rooftop tent are all heavy-duty poles that are made from aluminum. This material is lightweight, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to break or bend. Aluminum is a tough material, so you are assured that it’s not that easy to break when strong winds hit your rooftop tent.
Cotton
The fabrics that make up the body of your rooftop tent can be made from either cotton, polyester, or poly-cotton. Cotton is very absorbent, so no moisture will build up inside your tent. This means that your tent will stay dry and no mold or mildew will grow it on. They are also breathable and abrasion-resistant.
Polyester
This material is lightweight, easy to dry, and water-resistant. They are also elastic, which makes the fabric resistant to tears and damage. Most of today’s rooftop tents are a combination of polyester and cotton, 65% cotton and 35% polyester.
Nylon
Another material that can be used to make up the fabric of the rooftop tent is nylon. This material is cheaper and more durable. It’s also breathable, water-resistant, strong, flexible, easy to dry, and can resist the heat from too much sun exposure.
Are Rooftop Tents Waterproof?
Rooftop tents will last a long time if they are waterproof. Lots of problems can occur if a rooftop tent comes into contact with water. Mold and mildew are just a few of them. Fortunately, rooftop tents are built to be waterproof. Their fabric is made of poly-cotton and they come with a polyester rainfly that is waterproof as well.
Waterproof Rating
You can find rooftop tents that have a waterproof rating of 1000mm HH to 3000mm HH. A rooftop tent must have at least a waterproof rating of 1000mm for it to not leak during light rainfall. A rooftop tent with this waterproof rating will leak during heavy rainfall, so it’s better to find an RTT with a much higher waterproof rating.
How to Make Your Rooftop Tent Waterproof
After many uses, your rooftop tent will slowly lose its ability to be waterproof. You will experience minor leaks inside the tent, and it’s a normal sign of wear and tear. Reasons why your rooftop tent leaks include damage to the fabrics or cracks in the outer shell as a result of extreme weather conditions. There are several ways to restore the waterproof ability of your rooftop tent. One is to apply a fabric guard to restore your RTT’s water repellency.
Final Thoughts
Rooftop tents are made from heavy-duty materials which means that they are designed to last for a long period of time. They are also equipped with features such as mold resistance, UV resistance, water resistance, and weather resistance to help them live longer.
If you are discouraged from purchasing your own rooftop tent for overlanding, know that it’s a worthwhile investment because it can provide you with its benefits for 5-10 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
