With so many camping accessories to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which will make the biggest difference in your camping experience. Furthermore, I had a hard time finding articles specifically tailored to the needs of roof top tent owners.
Whether you’re using a ground tent, sleeping in the bed of your truck, or in a roof top tent, the essential camping gear stays the same.
However, roof top tents (RTTs) are unique when it comes to accessories because of their designs and styles. They offer a completely separate array of conveniences and headaches.
That’s why I set out to come up with 17 of my favorite accessories for roof tent campers. I composed this list of items based on the convenience and value they will bring to the average camper.
So let’s get into it!
Gear Loft
This is a mesh netting that you easily attach to the roof inside of your tent. You can store lightweight items in the gear loft to clear up floor space in your RTT. It makes for a great organizer for quick grab items. You can put keys, tissues, books; any lightweight item in the gear loft.
I don’t know how many times I’ve had to turn over every sheet and blanket when losing something in my tent. Bring that to an end with a gear loft!
Awning
Having a covered area to protect yourself from the rain and heat is a must for some camping trips. No item can do that better than an awning! Depending on which manufacturer you buy from, they can be attached to the side of your car or at the entrance of your tent, which would cover your ladder.
You can use this space for dining, relaxation, or cooking. This extra living space will add comfort for any adventure, rain or shine.
Installation is quite simple once it is on your vehicle. You simply pull the awning out, extend the poles to the ground, and stake them down.
Annex
One of the most versatile accessories a roof tent camper can buy is an annex. Some tents come with one included which is great, but if not, I would highly consider buying one.
Tracking dirt and mud into your tent is inevitable. However, this addon can make for a great changing room and area for privacy. We’ve all had that experience of trying to change in the car or rolling around in the tent. By adding an annex to your setup, that comes to an end.
You can use this area for storage since it is well protected from the elements. It also provides extra sleeping space for people or your furry friends! Not every pet owner can haul their fluff ball up the ladder of a RTT. Since many annex’s have a floor, this will insure your pet doesn’t get wet or muddy.
Depending on the size of your annex, it can extend to cover the entrance of your RTT which helps with insulation and protection from rain. In this case, bigger is better, as it will provide more flexibility in the range of uses you can find for it.
An annex can be a bit pricey, usually around $200-$300. This might not be in everyone’s budget, but I would highly recommend this feature to anyone looking to upgrade their setup.
Quick Release Mounting Kit
The slow and painful process of unmounting/mounting your RTT can be a thing of the past. Instead of struggling with screwing on each nut and bolt, you can buy a quick release mounting kit.
This item is perfect for campers that take their tents off frequently. Skip the tools and opt for a fast and easy mounting process. Equipped with four low profile latches, each mounting bracket comes with a key to lock for security when attached to your vehicle.
Quick release mounting kits are compatible with a huge range of roof top tent manufacturers. Check to see if yours will fit too!
Locking System
It is possible for a roof top tent to be stolen. All it would take are a couple of people with a wrench. So why not secure your fun toy with a locking system?
You can do this two ways, with security nuts or a bracket locking system.
Security nuts require a unique matching tool to fit the specially made nut. It is near impossible to undo these bolts without the proper tool. This will ensure your RTT is secure when you’re out and about.
Tuff Stuff Security Nuts are highly recommended by many users. Tepui also offers a security nut system. Link: Tepui Security Nut System.
iKamper Mounting Bracket Locks are another option, unfortunately they are only compatible with their specific mounting rack. The bracket locks come with a set of keys for easy locking/unlocking of your RTT. If you need a rack or have this one already, you’re in luck!
You can type “mounting bracket locks for a RTT” in google and see if they have options for your specific rack too!
Lighting
Camping in the dark is the worst. It takes forever to find things and you don’t want to grab a flashlight every time you need to find something. Whether you’re looking for lighting options in or outside of your tent, there are some cool options to pick from.
I love this Camping lantern since it doubles as a flashlight too! It also has the ability to charge your phone if you find yourself in a pinch for some battery life as well! I am really happy with the quality and power of this thing!
Insulator
For some of us, camping in the spring and summer isn’t enough. Looking for a way to extend your camping season? Equip your tent with an insulator to keep cold air out, and warm air in!
You can find insulators for your specific RTT model online and they will typically cost around $200 give or take. This is a little pricey, but if you plan on using your tent for more than half of the year this is the best way to insure you will be comfortable while doing it. Especially if you plan on camping in the winter!
Weather Cover
A somewhat similar but more versatile product than an insulator is a weather cover. It is both heat and cold resistant, while shielding you from rain, hail, and snow.
I live in the Pacific Northwest where rain can come at any time. Nothing will insure you stay dry like a weather cover!
You can check a manufacturer’s website to see if they have a perfect fit for your RTT!
Anti-condensation Mat
The most important rule of owning a roof tent is to never fold it up and leave it when it’s wet. The reason being is that a mildew-like smell will develop that can rarely be expunged. Also, you’ll be lucky if no further damage occurs to your tent.
That’s why it is important to air out your tent after you fold it up when wet.
If you’re camping in colder weather, you will notice how quickly condensation builds up on your tent as you sleep overnight. If you often camp in colder weather, an anti-condensation mat will resolve this issue.
You simply place it under your mattress and just like that, you have a quick fix. This is extremely useful for winter camping. Oftentimes the condensation will freeze on your tent and make it difficult to fold too.
Wind Deflector
Your vehicle’s fuel efficiency drops dramatically when you put a roof tent on it. This is due to the added wind resistance the RTT adds.
A way to mitigate this is by attaching a wind deflector or fairing to your roof rack. This also allows for a quieter ride and better aerodynamics! In many cases, this will improve your fuel efficiency and save you money on gas.
Depending on your roof racks manufacturer, they may have their own branded fairing/wind deflector. Each serves the same purpose and is easy to install. Plus, it looks good!
Movie Stand (iKamper)
Before researching for this article I had no idea this awesome accessory existed. The Movie Stand from iKamper is a great product for entertainment.
I get it, you’re camping to get away from technology and other distractions. Nonetheless, this is the perfect accessory for people that have kids or are stuck inside during a rainy day.
You simply hook it up inside your Skycamp and it holds phones, tablets, and iPads for a convenient viewing experience.
Unfortunately, this accessory is only available for the Skycamp tent. However, I wouldn’t let that stop you. You can get creative and attach some clips or tape to a large ziplock bag and hang it to one of the poles inside of your tent. That’s pretty much all the movie stand from iKamper does!
Fans
It’s no secret that the most popular time to go camping is in the summer. Tents typically have good ventilation with multiple doors and windows to open. Sometimes that just doesn’t cut it, putting a Exped megamat in your tent will make a world of difference.
I recommend the OPOLAR camping fan. There are four different speeds you can set the fan at. The battery can last anywhere from 4.5 – 35 hours depending on the setting. Once the fan is drained, you can quickly recharge it in just four hours.
This is a great option because you can use it anywhere around camp. It can cool you off inside the tent or outside when you’re trying to relax.
Track Hangers
Track hangers are just carabiners that easily slide into the side track of your roof tent. They can often hold up to 50 pounds of gear and keep it within arms length. These are great for keeping your gear off the ground. Items such as backpacks, lanterns, and wet clothes. You can easily attach lights and have some great outdoor lighting.
A clever idea for the track hangers is to lace a wire through each carabiner and have a makeshift clothing wire. I find this accessory especially useful for drying wet towels. It beats hanging it over the side of your truck or on a branch!
This accessory is great because it would be super handy and best of all, it’s cheap! Depending on which manufacturer you buy from, you can find these online for $20 or less.
I found a cost effective set of track hangers here: https://compactcampingstore.com/products/roof-top-tent-track-hangers
Shoe Rack/Hammock
It is unavoidable to get mud and dirt on your shoes when camping. The best way to keep your tent clean is a shoe rack/hammock.
By simply attaching this to your ladder or tent, you can easily store your shoes while getting in and out of your tent. Some tents come with this feature built in, but for the ones that don’t, I would highly recommend buying a shoe rack.
It might be easy to keep your tent clean if it’s just you using it, but for a couple or a family this would be even more useful. You can find shoe racks and hammocks online that hold up to as much as six pairs at a time!
Ladder Extension
This accessory could be more useful for some depending on their respective tent manufacturer. You don’t want to find yourself in a scenario where the ladder to your tent doesn’t reach the ground.
To insure this never happens you can usually buy a ladder extension from your roof tent manufacturer. This will allow you to camp in any terrain while always being able to have that proper angle for your roof tents ladder.
Mattress Pad
There is no arguing that roof tents are far more comfortable than a ground tent. However, there are still some upgrades to be made here.
The mattress pads that are built into the roof tents do the job, but many add extra padding for an even better night’s sleep. This is quite common for roof tent users to add because it is simple to do and makes a huge difference.
There are specially fitted mats you can buy, or even upgrade your mattress from certain tent manufacturers. At foambymail.com, you can customize a foam topper to the perfect dimensions you need.
Roof tent campers often throw an ordinary mattress topper and that will get the job done. However, keep in mind that the style of your tent might make it more difficult to fold up due to the extra thickness. You can probably get away with a two inch foam padding.
Another recommendation I consistently see is the Exped Megamat Duo 10. People rave about how comfortable this mattress is. As long as you’re willing to inflate/deflate it, you will be more than satisfied with the added comfort.
The Exped Megamat is one of the best Exped megamat‘s money can buy. If you’re interested I would suggest reading all of the great reviews.
This is a must for bigger adults or people that simply need the added comfort for a good night’s sleep.
Canopy (iKamper vinyl)
Canopies are great for added protection against heavy wind and rain. It zips to the main entrance and adds cover to your ladder.
This is a cheaper option in place of an annex or awning, while still accomplishing some of the same things.
Conclusion
Well here you have it! That’s my list of must have accessories for any roof tent camper. I see the value and convenience in all of these items, but some more than others due to my lifestyle.
The accessories you find attractive will probably vary depending on your lifestyle and how much you camp. Nonetheless, I am confident we can agree on some of these items being great for any adventurer.
I hope you found these recommendations helpful, thank you for reading!