For many campers, your average ground tent will likely last you decades. However, they get covered in dirt and mud, can tear from objects on the ground, and take longer to set up. It’s no secret that roof top tents (RTT’s) are far more expensive and much, much heavier than your classic tent. However, the weight and cost of materials to construct RTT’s indicate the true durability of them. You could expect a RTT to last you just as long as a normal tent if not longer.
Are Roof Top Tents Durable?
For many campers, your average ground tent will likely last you decades. However, they get covered in dirt and mud, can tear from objects on the ground, and take longer to set up. It’s no secret that roof top tents (RTT’s) are far more expensive and much, much heavier than your classic tent. However, the weight and cost of materials to construct RTT’s indicate the true durability of them. You could expect a RTT to last you just as long as a normal tent if not longer!
What are roof top tents made of?
An entry level soft shell RTT is typically made from a heavy duty rip stop poly-cotton material. Hard top tents are made from aluminum or plexiglass, with the fabric also being a poly-cotton material. RTT’s come in various styles and shapes. You can see the ingenuity and unique designs between many manufacturers who are flocking to this market.
Typically, you could expect a RTT to be equipped with waterproof zippers and a rainfly sheet with spring steel rods to keep you dry. Mesh netting to keep bugs out of the tent. The frame and ladder of the tent will often be constructed using durable and lightweight aluminum. Ladders vary in design between telescoping and sliding. Each having their own sets of pros and cons. To top it off you have a cozy, fire retardant, mattress foam pad for a good night’s sleep.
In general, these are the materials you would expect to see on a RTT. However, different manufacturers and brands may add their own proprietary fabrics onto the tents. Pricing can vary dramatically depending on the size, design, and materials used to construct the RTT.
How much do roof top tents cost?
You’ve probably seen some RTT’s online or at stores for thousands of dollars. Realistically, an entry level RTT bought new will run you around $1,000 (USD). Many manufacturers and websites like amazon offer financing to pay off the tent, which is a nice option to have.
The average RTT will range anywhere from one to three thousand dollars. You can purchase tents even more expensive than this. Below is a graph with various tents representing a good, better, and best option.
| Tent | Price | Size Open | Person Capacity | Weight |
| Smittybilt 2783 | $899.98 (amazon) | 95” W x 56” L x 51” H | 3 | 132lbs |
| CVT Mount Rainer | $2,195 | 72″ x 96″ x 50″ | 3 | 193lbs |
| Skycamp 2.0 | $3,899 | 82.6” W x 85.8” L x 43.3” H | 4 | 155lbs |
I don’t have a preference towards any of these RTTs, but they show the different levels of what you can buy in an easy way.
Different manufacturers
Brands provide us with certainty and trust. Buying your RTT from a big name brand will give you peace of mind about the durability and quality of your tent. However, that will come with a price.
Saving money on a brand name isn’t a bad thing. Just be sure to do your research and look for reviews on Amazon, Youtube, and the companies website. I think if you’re spending well over a grand on a RTT, it’s worth springing the extra couple hundred bucks for security and peace of mind.
Entry level models can get the job done
You can watch many reviews on youtube of “cheap” RTT’s that cost about $1,000 USD. Surprisingly, after a year the tent held up very well. No rips, tears, or leaks after spending about 30 nights in it. He even claimed to use it in the winter and be plenty warm in his sleeping bag. The cover that you put over the tent once it is all packed up worked great and showed no signs of usage. His particular cover was velcro, others can be a zipper. The only noticeable wear and tear were the straps that go across the cover, which are easily replaceable and not a big deal.
If you have the extra money, buying a higher end tent will obviously provide you with even better quality materials. My recommendation for someone just entering the realm of roof top tents, you’re safe going with an entry level tent and still being able to enjoy all of the benefits a higher-end tent can provide.
The Smittybilt Overlander is an exceptional entry level RTT. It has a quality brand backing it and is easy on the wallet. This review helps showcase how the tent is constructed and what you can expect when you get it. I found this guys video below super helpful!
Maintenance
While RTTs are built to last and made with quality products they still need to be treated properly. Improving the longevity of your roof top tent is easy to do with a few steps.
First and foremost, properly storing your tent will keep it from getting damaged. There are a variety of ways to store it depending on what works best for you. I wrote another article that is a guide on how to store your RTT along with numerous options.
Second, packing your tent correctly is very important. Packing it up in the wrong way or when it’s wet can cause irreversible damage to the RTT. Every now and then you should clean the dirt off your tent. You want to avoid dirt and debris building up over time.
Accessories to improve longevity of RTT
Some helpful things you can buy to preserve your RTT would be a weather cover. They range from about one to two hundred dollars depending on the brand. They provide another layer of protection from the elements. If you don’t want to invest the money in a weather cover, clamping a tarp to your tent is a cheap and comparable fix.
Annexes are great because they allow for a changing area, place to change shoes, and protection from the weather when using the ladder. An annex will help keep dirt out of your tent and keep your ladder in good working condition. The average annex costs a couple hundred dollars, but is included with the purchase of some RTTs.
Warranties
Manufacturers typically provide a one to two year warranty on their tents. This will cover any damages you sustain while using the tent. I believe the warranties will cover just about anything as long as you’re not negligent or drop the tent while moving it.
The warranty policies vary dramatically from each brand. Be sure to read thoroughly before purchasing if that will persuade your decision.
The RTT manufacturers offering a warranty shows the confidence they have in the products durability.
Where to buy my RTT?
Amazon offers a variety of brands to choose from. What’s nice about Amazon rather than other sites is it provides a central location for reviews and pictures posted from buyers. Personally, for big purchases like this I prefer to take my time reading reviews, watching videos, and seeing how the product functions. Also, if you live somewhere without big retail stores this might be your best option.
What’s not so great about online shopping is having to do all of the research on your own to see if it will fit your racks. You want to be positive the tent will fit because sending back a 120 pound package isn’t what I would consider a good time. The thing is, you will more than likely have to research if a tent will fit your racks unless you buy them together and have confirmation from a sales person.
REI carries many of the top brands in space. Depending on the store size and time of season you may find some on display. Larger retailers such as Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, and Scheels are more likely to have some tents on the floor. However, your best bet for finding in person displays are at camping expos. I would google near you for upcoming events in the area. I actually plan on attending a camping expo myself this weekend!
For reviews I would rely heavily on youtube. There are a bunch of genuine people posting videos and sharing their experiences with the tents. Each video is someone trying their best to give an honest and informative review.
Conclusion
A big part of why roof top tents are so expensive isn’t just because they look cool. It’s due to the quality materials used to build them. These fun toys are made to last you decades as long as you treat it right.
Whichever brand or model you decide to go with, it won’t hold you back from having a great time and enjoying the perks of a roof top tent.