Blog – Page 16 – Roof Tent Insider

As an avid camper and someone who loves the outdoors, I have often wondered if roof top tents can withstand mountain weather. Would I be able to save money on a hotel, create memories with friends, or just go on a spontaneous adventure in the middle of winter? The short answer is yes! I did some research and found some helpful tips on how you can camp in your roof top tent during winter. There are many tweaks to you can make to ensure a successful winter camping trip. This article will detail winter camping essentials, which tents are better equipped for winter, and much more! Essentials for winter rooftop camping There are a plethora of items you can buy to enhance your camping experience during winter. However, there are a few essential items you will need in order to outlast the cold. For better insulation and blocking the wind, cold weather tent covers make a big difference. Not only protecting your tent from the snow and ice, but you as well. If the tent stays dry it makes packing up much simpler. You can find cold weather tent covers for almost all roof top tent brands on their respective websites. Condensation buildup in your tent is something you need to be aware of. This happens to the simple fact that during the night as you breath and produce body heat, condensation will steadily form on your tent. If the condensation freezes your tent will become stiff, which can be frustrating to pack up (especially for a folding tent). A product to combat this common issue is with an anti-condensation mat. During the night, the mat will help keep the mattress a bit warmer too. Another quick fix is to simply put a heater in or around your tent to help it thaw. If you pack your tent up when wet, you should open it up and air it out once you get home. Failing to do so could cause damage to your tent and develop a mildewy stench. While not everyone can afford to buy an Apex Portable Solar Power Station, they are extremely useful. It is an electrical generator that can be recharged by solar panels. This is certainly a luxury over your typical gas generator. This generator can power up your phone, an LED light, or even a microwave! A cool idea I came across was using it to power a heated blanket during the night. A quality portable power station like this one will run you quite a bit of money, but there are cheaper options on the market. Tips for winter camping Bring a Mr. Buddy Heater! You can read more details about this popular heater at our recommended gear page. They now offer an indoor model with an oxygen depletion sensor that you can put right in your tent. I also came across multiple YouTubers using a regular Mr. Buddy Heater to warm up their tent before bed. They chose to set it on top of a piece of wood or plastic so it doesn't damage the inside of the tent. There's no doubt you're going to want a heater for winter camping. You can buy a cheap insulated water jug at almost any grocery store. Let your faucet run as hot as it can and fill the water jug with it. This will allow you to have a source of running water for brushing your teeth, washing off your hands, etc. Keeping a few water bottles in your tent while you sleep will likely stop them from freezing and you’ll have water ready to drink when you wake up. Flipping water bottles upside down will prevent the water from freezing at the neck, or top of the water bottle too. Tent Specifications While in many cases bigger is better, this is the exception. A simple but significant difference maker is the size of the tent. There is a fair amount of debate around which style of tent, pop-up or A-frame, is better suited for snowy conditions. From the many youtube videos and forums I have seen, as long as you go with a multi-season tent, you'll be just fine. A smaller space is logically easier to heat than a larger one would be. For example, the Maggiolina Grand Tour is compact and equipped with a hard top roof. Although it has been described as "coffin like", this medium sized tent can comfortably sleep two adults, and a child or pup too! This particular tent is listed at $3,499 USD on Maggiolina's website. I only provide this tent as an example of a “smaller space”, in comparison to a larger RTT. Many campers claim RTT's with a slightly angled roof are easier to get snow off of and handle quite well in snowy conditions. However, take that with a grain of salt as everyone has different needs and biases towards what suites themselves! Additionally, If you plan on camping consistently in the winter you're going to need a 4-season tent. They can be expensive but well worth it if you get the use out of it. Winter camping safety Before leaving for your trip, check the weather report! This will also help give you an idea of additional tools or equipment you may need to bring. If there is a huge winter storm passing through with feet of snow expected, it is probably best to sit this one out. I haven't experienced this for myself, but I have read multiple forums and discussion boards with people claiming to do just fine in winter storms with a foot or two of snow coming down. Either way, be cautious and use your discretion while camping during winter. Layer up! Wear long johns, thermals, or tights under your winter coats. Wear thick socks, or even double up if you need too. You will not regret over dressing for winter camping. You always have the option to dress down, but may not have the option to dress up! It is an option to buy fancy heated gloves and jackets, but I don't really find that necessary. Stay hydrated and eat plenty of calories. Drink plenty of water before and during your camping excursion. Water bottles are recommended over a water reservoir as they tend not to freeze as easily. Freeze-dried foods are a great option for providing you an easy, warm, and filling meal. Another tip for cooking, propane performs better than butane in cold weather as it is more resistant to freezing. A way to prevent your fuel canister from freezing is by submerging it in a flat bottom bowl with a small quantity of water. This will keep the temperature of the canister above its freezing point. If you happen to have a spare grill laying around and room to fit it, many suggest bringing a back up. Finding a campsite Take your time and be cautious about picking your campsite. You want to be sure you're not camping on top of a hill. This way you can avoid being exposed to those high winds the mountains often bring. Be sure not to park at the bottle of the hill in the case of an avalanche. Find an area that is flat and will allow you to safely camp for the night. Avoid camping directly under damaged trees with flimsy limbs. While winter may not bring the best conditions for camping, it is certainly doable. If you already find camping enjoyable and know what comes with it, winter camping with RTT's isn't a big leap from what you've been doing. As long as you have the proper vehicle to get you where you need to go, a safe campsite, and equipment to keep you warm. Camping in your RTT could save you money on hotel rooms, and if you're a ski-bum like me, that goes a long way. Or, if you just want to have a fun experience and brag that you've done it before, you now have the tips and advice to go for it!