Some might think of rooftop camping as a peaceful getaway from the outside world, where waking up to a cool morning sunrise is always a guarantee. For those who are more in tune with the reality of rooftop tent camping outside spring and fall, there is a mutual understanding that good weather is not always going to be present.
For some, camping outside during nice weather seasons is the perfect chance to get a spot at that popular campground. Cold weather months usually means fewer people and more opportunities to get the secluded relaxation you’ve been searching for.
With that being said, there is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night freezing to the point where you are counting down the minutes until sunrise. So while you may be first in line to get that highly desirable camping spot, you are competing with a whole other monster, staying warm within your tent.
The safest and most effective way to heat your roof top tent is with a catalytic propane heater that produces very little or no carbon monoxide.
Hopefully any questions or concerns you have leading up to this article will be answered so you can take on your next chilly adventure. Below is a table of contents of the topics I will be covering.
Table of Contents
- Bedding Materials and Heating
- Best Practices and Products For Heating Your Tent
- Rooftop Tents for Cold Weather
- Final Recommendation
Bedding Materials and Heating For Winter Camping
In a previous article of mine, I’ve hit on the topic of how to make your bedding more comfortable in a rooftop tent. Within that, there were touchpoints on things like breathable sheets, cooling gel bed pads, and ditching sleeping bags. All of which is true if you are trying to eliminate heat during warmer months. For this conversation though, you want to approach it basically from the opposite end as we are trying to capture that valuable heat.
An essential item that one needs for cold weather preparation is a sleeping bag that is rated properly for the conditions. A temperature rating of 15 degrees or lower is the bare minimum for sleeping bags that will keep you warm. Anything above that is warmer than a summer bag but really won’t go above and beyond for cold climates.
So if you are a cold sleeper, you will need some additional help. I personally would study where I am going to be camping while looking at the lowest temperature I may see in order to buy a bag that is even more equipped such as a zero degree one. Another helpful tip that may save you some cash is buying a sleeping bag liner. The liner will help add the warmth of ten degrees give or take while saving you from buying a zero degree bag, which nears a hundred dollar price point.
Alternative heating options for winter roof top tent use
The next step of warm bedding materials would be to use a thermal, insulating bed pad/mat. Having one of these will create more padding for comfort as well as engage heat below your sleeping bag for continued warmth throughout the night.
A company that makes these types of items is Therma-Rest. Found at most outdoor stores such as REI, Therma-Rest products have a great price point and are perfect for continued use in low temperature areas.
My favorite pad they produce is the Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOLite Sleeping Pad. This pad is made from an extremely durable, lightweight foam that combines comfort and warmth for each individual camper. It has a ridge and valley construction that facilitates the capture of warm air under your sleeping bag while you sleep. It also encompasses a reflective surface that helps radiate heat upwards, causing a continuous cycle of warm temperature.
Some of you may be thinking, why not use an electric blanket or heated mattress pad? After doing some digging, the effort to reward ratio just doesn’t cut it for me with these heating ideas.
In regards to electric blankets, you’re going to have to charge them up using a generator or your car battery which is outside the tent. The cold air is going to diminish its ability to properly charge and heat itself. The same goes for a heating pad. With low voltage coming from harsh climates, it makes it almost impossible to properly heat these items unless they are in your physical tent charging up. Time to get out those extension cords!
In exchange for the effort to utilize these items, it is much easier to use a highly rated sleeping bed coupled with a liner and thermal pad below. Then you can additionally wear layered clothing primarily made from wool. If that is still not enough, filling a water bottle with hot water and placing it at the bottom of the bag will create about the most heat and comfort possible in regard to close contact solutions.
Another pro towards the thermal sleeping pad is the ability to leave it in your tent when you pack up and leave camp. They are thin enough to stay stored in your tent, whereas a heating blanket or generator will likely have to be taken in and out of the tent after every use!
Best Practices and Products For Heating Your Roof Top Tent
With advancements in technology and the ever-growing market for camping essentials, heating your roof top tent has become more attainable than ever before. Though this is true, it is ideal to be safe in doing so with the practices and products you choose.
Electric Heaters
There are two categories of tent heater options I like to go off of. The first is electric which is great for campgrounds that have electrical hook-ups. For those popular sites, these will work perfectly whether you are plugging in using a heavy-duty gauge or using a simple generator. But remember, if you are in the generator crew, most campgrounds have a specific time where generators must be turned off for the night which will defeat the purpose of your electric heating option.
The best electric heater I’ve seen on the market for rooftop tents is the Stanley Electric Heater. It has a great price point and is able to heat up a space that reaches 165 square feet. Heating up within seconds of powering on, this portable unit also comes equipped with safety features that prevent it from overheating as well as a shutoff feature if it tips over. This is a must if you are set up to plug in with cold weather.
Propane Heaters
As far as propane heaters go, you must go for ones that are catalytic. These heaters are flameless and don’t produce any carbon monoxide. So you can set this up in your tent without worrying about burning the place down or choking yourself out due to the chemical reaction from your heat source.
The best option that most campers can attest to is the Mr. Heater Buddy. Known as one of the best tent heaters on the market, this unit can run on low for as long as ten hours while producing no carbon monoxide. Also included is an instant shut off feature if it is bumped/tipped and makes heat within seconds of being turned on. The Mr. Heater Buddy also comes in a mini version for those who may be camping alone or are in a much smaller tent.
To be honest with you though, at ten bucks cheaper, might as well get the regular size heater for those cold trips this winter. Why not?
Another option I have seen floating around is the Camco Olympian Wave Portable Heater. More expensive than the Mr. Heater Buddy, this unit functions at high elevations, comes in three sizes and is catalytic. The only downside is it doesn’t have a temperature adjuster which creates a problem for too much heat perhaps. In my personal opinion, this is a little heavy-duty to use while sleeping at night.
For pricing, details, and reasoning on my favorite heaters for roof tent camping, head over to my recommend gear page!
With all that being said, be sure to ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s instructions in regards to either type of heater. It is extremely important to do so because even safe units can cause problems if used incorrectly.
Rooftop Tents For Cold Weather
When it comes down to it, a huge factor in staying warm is the type of tent you have. If you’re planning on doing expeditions to areas of extreme weather, you might as well grab a four-season tent that can handle what you are signing up for. All of the tents below vary in factors such as budget, durability, comfort, and ease of setup.
Falcon Hardshell By Roofnest
If you’re looking for something that really hits on ease of setup, this is the tent for you. A hardshell tent that is ready for any climate, the Falcon takes less than 30 seconds to set up while only being 6.5” tall when packed. Its aluminum hardshell design makes it highly durable while putting out a quality product.
With its ease of unpacking at 150 lbs or so, this is a no brainer in cold weather when you don’t want to be outside setting up too long. This tent is priced at $3,395 for the regular size and $3,495 for the XL version.
CVT Mt. Rainier Extended Stargazer
The Mt. Rainier is one of the top models built by the elite brand of CVT. It comes with a great annex which will cost a little extra, but directly impacts your experience in cold weather in a positive way by creating another space to heat separately. This is a heavy-duty model that has a thicker canvas than most, providing enough insulation to be used in ice.
Priced at just over $3,000, it is a good price point but the huge negative is the weight at 207 lbs. So one would have to literally and hypothetically, weigh their options with this one.
Tepui Ruggedized Series Kukenam 3
It doesn’t get much better than Tepui tents. The Ruggedized Series Kukenam 3 is an expedition series tent that is built specifically for all four seasons. It is durable and available in three colors which brings a sense of style to this extremely reliable model.
Priced at $2,250, you are getting a tent that is prepared for whatever climate from one of the best tents brands on the market. The only downside is that it is on the heavier side at 180 pounds. This model also can be purchased with an annex that is sold separately.
Skycamp 2.0 iKamper
Probably my favorite tent on the market as of now, the Skycamp 2.0 is a larger tent that is a sort of hybrid between a hard and soft shell. It offers extreme comfort with its thick padded bed and extra space. This tent fits up to four or five people comfortably while taking all of 30 seconds to set up. It is an expedition grade tent ready for all four seasons while weighing at 155 pounds empty.
For the large families out there, this is the perfect tent if the price point isn’t too high at around $3,900. Being that it is so large, it can take rain or snow while being able to deal with the strongest of winds. You can even choose from two fabrics, one of which is a poly-cotton, that is insulating, keeping you exceptionally warm. Personally, there isn’t a better tent out there as of now if you can afford the cost.
Final Recommendation
Overall, cold weather camping is for a specific crowd and for good reason. You have to understand where you are going, for how long, and what you will need to ensure you will survive the climates.
Having a tent that will suit your adventure is priority number one. If you have a family, the Skycamp 2.0 seems like a no brainer. Any of the tents mentioned above though will help you combat whatever weather you might face on your next expedition.
We then hit on heating the inside of your tent. As far as heating units go, I like to go with the crowd on this one and side with the Mr. Heating Buddy. Like I said, go for the big one if the ten bucks isn’t going to break the bank.
Lastly, I talked about the types of sleeping bags you would need for this type of camping and how to outfit them exactly to your liking. If the weather calls for it, throw a liner on your properly rated bag along with a water bottle of hot water at the bottom. Those things coupled with a thermal pad and some layered clothing, I’m not sure any sleep will be lost in that bedding.
I hope these tips and recommendations helped guide you through the process of getting ready for your next chilly adventure!