Can a roof top tent be stolen? Yes. However, there are many precautions an owner can take to counter this threat.
Roof tents are a large investment that can range anywhere from $1,000 – $5,000. Yet, they sit on your vehicle secured by only a couple of bolts and nuts. Granted, RTTs weigh over a hundred pounds and require multiple people to move them. That doesn’t discount the fact that a small group of people could target RTTs and effectively steal them in a moment’s notice.
The purpose of this article isn’t to scare you. Rather, it’s meant to educate roof tent owners that are curious about the topic or simply aren’t privy to it.
While theft of RTTs is rare, it does happen. Typically, roof top tents are secured to a roof rack with four brackets and normal nuts and bolts. All someone would need is a wrench and some helping hands to unmount your roof tent.
In this article I will cover how to protect your tent at home, on the road, and everything in between.
Is your roof top tent mounted on your vehicle all year?
Many campers like to keep their RTT’s on all year. Whether that be because it’s easy, you don’t have room to store it, or you camp during all four seasons. Another consideration is not being able to fit your vehicle and RTT into the garage, so you just leave it in the driveway. Here are some steps you can take to prevent theft at your home and on the streets!
Locking systems. There are multiple locking systems you can buy for your RTT. You can buy a security nuts that require a specially made matching tool. This makes it significantly more difficult to near impossible to loosen bolts with any old wrench. You can find these products available through Tepui or Tuff Stuff, which are the best in the market. Each has their own designs but essentially do the same thing.
Another locking system available is the iKamper 2.0 Mounting Bracket Locks. This is a locking system you slide onto your mounting brackets and requires a key to unlock.
If you have a spare bike lock laying around, hook it around your RTT and rack system. This is a simple fix to adding an extra layer of protection. People actually do this and it works. As I said before, these aren’t fool proof solutions. Yet, they will help prevent possible theft and give you some peace of mind.
Make it difficult. This may sound trivial, but it works. The truth is, many thieves are lazy and looking for an easy grab. Adding extra security features to your roof tent will make someone think twice about stealing your belongings. It will take them longer to get the RTT off your vehicle because of locking systems, security bolts, etc. Additionally, they must come equipped with additional tools rather than just a wrench and an accomplice.
Be aware of your surroundings when looking for parking spots when your RTT is attached. Try parking near windows in front of the store or in a spot that is visible to many people. Sometimes you can get stuck shopping in a store for a couple hours. This is more than enough time for a thief targeting roof tents. These are simple but doable steps anyone can take when out and about.
Lighting
Having a well lit driveway can go a long way deterring thieves. If your car and RTT are sitting in your driveway unchecked you should install better lighting. Taking the cover of darkness away from them will make it much harder to steal from you. Motion sensor lights will signal to criminals that you have proper security in place.
Even when you’re in a parking lot or on the street, lighting is important. I have personally had my truck broken into multiple times when I parked on a street with no lights. Luckily, I was younger and all they were able to get away with was a cheap stereo system and a few bucks worth of change. Had they been able to steal more expensive items I would have been a wreck.
Security Cameras
Luckily, security systems are becoming a mainstream item and have become very affordable over the years. You can easily equip your house with a wide variety of options from one camera at the front door to having footage of the entire home. There are endless amounts of manufacturers with a wide range of services that will best fit your needs.
In my opinion, this is the best security feature you can add to your home. In the event there is theft, you can submit the footage to the insurance company when filing a claim. This will improve your odds of getting a full refund for any stolen items.
If you want to go a step further, you can find motion sensor alarms on amazon for a very reasonable price. You can set them up surrounding your driveway and be alerted anytime someone approaches your house or vehicle.
Car Alarm
If you have a newer vehicle you can probably skip this one. Adding an aftermarket car alarm is a great option if you don’t already have one. Think about it, people would have to be climbing all over your car or truck in order to get a 100 plus pound tent off the roof.
A solid car alarm system could run you anywhere from $30-$300. You can really cut the costs if you do the installation yourself. I found many brands and varieties on Amazon and Best Buy. Some systems also come with remote start capabilities for your vehicle too if that’s something you want, which is great for colder weather.
This product is perfect for someone that lives in a big city. Whether your car is on the street or in a parking garage, this will help scare them away.
How to insure your roof top tent
You can and should insure your roof top tent. It will take some digging around on your end to make sure you are covered in full.
I don’t want to misguide anyone, so here is the answer in short, you must call your insurance provider and ask them yourself. I have read differing statements from multiple providers between it falling under automobile or homeowners/renters insurance. It really comes down to your insurance provider and the gray area of what they will and will not insure in the event of theft.
I will explain in greater detail why coverage could fall under homeowners or automobile.
Homeowners/Rental vs. Automobile Insurance
Homeowners policies should have personal property coverage included. Meaning, any personal property such as a gaming console, couch, or roof top tent would be covered. This coverage extends on and off your property. So in theory, if theft of your RTT happened while camping out of state, you would be able to file a claim and seek a refund.
Automobile insurance allows for additional coverage for “accessories”. Such as upgraded suspension, LED bars, or a roof top tent on your rig. For a few bucks a month, many automobile insurers can increase your coverage limit. If you have put a lot of money into your vehicle, this may be something worth looking into.
You will still have to follow the procedures that insurance companies require such as filing a claim, paying your deductible, and proving a receipt for the stolen item(s).
To be clear, I am not an insurance adjuster. I searched every bit of information I could on this topic. My recommendation is to play it safe and the only information that counts is what you’re told from your provider.
What to do if you remove your roof top tent (storage)
Store your roof tent in a safe and secure location. If you’re fortunate enough to have a garage then this is the most obvious option. You reduce the risk of your RTT being stolen to almost zero when having it in your garage. I wrote an entire article on the different ways to store your RTT and you can read more below if you’d like.
With the many different ways to store a roof tent, the most important thing is that it stays dry and won’t be damaged by other objects. Keeping it in a low foot traffic space will help mitigate unnecessary damages. Do not put other items on top of the tent such as a bucket of baseballs, snowboards, or other camping gear. It is not designed to handle that extra weight when folded up.
If you don’t have an enclosed space like a garage and are really concerned about storing it, then I would recommend a small storage unit. Many of them require security codes to get in and are easily accessible at all hours. This option is the next best thing to a garage. You don’t have to rent the storage unit year round if you don’t want to either. Half the year you’re probably using your RTT anyway!
Sheds or canopies could do the trick as well. These options will protect your roof tent from being exposed to the elements. If you have one in your backyard this is a perfect place to store it. However, this option requires putting the roof tent on a workbench or some platform that will elevate it off the ground. If you keep it on the ground you run the risk of it getting wet as well as rodents getting into it.
Before storing your roof top tent in a location you need to be confident it will be safe. The last thing you want is unavoidable damage to occur.
Why should you lock, store, and or insure your roof top tent?
Locking your roof top tent may not seem necessary. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry with such an expensive toy. Especially when the cost of a lock is a drop in the bucket.
Storing a roof top tent has many benefits. Hard shell roof tents fare a bit better than soft shells when it’s on your car all year. Less debris will get in due to a tighter seal. For soft shells, the velcro or zipper cover will still do a great job. You may see weathering on your cover after some time. The biggest concern is making sure the tent doesn’t get wet.
You should also consider storing your tent when not in season because it will eat up a sizable amount of fuel. You may have noticed this, but adding a RTT to your vehicle typically drops fuel efficiency by at least a couple of miles per gallon. In conjunction with fuel loss, over time you are putting extra stress on your vehicle’s drive train which could lead to other mechanical issues. I based an article off of this exact subject and added a link to it below. It is a quick read and very informational.
The best part about insurance is simply having the peace of mind. All of the security features are all steps taken to deter a thief. In all honesty, if they really want it, they can remove the roof rack with the RTT attached to it. Only insurance can protect against this rarity. You paid a lot of money for your RTT and you should get many years out of it in return. You should treat your RTT just as you would do for any other toy like a jet ski, dirt bike, etc!
Conclusion
With so many options of protection to add for your roof top tent, hopefully one or more works for you. The sad reality is if someone really wants to steal your tent, they can. But this is a fun toy that is meant to bring you joy, not fear and anxiety. Do the best you can with the information you have and add some security features.
You will probably never have to worry about roof tent theft and I hope you don’t. In the off chance it does, you now have a safety net in place and did everything you could.
In my opinion, adding extra coverage for a few bucks a month to your insurance policy is the most seamless process. The lost cost of your tent will be paid back for almost a total loss and it will give you the most peace of mind. So long as you call your insurance adjuster to clarify which party will cover it in the event of theft.
Depending on your budget, lifestyle, and needs – none, some, or all of these options just might be right for you!