When you first get into a new hobby it can be very intimidating for a number of reasons. Whether it be a lack of knowledge in the subject matter, or simply having no experience in it at all, this is something all newcomers will likely feel.
Roof top tents are no different, the specifications and features can range drastically by each brand and model. Most importantly, you will need to know what owning a roof top tent will entail.
When I was first getting a RTT, these where all of the things I bought and planned to have before and after I had it!
Checklist:
Roof rack
Having a proper roof rack is probably the most important thing to own and have installed before you get your RTT! I would argue the racks take longer to research and install than a RTT, at least it did for me anyway.
You need to be sure the dynamic weight limit (DWL) of the rack system can handle the weight of your RTT. In simple terms, the DWL is the amount of weight the rack can handle while the vehicle is in motion. So if a roof rack has a DWL of 165 pounds, I would need to buy a tent that weighs less than that.
If you don’t have a roof rack or crossbar system yet, read this article about Choosing a Roof Rack System For Your RTT. It gives examples, information about my set up, and a much more in-depth explanation of what to look for in a roof rack system!
Ratcheting wrench
When you go to install your roof top tent, there will be four mounting brackets. Each bracket has a set of two bolts and nuts that are used to secure the RTT to the rack.
Your tent will come with two wrenches that have a 10mm and 13mm side. While these work fine for assembly the tents mounting tracks and ladder, you won’t want to use them for the mounting process. Trust me, it would take forever!
To cut down the mounting process to a fraction of the time, get a ratcheting wrench with a 13mm deep socket. Without this tool, I would probably still be sitting in my driveway tightening those dang bolts!
Storage area
One thing I failed to consider once I bought my RTT was where would I store it in the off-season or dry it out if it got wet?
Many owners don’t mind leaving their tent mounted to their vehicle year round, which I do as well. However, there are some downsides to this like reduced fuel economy and added wear and tear to your vehicle’s drive train. But it is just so easy to leave it where it is and not worry about moving a 100 plus pound RTT!
Here is a Roof Top Tent Storage Guide with some tips and ideas to help you find the perfect way to store your RTT when it’s not being used!
If you camp in the rain, snow, or the tent gets damp from condensation, you will need to unfold it and let it dry out. If you fail to do this, mildew can form inside the tent which leave a nasty smell and dark substance on your tents fabric. Once it’s there, you can’t get rid of it.
So, if you leave in a rainy area of the country, like me in the Pacific Northwest, you will need to have a place to open it up and air it out.
Capable Vehicle
I would argue one of the most important items you need for a RTT is a great vehicle for it! Unfortunately, not everyone has the money to splurge on an off road vehicle.
If you have a sedan or smaller hatchback type vehicle, you can still use a RTT, you will just be limited to a smaller and lighter tent. You will likely be looking at a two-person tent that weighs around 100 pounds or so. This is important because a smaller vehicle like that isn’t designed to handle the added weight distribution of a RTT.
Now, if you have a truck or SUV, you can look at pretty much all RTT options. As long as your rack and vehicles’ roof is rated to handle the weight of the tent, then you’re good to go!
Help mounting the RTT
It is darn near impossible to mount a RTT on your own unless you set up a pully system or crazy contraption in your driveway the can lift it for you. Unless you get extremely creative, you will need some helping hands to lift the RTT for you.
If your tent is on the lighter side, around 125 pounds, two people should be just fine although three wouldn’t hurt. Anything heavier than that and I would caution using only two people to mount your RTT. My girlfriend and I were about to lift our Smittybilt Overlander onto our FJ Cruiser by ourselves, but it wasn’t easy.
Anytime you need to mount or unmount your RTT, just buy some pizza and beers for a few friends and invite them over to help. It takes about 60 seconds but you need that extra muscle!
Security nuts
You don’t need this item, but I would highly recommend it for some peace of mind. You should buy security nuts from Tepui or TuffStuff so someone can’t steal your RTT. It is a rare occurrence but it does happen!
These nuts require a special tool to unscrew them and cost around $30! Instead of needing a 13mm ratcheting wrench and some helping hands, a robber would need to have this specially made tool.
If you leave in a populated or high crime area, I think this is a no brainer. For only $30 you will protect your thousand dollar or more purchase!
Related Content
If you’re new to RTTs and are curious to learn more about them, check out and subscribe to our Youtube channel! I post weekly videos with fun and helpful information on all things RTT and camping related.
Another helpful resource for you would be the Beginner Info section of our blog. This contains all of our articles aimed at helping newcomers with the questions they have about RTTs!
Summary
Roof top tents don’t require much more than a vehicle and a roof rack to mount it too. That said, there are a few more things you need to think about before and after you buy one.
Relatively speaking, once the tent is mounted it requires very little maintenance and doesn’t need to be moved if you don’t want it to. After getting the rack and tent installed, I have loved my RTT and find it to be way more convenient that a normal ground tent.
I hope you found the information in this article helpful if you’re considering buying a RTT!