Tentbox/Rooftents. Any one bought one?

[Ruskie]

Numerous examples and businesses popping up. Looking for any real life experiences. In my head it would be wild camping but with a bit more comfort but I might be off the mark.

They look like great value and just seen one from a company called Gritt for £850.

Pictures of them in action would be great!

[Poko]

I have a Tentbox. Outside of the high initial cost, I'd give it good praise.

You can of course buy a tent for much cheaper, or a campervan for much more.. I see them as a bit of a middle ground. I wanted comfort (+warmth since they're off the ground) and ease of unpacking.. And I didn't want a van.

Recently spent a few days in Scotland when some friends rented a small farmhouse - weren't enough bedrooms for us but no problem, into the tent we went. Have parked at a few campsites, few wild-camp spots...

[Ruskie]

Poko said:

I have a Tentbox. Outside of the high initial cost, I'd give it good praise.

You can of course buy a tent for much cheaper, or a campervan for much more.. I see them as a bit of a middle ground. I wanted comfort (+warmth since they're off the ground) and ease of unpacking.. And I didn't want a van.

Recently spent a few days in Scotland when some friends rented a small farmhouse - weren't enough bedrooms for us but no problem, into the tent we went. Have parked at a few campsites, few wild-camp spots...

Thanks for that, you summed up my thoughts on it as well. Just worried I will spend the money and then it ends up sitting unused but that’s on me to make use of it.

[Silvanus]

Been thinking of a roof tent myself, be interested to hear peoples opinion too

[Stevemr]

I have thought about one, my main concern would be if it was windy, perched up on top of the car, can imagine it would get a bit rocky!

[sjg]

Getting 50-75kg on and off the roof would be my main concern, assuming you're not planning to leave it on there permanently. An empty roofbox is unweildy enough.

You have the same problem as a camper/motorhome - needing to pack everything away just to have a day out or pop down to the supermarket.

I see the appeal when you're in places you wouldn't want to be on the ground (rocky, dangerous animals, etc) but a bit silly on a grassy field in the UK. I'd rather take a pop-up tent.

[vikingaero]

sjg said:

Getting 50-75kg on and off the roof would be my main concern, assuming you're not planning to leave it on there permanently. An empty roofbox is unweildy enough.

You have the same problem as a camper/motorhome - needing to pack everything away just to have a day out or pop down to the supermarket.

I see the appeal when you're in places you wouldn't want to be on the ground (rocky, dangerous animals, etc) but a bit silly on a grassy field in the UK. I'd rather take a pop-up tent.

If I were getting a pop-up tent, I'd mount a lift from the rafters in the garage. A medium sized roof box is around 20kgs and easy enough for me to balance on my head and walk from the shed.

[Bill]

The main issue particularly in the UK (having had a howling moon roof tent) is bad weather as you can't pack it away wet without getting the mattress (and bedding potentially) wet. So if it's raining you're stuck where you are. With a ground tent you could at least leave it and get away for the day.

[Mr MXT]

This thread prompted me into thinking. A motorhome isnt practical at the moment but I could do with something to sleep in for trackdays and race weekends.

Do people generally leave them mounted all the time - as the posted above alluded to, its quite a weight to be fitting to the roof on your own...

[ecsrobin]

I spotted this at the Nurburgring last week

[PurpleTurtle]

I've never used one but am a keen observer of them on the sites we visit.

There's a very active #Tentbox hashtag on Instagram, if people want to see them in action. There's a guy has one on the roof of his 911!

I think they are a great idea if you can travel light so that the 'decamp for the day to go sightseeing' is a case of just squashing the lid down and moving on. We are the kind of campers who like to take loads of stuff, so I doubt they would work for us.

My friend in the US has a Jeep that he goes overlanding in through Texas and New Mexico, proper off the beaten track stuff. He absolutely loves his, has some great adventures in it.

[Zetec-S]

ecsrobin said:

I spotted this at the Nurburgring last week

I'm not sure why, but to me that feels like some sort of early season Walking Dead location

[geeks]

Chap I know in motorsport has one on his Disco. Loves it, can rock up at a track and always get a decent nights sleep etc without having to decamp all his tools etc. He has run some power in on an inverter too so has basics in there that need power.

[austinsmirk]

I camp a lot, tents, camper vans. Have done for decades

I can’t honestly think of much worse. I can’t see how it’s even practical or easy to use.

[ecsrobin]

austinsmirk said:

I camp a lot, tents, camper vans. Have done for decades

I can’t honestly think of much worse. I can’t see how it’s even practical or easy to use.

Care to expand on that?

[austinsmirk]

I camp a lot, tents, camper vans. Have done for decades

I can’t honestly think of much worse. I can’t see how it’s even practical or easy to use.

[Lesgrandepotato]

Negligible on fuel and handling. Mines onto of a bay window Vw.
It’s a nice place to be. Like a mobile tree house

[R56Cooper]

ecsrobin said:

austinsmirk said:

I camp a lot, tents, camper vans. Have done for decades

I can’t honestly think of much worse. I can’t see how it’s even practical or easy to use.

Care to expand on that?

I'm with you on that Austin. I just can't see any real benefits over a traditional tent. Slight time saving but I can whip a 3-4 man tent up in about 10 minutes.

I guess it lets you camp anywhere you can park - same principle as a campervan but without the compromise of buying a whole van for that purpose. You could also put a thick mattress inside, but again that's the same as a camper.

I suppose a campervan isn't really a fair comparison, best comparison is probably car camping with a small roofbox but for me, in the UK, I wouldn't be persuaded to get a roof tent.

[PurpleTurtle]

I saw someone recently using one as ‘above’ sleeping accom on a VW T6 camper which had a kitchenette and rock and roll bed fitted, but no pop top. It seemed an effective way of having ‘quick erect’ sleeping capacity without having to go to the full expense of a pop top. Obviously you don’t get the internal headroom that a pop top gives, but the family of four using it seemed very happy. They had a fancy ‘hole/tunnel’ through the top of their awning so they could have the awning out but still have a covered, waterproof access to the tent box, it was all very integrated and looked quite slick.

[Jimmy No Hands]

I've been seriously considering one of these lately, they've just increased the Lite to £1250 as opposed to £950. (the actual Tentbox branded ones, though I am sure there are multiple competitors now)

We've just bought a Kuga with rails for this intended purpose, actually. I'd be interested to hear from people whom leave them on a fair bit. We live in a flat so lack space.

For us the attraction is quite simply the ease. Drive, pop up, have a night or two and take the dog. Can you do that in a traditional tent? Yes. Do I prefer the idea of being a bit higher up and off the ground? Yes. We love exploring, don't have the budget or space for a camper and see this as a compromise. It's probably not for everybody, mind.