DIY car roof tent. Rooftop tents

It looks like camping enthusiasts have one of the best tents that attach to cars. Now outdoor recreation will become truly comfortable - after all, in fact, tourists have received a two-story tourist house.

Everything you need to make your outdoor recreation comfortable; when you go on a trip, attach a new tent from Treeline Outdoors.

It is worth noting that the new tent It takes up quite a lot of space, but it's justified. The fact is that one part of the tent is installed directly on the roof of the car, and the second - directly next to the car. Lateral fastening is provided by a folding stepladder made of high-strength alloy, so the safety of the structure is guaranteed.

The hinge systems, tent frame, holders are all made of stainless steel or aluminum, so the parts are not susceptible to rust and are not toxic.

The tent cover is made of waterproof and UV-resistant polyester. The dimensions of the top part of the tent are 210 cm by 240 cm. There are windows. There is a foam mattress inside the sleeping compartment. You can also store bedding in this compartment when moving.

Sleeping on the “second floor” allows you not to worry about the weather and choosing a place for bivouac - you will still sleep dry and evenly. And you don’t have to worry about night attacks from wild animals. They won't reach tourists.

An undoubted advantage of the new Treeline Outdoors tent is its removable lower part. In fact, this is a small room with a flight of stairs. However, this space is quite enough to use it as a locker room, shower or veranda.

A great addition to the Treeline Outdoors hybrid tent would be .

Such devices are sold literally everywhere - in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, large and small cities of Russia, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Moscow. If you want to buy a tent without leaving your home, then go to Avito and look for ads like “I’m selling a tent for the roof of a car.” The structures are widely available second-hand.

For me personally, renting became the preferred option. We gathered for a vacation in the wild, combining it with fishing. We were traveling for several days, and the question arose - where to spend the night. A friend suggested taking tents for the car. At first I thought he was talking about ordinary tents that are set up on the ground. But this option was not suitable for us, since the area is not the warmest to sleep on the ground, and all kinds of insects and living creatures scare my wife.

And then I found out what kind of tents on the roof of a car are. To be honest, I didn’t dare to buy, but I contacted the rental service. The thing is very interesting and useful for fans active rest and long trips. If you don’t want to simply spend the night in a hotel, but want to immerse yourself in the world wildlife, I advise you to take this thing.

Advantages

Let's start with the first conclusions I made about these car tents. In fact, installing them on or the roof of a car allows you to get much more benefits than sleeping in the car. Therefore, I am not surprised that the sale of such devices is so active and the demand is impressive.

1. Warm. Even from photos and videos you can see how cozy tents can be. Especially when you have such segment leaders as Maggiolina, James baroud or Overland in front of you. But the main thing is the level of heat. Sleeping in a car is cold, no matter how much you insulate or insulate the car itself.
2. Condensate. When a person sleeps, he exhales air with a high moisture content. During the night, condensation accumulates on the windows, interior trim, metal parts, and penetrates under the trim. This is bad for the body, since over time condensation can cause corrosion. Yes, this is not so critical, but if you actively use the cabin as an overnight stay, you may encounter troubles.
3. Toilet. If you are not sleeping alone, you will have to wake everyone up to get out of the car and relieve yourself.
4. Comfort. The level of comfort in the car interior is high only in large cars. If you do not have a comfortable minibus or a huge SUV with 2-3 rows of seats, but a compact car, then you can hardly count on a comfortable overnight stay. A tent replaces a full-fledged bedroom, since a specially designed box provides a high level of comfort.
5. Ventilation. Metal does not tend to allow air to pass through, so during hot periods it will be impossible to sleep there. By opening the windows, you will let mosquitoes and other living creatures in. The tent is equipped with a mosquito net and is made of breathable materials.
6. Things. If you want to lie down in the cabin, you will have to put all your things in the trunk. And if it is small, then the only way out is to take everything outside, outside the car.

That is, the choice in favor of a tent is obvious. Moreover, I personally advise you not to save much, but to choose really worthy designs that can last for many years. Based on the analysis, I would also name Skycamp, ikamper, Hawk or Orion as such. You are already familiar with several others.

How to make a choice

Yes, you can watch the video, download the drawing and try to make a tent yourself. But not everyone will want to do this. Buying a box is not that expensive if you expect to regularly use it for overnight stays in the wild.

How much a tent costs depends on the brand, quality and size. Approximate price- from 20-25 thousand rubles. But models for 50-100 thousand are much better quality and more durable. For example, I am planning to buy myself a tent for 75 thousand. But here everyone decides for himself how much he is willing to invest. After all, there are tents for several thousand dollars from leading brands, and there are cheap analogues from China that will cost no more than 10-20 thousand rubles.

It's time to understand the main nuances of choice. Do you agree with me? Hope so.

Well, I hope my tips and observations were useful for you too. Be sure to share your impressions in the comments, write if you have already spent the night in such tents and what emotions you experienced. Subscribe to updates in the VK group, invite friends and don’t forget that we work for you.

Your car can be a truly versatile object, suitable for transportation, maximum comfort on long trips, and recreation. We are not talking about sleeping in a car, which has a fairly small enclosed space - in tourist travel this option will no longer suit you on the second day.

To get the optimal level of comfort, you will need additional accessories, which are car roof tents. Their cost is relatively low, but you can get many benefits from them.

The only note is that you need to be as careful as possible when choosing a tent so as not to end up in an awkward position.

First of all, carefully study the characteristics of your car - this is necessary so as not to damage its power structure. The tent will rest on the roof - therefore, it will be the most loaded part of the machine, and it is necessary to determine what maximum weight this structural element can take.

Look at the permissible load capacity - the roof can withstand about 35-40% of this value. Therefore, if the payload of a car cannot exceed 500 kg, then the tent, together with the people in it, should weigh no more than 500 * 0.35 = 175 kg. It will be possible to accommodate two people only if both people have a slender build.

The exception is models that have additional supports - but these will be discussed later.

Experts have identified several classes of cars, which correspond to different weight indicators of the tent - they should be taken into account when choosing a model for the roof:

However, it is better not to risk it and find the exact value on the Internet or in the car’s manual - it is indicated for all modern cars. The consequences of overload can be tragic - a sagging roof and expensive repairs that can cause significant damage to the family budget.

An important physical characteristic is dimensions, which a rooftop tent has. Pay attention to this parameter for the selected model - if the product protrudes beyond the roof of the car, you will have to use special extensions.

You should not choose tents that are too high - you are unlikely to want to stand in them, but in the forest they will cling to tree branches, which will increase the risk of damage and make it impossible to move the car even a couple of meters with the tent open.

What should you pay attention to when taking a closer look?

It is worth remembering that a tent is a rather complex object, which is produced using modern technologies - this applies even to ordinary tourist models.

If we talk about models for the roof of a car, then the approach to production must be even more sophisticated in order to fully satisfy all human needs, without creating additional burden and without excessively increasing the cost. Therefore, when choosing, you need to pay attention to many parameters that will seem overly detailed to most people.

Design

The simplest tent is a pyramidal one, the walls of which have a shape close to a triangle. Such models are quite inconvenient, since when high altitude they provide minimal internal dimensions and often do not even allow two people to sit. An improved option is a dome, in which the tent looks like half a ball. It is much more spacious, but requires more space and does not always fit on the roof of a car.

The ideal option is a complex structure with vertical walls and a sloping roof, which requires the use of a powerful frame, but has the best ratio of internal volume to base area or height.

A tent is usually limited to a small structure on the roof of a car - however, such a product is vulnerable to strong wind and other negative external factors.

An improved option is a model with a kind of “skirt” along the sides, which covers the car up to the windows or even door handles. An additional strip of fabric protects from the wind, and also significantly reduces the likelihood of moisture getting inside and retains heat much better.

The most expensive modifications of tents have walls that are installed next to the car, which allows you to organize sleeping places for its entire crew.

If the size of the car or the permissible load on the roof do not allow the installation of large tents, you can use special extensions. Any tent is placed on mounts for the top rack - the so-called roof rails, and in this case the area covered by them must be significantly increased. You can buy such devices in a travel store - it is advisable to choose models made of durable steel that will not deform after 3-4 uses.

You can reduce the weight pressing on the roof of the car using external fastenings, similar to construction piles. They rest on the ground and take on part of the weight of the tent, but the dimensions of its base should be at least 15-20 cm larger than the dimensions of the machine.

Textile

The question that always arises when buying a tent is what material it is made of.

The cheapest models presented on the tourism goods market are created from nylon- a popular synthetic fabric that has excellent moisture resistance. The main disadvantage of a nylon tent is its extremely low rigidity. After each night it will have to be tightened, since changes in temperature and humidity can lead to some loosening of the fastenings. A similar disadvantage is expressed in low strength.

However, these modifications are widely used due to their ability to fold down to a small size and fit into a car seat pocket.

Their models have much better strength polyester- for a tent made of such synthetic fabric you will have to pay a hefty sum, but the costs will be fully justified. Installed on the roof of a car, it can remain in the same position for several days without the need for adjustment or additional tension.

In addition, it is quite difficult to damage a polyester tent - to do this you will have to use a sharp object, and not a branch that accidentally got into the wall. The only negative, besides the high cost, is the difficulty of unfolding due to the high density of the synthetic material.

Talk about canvas models don’t have to - such a tent will be very heavy for a compact car, difficult to use and short-lived.

If you want to get an exceptionally durable sleeping place, pay attention to the modification, covered with an additional protective layer of transparent silicone. It increases strength and rigidity, and also ensures that the inside is dry and draft-free. In addition, make sure that all seams of the tent are carefully sealed with sealant or the same silicone - this is also necessary to increase comfort.

Extra options

The best tents consist of two parts - a dense outer awning and an inner “room”, which is created from a soft, pleasant-to-touch material.

Inspect the selected product for the quality of this coating and feel it with your hands. The ideal option is to have an additional layer of thermal insulation consisting of soft filler and metal foil. This will help you not freeze at night and not die from the heat during the day. In addition, in the base that is installed on the roof of the car, in addition to a rigid frame, there must also be a soft mattress - otherwise sleep will only bring you pain throughout your body instead of normal rest.

A good tent should also have internal pockets - they are convenient for storing the most important things, washing supplies and clothes. There are also models where such a pocket can open outward, turning into some kind of dormer window at home.

An alternative option is to expand the internal space by further unfolding the tent outside the car. Both of them help to increase psychological comfort and cope with claustrophobia.

If you plan to travel in the off-season, you cannot avoid heavy rains, thunderstorms and other troubles. To protect you, the tent should not only have a side skirt, but also a flap through which entry will be made.

The design of such a device resembles an airlock - between the outer and inner spaces there is a small “dressing room” that protects people from bad climatic conditions. It is best if both entrances are closed with a zipper, protected by special strips of waterproof fabric.

“If people knew how pleasant it was to walk on rooftops, they would have stopped walking on the streets long ago,” Carlson once said, but this madman was clearly “in the know.” Most people not only did not walk on the roof, but also did not see the world from the height of the roof... of their car, although road travelers certainly more than once looked at the tourist tents opened there, above.

There are obvious pros and cons to living on a rooftop. Let's start with the installation features. Unfortunately, manufacturers have not yet figured out how to quickly and without unnecessary dances with a tambourine to install a tent on the roof. To set up a tent you will need, at a minimum, strong crossbars, and preferably a good expedition rack. It will take some time and effort to secure the tent to the roof.

“Why did you lie about being 7 years old? You weigh 8"...

Do not forget that the crossbars (rails) or trunk must withstand not only the weight of the tent, but also the weight of its inhabitants, and the tent itself will take most space.

For example, two universal luggage crossbars from an auto parts store are clearly not enough to distribute the load evenly and, with a high probability, the tent will collapse with its entire mass onto the roof when fully loaded.

“Well, did you fly? - asked Carlson. The kid weighed everything again.
- What if you drop me? - he said with concern. This proposal did not bother Carlson at all.
- Great trouble! - he exclaimed. - There are so many children in the world. One boy more, one boy less - it’s nothing, it’s an everyday matter!

Among the disadvantages of operating an above-ground dwelling are both methods of lying in a den and options for leaving it. Don’t forget that the tent is installed 1.5-2.5 meters above the ground and you won’t be able to get out of it just by stretching, or it will be accompanied by an acrobatic sketch.

“- From the roof, of course, the stars are visible better than from the windows, and therefore one can only be surprised that so few people live on roofs”...

In the list of positive aspects of living on the roof, in addition to the stars, I will note the relatively constant combat readiness of the home and the soft mattress in it, as well as the comfort of placement on an uneven or water-filled surface. In some cases, it may turn out that it is simply not possible to set up a regular tent and you will have to sleep half-sitting in chairs.

For a certain segment of the population, it will be an important positive factor - excellent protection from crawling, jumping and running uninvited guests from the world of wild animals and insects. Many of them will clearly not be eager to learn how to climb stairs or slippery surfaces of a car.

“Well, tell me, please, is it possible to do without a fight? Any dispute can be resolved with words!”...

To decide which of the tent options on the market is better, you need to know what is generally available, and there is not much in stock - in total there are only three types of rooftop houses.

1.Book tent. When folded, the tent is covered with a special awning and when transported it looks like a rectangular object covered with an awning.

It is brought into working position by tilting half of the floor to the side or back of the vehicle and rests on a standard support ladder attached to the edge of the folding half. The roof of such a tent rises automatically, and the “awnings” of windows and entrances are secured manually using special stops.

Disadvantages: less protection from external influences and the inability to lock the casing (cover) of the tent.

2. Tent with hard (plastic), fully raised top. When transporting, such a tent looks more like a plastic box-rack. When preparing a bed, the roof is raised manually using a special handle. Along with the roof, the soft side walls with doorways and windows rise.

The tent can be equipped with a standard ladder, but it is not convenient to use it on all types of cars and, in most cases, on SUVs and buses it is better to have a stationary ladder (attached to the car body) to the roof.

The casing (roof) of the tent is attached to the bottom using ties, which can be closed with a small lock, and the plastic body relatively reliably protects the tent material from external influences.

3. Tent with a hard (plastic) top, type 2, but with only one lifting part of the roof. In the transport state it differs little from type 2, but in the working position only one edge is raised, creating a “triangle” side view.

A distinctive feature of this type of tent is a different organization of the internal space, since the lifting part rises higher than that of a tent with a fully raised roof, and the other part remains in place. A higher rise of the roof edge can be useful for ease of changing clothes, for example.

This type of tent is highly resistant to gusts of wind. If you install a tent in a windy place, the car turns with a rigid bevel against the wind, thereby ensuring greater stability of the structure.

To choose the right type of tent, you should take into account not only the operating conditions, but also the method of fastening it to the car. For example, on the roof of a regular pickup truck (not a North American monster), the plastic body of the tent may not fit and there is nothing left to do except choose the option with a side-folding half. Again, due to the convenience of climbing inside using a standard stop ladder.

“You can give yourself a little break and make me some coffee.
- Should I make coffee? - asked the Kid.
“Yes, please,” confirmed Carlson. “I don’t want to bother you too much.” All you have to do is light a fire under the taganka, bring water and make coffee. And I’ll drink it myself.”

Separately, it is worth mentioning that tents with a lifting roof are brought into a state of combat readiness in a few seconds - just open the clamps and raise the roof and no other actions are required. With the exception of installing a ladder if it is not on the vehicle.