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A few years ago, rooftop tent sales skyrocketed in a way few could have anticipated. An anti-crisis in the face of an unprecedented global catastrophe. I’m not going to go into the whys and wherefores, but many people took advantage of the circumstance to adopt new habits in how they spent their well-earned vacations. Even though we’re over the hump and sales of camping gear in general has returned to something closer to “normal” before the uptake, the rooftop tent community is very much alive and enthusiastic. The fact that second-hand pricing remains strong is an indicator that this particular form of camping is, indeed, still popular and the market remains buoyant.
Why am I talking about market trends and second-hand pricing, when I should be talking about security? A fair question, but when you think about it briefly, the two topics do, sadly, go hand in hand.
On a different note, who would have thought that catalytic converters would become so desirable that the theft rate has boomed. The most disturbing thing is just how brazen and fast the thieves are. A firmly fixed part of the car (albeit in a not so accessible position) is cut out of the exhaust system within seconds on the street, in a carpark, or right outside of your house. Battery powered hand tools are apparently a thief’s best friend.
Rooftop tents are experiencing a similar plight. Unfortunately, if someone is determined to take something, they will find a way. The best thing to do is to make it as difficult as possible.
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is make sure your rooftop tent is firmly mounted to the roof of your car, and the standard mounting hardware is a good deterrent because of the time it takes to undo all eight nuts (especially if the roof rack or crossbars are so low as to make the job difficult). Also, if your car is parked near your home, neighbours will generally react if they see someone other than you wielding a set of spanners near your pride and joy. There are also security nuts (similar to those used for wheel locks) which can act as a first line of defence, but aren’t overly effective.
Another deterrent is the fact that rooftop tents are heavy. It takes a couple of people to manoeuvre them from the top of your car, and walking down the road with one is likely to attract attention. It’s not really a job for the casual thief, even if the potential sales price is high.
So, the preferred modus operandi of organised criminals seems to be to turn up in a van, park next to your vehicle, whip out a couple of cordless angle grinders, cut through the roof rack or crossbars, throw the whole structure into the van, and make a speedy getaway. We’re talking here about a matter of less than a minute. Much less.
PREVENTION
Once your rooftop tent is in place and attached to your vehicle, your security options are limited. Therefore:
- Consider where you park
- Are there security cameras nearby?
- Don’t park in the same spot regularly
- Have a motion alarm installed in the car
- Park in an enclosed space such as a garage
- Remove the tent when you don’t need it (quick release fixings)
CONCLUSION
Realistically, there isn’t a great deal you can do. Just like with catalytic converters, if someone wants your rooftop tent, they will find a way.
Be mindful of where you park.
