Sprache wechseln
One of the most fundamental characteristics of a rooftop tent is how you enter and exit. This can’t be too difficult, you might think. Well, you’re not wrong, but it is a case of finding the middle ground between what you need and what a tent can offer, so that unnecessary compromises don’t taint your camping experience in the future.
CONVENIENCE
The design of an access point can greatly influence one’s ability to enter and exit a tent with grace and efficiency. This is particularly vital in inclement weather or when the need for a swift exit arises.
PRACTICALITY
For families, where three of four people share the tent, the availability of multiple access points can markedly improve the camping experience, allowing for unhindered movement without constant disruption.
SIDE ENTRANCES
Hard-shell tents that open vertically with a level roof can potentially have access points from two or more sides. As much as the idea of multiple entry points might seem ideal, take into account that you will probably only have one ladder. If you opt to use one of the side entrances and there are two of you, then getting up in the wee hours will entail the person lying furthest from the door climbing over the other.
However, if you have an awning attached to one side of the vehicle, then you still have the option of entering the tent from the other side when the awning is opened.
WEATHER PROTECTION
Regardless of the style of tent, the entrance should have a sizeable porch offering vertical and lateral protection from the wind and rain that can lead to a wet mattress.
Soft-shell tents can often be fitted with a ground tent, which allows you to enter the rooftop tent from a fully protected space where wet clothes and shoes can be left to dry.
WINDOWS
Depending on how the rooftop tent is positioned on the roof, windows that are large enough can be opened to provide access to equipment stored on the roof or as a safety enhancement in moments of urgency.
WINDING UP
Rooftop tents can offer different access points to suit the style of vehicle and your own needs. When more than two persons are in the tent, a second entrance is welcome. If you only have one side entrance, then the person most likely to want to get up in the middle of the night should sleep closest to the door.
As far as wedge-shaped hard shells, hybrids, and soft shells are concerned, the entrance point is usually from one side only. For two persons, this is a good thing because you can enter and exit without disturbing the other too dramatically.
Photography: Josh Willink
