The perfect car roof tent for your vehicle

The choice between a folding and hard shell roof tent depends on your personal usage requirements, preferences and budget.

✅ Fixed shell construction: This makes the roof tent flatter and more aerodynamic on the roof.
✅ Resistant hard shell: This protects you from any weather and makes you feel particularly safe.
✅ Time-saving: The horntools hard shell roof tent can be set up in under three minutes. You can save extra time by stowing your bedding in the roof tent when it is folded down.
✅ Convenient size: The roof tent usually does not exceed the side mirrors of your vehicle, so you can easily spend the night almost anywhere.

✅ Less expensive: You need a little more time to set it up.
✅ Low weight: Ideal for vehicles with a low roof load.
✅ Very spacious: If you are traveling with child(ren), a folding tent offers you enough space.
✅ Overlapping surface provides a shaded area: you usually don't need an additional awning.

The pop-up tent is mounted on an aluminum plate, is set up by folding out the plate and is protected by a rubber cover when closed. When closed, it is around 10 cm higher than the hard shell roof tent.

Folding tents are generally cheaper than hard shell roof tents. Our entry-level model Trapper Joe costs 1,390 euros, while the Desert folding tent costs between 1,490 and 2,990 euros depending on the size and the Themis hard shell tent 2,890 euros.

Depending on the model, roof tents offer space for up to 4 people (2 adults and 2 children).

In general, you can mount a roof tent on any car, provided a roof rack is attached to your car roof. It does not matter whether it is two cross struts as a carrier or a roof rack platform. It is important that the width and length of the car roof offers sufficient space for the roof tent and that the width of the roof rack is compatible with the roof tent bracket. In addition, the permissible roof load specified by the car manufacturer for the installation of the roof rack and roof tent must be observed. This can normally be found in the car manual or can be obtained directly from the manufacturer. Folding tents with less weight are therefore recommended for smaller vehicles with a lower permissible roof load.

The roof load that the vehicle manufacturer refers to in the manual is the dynamic roof load. This is the permitted load that you are allowed to carry on the roof of your vehicle while travelling. For example, if you have specified a roof load of 80 kg for your vehicle, your roof tent + roof rack may weigh a maximum of 80 kg. When stationary, you can then sleep in the roof tent without any concerns.

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A roof rack is always a prerequisite for fitting a roof tent. As long as the width of the carrier is compatible with the roof tent bracket, you can mount a roof tent on any roof rack.

💡Tip: Don't have a suitable roof rack yet? Then take a look at our brackets - these can be flexibly adjusted in width as required and can therefore be optimally adapted to your vehicle model.

To install the roof tent, you must lift it onto your roof racks. This is best done with the help of two to four people. The roof tent is then screwed onto the roof rack at four points using screws and counter plates. All fastening material and tools are supplied with our roof tents.

If you do not use your roof tent or awning for a longer period of time, e.g. over the winter months, it makes sense to remove them. This not only protects and preserves the products, but also makes your vehicle more economical and safer to drive (without additional structures). The roof tent should only be assembled and closed when it is completely dry. Moisture could lead to mold growth in the long term.

The secret to a long service life for your roof tent is: ventilate, ventilate, ventilate - even during use. Ventilate your roof tent regularly, even when traveling, ideally in sunny weather. It is best to open all the windows to allow as much air circulation as possible. We also recommend using a mattress pad to prevent moisture build-up.

The roof tent should only be cleaned with cold or lukewarm water and a soft brush. Do not use any chemicals, soaps or cleaning agents. The zippers will last the longest if you spray them with silicone spray. If mold forms, remove it with a sponge and then allow the tent to dry completely. It is then best to waterproof it again.

To ensure the longevity of your roof tent even after purchase, there are a few recommended maintenance options. The seams of your roof tent are the heart of the tent and must be looked after with particular care. To ensure that they last a long time, they must not dry out completely, as this can lead to the seams breaking. We therefore recommend checking them regularly and treating them with a block of beeswax. This brings elasticity to the seams and promotes waterproofness. If the seams start to leak, you can remedy this with seam sealant. The zippers also need to be treated with silicone spray to ensure they work reliably.

You haven't used your roof tent yet? Or have you just cleaned it thoroughly and are planning to store it for a longer period of time? Then this is the ideal time for a (fresh) waterproofing treatment. You can repeat this every one to two years, depending on use. It's best to use a high-quality product or waterproofing spray from a specialist tent or outdoor retailer - this provides waterproofing and UV protection.

Wild camping, i.e. spending the night at undesignated campsites, is legally regulated or even prohibited in many regions. Austria and Germany in particular have strict regulations on this. The following always applies: designated nature conservation areas are taboo for overnight camping. Private land and private forests offer a good alternative - wild camping is possible here with the express permission of the owner. Spending the night in (rest) areas is generally prohibited unless it is to restore your own fitness to drive.

However, every country has different laws! Sweden, Norway and Finland are considered an absolute paradise for wild campers, whereas the west of Europe is rather difficult. In any case, find out about legal wild camping options and, if in doubt, ask the relevant municipality or local police station.

All of our roof tents are equipped with a comfortable mattress that is at least 7 cm thick. Most people use a sleeping bag to sleep in a rooftop tent. Of course, this also depends on the temperature. In cooler temperatures it definitely makes sense to use a functional sleeping bag. Attention : even on summer days it can cool down significantly at night in some regions. We have a 3-season sleeping bag in our range, with good moisture regulation and water-repellent synthetic fiber insulation. Thanks to the synthetic filling, this sleeping bag is very easy to care for and is ideal for spending the night in a roof tent.

Generell wird eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 100 - 130 km/h empfohlen, je nach Fahrzeugmodell. Bitte beachten, dass sich die zusätzliche Höhe des Dachzelts auf die Gesamthöhe des Fahrzeugs und somit auch auf das Fahrverhalten auswirken kann. Speziell bei stärkerem Wind ist darauf zu achten.