4×4 overhead tent is a folding tent that can be fixed on the roof of a car, truck or small unit vehicle. It is a self-contained unit that can be packed into a hard-shell container. When it is packed and you are driving, it will only add a few inches to your vehicle, but when it is opened and ready for use, it will expand into a full-size tent. The solid surface is part of the package, and there is also a ladder, so once it is unfolded, it is ready for use.
The 4×4 overhead tents offer good protection against snakes and scorpions, which sometimes tend to crawl under the ground tent.
Whether you are traveling alone, two or with your family, you are bound to find what you are looking for. Please note that if there are more than 4 of you, depending on the size of your vehicle and the size of the first tent, you may also consider positioning two roof tents.
For a perfect road trip in the 4×4 overhead tents, make sure that the roof poles of your vehicle are able to support the weight of the tent, both while stationary and while driving. The vehicle also has a maximum permissible laden weight beyond which safety is no longer assured.
Your tent fabrics must be UV resistant, waterproof and breathable.
Waterproofing: refers to the ability to prevent the penetration of water from outside. It is therefore important to check the water proof ness of the tent; it would be a shame to wake up because water is seeping into your tent. A water proof ness exceeding 1500 Schmerber is the extreme limit to keep breath ability to a minimum.
Breath ability: The breath ability of the fabric prevents the formation of condensation in the tent. When we perspire or breathe we generate a lot of moisture in the air and this moisture must be able to evacuate. The fabric of your tent must be able to “exchange” with the outside and thus evacuate the moisture. Breath ability is therefore essential.
Soft-shell roof top tents are an excellent option for a first purchase. They are more spacious and more affordable than their rigid counterparts.
Lighter, they also take up less space on the roof, allowing room for accessories such as water or gas cans. It is also possible to put two tents to accommodate 4 people, which can be interesting if you are going with your family on self-drive in Rwanda and across East Africa.
Folding and unfolding is mainly done by hand. You can leave the bedding in place when you close the tent. The mattress is cut in half but you don’t usually feel it. It takes a little longer to open or close it compared to hard-shell tents, but it doesn’t take more than 5-10 minutes, which is still reasonable.
No accessories can be put on top of the tent when it is closed, so no solar panels or luggage. When the tent is unfolded it forms a kind of awning, which is useful in rainy weather or to get some shade. When folded, the tent is covered with a waterproof canvas for protection.
The roof tent can provide a covered area under it for cooking or other activities; since your tent is off the ground, it is also safer. The tent will not be tripped by pedestrians, saving space. Air can flow under the tent, or around and through the tent, so you will have better air circulation.
Always flat sleeping surface. Another factor that makes rooftop tents more comfortable and easier to install is the built-in base. The metal base provides you with a firm and flat sleeping surface, so you don’t need to worry about rocks, branches or other debris under your feet when you sleep. If it starts to rain at night, it can also help you avoid low points where water may accumulate.
The rooftop tent has a built-in mattress that will stay in place when you pack the tent. You don’t need to worry about inflating the air mattress or sleeping pad, and it won’t take up any storage space in your car. Built-in mattresses are also more comfortable than most camping mattresses, especially thin sleeping pads used by many people.
Standing on a high place allows you to have an unobstructed view of your surroundings. Keeping the tent off the ground also means you don’t need to worry about messing it up with dirt, animal droppings or anything else.
There’s a childlike feeling of excitement that comes in to play when you’re climbing up the ladder into your roof top tent – we like to think it’s the tree fort you always wanted as a kid. Add in a beautiful view, a sunset, and some cozy blankets, you’ve got yourself a near perfect evening. What’s better than the sunset is waking up to your view. It just never gets old, trust us!
The comfort in a rooftop tent is second to none. The biggest difference-maker for me is simply having a flat surface to sleep on. When in a ground tent, even with a nice mattress pad, the bumpy and uneven surface makes it very uncomfortable.
This is especially true if you go on an extended camping trip for a few days at a time. The built-in mattress that rooftop tent have will usually be about 2-3.5 inches thick and are made of high-density foam. The mattress is plenty comfortable.
There is definitely a level of luxury that comes with a rooftop tent. Making it a happy medium or step above a ground tent, but less luxurious than a teardrop trailer. The Rooftop tent car are pricey, but not when comparing it to any trailer!
You can make your rooftop tent fully electric with solar panels mounted directly to your tent. Some rooftop tent even have USB and 12V plugins inside the tent that are ready to be hooked up to a power source.
The best way to extend your camping season to later in the year or year-round is by having a well-equipped tent and the proper equipment. There are plenty of all-season rooftop tent which are fitted with extremely thick fabric, anti-condensation mats, insulated floors, and even more add-ons.
A natural advantage they have is being elevated in the air which will allow you to stay dry but also not sleep on the freezing cold ground.
