Rooftop Tents vs Ground Tents: What Actually Works Best for You

When you want to get serious about camping, you’ve got to compare RTT vs ground tent camping experiences. Should you be off the ground or on it?

What do you love about camping? Are you drawn to wide open spaces, forests full of green trees, the quiet and calmness of nature, or the ability to leave it all behind? Some will say it’s all of these things and more, while others can pick and choose. Regardless, going camping is a great way to recharge your batteries, refresh your soul, and commune with nature. If you want to make camping more of a regular activity in your life, you’ll want to compare RTT vs ground tent camping for the best experiences.

A rooftop tent could be at the top of your vehicle camping gear list

While there’s nothing wrong with pitching a ground tent and using a sleeping bag and pad, camping on the roof of your vehicle could offer some advantages over sleeping on the ground. Here’s what you need to know about setup time, weather protection, and whether RTTs actually beat ground tents for weekend trips and longer adventures. Will you have a rooftop tent or a traditional model as part of your weekend camping equipment?

Rooftop tent pros and cons

When you want to compare RTT vs ground tent camping, you’ve got to understand the pros and cons of each. Starting with rooftop tents, you’ll find that these tents can be great for some camping adventures and not for others.

Pros

  • Camp anywhere
  • Go anywhere
  • Quick set-up and tear-down
  • Tough heavy-duty construction
  • Comfortable with windows and a mattress
  • Fewer bugs and creatures
  • Elevated view of surroundings
  • Cheaper than an RV or travel trailer

Cons

  • Wind is more of a factor
  • Extra weight drains fuel economy
  • Day tripping becomes a hassle
  • Going to the bathroom is an adventure
  • Can’t stand up inside

Pros and cons of traditional ground tents

Making a rooftop tent comparison is only valuable if you compare it to traditional tents. Your car camping setup could be great with a tent on the roof, but some camping trips could be much better with a more traditional setup.

Pros

  • More affordable than rooftop tents
  • More versatile for various campsites
  • Familiarity matters and makes camping more enjoyable
  • Ground tents can be extremely large, giving you space to spread out

Cons

  • Much longer setup time
  • Mattress pads make them more uncomfortable (bring an air mattress)
  • Less protection from wildlife

What is the top-rated rooftop tent

Based on camping tent reviews of many rooftop tents, the Thule Approach M is the top choice. It is a three-person model that can be great for your experience. It has four large windows to give you easy viewing of the night sky. The durable softshell design makes it easy to store away. There’s a cover that zips on to protect the tent when you’re driving down the highway.

RTT vs ground tent: how to make a better camping experience

Once you’ve settled the comparison of RTT vs ground tent for your camping enjoyment, you’ll want to take advantage of some great tips to have a fantastic time in the wilderness. Here are a few that can help you get the most out of your camping experience.

  • Test new gear at home first – don’t let your first time opening the box occur at the campsite
  • Set up before sunset – arrive early enough to set up your camp before the sun goes down, putting up a tent in the dark isn’t fun
  • Bring a camp stove – even if you want to cook over a fire, a camp stove comes in handy for items that you won’t want to put over the fire
  • Remember the essentials – toilet paper, hand soap, hand sanitizer, trash bags
  • Bring some quick-dry towels – these are great for high-humidity areas, giving you a dry towel when you need it
  • Bring dryer sheets – they are great as a bug repellent, and you just need to have a few around you and your tent to keep bugs away
  • A headlamp is invaluable – you need a flashlight, and one attached to your head keeps your hands free
  • Camp slippers – thank us later, having a pair of slippers for nighttime toilet visits can be great. It’s also nice to put them on after a long hike

Choose the right tent for your experience and get ready to enjoy your time in nature. Camping can be all the therapy you need to get centered and relaxed before returning to the hustle and bustle of regular life.