Why attach a tent to SUV?

Attaching a tent to an SUV is becoming an increasingly popular way to camp and travel. There are several key benefits that make attaching a tent to an SUV a great option for many campers and road trippers.

More Space and Comfort

One of the main reasons to attach a tent to an SUV is to have more interior space and comfort. Regular ground tents are often quite small and cramped, especially for a family or group of people. Attaching a tent to the roof or side of an SUV provides much more headroom and floorspace inside the tent.

With a rooftop tent, you can often stand up straight inside. This allows for more comfortable changing of clothes, cooking, and sleeping. A larger floorplan also means more room to spread out sleeping bags, pads, tables, chairs, and other gear. Many rooftop tents designed for SUVs have floors ranging from 56 to 95 square feet or more.

Attached tents are also elevated off the ground, which provides padding from rocks and uneven ground. Built-in mattresses are common in rooftop tents, making them more comfortable than sleeping right on the hard ground.

Faster Setup and Take Down

Standard ground tents must be fully assembled and staked out each time you make camp. This usually takes 15-45 minutes for takedown and setup. Attached tents, on the other hand, can pop up and collapse much faster.

Most rooftop tents take only 1-5 minutes to deploy and stow. You simply unfold the tent, extend the built-in telescoping ladder, and do the zippers and clasps. Attached ground tents are also quicker than regular ground tents since most of the tent stays on the vehicle. All you have to assemble is the awning and side panels.

The faster setup and takedown makes attached tents ideal for frequent campers who are often on the move. There’s no need to fully break down camp each morning.

Vehicle Organization

Attaching a tent to your SUV also helps keep all your camping gear organized and self-contained. Your tent acts as built-in gear storage on the roof or side of the vehicle. Some tents have pockets, loops, hooks, and shelves to help organize items.

Keeping everything in one place makes packing up to move camp quick and easy. You don’t have to play the game of Tetris trying to fit loose tents and camping equipment back into your SUV each time.

Attached tents also help keep food, clothes, and sleeping bags protected from dirt and moisture on the ground. And there’s shelter from rain and dew while packing the vehicle.

Get Off the Ground

Camping up on a rooftop tent or elevated ground tent platform keeps you off the bare ground. This provides more comfort and can also help avoid some unwelcome ground dwellers.

Sleeping above ground helps prevent waking up damp from moisture and dew on the ground. Many campers also find sleeping up higher to provide a better night’s rest.

Elevating the tent gets you away from crawling insects, snakes, spiders, and other critters that live on the forest floor and grass. Rooftop tents and attached ground tents prevent unwelcome nighttime visitors.

Better Views

The increased height of attached tents enables some scenic views you just can’t get from a regular ground tent. Rooftop tents let you sleep under a canopy of stars and often provide views of sunrises and sunsets.

Attached ground tents sit on platforms 3-5 feet off the ground. This elevated position gives a better vantage point to enjoy the scenery from inside your tent or from the awning area.

Added Year-Round Practicality

Attached tents add convenience and practicality for camping in all seasons and weather conditions.

During rainy weather or heavy snow, entry and exit stay dry in an attached tent versus a ground tent. You can easily get in and out of the dry tent without exposure to the wet ground outside.

Attached tents also make temperature regulation easier. Rooftop tents and elevated ground tents benefit from increased airflow and ventilation to stay cooler in summer. Side panel openings allow closing things up tighter to stay warmer in winter months.

Vehicle Protection from Elements

Keeping your tent attached to your SUV also provides some protection from the elements for your vehicle itself. Howling winds and flying dust and debris are shielded by ground tents attached to the side of the SUV.

Parked under a rooftop tent offers shade and cover from hot sun, rain, hail, and snow. The elevated tent shields the roof of the SUV and helps prevent overheating in summer sun.

Some high-end rooftop tent models even have integrated solar panels. This enables charging auxiliary batteries and running electrical devices without need for a separate solar panel setup.

Security and Safety

Attached tents provide a certain level of added security and safety while camping in remote areas. Rooftop tents and attached ground tents perch higher off the ground away from prowling animals.

The tents also make it harder for people to access your gear while you’re asleep or away from your campsite. Everything can be stowed and locked inside the vehicle.

Built-in ladders on rooftop tents make access tricky for unwanted night visitors. And tents attached to the vehicle keep your shelter locked up with you inside.

Potential Drawbacks

Along with the many benefits, there are some potential disadvantages to weigh when deciding whether to attach a tent to an SUV:

• Higher cost – Attached tents have a higher upfront cost ranging from about $1,000 to over $5,000.
• MPG reduction – The added weight and wind resistance of a rooftop tent may reduce gas mileage by 1-3 MPG.
• Lower clearance – Ground clearance is reduced with a rooftop tent, which could limit access to very rugged terrain.
• Increased wind resistance – Wind noise and handling may be affected at highway speeds.
• Rooftop access – Getting gear on and off the roof is trickier with a permanent tent setup.
• Skill required – Setting up and stowing soft-sided tents takes practice and some trial and error when learning.

Carefully weighing the pros and cons will determine if an attached tent is the best solution for your needs and style of travel and camping.

Types of Attached Tents

If you decide an attached tent is right for your travels, there are two main types of tents to choose from:

Rooftop Tents

• Mounted to roof rack or crossbars
• Lift open design like a hard shell or fold-out camping trailer
• Fabric is ripstop poly-cotton canvas or vinyl tarp material
• Mattress often included
• Telescoping ladders for access
• Hardshell versions have higher cost but increased durability

Attached Ground Tents

• Mount to side of vehicle or custom brackets
• Provides partial enclosure for tailgate kitchen
• Typically made of ripstop nylon or polyester
• Create awning area off the side of SUV
• Some have flooring or platforms that assemble off the vehicle
• Often have screen walls or panels

Rooftop Tent	Attached Ground Tent
Elevated on roof of vehicle	Attached to side of vehicle near ground
Hard shell or fold-out canvas styles	Nylon/polyester canopy with awning and screen walls
More expensive, $1,000 – $5,000+	Less expensive, $250 – $1,500 range
Mattress often included	Typically need separate sleeping pads/mattress
Roof access ladder	No ladders needed
Concern about reduced gas mileage	Minimal impact on gas mileage

Factors to Consider When Choosing

With the different features and advantages of rooftop tents vs attached ground tents, there are several factors to help determine the best choice:

• Vehicle Type – Make sure the SUV roof or sides can handle the weight. Factor in crossbar weight limits if mounting to roof.
• Budget – Attached ground tents are generally less expensive than rooftop versions.
• Gas Mileage – Rooftop tents may reduce MPG more, especially on lighter crossovers.
• Ground Clearance – If planning very rugged, off-road travel, ground tents impact clearance less.
• Set-up Speed – Both options are quicker than ground tents, with rooftop tents often fastest.
• Weather Issues – Rooftop models may be better suited for very wet conditions.
• Sleep Comfort – Evaluate preferences on sleeping off ground vs. near ground.
• Camping Style – Frequent campers and road trippers may benefit most from attached tents.

Carefully weighing these factors will help identify if a rooftop tent or attached ground tent is the best match for your needs.

Top Brands of Attached Tents

If you decide to get a tent for your SUV, some of the top brands to look at include:

Rooftop Tents

• Tuff Stuff – Popular rooftop tents offering excellent quality at lower prices.
• iKamper – Known for well-designed hardshell and pop-up rooftop tents.
• Yakima – Industry leader in outdoor gear makes rugged and roomy rooftop tents.
• Roof Nest – Focused on rooftop tents with quality materials and easy setup.

Attached Ground Tents

• Napier Outdoors – Wide range of affordable ground tents to attach to SUVs and trucks.
• ARB Simpson III – Rugged awning-style tent platform designed for off-road use.
• Rightline Gear – Known for their SUV tent attachment systems and tents.
• Malone Auto Racks – Makes inflatable and hinged ground tents that attach to vehicle.

There are many more brands to research to find the best match for your needs and budget. Be sure to look for high quality materials and construction from reputable companies.

How to Attach a Tent to an SUV

Once you select the right tent, properly attaching it to your SUV is very important. Here are some tips on how to attach both rooftop and ground mount tents:

Attaching a Rooftop Tent

A rooftop tent requires sturdy crossbars or roof rack system rated for the tent’s weight.

• Add or upgrade crossbars as needed to handle weight.
• Secure mounting brackets to crossbars per manufacturer instructions.
• Place tent on mounting brackets and fasten into place.
• Use all provided straps, bolts, tension adjusters to properly fasten down.
• Secure any interior attachments points inside tent.
• Test setup and take down several times before first trip.

Attaching a Ground Tent

Ground tents require mounting brackets or rails attached to the side of the SUV or truck bed.

• Choose optimal mounting location based on tent size and design.
• Clean and prep mounting location on vehicle.
• Drill holes for mounting hardware if required.
• Attach mounting rails or brackets securely to vehicle.
• Attach tent to rails/brackets and secure with provided hardware.
• Seam seal any holes drilled to prevent rust and leaks.

Carefully follow all instructions from the tent manufacturer for proper attachment. Take time to securely fasten all components to safely handle trail conditions.

Helpful Accessories

There are a number of handy accessories available to enhance attached tent setups:

• LED strip lighting – Illuminates interior and exterior of tents.
• Solar panels – Charge devices and batteries from the sun.
• Rain fly – Provides another waterproof barrier in heavy rain.
• Annex room – Adds more livable space to a ground tent.
• Mosquito netting – Prevent bites from insects.
• Portable shower – Showers attach to ground tents for camping hygiene.
• Cargo bag – Safely stores tent when removed from vehicle.

Browse accessory options to create the ultimate attached tent setup for your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Attaching a tent to the roof or side of an SUV is a great way to enhance comfort and convenience for frequent campers and road trippers. The increased interior space, quick setup, and vehicle organization of attached tents provide many benefits over regular ground tents.

Carefully weigh the pros and cons to decide if a rooftop vs attached ground tent is the best match for your needs. Research brands, quality, and key features when selecting the right tent. And properly attach the tent to safely handle off-road conditions.

With the right attached tent setup, you can experience improved comfort and views while camping anywhere your SUV can take you!