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What is an SUV Tent?

A suv camping on desert place with tent.When you’re planning to go camping and you want the experience to be as comfortable as possible, choosing the right tent is extremely important. Although regular tents are great for smaller groups of people who only plan to camp out on their own, there are other options available if you’re willing to invest more in your trip to make it as comfortable as possible.

One such option is SUV tents, which can comfortably house an entire family in relative comfort by attaching to your SUV giving you more space, comfort, and easy access to your vehicle. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at what SUV tents are and how they differ from other options out there.

What Are They Used For?

Various uses for these tents include camping, boating, or even traveling. They attach to your vehicle with a series of straps, and they can be rolled up when not in use. And it should be noted that these types of tents are only intended for trucks and SUVs. 

If you have a regular sedan, it probably won’t work as well since you won’t have enough room on top of your car for it to set up properly. 

That said, if you have a truck or big SUV, then definitely give them a try! Given their versatility, they’re well worth the cost.

Benefits of SUV Tents

A car with roof tent near the river.

In addition to being bigger, more comfortable, and sturdier than backpacking tents, SUV Tents have a lot of additional benefits. Here are a few:

Saves Money

You’ll be able to travel, camp and hike without having to spend all of your extra cash on a full-sized, bulky tent. If you have ever gone camping with a large group of people, then you know how difficult it can be to carry such a large tent in addition to food, water, and other supplies. 

With one of these tents, you won’t have to worry about space or trying to find parking near where you are camping.

Flexibility

These tents are large and roomy, making them easy to set up and ensuring that you have plenty of space to move around inside. Their doors also tend to be quite large, providing you with extra headroom while sitting or standing inside. 

This makes it easier for multiple family members or friends to enter or exit at once. You can use a door on either side of these tents; both doors provide convenient access and make it simple for kids or pets to come and go without having to clamber over you as you try to sleep! 

Doors are often one-way zippers, so your sleeping area stays separate from your living area.

Weather Resistant

A car camping tent on the rooftop of an SUV in mountains.

One of the biggest benefits of an SUV tent is that it’s durable. Some tents are made from silicone, which can hold up well in adverse weather conditions, and it’s sturdy enough to hold up against wind and rain. 

They also feature a breathable design that keeps out rain while allowing cool air inside. Each tent also comes with a waterproof groundsheet so you can ensure your camping space will stay dry if it rains outside. 

This makes them suitable for many different environments and activities as long as they don’t get exposed to too much water or extreme heat conditions.

Protection

When you’re camping in a remote area where bugs are a concern, it’s important to have an SUV tent that will keep them out. There are a lot of critters that enjoy camping along with us, and they can be very distracting as well as dangerous. Without protection, you’re going to have bugs and critters crawling on you while you sleep. 

You don’t want to wake up with a scorpion or spider in your sleeping bag! There’s also nothing like having fresh air coming through your tent, especially if it’s hot outside. 

The mesh fabric has small holes along its sides to let airflow in and out without letting bugs slip in. This means that not only do you get fresh air and protection from bugs, but also privacy while sleeping.

How Much Do They Cost?

A car with two tents in deep in the woods wilderness.

An SUV tent isn’t cheap, but it’s a cost worth considering if you often find yourself on outdoor adventures. The size and convenience of these tents make them ideal for families or groups of friends that want to take along one tent and still have enough room to spread out. 

With so many styles and prices available, you can get exactly what fits your needs and budget. For example, some models are big enough for up to five people with ample storage space for gear inside. 

Depending on the size and the quality of the tent, expect to spend around $300.

Things to Look For When Buying An SUV Tent

  1. Consider how many people your tent will be accommodating. 
  2. You’ll want to look at how big it can open. If you like being able to stand up in your tent and walk around, then choose one with at least 10 feet of space inside. These tents are larger than traditional family tents, so there will be more room for activities inside. 
  3. Think about what kind of weather conditions you expect to face during your trip. You’ll want a tent that can handle rain or snow without leaking or blowing away from high winds. The best material for these kinds of trips is polyester since it dries quickly and doesn’t absorb water as easily as cotton does. 
  4. Consider what kind of terrain you expect to travel over while camping in your SUV tent. If there are going to be lots of rocks or sticks poking through the ground, then make sure that they have reinforced flooring that won’t rip easily under pressure. 
  5. Think about how easy it will be to set up and take down your tent. You want something that can be put together quickly so you don’t spend all day setting up camp and waiting for everyone else to finish their chores before dinner time. 
  6. Look at how much storage space there is inside of it. Many people like having a place where they can keep their gear organized and close at hand when they need it. 

Types of SUV Tents

Hatchback tents and roof tents are two types of SUV tents. Hatchback tents usually have a cover that attaches to your car, while roof tents attach to the top of your SUV.

Hatchback SUV Tent

A night landscape tent and car with stars background.

A hatchback tent fits onto the rear door of your SUV. If your family needs room for sleeping bags or extra gear, a hatchback tent will still accommodate those items in your trunk or under the hood of your car without sacrificing space inside the tent itself.  

Hatchback tents are also easy to set up and takedown. Simply place it over your vehicle’s tailgate and secure it with straps that attach easily to either side of your vehicle’s frame. 

If you plan on using an SUV tent as a way to sleep outside while camping or backpacking, you can use any items stored in your trunk or under your hood while still being able to access them whenever necessary.

Roof SUV Tent

A family on a trip with a roof tent and car near the sea.

One of the most popular tent types are roof tents, also known as rooftop tents. A roof tent fastens to the SUV’s existing roof rack with a few different attachments. 

Depending on your vehicle and your specific needs, you can find options for both mid-size SUVs or larger SUVs or trucks. Roof tents are ideal for people who camp in remote areas but aren’t comfortable sleeping on the ground. 

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