The Dos and Don'ts of Rooftop Tent Camping: 8 Things You Need to Know Before You Hit the Road

🟢 DO: Respect Freedom Camping Rules

🔴 DON’T: Assume You Can Camp Anywhere 

New Zealand and Australia have different rules and regulations when it comes to Freedom Camping and these can vary between regions and states.

In short, you absolutely can freedom camp in a rooftop tent. But unless you’re going off the beaten track to remote wilderness campsites, you’re going to run into some restrictions..

In New Zealand, many freedom campsites require you to have a certified self-contained vehicle, which means you need to have things like a fixed toilet and a sink with fresh and grey water tanks. There may also be restrictions on how many nights you can stay per month.

In Australia, you can free camp in permitted areas, including some rest areas, national parks, and designated free camps. However, each state has different restrictions on where you can camp and for how long..

Breaching freedom camping restrictions in both New Zealand and Australia can incur hefty fines so make sure you research the areas you’re heading to before you park up for the night.

Apps such as CamperMate, Rankers and WikiCamps generally provide reliable information on where you can freedom camp.

🟢 DO: Know Your Roof Load Limits

🔴 DON’T: Overload your vehicle 

Before you hit the road—actually, before you even buy your rooftop tent—you should know your vehicle’s load ratings.

• Dynamic Load Rating – the maximum weight your roof can support while driving (includes the tent, racks, and any gear on top).

• Static Load Rating – the maximum weight your roof can hold when the vehicle is stationary (this includes the tent and people sleeping inside).

• Roof Rack/Crossbar Rating – the specific weight your racks or bars can carry, often the limiting factor in your setup.

Exceeding these limits can make your vehicle harder to handle and unsafe on the road. In Australia, you can be issued fines for exceeding these limits (and we hear they’ve been cracking down on roof tents).

While vehicle manufacturers may be overly conservative when it comes to these limits, it’s not worth rolling the dice.

Read our full guide to vehicle load limits for rooftop tents here

🟢 DO: Ventilate Your Roof Tent 

🔴 DON’T: Seal It Up Tight Overnight

Condensation is one of the biggest issues people have with rooftop tents, particularly in cooler weather.

Your breath acts as a humidifier and, if there’s no ventilation, you can wake up to water dripping from the roof and walls of your tent onto your bedding.

This isn’t only uncomfortable, it can also be a health risk if your bedding gets wet and mould and mildew form inside the tent.

At minimum, always leave the roof tent vents open to allow some airflow and, if it’s not too cold, open the windows overnight. 

Even if it’s cold out, you’re better off taking an extra blanket than waking up with a tent that’s wet with condensation.

Some extra steps you can take to help with condensation are:

• Install a small fan inside your tent to increase airflow 

• Use a moisture absorber in your tent (we’re developing one especially for roof tents)

• Install a diesel heater for the winter months to dry out your tent 

• Use a water-resistant cover on your mattress to prevent it from getting wet

• Air out your tent fully during the day

🟢 DO: Pack Out What You Pack In

🔴 DON’T: Leave Anything Behind 

Do all rooftop tent campers a big favour and do the right thing when it comes to disposing of waste (that includes toilet waste). 

Make sure you bring rubbish bags with you and pack out all your trash, including your food scraps.

If you’re wild camping in an area without a toilet, make sure you dig a hole and do your business away from any water source or walking trails. 

Alternatively, take a portable chemical toilet with you that you can empty at a dump station after your trip.

If you’re brushing your teeth or using an external shower, be mindful of the products you use. Go with natural and biodegradable toothpaste and soap to minimise your impact on the environment.

Again, do these things away from natural waterways, walkways, or sensitive areas.

You want to leave your campsite as close to how you found it as possible.

Freedom campers get a bad rap for making a mess everywhere they go so it’s on us to change that reputation.

🟢 DO: Set It Up At Home First 

🔴 DON’T: Wing It When You’re On The Road 

Yeah, we know it’s not cool to read instruction manuals. But when it comes to your rooftop tent, we highly recommend it.

A rooftop tent can be a significant investment and if you’re gung-ho about setting it up, you could damage it before you’ve had a chance to use it.

We recommend setting up the roof tent at home before you hit the road. That way you can be sure all the parts are there and get a feel for how much space you’ve got for all your gear.

No one wants to start their camping trip with the stress of figuring things out on the fly or, even worse, having an argument with your partner because you’re “doing it all wrong”. 

A good rooftop tent should only take a couple of minutes to set up so it’s well worth figuring it out before your adventure begins.

Here are some smart set-up tips for rooftop tent camping:

• Park on flat, stable ground and use levelling blocks if needed.

• Ensure the ladder is set up at the correct angle.

• Avoid parking under trees with heavy branches.

• Keep a doormat or towel at your ladder base to keep dirt out of your tent.

🟢 DO: Consider Your Fellow Campers 

🔴 DON’T: Be A D*ck 

If you’re parking-up at designated freedom camps or paid holiday parks, chances are you won’t be alone.

It should go without saying that it’s important to be considerate of the people around you so you can all enjoy the camping experience.

• Arrive early to avoid setting up in the dark and making noise while people are sleeping.

• Don’t take up more space than you need to, especially in popular areas.

• Keep noise down, don’t blast music, and share the space if it’s a communal area.

• Be mindful of alcohol consumption, especially if you’re driving the next morning.

• If you’re heading off early in the morning, be as quiet as possible.

• A friendly wave to your neighbours goes a long way.

One question we see a bit is: How do you reserve your campsite when you’re off doing things during the day.

If you have an awning tent or a table and chairs, you can always leave those set up at camp while you’re off exploring. However, you do run the risk of having items moved or stolen. 

If it’s a particularly busy or popular spot, we reckon it’s better to take a “first in, first served” approach. Meaning, don’t try and hold your spot while you’re away, just make sure you’re back early enough to get a campsite. That way, everyone gets a fair chance to camp.

🟢 DO: Know Where You’re Going 

🔴 DON’T: Exceed Your Limits 

Exploring off-road with your rooftop tent is the ultimate free camping experience.

But when navigating rugged terrain, river crossings, and unpredictable weather, it can be easy to get in above your head.

Make sure to research the area you’re going to, check the weather, and be honest with yourself (and your mates) about your limits.

• Use maps and apps to study the tracks (DOC and Overland Navigator in New Zealand and Newtracs in Australia are good starting points).

• Check the weather before you go and monitor it each day.

• If in doubt, stay out (especially with river crossings and beaches or tidal areas)

• Know your vehicle and gear (clearance, traction systems, tyre pressure, recovery gear etc).

• Know your limits and develop your off-roading skills over time.

🟢 DO: Have a Gear List or Packing System

🔴 DON’T: Throw Everything In The Back Of The Car

Knowing what to pack for a rooftop tent adventure is one thing. Knowing how to pack is another.

It’s really not too complicated, but there are a few packing hacks you can use to make life easier in a rooftop tent.

The main consideration is bedding. Some rooftop tents, like our Armourdillo® Rooftop Tent, have space for packing bedding when it’s closed. This can be a major convenience as your bed’s ready as soon as you set-up the tent. With more compact roof tents, you’ll need to find space in your vehicle for your bedding.

Some other simple packing tips are:

• Create a gear list with all of the things you need to take.

• Have a packing system. Eg. All of your food and kitchen items in one box, clothing in another, hiking gear in another.

• Have a “Grab Bag” with all your essential items for the tent (phone, PJs, toilet paper, power bank, book, headlamp etc) so you’re not constantly going up and down the ladder searching for gear.

Your packing efficiency will improve the more you use your rooftop tent so treat your first few trips as a learning experience.

DO: Enjoy the Adventure

At the end of the day, the most important “DO” is to have fun. Rooftop tent camping is about freedom, waking up to the sunrise, cooking dinner under a canopy of stars, and finding your own path through the wild landscapes of New Zealand and Australia.

Yes, there are rules, responsibilities, and the odd soggy sleeping bag to deal with, but don’t let that take the spark out of it. Be prepared, tread lightly, respect the land and your fellow travellers, and embrace the adventure.

You got a rooftop tent for a reason. Let it take you places.

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