Some family and friends time in the roof tent
A rare gap in the BMX calendar meant only one thing… the perfect chance for some proper family and friends time. We decided on a camping trip to Devon, but this time, things were going to be a little different. No more hauling out our enormous traditional tent. Instead, we were trying a roof tent and bringing my slightly sceptical (but curious) wife along for the ride.
Our old camping setup
For years, our trusty Vango Aspen family tent has been the heart of our camping trips:
Pros: Enormous! Four rooms, a living area, and even a carpet.
Cons: Enormous! Heavy, awkward to set up, and guaranteed to cause at least one family argument before the kettle’s even boiled.
It’s always been a case of “comforts of home, packed into half the car boot.”
The new camping setup
This time around, the roof tent changed everything. The Adventure Series roof tent was brilliant:
Pros: Rapid setup, no arguments, comfy sleeping, the view, built-in lights, skylight window and a built-in awning that felt like a real bonus.
Cons: No cavernous family room to sprawl in – and honestly, that’s about it.
The weather was on our side too – blue skies, no wind, and warm evenings. Penny, my better half, warmed to the idea surprisingly quickly. While I set up the tent in what felt like record time, she was busy setting up the far more important element of the trip: the Prosecco fridge. By the time the cork popped, the roof tent was ready to go.
Included accessory: The awning extension
The awning was the real highlight. It created the perfect shaded lounge for lazy afternoons and long evenings, letting us soak up the best of the glorious summer of 2025. It made the whole experience feel more relaxed, more sociable, and far less of a faff compared to our usual setup. Perfect for cooking out the back of your vehicle and a place to stash your table and chairs in case of rain or a heavy dew overnight.
What's next?
Chris from Tent & Trail shared a few tips and even pointed us towards The Ply Guys in Scotland for some clever van storage solutions. It got me thinking… now that Penny’s sold on the idea, maybe there’s a chance of a proper “George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces” style upgrade – with undershelf storage and a slick setup that makes our camping even more effortless.
First-time roof tent camping with your hesitant partner? An absolute success. The only thing left now is for the van to catch up with the roof tent!
