My Autumn solo roof tent camping adventure
Fynn Phillips (@phi11ips09) received the letter he’d been dreaming of for so long: a big “YES!” to his application for the National School of Racing BMX SX Foundation year programme with British Cycling. It was the culmination of years of hard work, and it meant Fynn would soon be racing down an 8m Super Cross hill at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester—an adrenaline-filled course with jumps that you have to see to believe.
But then came the reality: regular 400-mile round trips for training, race entries, meals, and hotel stays. The costs added up quickly, and as a family, we needed a solution. Cue Dad’s idea: camping with a roof tent!
At first, the idea of roof tent camping to save money earned me that look from Mum. But, let’s face it, what better way to make an adventure out of this incredible opportunity?
Finding the perfect stopover
I turned to Facebook communities for advice. For us, UK Pub Stopover Reviews became an invaluable resource. It’s packed with suggestions for where to park up and camp overnight. For this trip, I landed on The Hinds Head Pub in Stockport—a friendly, down-to-earth local spot serving great food and offering free stopovers for camper owners.
But just as the plan was set, I got hit with a curveball: Fynn would be staying in a hotel with the squad! So much for a father-son adventure—this trip was about to become my solo mission.
Setting up camp
I pulled into the pub’s car park at 6:30 p.m., just as the temperatures started to drop. Setting up the Tent & Trail Adventure Series roof tent took just five minutes, even solo—a straightforward process made easier by its intuitive design.
To make the night as comfortable as possible, I’d invested in a Coleman 5-season sleeping bag, a fleece blanket, and our usual pillows. With everything prepped, I was ready for a cosy evening.
A cold, rainy Manchester night
I headed into the pub to enjoy some good food, a pint of Guinness, and the Autumn International Rugby on TV. It wasn’t the adventurous camping night I’d originally envisioned, but it was relaxing, and I even managed to get some work done marking mock exam papers (not the most exciting task, but hey, we adapt!).
The night turned cold and wet—no surprises for Manchester in late autumn! But the Adventure Series roof tent held up brilliantly. The 5-season sleeping bag and the high-quality mattress worked together to create a warm, comfortable sleeping setup. I was genuinely impressed by how supportive and cosy the mattress was despite its compact design. Even in the middle of a rainy Manchester car park, I had a great night’s sleep.
Early mornings on race day
Race days mean early starts, and Sunday was no exception. By 6:30 a.m., I was packing up the tent in the dark, wet conditions—a task that was more challenging than in the sunny days of summer. To prevent water from leaking inside while closing the lid, I kept the tent’s sides zipped up, which made the process a bit more fiddly.
That said, the entire takedown process still took only 15 minutes. Once I arrived at the National Cycling Centre, I parked the van in a sheltered spot, allowing me to pop the tent back open to dry—standard procedure for any camping trip in wet weather.
A roof tent that performs all year round
We’ve used the Adventure Series roof tent in various conditions this year. During the warm and social August Bank Holiday at the British Championships, it was the perfect companion. This trip, however, was a more utilitarian experience—a cold, wet, late autumn adventure where the tent served as a simple yet essential place to sleep.
The quick setup, quality materials, and comfortable sleeping experience made it ideal for this no-frills trip. Though I didn’t get to use the tent’s optional awning on this outing, I appreciated its flexibility and ease of use as a reliable shelter.
Final thoughts
Camping might not have been our family’s first choice to support Fynn’s BMX racing journey, but it turned out to be a practical and rewarding solution. For anyone considering a roof tent—whether for family trips, solo adventures, or utilitarian travel—here’s what I can confidently say about the Tent & Trail Adventure Series Roof Tent:
- It’s reliable in all weather conditions.
- It’s quick to set up and pack away, even solo.
- It offers great comfort and protection, even in unpredictable UK weather.
If you’re looking for a practical way to embrace roof tent camping—whether for sport, adventure or just to save money on trips—this roof top tent delivers on all fronts. And if you’re searching for great places to camp, I highly recommend checking out UK Pub Stopover Reviews for ideas.
I’m looking forward to my next outing, and hopefully, next time, there’ll be some fellow van-owning parents joining the fun!
Have you used a roof tent for a similar trip? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear about your experiences!
