Roof tents for adventures on the road.

Discover the ultimate car tents for your road adventures. At Tent & Trail, we proudly offer some of the best roof tents for sale in the UK. But what truly makes the UK’s best roof tents? We don’t just claim it – we live it. Our roof tent UK range is crafted from premium quality materials and engineered to withstand the elements while you’re out on the camping trail.

Used in different environments, from downpours in the UK to highland snow and summer heat, our roof tents deliver outstanding quality and reliability. Designed for easy setup and long-lasting durability, each tent is made with waterproof, UV-resistant, and mould-resistant materials. With luxurious interiors and lightweight construction, our rooftop car tents offer the perfect balance of comfort and convenience.

If you’re looking for the best value roof tent at an unbeatable price, look no further. We are confident that our roof tents offer the best specifications for the price. Browse our UK range and experience the freedom of roof tent camping. Whether you’re parked by a lake, in a forest, or on a mountain pass, Tent & Trail roof tents will take your adventure to the next level.

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Our roof tents.

Find out more about our UK based Tent & Trail rooftop tents for your car. Waterproof, UV and mould resistant and quick to set up. As standard, our hard shell / hybrid roof tents include a zip-in awning extension, cargo bars, LED light, shoe bags and an anti-condensation underlayer. Free delivery to mainland UK.

What is a roof tent?

Quite simply, it’s a tent that is mounted to your vehicle’s roof. Roof top tents will fit on most vehicles, you don’t need to have a big 4×4 mud muncher. Roof tents can be fitted to small hatchbacks, saloons, estate cars, vans, 4×4’s, pick-up trucks and lorries. However, you will see them more commonly on such vehicles as Land Rover Defender & Discovery, Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Ranger, Isuzu Dmax and so on.

To fit a roof tent to your vehicle, firstly you will need a good quality roof rack or roof bars. They will need to be rated to the correct load for you and your roof tent. Don’t worry if you’re not sure about your load rating or what is required, as we can help you with your vehicle. And secondly, a friend to help you lift the rooftop tent onto your vehicle’s roof.

Aluminium hardshell roof tent on the back of a Land Rover pickup animating the opening.

Can I fit a roof tent to my car?

What type of roof tent is right for me?

There are three types of roof tents for sale but how do you know which roof tent is best for your vehicle? If you would like to read more about the pros and cons between the three types, see our blog on soft shell vs hard shell roof tents.

Why choose our roof tents?

Our UK designed roof tents have been made with the highest quality and comfort in mind. 

Fabric/Canvas

Our roof top tents are made from premium quality canvas that is durable and weatherproof. It is Rip-Stop Polyester/Cotton blend fabric, waterproof from 2500mm to 5000mm, UV and mould resistant. Above all, it’s important to have a breathable fabric/canvas to help keep the weather out and the heat in but also to help prevent mould or becoming too hot. 

As well as the canvas being weatherproof, it’s also light which helps it dry quicker and less weight to lift when opening and closing the roof tent. Our seams are all taped and double stitched for water resistance and strength.

There are also 2 air vents on the sides of the tent for ventilation. This helps the air circulate and prevents a build-up of condensation on the inside of the tent.

Adventure Lite Series roof tent side entrance and shoe bags on the side.
Inside a soft shell roof top tent, showing the internal poles, mattress and pockets.

Materials

Heavy-duty mesh fly screens on all openings (doors, windows and skylights) use YKK zippers and SBS zippers. As a result, the mesh keeps out unwanted visitors (including midges), whilst providing the inside with an abundance of light and ventilation.

Steel-sprung window rods that hold the window awnings open, stopping the rain but allowing light and air in.

The frame of the tent is made up of 25mm diameter anodised aluminium poles which are lightweight but strong. The top and base of our roof tents are aluminium board 40mm thick for durability and insulation, with a weight rating of 300kg.

Equipment

Our mattresses are composed of a high density foam, 50mm to 60mm in thickness and the mattress cover can be removed for easy washing.

Provided as standard with all our roof tents, is a layer of breathable anti-condensation layer underneath the mattress. Most importantly, this feature helps to prevent any build up of damp and mould on your mattress.

Entry to your roof tent is via a sturdy aluminium telescope ladder and can expand to a maximum length of 230cm

To aid the folding away of the roof tent, bungee cords/rope are fitted to help pull the material inwards when the tent is collapsed.

Tent & Trail Roof tent anti-condensation mat UK
A close up view of the entrance to a Tent & Trail Discover XL Series roof tent, a family sized roof tent for 4 people on a 4x4 UK.

Comfort

Along with premium materials and build quality, we have added extra creature comforts as standard to all our rooftop tents.

Skylights are great for extra sun and light during the day but are perfect for stargazing at night. An LED light with an integrated switch and clip. Two shoe bags hang up at the entrance to your tent, for easy storage. And there’s plenty of storage pockets inside the tent to keep your personal belongings.

Awning Extension

Our hard shell / hybrid roof tents come with a zip-in awning extension as standard at no extra cost.

The awning easily attaches via a zip and is supported by two adjustable poles with guy ropes, pegs and a hammer to secure it to the ground. The awning extension works with any height vehicle making it a very versatile feature for campers wanting extra covered space for cooking, eating, relaxing and even sleeping.

Lightweight clamshell roof tent with awning extension attached from the side on a Mini in a field.
Hybrid roof tent closed on top of car in the UK.

Installation

All our roof tents can be installed to roof bars or roof racks, (check weight rating is suitable). Our roof tent fixings and brackets are stainless steel 304-grade metal. This is to prevent corrosion/rust and provide added strength.

Setup and installation are simple but we have created handy guides to help. We also provide a fitting service, if you would like us to install your roof tent, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Roof tent review by Wandering Icons

Josh from Wandering Icons takes his Land Rover Defender on an epic adventure around Scotland, outfitted with our Adventure Series hardshell roof tent and 2.5m side awning. Watch the video below to hear his thoughts on our flagship roof top tent, including its durability and ease of use during his trip. If you’re interested in hiring Josh’s Defender with the roof tent and awning for your own adventure, visit the Wandering Icons website for pricing and availability details.

Helpful reading about roof tents...

Need help fitting your roof tent?

Check out our handy step-by-step roof tent install guides. We also provide a roof tent fitting service at our workshop in Hampshire, UK. To find out more and availability, please contact us.

Roof tent FAQs

You’ve got questions, we got the answers. If you can’t find the specific answer you’re looking for then contact us at support@tentandtrail.com and we will be happy to talk through any questions you may have.

Yes, in most cases, a roof tent can be mounted to your car, as long as your vehicle can be fitted with roof bars or a roof rack. However, there are a few important checks to ensure compatibility before setting off on your next roof tent camping adventure.

What to check before installing a roof tent:

  1. Your vehicle’s weight limit
    Refer to your vehicle’s handbook to confirm that your roof can support at least 50kg of dynamic weight (the weight your vehicle can handle while in motion). This is crucial for safely mounting a roof top tent.

  2. Roof bars compatibility
    Ensure that your roof bars or roof rack are suitable for carrying a car roof tent. Always check with the manufacturer of your roof bars or rack to confirm they meet the weight and design requirements for a roof tent UK setup.

For more detailed guidance, visit our can I fit a roof tent to my car page page for expert advice and tips on getting started with your car tent.

All our roof tents come complete with a comprehensive vehicle fitting kit, including bolts, brackets, and even the necessary tools for installation. To ensure long-lasting durability, all our fixings are crafted from premium 304-grade stainless steel, which provides excellent resistance to weather corrosion and rust while adding superior strength.

For more details, check out our helpful fitting my roof tent guide page page.

Yes. All of our roof tents are 100% waterproof and built to withstand the elements. They feature secure and durable outer covers made from weather-treated aluminium and heavy-duty canvas.

The fabrics we use are completely waterproof straight out of the box, with a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 3000mm for the body of the tent and an impressive 4500mm for the rainfly. This ensures maximum protection against heavy rain, keeping you dry and comfortable.

In addition to being waterproof, the canvas is also UV and mould-resistant, ensuring your roof tent stays cooler, more durable, and ready for any weather conditions you may encounter on your roof tent camping adventures

While your Tent & Trail roof tent is built to endure a variety of weather conditions, including rain and moderate winds, using it during severe storms or strong winds can pose risks to both your safety and the tent’s integrity. To ensure the longevity of your roof tent and a safe camping experience, it’s important to follow the recommended operating guidelines for wind ratings and be mindful of weather conditions.

Wind limits – Tent & Trail roof tents are engineered to withstand winds of up to approximately 35mph (Near gale conditions). However, using your tent in winds stronger than this can be hazardous and may result in damage to the tent or its mounting system. Always check the forecast and avoid setting up in high-wind conditions.

Check wind direction – Before setting up your roof tent, assess the wind direction. Position your tent so the least exposed side faces the wind to reduce impact. This setup minimises resistance and adds stability.

Seek shelter – If a severe storm with strong winds or heavy rainfall is expected, it’s best to take down your roof tent and seek a more sheltered area. Even a sturdy roof tent cannot provide sufficient protection against extreme weather conditions.

Waterproof design – Tent & Trail roof tents are crafted with waterproof materials, taped seams, and a robust outer shell to keep you dry during rainy weather. While these features offer excellent protection against rain, they may not prevent water ingress if set up incorrectly or in extreme conditions.

Noise in windy conditions – In gusty winds, even within safe limits, some noise from flapping fabric or the movement of the tent’s structure is normal. To reduce noise, ensure guy ropes and all connections are securely fastened and tensioned.

Our free delivery service is available to the vast majority of UK customers. However, certain UK postcodes do not qualify for our free delivery service and customers in these areas may be required to pay a supplementary delivery fee.

Our current free shipping exclusion zones include postcodes in the following areas (and which are subject to updates from time to time): Channel Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Scottish Highlands & Islands.

If your postcode falls within one of the free delivery exclusion zone(s), please email support@tentandtrail.com confirming your full address details and we will be in touch with a quote for delivery. We can also arrange delivery all over Europe – please contact us for a quotation.

When gaining access to your property vehicle access restrictions may apply which could mean additional cost or delivery failure. If you are concerned this may apply to you, then please be sure to email us before you complete your order at checkout.

See our delivery and returns page for more information.

 

All our products, including roof tents and vehicle awnings, come with a comprehensive 2-year warranty that covers any manufacturing defects (though these are extremely rare). Should you encounter any issues, simply reach out to us at support@tentandtrail.com, and our team will respond promptly to resolve the matter.

For full details, please refer to our warranty policy page. We’re committed to ensuring your roof tent camping and car awning experiences are hassle-free!

We’ve got you covered.

At Tent & Trail, we understand that accidents can happen during your adventures, but there’s no need to stress about your roof tent or vehicle awning. We stock a wide range of spare parts for all our products, including travel covers, window rods, brackets, and fixings, to ensure you stay on the road and keep your roof tent camping experience seamless.

If you need a replacement part, simply contact us with the details of what you require, and our team will get back to you promptly to help you get back to exploring. 

Ready to pick your roof tent?

Roof tents will fit any vehicle not just a 4×4.