Awnings and rooftop tents

Not long ago, four-wheel-drive camping meant pitching a canvas tent or rolling out a swag on the ground. Today many tourers carry their shelter on the vehicle itself: an awning that rolls out from the roof rack in seconds and a rooftop tent that folds out into a bed above the ground. These setups make it easy to stop wherever night falls, but they come with trade-offs in weight, cost and convenience.

This guide explains the options, how to choose them safely and how to use them in Australian weather.

Awnings

Vehicle awnings mount to the roof rack and roll or fold out to provide shade and rain shelter beside or behind the vehicle. Types include:

• Straight side awnings, which roll out from a bag along one side of the vehicle. They are light, affordable and quick to set up.
• Wraparound awnings, often called 180-degree or 270-degree awnings, which swing out around the side and rear. They provide a large shaded area but are heavier and pricier.
• Rear awnings, which extend from the back of the vehicle.

Many awnings can be fitted with walls or annexes to create an enclosed room. Most rely on legs and guy ropes for stability, and some free-standing designs need no legs in calm conditions. In wind, every awning should be pegged and guyed securely.

Rooftop tents

Rooftop tents mount on a roof rack or bars and open into a sleeping platform above the vehicle, usually reached by a ladder. Their advantages include quick setup, a flat bed off the ground away from water, insects and wildlife, and a permanently made bed that can stay packed inside.

Soft-shell tents fold out from a cover, often extending over the side of the vehicle and supported by the ladder. They offer generous space and can include an annex underneath.

Hard-shell tents have a rigid fibreglass or aluminium shell that pops or lifts up. They set up and pack away very quickly and are more aerodynamic, but are typically heavier and more expensive.

Disadvantages include weight high up, which affects handling and fuel use, the need to pack up to drive anywhere, climbing a ladder at night, and cost.

Roof load limits

This is the most important consideration. Every vehicle has a maximum roof load set by the manufacturer. The dynamic roof load rating is the maximum weight the roof can carry while driving, including the roof rack. Some manufacturers also quote a higher static rating for when the vehicle is parked, which covers the tent plus occupants. If your manufacturer doesn't provide a static rating, ask them or a qualified engineer before sleeping on the roof.

Add up the weight of the roof rack, awning, tent, recovery boards and anything else up top. If it exceeds the dynamic rating, you risk damage to the roof and pillars, poor handling and a higher rollover risk, and your insurance may be affected. The roof rack itself must also be rated for the load and correctly installed.

Roof racks

A quality, rated roof rack or set of bars is the foundation of roof-mounted gear. Platform racks offer flexible mounting points for awnings, tents, recovery boards and lights. Choose a rack designed for your vehicle, check its rating and install it according to instructions. Check fittings regularly, especially after corrugated roads.

Setting up in weather

Wind is the biggest risk. Park with the vehicle facing into the wind so the awning is sheltered, peg every leg and guy rope, and lower one side of the awning so rain runs off. Pack the awning away before you leave camp or go to sleep if wind is forecast. A sudden gust can destroy an awning and damage the vehicle.

Rain: angle awnings to shed water, as pooled water can bend arms and tear fabric. Let canvas dry fully before storing it long-term to prevent mould.

Heat: awnings provide valuable shade. Ventilate rooftop tents well, using windows and mesh panels.

Choosing your shelter

Think about how often you move camp. If you drive somewhere new every day, quick-setup awnings and rooftop tents save time. If you set up a base camp for several days, a ground tent or swag lets you leave the camp set up while you explore. Families may need larger tents or a combination. Some people prefer camper trailers, which carry shelter and gear without adding weight to the vehicle's roof.

Alternatives

• Swags: canvas bedrolls with a built-in mattress, classic and tough.
• Ground tents: from lightweight dome tents to large canvas touring tents.
• Sleeping in the vehicle: some wagons can fit a sleeping platform.
• Camper trailers and caravans: more comfort and storage, with towing considerations.

Care and maintenance

Brush off dirt and leaves before packing up, dry canvas fully before storage, lubricate zips and hinges, and check mounting bolts regularly. Repair small tears quickly. Store tents and awnings in their covers when not in use to protect them from UV.

Height and access

A rooftop tent adds height to the vehicle. Check clearances for car parks, garages, low branches and drive-through services. Ladders should be stable on uneven ground, and getting down at night needs care. Keep a torch near the ladder, and consider the needs of older travellers and young children.

Fire safety

Keep cooking well away from awnings and tents. Fabrics can catch fire from stoves and embers. Follow fire bans, and know your evacuation route if camping in bushfire-prone areas during the warmer months.

Common mistakes

• Exceeding the roof's dynamic load rating.
• Leaving an awning out overnight in wind.
• Storing canvas wet.
• Forgetting the extra height in car parks.
• Cooking under an awning.

Annexes and ground rooms

Many awnings and soft-shell rooftop tents can be fitted with walls or an annex, creating a sheltered room for changing, storing gear or extra sleeping space. They add setup time, so many tourers only use them for longer stays.

Key points

Awnings and rooftop tents offer quick, convenient shelter. Check your vehicle's dynamic and static roof load ratings, use a rated roof rack, peg and guy everything in wind, pack away before storms, care for canvas, and choose the shelter that suits how often you move camp.