Heavy wind conditions and a roof top tent

Roof top tents are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and camping no matter what the weather. However, some people may be hesitant to camp on a roof top tent due to heavy wind conditions. If you’re considering purchasing a roof top tent as an alternative for traditional tent camping, it’s important to know how to properly stake them down and secure them in heavy wind conditions.

A roof top tent can be used in all four seasons. One of the best features is that it can withstand heavy winds depending on the type of tent and how it is installed. The article talks about the types of tents and how they can withstand high winds and which are best suited for areas with windy conditions. Table of Contents:

In this article, we are going to talk about why roof top tents are able to withstand heavy winds. The table of contents:

• Can a roof top tent withstand strong winds?
• Position of the roof top tent when (heavy) wind is expected
• Hardshell more resistant to wind than a softshell roof top tent
• Securing the stairs of a softshell tent when the wind is blowing hard
• Noisereduction

Can a roof top tent withstand strong winds?

Yes, a roof top tent is very capable to handle strong winds. The advantage of a roof top tent is that it is often mounted on a car or trailer. This makes the roof top tent directly anchored to a heavy object, which is difficult to blow over. The attachment of the roof top tent to the car or van is important. Make sure your roof top tent is properly mounted with the correct installation products.

Are roof top tents safe in the wind?

The short answer is: yes they are. We use our own tent (an Eezi Awn Series 3) up to a wind speed of up to 40 miles an hour. The car and the roof top tent will rock considerably in (hard) gusts of wind. This may feel unnatural, but remember that it takes quite a bit of wind force to blow over a car with a mounted roof top tent. At these speeds, it is advisable to position the roof top tent correctly in relation to the wind. Finally, always follow your gut feelings. Do you think it’s going to be too dangerous? Then keep your roof top tent packed and provide an alternative place where you can spend the night.

Position of the roof top tent when (heavy) wind is expected

In heavy wind gusts, it is advisable to position the car and roof top tent accordingly. If you maintain the wrong position, the roof top tent can act as a large tarpaulin. Your roof top tent then catches wind which can be quite uncomfortable. Catching a lot of wind can also lead to dangerous situations. When positioning the roof top tent you want to make sure that position your tent in the opposite direction of the wind. This means that you put the nose or back of the tent in the direction of the wind. You can determine the wind direction by using a free mobile application called Predict Wind (iOS app/Android app). With this app, you can predict and anticipate the wind direction.

Hardshell more resistant to wind than a softshell roof top tent

In strong winds, a hardshell roof top tent will perform better than a softshell tent. Most hardshell tents look like a wedge when unfolded. This ensures that the hardshell roof top tent handles the wind better than a softshell roof top tent. In addition, you have less wind noise in a hardshell tent. This type of tent contains fewer parts that can ‘flap’ in the wind. Also, a hardshell roof top tent has a fixed upper part that does not move with the wind.

Securing the stairs of a softshell tent when the wind is picking up

In a softshell roof top tent, the stairs are often the support point of the construction. At high wind speeds, the roof top tent will want to rise which can cause over-flexing. This can lead to dangerous situations. To prevent this, it is important that you secure the stairs of the roof top tent properly. When purchasing a softshell roof top tent, you often receive a peg to secure the stairs. Note that this does not necessarily have to be a peg that can withstand strong gusts of wind. Make sure you always have storm pegs with you like these ones: Storm pegs on Amazon. Don’t have these? Then it is time to purchase them and add them to your equipment. It is also always useful to have a set of rock pegs with you when you are camping on a tougher surface like rocks for example. You can find them here: Heavy Duty Rock Pegs on Amazon.

How do you stop wind noise from roof top tent?

Strong winds normally cause noise and that can cause a restless night. Always secure flapping parts in a softshell roof top tent as much as possible. You can safely leave an awning closed for an evening for example. Always take a set of earplugs with you in the tent that is comfortable while sleeping. Those are not the standard festival earplugs, but these for example SleepDeep Sleeping Ear Plugs – on Amazon

Conclusion:

A roof top tent, hard- or softshell, is perfectly capable to withstand strong winds. Always take proper precautions if you expect strong winds and check the forecasts. Position your tent correctly in the wind and check the wind direction via the PredictWind app. With a softshell roof tent, make sure that the stairs are properly secured and use the correct pegs for this. Did you find this article interesting? You may also like this article: Top 10 must-have gear for every offroad trip