Renting a rooftop tent is for many the most pleasant way to get into car camping: you don't need an expensive camper, no permanent conversion, and you don't have to commit immediately. Instead of planning for months, you simply try out traveling – and after a weekend, you'll quickly realize whether you're more of a "road & spots & adventure" team or a "hotel & towel" team.
What is often underestimated: While the rooftop tent elegantly solves your "sleeping problem", your vacation still stands or falls with the car setup. If you have to stack bags every time to get to the stove, it quickly becomes unromantic. That's why today we're looking at both: how to find the right rental rooftop tent and how to organize your trunk without a permanent installation so that your trip feels easy.
If you are still unsure whether a rooftop tent is right for you, it's worth taking a look at our overview of the advantages of a rooftop tent – especially compared to classic campervans.
Table of contents
- 1. Why renting a rooftop tent is often the best idea
- 2. Renting a rooftop tent: Does it fit your car?
- 3. How much does it cost to rent a rooftop tent?
- 4. Hard shell or folding tent?
- 5. The real problem is rarely the rooftop tent
- 6. Ready for vacation without permanent installation
- 7. Safety: Theft, weather & details
- 8. This is how the rental process works in practice
- Conclusion: The perfect start
Why renting a rooftop tent is often the best idea
A good rooftop tent can quickly cost as much as a solid vacation. If you've never traveled with a rooftop tent before, it makes sense to test it out before investing. When renting a rooftop tent, you get the freedom to try out different models in practice – under real conditions: wind, rain, parking searches, spontaneous spots, and real life on the road.
Furthermore, a rental rooftop tent is perfect if you only go away once or twice a year or want to use your car normally in everyday life. You rent the tent, go on vacation – and afterwards everything is back to normal.
In short: Those who want to borrow a rooftop tent get into adventure much faster – without committing.
Rooftop Tent Rental: Does it fit your car?
Before you borrow a rooftop tent, you need to check two things: roof load and roof racks. It sounds dry, but it will save you stress on pick-up day.
Roof load: the most important number before renting
Every vehicle has a permissible roof load. You can find it in the manual or from the manufacturer. Important: The roof load is the load while driving (dynamic), not when stationary!
As a rough guide:
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Small cars: approx. 50–75 kg
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Station wagons/SUVs: approx. 75–100 kg
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Vans/transporters: 100 kg+
Many rental rooftop tents weigh 45–70 kg, plus roof racks. You see: Depending on the car, it can be tight – so it's better to check carefully.
Roof racks: indispensable
Without sturdy roof racks, a rooftop tent is not safe. Make sure they fit your vehicle specifically, cover the load capacity, and are securely mounted. A good rental provider will assist you with this – and this is where it's worth taking a quick look at our article on rooftop tent installation, so you know what really matters for attachment and safety.
How much does it cost to rent a rooftop tent?
Prices vary depending on the model, season, and region. Realistically, you can often expect the following ranges:
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Weekend: approx. €120–200
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Week: approx. €250–450
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2 weeks: approx. €400–700
Often, a deposit, cleaning, or roof racks (if not already present) are added. Important: Cheap isn't automatically better. Condition, advice, and a thorough introduction are crucial, especially for the first time.
Many rental providers also offer optional rooftop tent accessories (e.g., awning, canopy, additional mattress) – practical, but not always necessary. For the first trip, it's best to start minimalist, then add as needed.
Rooftop Tent Rental: Hardshell or Softshell Tent?
If you want to rent a rooftop tent, you usually have the choice between hardshell and softshell tents. Both work – the question is more about how you want to travel.
Criterion |
Hardshell Rooftop Tent |
Softshell Rooftop Tent |
| Setup / Pack-down |
very fast (often 1–3 min) |
slower (often 5–15 min, depending on rooftop tent and awning) |
| Handling when changing spots | excellent – perfect for road trips, many stops | okay – worthwhile if you're staying longer |
| Aerodynamics / Driving noise | usually quieter & more streamlined | often louder / more wind resistance |
| Space / Sleeping area | often more compact, but "clean" | often more space for the money |
| Comfort / Interior | usually tidy, quickly "ready for bed" | more variable, depending on model more "camping feeling" |
| Wind & Weather | often more stable in wind | can be more wind-sensitive (especially when unfolded) |
| Awning / covered entry | rare / rather optional & smaller | often larger, partly with proper awning |
| Weight | partly heavier (model-dependent) | often similar, partly lighter – strongly model-dependent |
| Rental price | usually more expensive | usually cheaper |
| Ideal for whom? | "A different spot every day," quick & uncomplicated | "Basecamp," more space, more comfort for the money |
If you're planning your first rooftop tent camping trip, this comparison is particularly valuable – not every tent suits every travel style, and yet the models vary greatly – so the manufacturer also plays a role.
The real problem is rarely the rooftop tent – but the trunk
Here's the part many underestimate the first time: You sleep in the rooftop tent. Everything else happens in the car. Cooking, changing clothes, finding things, getting water, charging the camera, grabbing a jacket, packing away trash – that's everyday trunk life.
And that's why "just throwing things in" is fun at the start, but annoying by day 2 at the latest. You don't want to play Tetris every time just to get to the stove. You don't want the cooler to be askew because otherwise the trunk won't close. And you don't want to rummage through bags in the dark when all you want to do is sleep.
The solution isn't necessarily a fixed installation. The solution is: functionality and flexibility, as we offer at squiq with our modular trunk drawer system. Read everything about our squiq-Traveler here.
Ready for vacation without permanent installation: how to smartly organize your car
Especially if you're renting a rooftop tent, a permanent conversion rarely makes sense. You want to remain flexible – and after your vacation, your car should return to everyday use. A proven approach is therefore a modular rear solution: storage space, access, and a solid work surface, without anything being permanently bolted down. What surprises many: Even a well-thought-out camping kitchen in the trunk changes your entire travel experience. Suddenly, you have a fixed spot for your stove, dishes, and food – and, most importantly, a surface where you can truly work. You can get to everything without having to unpack everything.
Safety on the road: theft, weather, and the little details
When renting a rooftop tent, many people think of sleeping comfort first – logically. But a relaxed setup is also a safe setup.
Especially during stopovers or in cities, a rooftop tent anti-theft device makes sense. Not because something always happens, but because you sleep more soundly and may move more freely during the day.
And then there's the issue of temperature: even summer nights can get chilly, especially in the mountains. If you're traveling outside the peak summer weeks, be sure to look into rooftop tent heating – it's not about "living room warmth," but about dry, comfortable nights and less condensation.
Mini-check before departure
Before you set off, a quick reality check is enough – it will be much more relaxed on the road:
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Check roof load & roof rack (approval/load capacity + firm fit)
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Test setup once in daylight (open, close, secure)
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Organize trunk so that you can access stove & storage without a complete unpacking
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Consider safety & weather (theft, rain, wind)
Tip: If you are traveling in weather-dependent conditions, briefly read up on how to behave correctly during thunderstorms with a rooftop tent.
Rooftop tent rental: This is how the rental process works in practice
It is advisable to look for rooftop tent rentals in your local area - often these are also rooftop tent dealers. Reputable renters usually follow this scheme:
1) Pickup & briefing
At the appointment, the rooftop tent will be mounted with you or its fit will be checked. You will receive a briefing on assembly/disassembly, correct closing, and typical mistakes (e.g., forgetting straps, fabric folded incorrectly, cover not securely latched).
Allow time: 30–60 minutes, with the first time being closer to the higher end.
2) Roof load & rack check
Good landlords check (or request information in advance) whether the roof load, tent weight, and roof rack system are suitable for your car.
Important: Clarify this before booking (vehicle model, roof load, existing racks) to avoid surprises on collection day.
3) Insurance & Deposit
You usually pay a deposit. Damages are covered either by additional insurance or an excess, depending on the provider.
Have them briefly explain:
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What is considered normal use?
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What constitutes damage/misuse?
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How is damage documented?
4) Return & Cleaning
Upon return, a joint inspection will be carried out. Coarse dirt should be removed. Wet packed tents may incur additional costs (drying/cleaning).
Practical tip: Briefly air/dry the tent before returning it to avoid discussions.
5) Cancellation & Rebooking
Especially for weather-dependent trips, it's worth checking the conditions: some providers are flexible (rebooking/goodwill), others are strict.
Quick check: Deadlines, fees, "weather" policy.
Conclusion on the rental process:
If instruction, conditions and return rules are clear, renting a roof tent is really uncomplicated – and you'll start your holiday faster instead of improvising at the pickup location.
Renting a roof tent is the perfect start – if your setup is right
Renting a roof tent is the lowest barrier to entry into roof tent camping: You test freedom without committing. To ensure the trip is truly relaxing, it's worth focusing not only on the roof. The roof tent is your bedroom – the trunk is your everyday life.
When sleeping upstairs works and there's order downstairs, car camping suddenly becomes easy: arrive faster, cook faster, relax faster. And that's the real luxury in the end – because then there's time for what really matters.
Get your car ready for vacation in minutes: With the squiq-Traveler, you have organization, kitchen, and workspace in your trunk – without permanent installation. Click here for the compatibility check.
