How to Maintain Your Rooftop Tent: Mounting Tips, First-Time Use, and Humidity Protection

Whether you’re a weekend overlander or a full-time adventurer, your rooftop tent is your home away from home. But like any piece of gear, it needs proper care and maintenance to last. In this guide, we'll walk through how to maintain your rooftop tent, from mounting it properly to protecting it from humidity and moisture — especially after your first use.

First-Time Use: Unboxing and Setup Tips

1. Read the Manual Carefully

Every tent model has specific instructions. Look for manufacturer-recommended weight limits, mounting points, and torque specs for bolts.

2. Inspect All Components

Check for any damaged hardware, missing tools, or tears in the fabric before installing. Fix issues now to avoid surprises in the wild.

3. Do a Test Setup at Home

Practice unfolding and refolding the tent before your first trip. This gives you a feel for how it operates — and helps you catch any problems early.

Proper Mounting: Stability and Safety

1. Use the Right Rack System

Make sure your vehicle’s roof rack is rated for dynamic weight — the weight of the tent while driving — and static weight for when you're inside it.

• Dynamic weight rating = typically 150–200 lbs.
• Static weight rating = up to 600+ lbs depending on the rack and vehicle.

2. Bolt It Down Evenly

Use all supplied mounting brackets and tighten evenly across all corners. Re-check torque settings after your first trip.

3. Mind the Aerodynamics

Position the tent centered on the roof and parallel to airflow to reduce drag and wind noise.

Humidity Protection: Keeping Your Tent Dry and Mold-Free

1. Always Dry Before Storage

After every trip, fully open the tent to air it out for 24–48 hours in a dry, shaded area. Never store a wet tent.

2. Use a Dehumidifier Pack or Moisture Absorber

When storing your tent for long periods (especially in humid climates), add desiccant packs or dehumidifier bags inside the tent.

3. Clean and Waterproof Periodically

Every few months, clean the canvas with mild soap and water. Reapply a tent waterproofing spray (like Nikwax or Scotchgard) to restore the fabric’s water resistance.

Bonus Tips for Long-Term Care

• Inspect Seams and Zippers: Look for wear or pulling and treat zippers with silicone lubricant.
• Protect the Cover: Keep the PVC cover zipped fully and check for cracks or UV damage.
• Check Mounting Bolts: Every 2–3 trips, verify the hardware is still tight and rust-free.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your rooftop tent isn't hard — it just takes a bit of routine care. From the first-time setup to moisture control, taking a few preventative steps now will extend the life of your tent and keep you camping in comfort for years to come.

Looking to upgrade or add accessories to your rooftop setup? Check out our curated gear at ViceGarage.com — built by overlanders, for overlanders.