Pros and Cons of camping in a Rooftop Tent - YoungHunter RTT Review

Just recently, we spent a few weeks traveling through the Alps, camping in our new rooftop tent (RTT). It was an incredible adventure full of stunning landscapes and exciting experiences, but it wasn’t without its challenges. In this article, I’ll share the pros and cons of traveling with a rooftop tent and offer our feedback on the YoungHunter Triangle Hardshell Rooftop Tent, which we tested during the trip.

Convenience and Quick Setup of an RTT

The first thing that blew us away was how convenient it was to end the day and set up our tent. We’ve camped outdoors for years and love it, but let’s be honest—setting up a ground tent after a long day can be a bit of a drag, especially when it’s already dark and you’re exhausted from a full day of adventure. In the past, we’d have to clear away rocks, find level ground, and then go through the setup process. We had our system down, but it was still tedious at times.

With an RTT, all we had to do was find a flat parking spot. If the ground wasn’t level, no problem—we brought plastic ramps to adjust the car. The setup was as simple as unclipping the buckles, pushing up the hardshell cover, and unfolding the ladder. That’s it! The tent opens itself, and in just a couple of minutes, you’re ready to hop in. Our RTT even came with a built-in mattress and interior lights. We could leave our sleeping bags and pillows inside the tent, so we didn’t have to worry about unpacking those every night. It was probably the most convenient camping experience I’ve ever had.

Breaking camp was just as easy. Since the tent folds neatly into the hardshell, it stays clean and dry—no more dealing with wet, muddy tents in the morning. On colder mornings, we did notice a bit of condensation inside, but nothing that a quick setup in the sun couldn’t fix. We usually let the tent air out while making lunch, and it dried in no time.

Comfort and Safety

Sleeping elevated off the ground has its perks. It provides protection from wildlife (no snakes or stray dogs sniffing around your tent) and uneven ground surfaces, and we found it kept us warmer at night. Plus, having the mattress inside meant more space in the car for gear.

At first, we worried that getting in and out of the tent at night might be a hassle. But the YoungHunter RTT has waterproof shoe bags hanging right outside the door, which made it super easy to slip on shoes and climb down the ladder if needed. Honestly, it added a bit of excitement to the experience—camping in an RTT feels like a real adventure, the kind you see in travel magazines.

Let’s be real—camping in a rooftop tent just looks cool. It adds a sense of adventure and freedom that appeals to anyone chasing that outdoorsy, nomadic vibe. Setting up on a cliff overlooking a valley or in the middle of the woods with the tent perched on top of your car feels like the ultimate outdoor experience.

Vehicle Limitations, Fuel Efficiency, and Driving

While RTTs fit on most cars, if you have a smaller city car, mounting one may not be ideal. Plus, depending on your vehicle, you’ll need to invest in roof rails or crossbars to support the tent. In our case, we needed both. The tent itself weighs over 70 kilograms and has to support two adults, so not just any crossbars will do. We were advised to get Thule WingBar Evo crossbars, and they worked perfectly during our trip.

An RTT also affects fuel efficiency. Any added weight or drag on your car influences how much fuel you burn, and this is especially true with a rooftop tent. Softshell tents create more wind resistance than hardshell ones, so we opted for the YoungHunter Triangle Hardshell RTT, which has a speed limit of 130 km/h. We tested this on the highway, and while we could hear a slight wind noise at higher speeds, it didn’t affect the driving comfort of our Toyota RAV4. I even hit 140-150 km/h a few times when overtaking, and the tent stayed rock solid.

Parking and Flexibility

We mixed our stays between campsites and designated overnight parking spots. In the Alps, wild camping is illegal, but many night parking areas allowed sleeping in an RTT or van, even if traditional tents weren’t permitted. At campsites, we were usually charged the same as tent campers, which was cheaper than what van or motorhome campers paid—so a little win there!

One possible downside of using an RTT is that your car is “grounded” when the tent is set up, meaning you can’t easily drive off for a quick grocery run or spontaneous adventure. But this didn’t really bother us. We were usually up early, packed, and on the road before we even needed to worry about it. Plus, we did most of our cooking outside the car, so nothing felt too restrictive.

Choosing the Right Rooftop Tent

Price is a big factor when considering an RTT, and they’re generally more expensive than regular ground tents. There’s also a big difference between softshell and hardshell tents. Softshells are cheaper, but you miss out on some of the benefits, like ease of setup and better weather resistance. Hardshell tents, like the YoungHunter Triangle, are more durable and many people leave them mounted year-round for convenience.

Installing and removing the tent can be a two-person job, though, so if you plan to use it often, I’d recommend going with a hardshell. It’s worth the investment.

We chose the YoungHunter Triangle Hardshell RTT because of its clever design and reasonable price. There are several similar options on the market, but YoungHunter stood out for offering great quality at a competitive price. They also have warehouses in the U.S. and the U.K., so shipping is fast and affordable for people in those areas. For us in the EU, shipping took over 50 days and was more expensive, but in the end, it was worth the wait.

Camping in an RTT: Our Verdict

Camping for a few weeks in a rooftop tent in the Alps was an unforgettable adventure. We loved the time spent outdoors—it brought back some nostalgic childhood memories of spending the entire days outside. Since we’re used to camping, we had all the necessary gear with us—tables, chairs, a gas cooker, a power station, and more.

At first, it was a bit frustrating to constantly unpack and repack everything, but after a few days, we developed a routine, and it became part of the charm of outdoor living. The YoungHunter Triangle Hardshell RTT was a game-changer for us, and we’re already planning our next trip with it!