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Are you in the market for a used roof top tent? We’ve been there. We’ll give you the run down on both hard and soft shell roof top tents. Here’s 7 things you should inspect before buying a used roof top tent.
1. Inspect the owners vehicle
Is the vehicle beat to hell or in nice shape? This information will probably give you a good idea on how they treated the tent and other belongings.
2. Outer Shell
Hard Shell: Check for cracks, scratches, or any unusual markings on the shell. Also inspect areas around latches or buckles to make sure theres no tiny cracks. The last thing you want is a water leak in your fiberglass. Inspect both top and bottom. Surface level wear and tear is normal.
Soft Shell: Inspect the bag and look for any rips, tears, or patches.
3. Buckles, Struts, and Poles
Hard Shell: Have the owner pop the tent. Make sure all buckles and struts function properly. Open and close the tent to make sure all functions well. Struts will wear out over time and can be replaced pretty easily if needed.
Soft Shell: If the soft shell requires poles to set up, inspect them thoroughly and make sure everything functions as it should.
4. Tent Wall
Hard Shell: Inspect each and every inch of the tent wall, both inside and out. This is the heart and soul of your roof top tent so be sure to take your time when inspecting this area. Also inspect any mesh to check for rips or tears.
Soft Shell: Same as hard shell.
5. Zippers
Hard Shell: Zip and unzip each zipper, making sure they function properly.
Soft Shell: Same as hard shell.
6. Mattress
Hard Shell: Lay on the mattress to be sure its comfortable for you. If you’ve got a significant other or family, have them climb up as well. Make sure you’re cozy. Unzip the mattress cover and look for any stains, mold, or mildew. This brings me to point number 7.
Soft Shell: Same as hard shell.
7. Mold/Mildew
Hard Shell: Inspect the ceiling, mattress, and under the mattress for any type of mold, mildew, or water damage. Used roof top tents can build up condensation from winter/rain camping and could lead to mold if they aren’t aired out properly. New mattresses can be pricey, depending on the model.
Soft Shell: Same as hard shell.
Buying used can save you some serious cash on a roof top tent and even help save on shipping costs. If you can find a deal on a used roof top tent, be sure to check these items before purchasing. Some of these parts are easy fixes and could provide you with some negotiating points if you’re handy. Also be sure to ask the owner for additional accessories such as lights, ladders, mounting brackets, or anything else that may go with the roof top tent.
Thanks for reading this post. We hope it gave you some ideas on what to inspect on a used roof top tent. If you’re still in the market for a rooftop tent, consider ordering here. Read here on why we love ours. Life’s better on top!
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This Post Has 5 Comments
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Excellent read, Positive site, where diyou u
come up with the information on this posting? I’ve read a
few of the articles on your site now, and I really like your
style.
King regards,
Abildgaard Henneberg
Thanks for reading. We are roof top tent owners so we have a general understanding of roof top tent camping. Cheers, Ben
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Thanks for the tip that making sure that the zippers are working properly should be kept in mind when buying vehicle rooftop tents. One of the things I’d like to do with my best friend someday is to go on a camping trip together. I think a rooftop tent would make things a lot more convenient for us because we both were never good at pitching a tent back when we went to summer camp when we were younger.