The perfect roof tent for your vehicle

✅ Solid shell construction: This makes the roof tent flatter and more aerodynamic on the roof.
✅ Durable hard shell: This protects you from all weather conditions and makes you feel particularly safe.
✅ Time-saving: The horntools hard-shell roof tent sets up in under three minutes. You save even more time by stowing your bedding in the roof tent while it's still folded up.
✅ Contemplative size: The roof tent usually does not exceed the side mirrors of your vehicle, so you can easily spend the night almost anywhere in permitted locations.

✅ Cheaper price: But you need a little more time to set it up.
✅ Low weight: Ideal for vehicles with lower roof loads.
✅ Very spacious: If you are traveling with child(ren), a folding tent offers you enough space.
✅ Overlapping area provides a shady spot: So you usually don't need an additional awning.

The choice between a folding and a hard-shell roof tent depends on your personal usage requirements, preferences and budget.

The folding tent is mounted on an aluminum plate, is set up by unfolding the plate, and is protected by a rubber cover when closed. When closed, it is approximately 10 cm higher than the hard-shell roof tent.

There's no single roof tent option that offers more advantages than another. It's important to consider your own needs and compare them with the pros and cons of each roof tent option. Here's another comparison between a folding tent and a hard-shell tent that can help you make your decision:

To the roof tent comparison

In our ADVENTURER magazine, you'll also find an article with a detailed comparison between folding tents and hard-shell tents . If you're unsure, feel free to stop by one of our numerous horntools showrooms . There, you can test out our roof tents, discover their features, purchase them on-site, and even have them installed.

Pop-up tents are generally cheaper than hard-shell roof tents. The Desert pop-up tent ranges in price from €1,590 to €2,490 depending on the size, and the new Elements roof tent in Ocean & Stone costs €2,190 to €2,990. The proven and award-winning Themis hard-shell tent costs €2,990.

Depending on the model, roof tents can accommodate up to four people (two adults and two children). Generally speaking, the 140 cm mattress is designed for two adults, the 165 cm mattress for two adults + one child, and the 220 cm mattress for two adults + two children.

The Elements roof tents in Ocean and Stone , as well as the 220cm version of the Desert , are particularly suitable for four people or families. These models are equipped with two separate ladders and a partition. The car roof tent is divided into two separate rooms/chambers and therefore offers ideal space for four people. The partition is attached using Velcro and can be removed if necessary. The length of the sleeping area is always around 230 cm. In our magazine article "Roof tent for four people" you will find some important tips and tricks for roof tent travel with the family. In our range you will also find practical accessories such as a set of two Velcro fasteners for the Desert roof tent .

In principle, you can mount a roof tent on any car, but it requires a roof rack attached to the car roof.

It doesn't matter whether you use two crossbars as supports or a roof rack platform. What matters is that the car roof offers sufficient space in both width and length for the roof tent, and that the width of the roof rack is compatible with the roof tent mount.

Additionally, the permissible roof load specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the installation of roof racks and roof tents must be observed. This can usually be found in the vehicle manual or can be requested directly from the respective manufacturer. For smaller vehicles with lower permissible roof loads, folding tents with a lower weight are recommended.

The roof load referred to by the vehicle manufacturer in the manual is the dynamic roof load. This is the permissible load on the roof of your vehicle while driving. For example, if your vehicle has a specified roof load of 80 kg, your roof tent + roof rack may weigh a maximum of 80 kg. However, when stationary, you can sleep in the roof tent without any concerns.

There is no standard roof load limit for a roof tent. This always depends on the individual weight of the roof tent. For example, if a roof tent weighs 50 kg, a maximum permissible roof load of 70 kg, including roof racks, may be sufficient according to the vehicle manufacturer. However, if the roof tent weighs 70 kg, a correspondingly higher roof load limit is required.

A roof rack attached to your car is a prerequisite for installing a roof tent. As long as the width of the rack is compatible with the roof tent mount, you can mount a roof tent on any roof rack.

💡Tip: If you don't have a suitable roof rack yet, feel free to check out our mounting brackets . Alternatively, you can also use a roof rack platform or crossbar support from another supplier.

To install the roof tent, you need to lift it onto your roof rack. This is best done with the help of two to four people. Then, the roof tent is mounted to the roof rack at four points using screws and counter plates.

Attention: The fastening screws of the sliders are made of stainless steel and should only be tightened by hand and preferably oiled after each assembly.

All mounting hardware and tools are included with our roof tents. Detailed instructions can be found in our assembly videos on the respective product pages.

How long it takes to set up a roof tent naturally depends on the roof tent model. Generally speaking, setting up a hard-shell tent takes about 3 to 5 minutes, while setting up a pop-up tent takes between 7 and 20 minutes. After setting it up 2-3 times and with a little practice, setting up a roof tent is generally very easy.

If you're not using your roof tent or awning for an extended period, such as during the winter months, it's a good idea to take them down. This not only protects and preserves the product, but also makes your vehicle more economical and safer (without additional attachments). The roof tent should only be assembled and closed when it's completely dry. Moisture could lead to mold growth over time.

Theoretically, you can leave a roof tent—whether it's a folding tent or a hard-shell roof tent—on your car year-round. The rubber cover or hard shell protects it from all weather conditions. However, to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and thus fuel consumption, it's worth removing the roof tent if it won't be in use for an extended period.