Can you leave a roof tent on your car?
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The short answer
Often you can, but it depends on your tent's maker. TentBox says its tents can stay on all year; Thule recommends removing the tent and rack when they're not in use. If you leave one fitted, you live with a taller car every day, check the mounting regularly, keep it dry and secure, and take it off for automatic car washes.
Makers' instructions differ, so the manual for your exact tent, bars and car comes first. If the tent isn't fitted yet, start with how to fit a roof tent.
Parking and height restrictions
A fitted tent makes your car taller for every journey, not just camping trips. Thule says the vehicle's height can increase by up to 600 mm, depending on the roof rack used, and warns about low garage entrances, low clearances and low-hanging branches. Thule: rooftop tent safety and maintenance (PDF). TentBox gives the same warning about low entrances and overhanging branches. TentBox: user guidelines.
Places to think about:
- Car parks with height barriers. Somerset Council, for example, has fitted height barriers at its Silk Mills Park and Ride in Taunton and advises drivers of vehicles over 2 metres not to try to enter. Somerset Council: Silk Mills height barriers. Limits differ from one car park to the next, so read the sign at the entrance.
- Low bridges and signed height limits. The Highway Code includes a sign meaning "No vehicles over height shown", and a plate under the overhead electric cable sign gives the maximum height of vehicles that can pass safely. Highway Code: traffic signs.
- Your own garage or carport, drive-throughs and multi-storeys. Measure them against the car's height with the tent closed.
- Automatic car washes. Thule says the tent and roof rack must be removed before using one.
Measure the car with the tent closed and fitted, write the figure down and keep it somewhere you'll see it, such as on the dashboard. If you're booking a ferry or the Channel Tunnel, see taking a roof tent to Europe.
Manufacturer maintenance requirements
The two makers here take different views on leaving a tent fitted:
- TentBox says you can absolutely leave a TentBox on all year round, and its FAQs say some people take theirs off for winter and store it. TentBox: can I leave my TentBox on all year round?
- Thule says that, for fuel economy and the safety of other road users, the rooftop tent and roof rack should be removed when not in use.
Fuel use depends on the car, the tent and how you drive, so we don't quote a figure. If running costs matter, compare your own fuel records with the tent on and off.
Thule's maintenance instructions also say to clean the tent with water and household washing liquid without alcohol, bleach or ammonium additives, to keep zips free from dirt and lubricate them and the ladder with silicone spray, and for hardshells, to wax the shell regularly. Follow the care section of your own manual.
Mounting checks
A tent left on the car does more miles than one fitted only for trips, so the mounting needs checking more often than you might expect.
- TentBox says to check the TentBox and roof bars are secure before every journey and every 100 miles, and to retighten the bars after first using the tent. For a tent left on all year, it says to check at least once every couple of weeks, or more if you drive regularly.
- Thule says to check the brackets and racks before driving away, at regular intervals on longer trips and every 2 hours on rough terrain.
Your bars count too. Check that their roof load rating, and the car's, still covers the tent and anything else you carry: the vehicle height calculator and roof load checker help with the figures. If anything has moved, is damaged or doesn't tighten as the manual describes, stop using it and ask the maker or fitter. How to fit a roof tent lists what to check.
Security
A tent left on the car is on show wherever you park. TentBox says leaving one on opens up the potential risk of theft, and recommends security measures and thinking about roof tent insurance. Its FAQs mention ways to lock a roof tent, such as a lockable ratchet strap, and say to check with your car insurer how a roof tent affects your policy. TentBox FAQs.
Ask your tent and bar makers which locks fit your setup, and don't leave valuables inside a closed tent. Tell your insurer about the tent and bars if your policy asks about modifications or accessories; see insurance and declaring modifications.
Exposure and drying
On the car, the tent sits out in the rain and sun between trips, so drying matters more.
- Close it dry. Thule says to dry the tent thoroughly before closing it, or mould and mildew may grow, and to lift the mattress to check the underside is dry. TentBox says the tent must be dry before it's closed up.
- Air it out in winter. TentBox suggests airing the tent fully for a few hours before closing it for winter, then every few weeks during winter to let out moisture from humid air.
- Check the cover. TentBox says the travel cover on its Lite models must be fitted properly and checked regularly, or the hinge and mattress may be exposed. Its Classic has a water-resistant shell, with an optional cover.
More on drying, condensation and hoists is in condensation, drying and storage.
Removing and storing the tent
If you take the tent off between trips or for winter, plan for the lift: TentBox says you'll need an extra pair of hands to lift one onto the bars, so expect to need help taking it off too. TentBox: installation guide.
Thule's storage advice:
- make sure the tent is fully dry first;
- store it somewhere dry and cool, out of direct sunlight, and not outside exposed to rain or sun;
- store it flat or on its side, on something soft such as a rolled towel or foam block;
- don't put heavy or sharp items on it.
TentBox's FAQs also say to store a tent somewhere dry and protected, to prevent damage from moisture or pests. Keep the fitting parts and tools together with the tent, and follow the fitting instructions again when you refit it, including any first-trip retightening.
Know your height before you park
Whether you leave the tent on or not, know exactly how tall the car is with it fitted. Work out your vehicle height and keep the figure in the car.
More in Roof tents
Sources
- TentBox: you can leave a TentBox on all year; check bars and tent are secure at least once every couple of weeks, or more if you drive regularly; nyloc nuts resist loosening; air it out fully for a few hours before closing up for winter and every few weeks in winter; must be dry before it's closed; Lite travel cover must be fitted properly and checked; leaving it on opens up the risk of theft, consider security measures and roof tent insurance (checked )
- TentBox user guidelines: check installation before every journey and every 100 miles; retighten roof bars after first use; vehicle roof load limit must be adequate; watch for low entrances and overhanging branches (checked )
- TentBox FAQs: a well-made roof tent can be left on all year, some take it off for winter and store it; ways to lock a roof tent such as a lockable ratchet strap; check with your insurer; store in a dry, protected location when not in use (checked )
- Thule rooftop tents Safety and Maintenance, document 5562029001, English section: check brackets and racks before driving, at regular intervals on longer trips and every 2 hours on rough terrain; remove tent and rack before an automatic car wash; vehicle height can increase by up to 600 mm depending on rack; beware low garage entrances, clearances and branches; for fuel economy and safety of other road users, remove tent and rack when not in use; dry thoroughly before closing, check under the mattress; store fully dry, cool, out of direct sunlight, not outside exposed to rain or sun; store flat or on side on something soft, nothing heavy or sharp on top; clean with water and household washing liquid without alcohol, bleach or ammonium; lubricate zips and ladder with silicone spray (checked )
- TentBox installation guide: you need an extra pair of hands to lift it onto your roof bars (checked )
- Highway Code traffic signs: "No vehicles over height shown"; overhead electric cable plate indicates maximum height of vehicles (checked )
- Somerset Council: height barriers at Silk Mills Park and Ride, Taunton; drivers of vehicles over 2 metres advised not to try to enter; page updated 27 Oct 2025 (checked )