Roof tent camping when you need the car during the day

By the Overlanding.info team · Updated 21 October 2026 · Sources checked 21 October 2026

The short answer

With a roof tent, your bed leaves the pitch whenever the car does. Before each drive you close the tent fully, as the maker describes, and do your travel checks. Anything you leave behind has to be allowed by the campsite. If you'll use the car most days from one base, a separate shelter or a ground tent may suit you better.

The Camping and Caravanning Club lists packing up each time you want to use the vehicle as one of the drawbacks of a roof tent. Camping and Caravanning Club: roof tents buyers guide. This guide is about planning around that. If you haven't been away with the tent yet, start with your first roof tent weekend.

Packing down before driving

Treat every drive, even to the campsite shop, as a full pack-down. Thule's safety instructions say to make sure the tent is completely closed and its straps are secured before driving, never to drive with the tent deployed, and to check that the brackets and racks are securely fastened before driving away. Thule: rooftop tent safety and maintenance (PDF).

A short routine:

1. Take out anything that can't travel inside the closed tent, and anything you'll need while you're out.
2. Close the tent exactly as the manual says, with covers, straps and latches done up.
3. Stow the ladder and any poles in the car.
4. Walk round the car and check the tent and bars before you set off.
5. Drive slowly on site. The Caravan and Motorhome Club's rules say vehicle speeds on its sites should not exceed 5mph. Caravan and Motorhome Club: UK Club campsite rules.

What can stay inside the closed tent depends on the model. TentBox says that with some of its models, such as the Classic, sleeping bags, duvets and pillows can stay inside when it's closed. TentBox FAQs. Check your own manual and don't force a lid shut over bedding. Hardshells and softshells close differently, which affects how quick and how tidy this is; see hardshell vs softshell roof tents.

If the tent is wet when you close it, follow your maker's advice. TentBox says to knock off as much water as you can and reopen it to air within 24 hours.

What can stay at the campsite

This is up to the campsite, so ask when you book or check in. The Caravan and Motorhome Club's site rules give an idea of what one operator allows:

• All items put up must be within the pitch area.
• An extra tent for sleeping or storage, or a toilet or cooking tent, can go up within the pitch, provided the main outfit is occupied.
• Staff must be told if you plan to leave your outfit unoccupied overnight, and outfits can't be left unoccupied on a pitch for more than 48 hours.

Work out what you'd leave and whether the site's rules cover it. Don't leave valuables, and keep gas, cooking kit and anything that could blow away packed up or secured. TentBox's FAQs mention ways to lock a roof tent, such as a lockable ratchet strap, if you want to secure the tent while you drive and park.

Keeping your pitch identifiable

When the car goes, a roof tent pitch can look empty. Ask the site how they'd like you to show it's taken while you're out. The Caravan and Motorhome Club advises motorhome guests leaving for a day out to save the pitch by clearly marking it as occupied. Its rules also say not to leave your vehicle to secure a pitch until you've checked in. Use whatever marker the operator agrees to, and don't rely on leaving kit unless they've said that's fine.

Touring stops or a fixed base

Packing up costs you the same time and effort whether you're driving on to a new site or coming back tonight, so plan your trip around it:

• Touring, moving on most days: you'd be packing up anyway, so a roof tent works with the trip. Plan days with one main drive and arrive with daylight to set up again.
• A fixed base with day trips: you'll close the tent each time you go out and reopen it when you get back. Group errands into one trip, and pick outings where you can be back before dark.
• A mix: several nights at each base, with a day on site in between, cuts down how often you pack away.

Pack the things you'll need on a day out, such as waterproofs, food, water and chargers, so you can reach them in the car without unpacking camp. The kit list builder helps you split what stays from what travels.

When a ground tent or separate shelter helps

If you'll be using the car most days, something that stays on the pitch can make the stay easier:

• A drive-away awning or shelter. Thule explains that driveaway awnings can be detached from the vehicle and left standing so you can drive away, while non-driveaway awnings stay attached and must be taken down before you move. Thule: vehicle awnings and tents. Check that any awning suits your car and tent.
• A separate tent for storage or cooking. Some campsites allow one on the same pitch; the Caravan and Motorhome Club rules allow this only while the main outfit is occupied.
• A ground tent instead. If the trip is mostly day outings from one base, a ground tent stays put while the car comes and goes. The Caravan and Motorhome Club also welcomes tailgate and hitch tents at its UK Club campsites. Caravan and Motorhome Club: roof tents. Roof box, roof tent or boot camping compares the options.

Plan what travels and what stays

Before your next trip, list what goes with you on day outings and what stays on the pitch or in the closed tent. Build your kit list and split it into those groups.

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