I’ve been camping and overlanding for a long time, and over the years, I’ve used a ton of gear. The question is, what items are essential, especially when camping in a rooftop tent?
Well, to be honest, I could list a solid dozen items for this article. But, in the interest of paring things down, I’ve identified five things that I’ve used on my adventures that make rooftop tent camping all the better. Now, this is not a comprehensive list, so if there’s something I’ve left out, it doesn’t mean it isn’t essential (I’m looking at you, bedding!).
Anyway, let’s have a peek at a few items that can make all the difference when it’s time to head out for camping with a rooftop tent.
Table of Contents
- Camping With a Rooftop Tent: Invest in a Solid Base for Your Rooftop Tent
- Camping With a Rooftop Tent: You Need a Table
- Camping With a Rooftop Tent: Get Powered Up With a Portable Power Station
- Camping With a Rooftop Tent: An Air Compressor is a Smart Choice
- Camping With a Rooftop Tent: Stay Warm With a Diesel Heater
- Get Geared Up for Your Next Adventure
Camping With a Rooftop Tent: Invest in a Solid Base for Your Rooftop Tent
Camping with a rooftop tent is amazing, but storage space can be a challenge. That’s where the Rustic Mountain Overland PATROL XC Off-Road Trailer shines. This rugged, compact trailer not only accommodates your gear but also matches the versatility of your rooftop tent.
With its 31” all-terrain tires and Timbren HD 2200lb axle-less suspension, this trailer tackles challenging trails with ease. Its robust steel frame and powder-coated finish ensure durability against the elements, too. The PATROL XC is right at home on the rough stuff—it handles everything like a champ.
Its tilting lid and lockable rear tailgate make accessing your gear incredibly easy. Plus, the roof rack is perfect for carrying extra camping gear or even bikes. Pairing a rooftop tent with this trailer is like having the ultimate overlanding setup for your adventures near and far.
On top of all that, these trailers are made right here in the U.S.A. The quality materials, superb craftsmanship, and attention to detail make the PATROL XC a fantastic base for your rooftop camping adventures.
Camping With a Rooftop Tent: You Need a Table
One of the simplest yet most versatile pieces of camping gear in my arsenal is the Tailgater Tire Table. This lightweight, aluminum table mounts directly onto your vehicle’s tire, providing a sturdy workspace or dining area in seconds.
I’ve used the Tire Table for meal prep during late-night cookouts, as a makeshift workstation for editing photos, and even as a play area for my son during family camping trips. Its retractable leg adds extra stability, making it ideal for uneven terrain.
Despite its simplicity, the Tire Table feels indispensable. Setting up camp with a rooftop tent often means limited flat surfaces for cooking or organizing gear. The Tire Table eliminates that issue in the most straightforward way possible.
And since the table is so easy to set up (as you can see in my video above), you can have your workstation ready to go in a matter of minutes. Teardown is the same way–there are no complex procedures to get the table back into its packed form.
Something else I appreciate about the Tailgater Tire Table is its solid construction. Whether you choose the aluminum or steel version, you’ll get a table that’s ready to rock in all sorts of environments and weather conditions. In other words, this little guy is a do-it-all camping machine, and should be a must-have on your list of rooftop tent camping gear!
Camping With a Rooftop Tent: Get Powered Up With a Portable Power Station
Electricity isn’t a luxury when you’re camping with a rooftop tent—it’s a necessity. The Inergy FLEX 1500 Portable Power Station is a powerhouse in a compact form. With its 1,500-watt pure sine wave inverter and multiple charging options, this power station ensures that your devices stay charged, your lights stay on, and your electric cookers stay operational.
One memorable camping trip involved a rainstorm that lasted all night. Thanks to the FLEX 1500, my family and I were able to enjoy warm lighting and charge our phones for some late-night music to lighten the mood. Its silent operation was a huge plus, too—we didn’t have to deal with the loud hum of a generator, which is something our camping neighbors also appreciated, I’m sure!
What’s even better? The unit is solar-compatible, so you can harness the sun’s energy to recharge it. As I discuss in my video above, that’s a game-changer for extended off-grid adventures!
Another top feature of the FLEX 1500 is the sheer number and type of power ports available:
- Six 110-120VAC floating outlets
- Two 60W USB-C ports with PD and QC 3.0
- Two USB-A ports with QC 2.0
- Two 5.5mm x 2.5mm DC outputs for Basecamp LEDs & future accessories
- Two 15A cigarette lighter ports with 13.8V regulated DC output (20A at 13.8VDC total combined DC output)
On top of all that, this unit is expandable to up to 96 batteries. Ninety-six! That’s way more power than I need, but I sure enjoy having three 1,000-watt batteries stacked underneath this unit for long-lasting power.
As someone with multiple online businesses, it’s hard for me to step away from work, so I often need to get things done when I’m camping. With the Inergy FLEX 1500 at camp, I can power everything from my Starlink to my laptop to my cameras so I can get work done while I’m on the road. Not bad, right?!
Camping With a Rooftop Tent: An Air Compressor is a Smart Choice
Driving to remote locations often means airing down your tires for traction and comfort. The MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 Air Compressor makes reinflating your tires quick and easy, saving you from the hassle of finding a gas station or using slower compressors.
This compact yet powerful compressor inflates a set of 35” tires from 10 to 40 PSI in under five minutes. It’s not just fast; it’s efficient. On a recent trip to Death Valley, I relied on the MORRFlate to reinflate my tires after a day on the dunes. The process was seamless, and I was back on the road in no time.
Its durable design and user-friendly controls, including an auto mode for precision inflation, make it a must-have for off-roaders and campers alike. But don’t think the TenSix PSI Pro is just for inflating tires; you can use it for needs around camp, like inflating your rooftop tent mattress.
What’s more, since this unit can work on six tires at once, you can air up or air down all four tires on your vehicle and the tires on your Patrol XC trailer simultaneously. Talk about convenience!
Camping With a Rooftop Tent: Stay Warm With a Diesel Heater
Cold nights in a rooftop tent can be brutal without the right heating solution. Enter the Planar Heaters 4kw Portable Diesel Heater, a compact, efficient, and powerful heater that keeps your tent toasty even in sub-zero temperatures.
One unforgettable camping trip in the Sierra Nevadas was a cold, snowy mess that left me shivering until I switched on this heater. Within minutes, the tent was warm and cozy, transforming a potentially miserable night into a comfortable one.
As I discuss in the video above, its crush-proof, rain-resistant casing and built-in silencer make this heater rugged enough for outdoor adventures while maintaining a quiet operation. With its efficient fuel consumption and portable design, it’s an ideal companion for rooftop tent camping during colder months.
In fact, this heater runs throughout the night without the need for more fuel, so I can get a good night’s rest (and a warm night’s rest, for that matter). Of course, the instant, dry heat is nice, so I don’t have to sit around and wait for my rooftop tent to heat up.
Beyond that, I appreciate the fact that this unit is easy to control via the wired remote–there’s no getting up, crawling down the ladder, and making adjustments to the heating unit itself. Instead, I can adjust the heater from the comfort of my bed!
It’s worth mentioning that since this unit stays outside and ducts its heat into the tent, there’s a far lesser chance of carbon monoxide poisoning versus other heaters, like a propane heater inside the tent. So, not only is this Planar heater reliable and efficient, but it’s also safe!
Get Geared Up for Your Next Adventure
Camping with a rooftop tent opens up a world of possibilities for adventure, comfort, and convenience. But to truly enjoy the experience, having the right gear is essential. The Rustic Mountain Overland PATROL XC Trailer solves your storage problems, the Tailgater Tire Table adds versatility, and the Inergy FLEX 1500 Power Station ensures you stay powered up. Meanwhile, the MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 simplifies tire management, and the Planar Heaters 4kw Portable Diesel Heater keeps you warm on cold nights.
By incorporating these five gear essentials into your camping setup, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge and make your rooftop tent adventures unforgettable. So, pack your gear, hit the road, and let the journey begin!
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