Four Tips For Using A Vehicle Rooftop Tent With Children

Posted on: 1 September 2020

Taking your children camping can be a fun bonding experience for the entire family. If you are considering upgrading to a vehicle rooftop tent, you may wonder how this will impact your family camping trips. Will your kids be in a separate tent on the ground? Or will the whole family fit up in your rooftop tent? Is it safe? These are some things you should be sure to consider before investing in a rooftop tent. Below are some of those answers and more. 

Set Clear Safety Rules

Raised tents are usually accessed by a ladder. These are stable, secure ladders that easily hold the weight of an adult. However, it is important that you make safety rules clear from the beginning of your trip so your child does not slip and fall. Some rules to consider may be your children are only allowed in or out of the tent with your assistance and no playing around the tent ladder. These simple rules can keep your kids safe and give you peace of mind. 

Keep Them Busy During Set-up 

One of the major benefits of rooftop tents is that they are usually easier and faster to set up than traditional tents. However, you may want to make sure you can give your full attention to setting up your tent to ensure everything is locked in place. To keep kids from getting underway, have a task to keep them busy while you're setting up. You may want to ask them to gather firewood or set up the camp kitchen area while you work on the tent. For smaller children, have a game available or another adult around to keep them busy. 

Have a Plan for Pee 

Getting a child out of a ground tent in the middle of the night to use the bathroom can be a challenge. Some children may not want to leave the tent at night even if you're going to go with them. It may be a good idea to keep a bottle in the tent for nighttime emergencies, with necessary accessories if you have a female child. If you have a small child, you may want to consider overnight diapers or a pee pad while camping for peace of mind. 

Consider a Ground Annex 

Many rooftop tents can be extended with a ground annex. This is a second room that stretches from the bottom of the rooftop tent to the ground. This can be a great option if you want some additional privacy or space while keeping your kids close. 

Keep these considerations in mind as you look for a vehicle rooftop tent for your next camping trip. 

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