With a roof tent, it will be easy and fun to get out with the whole family on both small and large adventures. The roof tent almost always also becomes a favorite activity for the children as it is like having their own hut on the roof of the car!
Which roof tents are suitable for families?
If you are going to buy a roof tent for your family, you need to start by thinking about how much space you need. If you are two adults and a small child (up to the age of ten), a roof tent like our Åreskutan two-person , with a 140 centimeter wide mattress, can be quite enough.
If you are two adults and a teenager, a three-person roof tent with a 165 centimeter wide mattress is preferable.
For families of four, we recommend either a four-man roof tent that is 180 centimeters wide or a three-man roof tent , depending on how big the children are.
If you choose a large roof tent with a 180 centimeter wide mattress, you have like a double bed on the roof of the car. The mattress is 240 centimeters in length, so one of the children can also lie across the mattress at the foot end.
An awning provides extra space
For most roof tents, it is possible to buy an awning that is attached to the bottom plate of the roof tent and provides an extra room on the side of the car. For roof tents with overhangs over the steps like the Åreskutan , you can have a larger awning that provides extra sleeping places on the ground (two adults).
This can be a good option if you are buying a smaller tent. Then the family members can take turns sleeping in the tent on the roof of the car or in the awning.
Roof tents are often perceived as more spacious than a regular bed
One thing that can be good to keep in mind when it comes to space is that the roof tent is often perceived as more spacious than a regular bed. This is because in a regular bed you rarely lie all the way out on the edge, you can do this in a roof tent because you have the walls as protection.
If your family wants a large roof tent, keep in mind that you also need a slightly larger car and that the roof rails must have an approved maximum load that includes the weight of the roof tent + roof rails together.
Here you can see a sketch that shows the approximate space in our Åreskutan roof tent for four people:
Adventurer Linda Åkerberg roof tents with her family
One of those who discovered how well roof tents are suitable for families is the adventurer Linda Åkerberg. In the summer of 2020, she and the family consisting of her partner and three bonus daughters went on a trip in Sweden with a roof tent. The family both free-camped and took in regular campsites where the children could play in playgrounds and make new friends. A winning concept according to Linda Åkerberg. Afterwards, she told us this about rooftop camping with family.
- A car holiday with a roof tent really feels like the best option for a family holiday.
