Deploying and folding a roof tent is easy. Here you can watch videos showing how to do it, step by step. The roof tent used as an example is our Åreskutan roof tent.
One of the great advantages of a roof tent is precisely the simplicity of unfolding and folding it. Unlike a regular tent, you don't need to find a completely flat surface – but it is good if the ground is reasonably level. In three minutes, the roof tent is ready to sleep in; add a few more minutes to set up the tent poles, and you also get a view from the roof tent in three directions.
Watch a video showing how to set up a roof tent
In this video, Ola from Taktältarna shows how to set up the Åreskutan roof tent:
How to set up the roof tent, step by step
2. Pull up the zipper running along the bottom plate of the roof tent. Make sure to keep one or two fingers between the zipper and the tent to avoid the tent fabric getting caught in the zipper. When you reach the corners, fold up the plastic cover to get around more easily.
3. Lift the cover and pull it off to the other side. The cover is attached to a rail. If you have a model other than Åreskutan, you may need to pull the cover out of the rail and place it in a dry spot. If you have an Åreskutan from Taktältarna, you can leave the cover hanging to roll it up against the bottom plate after unfolding the tent (step 4) and secure it with the straps attached to the bottom plate.
4. Loosen the Velcro around the ladder and push it out a bit so you can reach it from the other side. Pull out the ladder to its full length. Then unfold the tent by pushing the ladder down and holding it while stepping back.
5. Adjust and secure the ladder.
6. Make sure the two bottom plates of the roof tent are interlocked at the fold. If they are not, try lifting and pushing up the unfolded plate.
7. Set up the overhang over the ladder by attaching the aluminum arch to the mounts on both sides of the roof tent entrance. Make sure the aluminum arches are in the corners of the overhang. Tighten the tent ropes into the ground with the included ground tent pegs. If you are on hard ground, you can use large stones or firewood instead.
8. Enter the roof tent and loosen the four bungee cords on one side, leaving them hanging on the other.
9. Hang the shoe bags on the sides of the roof tent opening by inserting them into the rail on the bottom plate.
10. Set up the window covers using the included tent pegs. There are pre-drilled holes in the bottom plate for the tent pegs, which should be inserted diagonally. Also set up the rain cover with window pegs on the short side of the roof tent.
Watch a video showing how to fold up a roof tent
Folding up a roof tent is basically like unfolding it but in reverse order. However, there are some steps that are different. Here is a video where Ola from Taktältarna folds up our Åreskutan roof tent
How to fold up a roof tent, step by step
1. Take down the window pegs and attach the window covers and rain cover on the short side in the mounts on the window sides. Pull up the mosquito net and tent fabrics over the opening/window.
2. Remove the shoe bags and place them together with the window pegs on the part of the bottom plate that is over the car roof. If you have blankets/pillows/sleeping bags, you can leave them in the roof tent if you want, then spread them evenly over the bottom plate that is over the car roof.
3. Pull the four bungee cords from one window side of the roof tent over to the other and tighten. They help pull in the tent fabric when folding up the roof tent.
4. Loosen the tent ropes holding the overhang. Remove the aluminum arch and push it under the mattress. Fold the overhang tent fabric under the arch.
6. Fold up the ladder and secure with Velcro straps. Grab and lift upwards to fold the roof tent. If you are short, you can instead lock the ladder in a more unfolded position and adjust on the other side after the roof tent is folded.
7. Push in loose tent fabric, especially on the short side, by lifting the upper bottom plate and pushing it in between the aluminum arches. If there is a lot hanging out on the other sides of the roof tent, try to push it in there as well.
8. Tighten the compression straps, not by pulling the straps themselves but by pressing one bottom plate down against the other as hard as you can and then fastening the straps.
9. Throw the cover over and pull it down over the roof tent on the other side.
10. Pull the zipper around the cover. Don't forget to keep a finger between the zipper and the roof tent to avoid the tent fabric getting caught.
11. Tighten the straps over the cover. They should be threaded as shown in the photo below, otherwise there is a risk they will come loose.
