Adding an awning to your roof tent setup is one of the best ways to expand your living space, boost comfort, and make camping even more versatile. But with so many awning styles out there—from simple pull-out canopies to full privacy rooms—how do you know what’s right for you?
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Below we’ll break down the options, explain what they’re best for, and help you choose your perfect match for your vehicle and roof tent.
browse our awning collection here
What is a canopy awning?
A canopy awning is a single-sheet roof that pulls straight out from your roof bars or awning mount.
✅ Benefits:
Quick shade and shelter for rest stops, cooking, or relaxing
Lightweight, minimal impact on vehicle roof load
Fast, one-person setup
Packs down small for easy travel
✅ Best For:
Short camping trips
Road trip lunch stops
Anyone who wants fast, fuss-free shade
✅ Expert Tip:
Look for durable fabrics with UV protection and strong arms/brackets for windy UK campsites.
Note:
Most of our canopy awnings will work with cars, vans, and 4x4s if you have the right roof bars.
View All Canopy Awnings Here
What is an inflatable awning?
Inflatable awnings use air-beam structures instead of poles, creating a tent-like living space that attaches to your vehicle or stands alone.
✅ Benefits:
Spacious interior for eating, lounging, or sleeping
Quicker and simpler to inflate than pole-based designs
Sturdy and weather-resistant once pitched
Freestanding models can stay up if you drive away
✅ Best For:
Longer stays at one site
Bad-weather camping
Overlanders and families
Want more information on Awning Roof Top Tent? Feel free to contact us.
Note:
Some air awnings are best suited to vans and campervan conversions due to attachment height.
View All Inflatable Awnings Here
What is a living/privacy pod?
A room that attaches directly to your roof tent base, typically enclosing the ladder area.
✅ Benefits:
Creates a sealed room for privacy and security
Great for changing, sleeping children, or pets
Adds protected space without expanding vehicle footprint
Designed to integrate with specific roof tent models
✅ Best For:
Family camping
Longer trips
Campsites with less privacy
Note:
Always check compatibility with your roof tent model. Some of these also Double-up as canopies with lifting side options specifically this TentBox model Lite 2.0 Living Pod, dependant on your travel style these might be the best choice to get all the benefits of an awnings. However, keep in mind that these often take longer to set-up and put away so always choose wisely!
View All Living / Privacy Pods Here
Cars/SUVs: most canopy awnings and many pods fit perfectly.
Vans: inflatable awnings often attach better thanks to their height.
4x4s: strong roof bars support heavier setups, but check your dynamic load rating carefully.
No matter your adventure style, there’s an awning to make it better.
???? Explore our full range of roof tent-compatible awnings and find your perfect fit.
In order to have a rooftop tent, you'll need some way to mount it to your vehicle. SUVs and crossovers have the option of a 2-bar system or a platform rack. The 2-bar system works with your factory roof rails, if you have them, and the platform rack requires some light modification to the vehicle to provide a stable platform structure on your roof. The benefit of a platform rack over a 2-bar system is the ability to mount more accessories to the rack itself if that is a priority. Pickup trucks have the flexibility to utilize an above cab rack or a below cab rack. There are a wide range of available bed rack on the market so be sure to do your research and understand which will be right for you and your application. The benefit of an above cab rack gives you the flexibility to run any tent without limitations.
Watch our full walkthrough on racks and what to consider below:
Does it fit? Does it work how you want it to? There are many things to consider when buying a rooftop tent specific to your vehicle application. A lot of this comes down to two things - fit and function. How it serves you and how it looks can be a conflict depending on your vehicle.
Watch our walkthrough below to consider all of the different angles of fit and function:
How does it open? How do I enter and exit the tent? What kind of views do I have in the tent itself? We're diving into specific features of a rooftop tent and considerations to think about when purchasing one.
Watch our walkthrough below to learn about specific features of rooftop tents and what to consider before purchasing one:
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