Yes, the tent can also be closed wet and left damp for a few days. However, after three days at the latest, it should be set up for airing and drying. For longer storage, the tent should be completely dry to prevent mould growth.

Normal dirt is usually washed off when it rains. Before storing, the tent can also be washed off with a garden hose. Stubborn dirt can be removed with a tent cleaner.

We recommend removing the roof tent including the carriers from the car. The carriers can usually be unlocked in a few simple steps and the roof tent retains its perfect position for the next set-up. Dismantling is done in just five minutes.

However, the roof tent can also be taken off the car without carriers if these are needed for other purposes.

Our roof tents fit on almost every vehicle. Only two crossbars or load carriers are needed on which the roof tent is placed. Load carriers are also required for roof rails, as the distance to the roof is otherwise too small and the screw fastenings could cause damage.

We will be happy to advise you on the purchase of suitable carriers for your vehicle.

Most vehicles have a dynamic roof load between 75 and 100 kg. However, this value refers to the load that may act on the roof during driving. Our tents are designed for this roof load and can therefore be mounted on almost all vehicles. Some roof tent models are also suitable for vehicles with a lower roof load.

When stationary, the dynamic roof load has no meaning and the weight may be much higher. Therefore, you can sleep with several people in your roof tent.

If it is not particularly bulky bedding, it can in most cases be comfortably left in the roof tent when it is closed. For heavier objects, the roof load for driving must be taken into account.

In general, a car with a roof tent may be parked anywhere a car without a tent may be parked.

The situation is different if the roof tent is to be used for sleeping. A short rest for the onward journey is permitted in a passenger car for a maximum of one night. In this case, the roof tent may also be used for resting. The situation is different if, for example, you set up a table and chair and extend the awning – because here you can already speak of camping. In Germany (and most other neighbouring countries), however, camping on public car parks is not permitted.

Theoretically, you can also spend the night in a roof tent during storms and thunderstorms, because roof tents that are well braced can usually withstand high winds. However, a roof tent is not a Faraday cage – so you are not protected from lightning strikes. In addition, the noise level during storms and heavy rain must be taken into account. Even if roof-tenting in a storm is not a problem in principle, we recommend spending the night in the car or seeking shelter in a house during thunderstorms.

There really is no universal answer here. Depending on the campsite, the classification can be very different. So far, only very few campsites have an extra price group for roof tents. Most often, a vehicle with a roof tent is classified as a camper van or (ground) tent with a car. In rarer cases as a pure car.

If in doubt, it helps to inform yourself in advance at your destination.

Most manufacturers give 120-130 km/h as a guideline. However, there is no general rule. At higher speeds, however, the safety risk increases due to the forces acting on the vehicle. In addition, fuel consumption and the noise level inside the vehicle increase enormously.

Usually, roof tents are taken off the vehicle after the holiday season in autumn at the latest and overwintered in a dry place. However, this does not have to be the case. If you have no space for storage or want to camp flexibly all year round, you can simply leave the roof tent on the car roof with a clear conscience. Although the tarpaulin or hard shell may suffer a little more from the weather, roof tents are very robust and can survive several winters on the car roof without any problems.

Some insurances have included the load and thus also a roof tent in the comprehensive insurance. However, there are also insurance companies that generally do not include cargo. As this is handled very differently from insurance company to insurance company, it is worth asking in advance and taking out additional insurance if in doubt.

The biggest difference between the two types of roof tents is the set-up time and size.

Hard-sided tents such as the BDV Duo are usually unfolded in just a few steps and ready for use. Soft-top roof tents such as the Adventure need a little more time. With a little practice, however, they can be set up quickly.

Most pure hard-shell tents are suitable for 2 people; folding tents are also available in sizes for 4-5 people. However, there are now hybrid forms such as the Skycamp 3.0 that combine the advantages of hard-shell tents with the space of folding tents.

Hard shells consist of a fibreglass/ABS or aluminium construction. Gas pressure springs are often installed to enable opening at the push of a button. Soft top or folding roof tents consist of floor panels connected with swivel joints. The tent itself is connected to these panels via poles so that the roof tent rises when the panels are unfolded. The construction is supported by the ladder so that the large lying area can be used. This type of roof tent is usually protected during the journey with a sturdy cover made of truck tarpaulin.

Both types of roof tents can be customised with numerous extension options such as awnings, awnings or inner tents.