Rooftop tents are add-ons for trucks that provide a cozy sleeping space off the ground outdoors. As with any upgrade, you should know precisely how a rooftop tent will affect the truck’s ability to drive. For example, how fast can you drive with a rooftop tent? Learn the answer below so you can be informed and prepared when you schedule your next outdoor getaway.
Adding extra weight onto a truck will always impact performance since the vehicle has to accommodate the load while driving. Driving at the same speeds with different loads will result in different experiences.
If speed is a priority on your trip, then lean toward lightweight models because campers come in different sizes. For instance, some camper sizes on the market are below 400 pounds, but others can exceed that weight. At Super Pacific, our truck bed campers range between 340 and 390 pounds.
Now that you know more about adding extra weight to your vehicle, let’s dive deeper into precisely how fast you can drive with a rooftop tent. The answer is easy—your truck should still be able to achieve the same speeds after installing a tent on your roof.
If you’re driving on your normal neighborhood street or on the highway, don’t worry; hitting 50 miles per hour won’t send the tent flying off the back end if it’s installed correctly. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth discussing this subject with the tent manufacturer just in case.
A quick and easy way to gain more information on how to handle a rooftop tent while driving is to consult the manufacturer of your tent. Posing the titular question to the manufacturer will help you learn precisely how your tent will handle on the road.
It’s also an opportunity to learn more about how you should properly set up the tent, which is helpful to know because all tents are different. Use this information to install a new rooftop tent with more peace of mind for your next road trip.
