Affordable Rooftop Tent –
rooftop camping made easy

Affordable rooftop tent: what's realistic?

If you're looking for a budget rooftop tent, you'll soon notice that traditional models are heavy, bulky and often need a car with plenty of roof load. Our own hard-shell tents Alvar and Tjelvar, for example, weigh 77 kg. The WEEKEND takes a different approach: a full rooftop tent for two people that, at 11.5 kg tent weight, also works on smaller cars.

With the WEEKEND, "affordable" isn't just about the price tag. It's also about what you don't need: no bigger car, no garage, no permanent spot on your roof.

On the road, the tent rides in your boot

The WEEKEND isn't designed to travel on the roof. While you drive, it stays packed in the boot. So there's no tent up top catching wind or making noise – just your roof bars, which you can take off completely between trips.

Which roof load applies when? Our Roof Load Finder in the vehicle guide explains it.

No big car needed

The WEEKEND also works with small or older cars. The requirements: your vehicle must be approved for roof bars, and you need a suitable set. The tent only sits on the roof while the car is parked. That's when the static roof load applies, which is usually much higher than the roof load for driving, because a car roof also has to withstand a rollover. Still, check your car's static roof load and the load rating of your roof bars – with you and your companion inside the tent.

Don't own a car? Because the WEEKEND is so light, you can also use it on a rental or car-sharing vehicle – as long as the provider allows roof bars. Ask first.

Polo, Corsa or an old estate – how the WEEKEND works on small cars is covered in our small-car guide.

Buy together, share the tent

Got friends who like camping too? Split the cost and pass the tent around. With 11.5 kg tent weight and a pack size of 75 × 48 × 40 cm, the WEEKEND fits into most boots, so handing it over takes no time. Four of you means everyone pays a quarter. The only condition: each car needs suitable roof bars.

Your roof bars stay free

Because the WEEKEND is only on the roof while you're parked, your roof bars stay free on the road for bikes, a canoe, a surfboard or a roof box. How to combine a rooftop tent and bikes is explained step by step in our magazine article for cyclists.

Conclusion: rooftop camping on a budget with the WEEKEND

The WEEKEND turns your car into a bedroom for two – no big vehicle, no garage, and no tent on the roof while you drive. It's our most affordable rooftop tent and disappears into a cupboard at home. If you want a budget rooftop tent but not a cheap throwaway, you're in the right place.

Discover all WEEKEND models

Ultralight, compact, for almost any car with roof bars.