Guide · Accessories
Awning or tarp for your rooftop tent? More space in front of the WEEKEND
A rooftop tent gives you a place to sleep. What's often missing is a sheltered spot in front of it: to sit, cook or leave your wet shoes. Here's whether an awning or a tarp is the better fit – and how the WEEKEND works with a tarp.
In short
A rooftop tent awning is mounted permanently on the roof bars and travels with the car. A tarp is pitched separately with poles and guy lines. Because the WEEKEND comes off the roof before every drive, a tarp suits it better: it works on the car roof just as well as on the Stage and takes up no space on the roof bars.
Awning or tarp: the difference
Both create a covered area in front of the tent. The main differences are where they are attached and how they travel.
| Feature | Rooftop tent awning | Tarp (e.g. Wing L) |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment | Fixed to the roof bars | Own poles and guy lines |
| Transport | Stays on the car | Packed in the boot |
| Roof bars | Needs space and mounting | No space on the bars needed |
| Use without a car | No | Yes, e.g. with the Stage |
| Setup | Fold out, set the legs | Set poles, guy out |
There is no dedicated awning for the WEEKEND, for a simple reason: the WEEKEND always comes off the roof before you drive. A tarp is independent of the car – you can use it with the WEEKEND on the roof, on the Stage or on its own.
Option 1
WEEKEND on the car roof with a tarp
Set up the WEEKEND on the ground as usual and lift it onto the roof. Then pitch the tarp in front of the entrance. The ladder stands under the tarp, so you get in and out dry even when it rains.
The tarp creates a covered area right next to the car: room for camping chairs, a cooking corner or a place for shoes and backpacks. At 385 × 410 × 280 cm, the Wing L is large enough to cover the entrance and a seating area.
Option 2
WEEKEND on the Stage with a tarp
Without a car, the WEEKEND sits on the Stage, about 50 cm above the ground. Add a tarp and you have a small camp – at a festival, in the garden or at the campsite while the car is out during the day.
The advantage: you step in at bed height without a ladder and have a covered spot in front of the entrance. More about the WEEKEND Stage.
Important
The WEEKEND is always set up on the ground and lifted onto the car as a complete unit. Never drive with the tent set up or the tarp pitched. Before every drive, tarp and tent come down – the packed WEEKEND travels in the boot or in the Speedbag.
How to pitch the tarp with your WEEKEND
Set up the WEEKEND
Inflate the platform, set up the tent and lift it onto the car roof – or place it on the Stage.
Position the tarp
Place the tarp so it covers the entrance and the ladder. Point the back towards the wind if you can.
Set the poles
Put up the poles on the open side. Higher poles give more headroom; lower poles help rain run off.
Guy out
Tension the tarp with guy lines and pegs until the fabric is smooth. Nothing flaps and water can run off.
Re-tension
Check the tension in the evening and after rain. Wet fabric stretches a little.
The matching tarp and our tips
The Wing L is a universal tent roof with a minimal-area cut from our sister brand Wechsel. Reinforced guy-out loops and guy lines with tensioners keep it stable.
| Dimensions | 385 × 410 × 280 cm |
| Weight | 1.06 kg |
| Packed size | 35 × 15 cm |
| Fabric | Ripstop polyester 68D, PU coated |
| Water column | 5,000 mm |
Poles and pegs are not included with the Wing and are available separately from Wechsel.
Low in the rain
Pitch one side lower so water runs off and doesn't pool in the fabric.
Back to the wind
Point the closed side of the tarp into the wind. Take the tarp down in a storm.
Not a sun shield
The tarp gives shade, but it is not UV protection. Think about sun protection on long sunny days.
Pack it dry
Let the tarp dry completely before storing it to prevent odours and mould.
FAQ: awnings and tarps for rooftop tents
Is there an awning for the WEEKEND?
No. The WEEKEND comes off the roof before every drive, so a permanently mounted awning doesn't fit the concept. A tarp such as the Wing L does the same job and works on the car roof and on the Stage.
What is the difference between an awning and a tarp?
An awning is fixed to the roof bars and travels with the car. A tarp is pitched with its own poles and guy lines and travels packed.
Which tarp works with the WEEKEND?
Here we show the Wing L by Wechsel. In general, any tarp that is large enough to cover the entrance and ladder and that can be guyed out well will work.
Do I need extra accessories?
For the Wing you need poles and pegs, which are not included. Wechsel offers both as accessories.
Can I use the tarp without a car?
Yes. With the WEEKEND Stage the tent stands without a car, and the tarp is pitched in front of it in the same way. The Wing can also be pitched on its own as a weather shelter.
Groenberg WEEKEND
More space for your next weekend
WEEKEND on the roof or on the Stage, tarp in front – and your camp is ready.