Regular cleaning, thorough drying and timely inspection help keep your rooftop tent in good condition.
Owners should carry out routine cleaning, drying and inspection, and store the tent correctly between trips. Maintenance frequency should reflect how often the tent is used and its exposure to moisture, dust, salt, sunlight and rough roads.
Materials and components vary between models. Follow the instructions supplied with your tent and check compatibility before applying cleaners, waterproofing treatments, lubricants or repair products.
1. Waterproofing and Weather Protection
Inspect regularly
Fully open the tent and check the fabric, rainfly where fitted, seams, window surrounds and weather seals. Pay particular attention to frequently folded areas and surfaces that rub during opening or closing.
Look for:
- Abrasion, small holes or damaged stitching.
- Peeling seam tape or deteriorating coatings.
- Cracked, displaced or damaged seals.
- Dirt or trapped fabric preventing the shell from closing evenly.
- Areas where the outer fabric absorbs water rather than shedding it.
Reduced water beading can indicate a decline in surface water repellency, but does not by itself mean the tent is leaking.
Maintain surface water repellency
Clean the fabric before deciding whether it needs treatment. If the clean outer fabric continues to absorb water, select a treatment specifically compatible with its material and coating.
- Test the product on a small, hidden area.
- Follow its instructions for preparation and application.
- Keep it away from surfaces it is not intended to treat.
- Allow the required curing time.
- Make sure the tent is completely dry before storage.
Do not apply treatments to mesh, clear windows, bedding or rubber seals unless the product is suitable for those materials.
Water-repellent treatments do not repair torn fabric, failed seam tape or damaged seals.
Check seams and water entry
If moisture appears inside, check whether it is condensation or rain entering through a particular seam, opening or seal.
Use seam sealer only when it is compatible with the fabric, coating and seam construction. If the source of water entry is unclear, or stitching or structural fabric is damaged, obtain suitable repair advice before applying products.
After any treatment or repair has fully cured, gently wet the exterior to check the result. Do not use a pressure washer. Dry the entire tent before closing it.
2. Fabric Cleaning
Remove dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabric.
For routine cleaning:
- Brush away loose dust, leaves and sand.
- Use clean, cool or lukewarm water with a soft brush, sponge or cloth.
- Clean gently without aggressive scrubbing.
- Rinse away loosened dirt and any permitted cleaner residue.
- Dry the fabric, seams and folded edges completely.
Remove bird droppings and other contamination promptly. For tree sap or stubborn stains, confirm the appropriate cleaning method before treatment.
Avoid pressure washers, abrasive brushes, bleach, solvents and household stain removers. Use detergents or specialist cleaners only when suitable for the exact fabric and coating.
Unsuitable cleaners and excessive scrubbing can damage coatings, stitching and surface finishes.
3. Drying, Condensation and Mould Prevention
Moisture can collect inside a tent even when it has not rained. Overnight condensation, damp bedding and wet clothing can leave moisture underneath the mattress, behind linings and between folded fabric layers.
During use, maintain ventilation and keep wet equipment away from bedding. After each trip, open the tent, wipe away visible moisture and air the interior.
Mould-resistant material can still develop mould if left damp. Prolonged damp storage can cause mould, odour and staining, and accelerate deterioration of some fabrics and coatings.
After a wet pack-down
Reopen the tent as soon as practical. Do not leave drying until the next camping trip.
Check and dry:
- Roof and wall fabric, plus the rainfly where fitted.
- Seams, corners and window surrounds.
- Both sides of the mattress and the floor underneath.
- Linings, folded fabric and accessory bags.
- The base and hinge channels.
A dry-looking outer surface does not confirm that the whole tent is dry.
Use a clean towel to remove standing water. A fan or dehumidifier can assist in a suitable sheltered location. Avoid direct heaters or excessive heat.
If you notice mould or a musty smell
Open the tent, remove bedding and inspect hidden surfaces. Clean affected areas only with a method suitable for the material, then dry thoroughly.
If mould is extensive, has penetrated the mattress or repeatedly returns, obtain specialist cleaning or repair advice before further treatment.
4. Mattress and Interior Care
After each trip, lift the mattress and inspect the underside. Allow both sides, the tent floor and any removable underlay to dry.
- Remove loose dirt with a soft brush or vacuum.
- Spot-clean according to the care label.
- Wash removable covers only as permitted by their labels.
- Avoid soaking foam, internal linings or bonded layers.
- Refit the mattress only when all surfaces are dry.
For inflatable mattresses, keep valves clean and follow the mattress instructions for inflation, pressure adjustment, deflation and storage.
Before closing the tent, remove excess bedding and keep fabric clear of hinges, latches and seals. If the shell does not close evenly, check for an obstruction. Do not use the latches to force an overfilled tent shut; this can strain the shell, hinges and closing hardware.
5. Zippers, Moving Parts and Mounting Hardware
Zippers
Brush grit from the teeth and wipe with a damp cloth if needed. Gently release trapped fabric rather than forcing the slider.
Use a zipper-care product only when compatible with the zipper and surrounding material. Forcing a dirty or jammed zipper can damage the teeth, slider and stitching.
Hinges, tracks and latches
Remove sand, mud and debris. Check for loose fittings, wear and unusual movement.
Apply lubricant only where specified for the component. Unnecessary oil or grease can collect dirt and may affect surrounding materials.
Gas struts
Wipe exposed shafts with a clean, dry cloth. Do not scratch, clamp, dismantle or modify gas struts.
If a strut leaks, operates unevenly or no longer supports the tent correctly, stop using the affected mechanism and arrange an appropriate assessment.
Ladder
Clean telescoping sections and locking areas, then dry thoroughly. Inspect feet, attachment points, fasteners and locks.
Do not force sections that are obstructed by grit or mud. Damaged components or unreliable locks require assessment and appropriate repair or replacement before further use.
Mounting hardware
Check brackets, bolts, mounting channels and rack attachment points before trips and after corrugated or rough-road travel.
Look for movement, rubbing, corrosion and missing hardware. Tighten only to the specified torque. Overtightening can damage brackets, mounting channels or the rack system.
6. Shell, Travel Cover and Seals
Use fresh water and a soft cloth for routine cleaning. Additional cleaning products must be suitable for the surface.
Inspect:
- Shell edges and surfaces for cracks or impact damage.
- Covers, straps, buckles and stitching for wear.
- Seals for cracking, flattening or displacement.
- Latches for alignment and correct closure.
- Drainage channels for blockages.
Keep seals and closing surfaces free of dirt, leaves and trapped fabric. Debris can prevent proper closure and compromise weather protection.
Before touching up a damaged finish, check compatibility with the original coating and surrounding materials.
On models with electrical fittings, keep connections dry during cleaning and check accessible cables for wear or damage. Electrical repairs should be carried out by a suitably qualified person.
7. After Coastal, Dusty or Muddy Travel
Remove salt, sand and mud promptly from exposed hardware, ladder sections, tracks and locks.
Use fresh water where appropriate, avoiding electrical connections and unnecessary soaking of the interior. Dry the components thoroughly afterwards.
Salt left on metal can increase corrosion risk. Sand and grit can obstruct locks and accelerate wear in moving parts.
Increase cleaning and inspection frequency when regularly travelling near the coast or on dusty tracks. Check for corrosion, coating damage and loose mounting hardware after these trips.
8. Long-Term Storage and Moisture Absorbers
Before storage, clean and completely dry the tent, mattress, rainfly, base and accessories. Remove bedding that may retain moisture.
Where practical, store the tent in a dry, shaded and ventilated location. Support a removed tent according to its storage instructions and keep it clear of damp flooring.
Use a suitable moisture absorber
Once the tent is fully dry, place a suitable desiccant pack or moisture absorber inside to help manage residual humidity.
- Choose a contained, low-profile product suitable for enclosed storage that does not interfere with closing the tent.
- Position it securely, away from direct contact with bedding, fabric and metal.
- Follow the product’s capacity, inspection and replacement instructions.
- Replace it when saturated, or regenerate it only if designed for reuse.
- Remove it before travelling or using the tent.
Liquid-collecting absorbers must remain upright and securely contained. Spilled liquid may stain fabric or corrode metal.
A moisture absorber supplements drying and inspection. It cannot dry a wet tent or make damp storage suitable.
Inspect regularly
As a general routine, inspect the stored tent monthly. Check more frequently in humid conditions or after prolonged wet weather, and follow any shorter inspection interval specified for the moisture absorber.
At each check:
- Inspect the absorber and replace or regenerate it as needed.
- Check for dampness, condensation and musty odours.
- Lift the mattress and inspect underneath.
- Check seams, corners and folded fabric.
- Look for corrosion, insects or signs of rodents.
- Inspect the shell or travel cover and weather seals.
If moisture is present, fully reopen and dry the tent before returning it to storage. Address the source of moisture where possible.
Tents that remain mounted on a vehicle require the same storage checks.
9. Maintenance at a Glance
After every trip: Remove dirt, ventilate the interior, lift the mattress and dry all components before closing.
After a wet pack-down: Reopen and dry as soon as practical.
After coastal or rough-road travel: Clean exposed components and inspect moving parts, hardware and mounts.
During storage: Inspect monthly as a general guide, adjusting the interval for conditions. Check and service the moisture absorber as required.
Before the next trip: Inspect fabric, seams, seals, ladder, moving components and mounting hardware. Check previous repairs and treatments where relevant.
Keep a simple record of cleaning, treatments and parts replaced to help track maintenance over time.
Care illustrations are representative. Materials and components vary between models.