Rooftop Tent Care & Maintenance Guide

1. Clean gently

• Brush off loose dirt, then clean with fresh water and a soft cloth or brush. Remove bird droppings, salt, sand and mud promptly.
• Use cleaners suitable for the fabric, coating or shell, and rinse thoroughly. Avoid pressure washers, bleach, solvents and abrasive scrubbing.
• Keep electrical connections dry. Check the care label before cleaning mattress covers; avoid soaking foam.

2. Dry thoroughly

• Ventilate during use to reduce condensation. After each trip, open the tent and dry the fabric, rainfly, seams, folds and base channels.
• Lift the mattress: dry both sides, the underlay and the floor beneath. A dry outer surface does not mean the whole tent is dry.
• After a wet pack-down, reopen as soon as practical—do not wait until the next trip. Use airflow, not direct heaters.
• For mould or musty smells, remove bedding, inspect hidden areas, clean appropriately and dry completely. Seek specialist advice for extensive, recurring or mattress-penetrating mould.

3. Check before travelling

• Inspect mounts, brackets, bolts and rack connections before trips and after rough roads. Check for movement, wear and corrosion; tighten only to the specified torque.
• Check the shell, cover, seals, straps, latches, ladder feet, attachments and locks for damage. Clear grit from zippers, hinges, tracks and drainage channels. Never force jammed parts; lubricate only as specified.
• Wipe gas-strut shafts with a dry cloth; do not scratch or dismantle them. Stop using damaged ladders or faulty locks or lifting mechanisms until assessed and repaired.
• Keep fabric and excess bedding clear of hinges and seals. Never use the latches to force an overfilled tent shut.
• Check accessible cables for damage; leave electrical repairs to a suitably qualified person.

4. Maintain weather protection

Inspect fabric, seams and seals for wear. Reduced water beading alone does not mean a leak; moisture inside may be condensation.

Clean before applying a compatible water-repellent treatment or seam sealer. Test a hidden area, treat only suitable surfaces and allow full curing. Gently wet the exterior to check the result, then dry completely. Water-repellent treatments cannot repair torn fabric, failed seam tape or damaged seals; seek repair advice for damage or unexplained leaks.

5. Store dry and check monthly

• Dry everything completely and remove bedding that may retain moisture before long-term storage. Where practical, store in a dry, shaded, ventilated place. Support a removed tent as instructed, clear of damp flooring.
• Place a contained, low-profile moisture absorber securely inside, clear of fabric, bedding, metal and closing surfaces. Follow its replacement or regeneration instructions and remove it before travel or use. Keep liquid-collecting types upright and contained to prevent spills.
• Moisture absorbers supplement drying; they cannot dry a wet tent.
• Check monthly as a general guide, more often in humid weather or as the absorber requires. Lift the mattress; inspect for dampness, odours, corrosion, pests and damaged seals. Reopen and dry if damp. These checks also apply to vehicle-mounted tents.