You are short on garage space and someone suggested storing your rooftop tent on its side. But is that actually safe? Will it damage the tent, the hinges, or the canvas? The answer depends on what type of tent you have — and there are some important caveats. Here is a complete breakdown.
Can You Store a Rooftop Tent on Its Side?
For most rooftop tents, storing on its side is not recommended for long-term storage — but it is acceptable for short periods if done carefully. The concern is not the canvas itself but the structural and mechanical components: hinges, gas struts, the mattress foam, and the tent’s folding mechanism. Gravity works differently on these components when the tent is oriented on its side versus flat, and over time this can cause issues.
Softshell Rooftop Tents: Side Storage
Why Side Storage Is Not Ideal for Softshells
Softshell tents fold accordion-style and are designed to lie flat. The weight of the canvas, poles, and mattress is distributed evenly when the tent is horizontal. When stored on its side, several things happen that the tent was not designed for:
- The canvas panels fold at unintended angles, creating new crease lines that can permanently mark or weaken the fabric over time
- The mattress foam compresses unevenly, potentially creating permanent indentations or warping the foam’s profile
- The hinges bear lateral loads they were not engineered for, which can cause slight misalignment over months of storage
- Any moisture inside the tent (condensation residue) pools on one side rather than evaporating evenly
When Side Storage Is Acceptable for Softshells
For a week or two — getting the tent through a move, temporarily making room for a project — side storage is fine. The tent will not be damaged. For seasonal storage (3–6 months off the vehicle over winter), flat storage is strongly preferred. If flat storage is genuinely impossible, store on its side in the closed position, ensure the tent is completely dry, and place it on a padded surface that supports the full length of the tent frame without any point loading on hinges or corners.
Hardshell Rooftop Tents: Side Storage
Clamshell Hardshells
Clamshell hardshell tents (like the ARB Simpson III or Autohome Columbus) have two rigid shell halves connected by hinges along one side. When stored on the non-hinge side, the hinge bears no unusual load and the shell is structurally stable — this is one of the more side-storage-friendly configurations. However, the gas struts that hold the shell open are not designed for horizontal orientation for extended periods; they may lose some pressure over months in a non-vertical position.
Wedge Hardshells
Wedge-style hardshells (like the iKamper Skycamp or Roofnest Falcon) have a more complex folding mechanism with multiple struts and hinges. Storing these on their side puts lateral stress on the opening mechanism and can cause the struts to bind or lose alignment over time. Flat storage is significantly better for wedge hardshells. If side storage is unavoidable, keep the period to under 4 weeks and check all mechanisms before reinstalling on the vehicle.
Practical Storage Alternatives to Save Space
Ceiling Hoist Storage (Recommended)
A ceiling hoist stores the tent in its natural flat orientation while freeing up all the floor and wall space below. A 4-point platform hoist rated for 300+ lbs raises the tent to ceiling level and keeps it stable. This is the gold standard for RTT off-season storage — the tent stays in its designed orientation, stays clean, and is accessible for inspection and maintenance. Initial installation cost is $80–$400 depending on whether you choose a manual or motorized system.
Wall-Mounted Horizontal Storage
Wall-mounted brackets (similar to heavy-duty kayak wall storage) can hold a rooftop tent horizontally against a garage wall. The tent lies flat on its side — but critically, it is supported along its full length by multiple bracket points rather than sitting on just the edges. This distributes load evenly and avoids point-loading hinges. Custom solutions using 2×6 lumber wall brackets work well for this. The tent still needs to clear any vehicles in the garage, so measure carefully before building this setup.
Leave It on the Vehicle
If garage space is the constraint, consider whether the tent needs to come off at all. Many RTT owners leave their tent on the vehicle year-round — it is designed to live outdoors and the UV-resistant canvas cover protects the tent in all weather. The weight on the roof affects fuel economy and vehicle handling year-round, but if you camp regularly, the convenience of keeping it mounted often outweighs those costs. Just ensure the cover is properly secured and inspect for moisture or mold at the start of each camping season.
Purpose-Built RTT Storage Stand
Several companies manufacture floor-standing storage frames specifically for rooftop tents — essentially a set of legs that hold the tent at a convenient working height in the garage. These stands keep the tent in its flat orientation while making it easy to inspect, clean, and access. Overland Gear Guy, Cali Raised LED, and several custom fabricators offer these stands for popular tent models. For a DIY option, a pair of sawhorses with foam padding on the crossbars works adequately for light tents under 150 lbs.
How to Store a Rooftop Tent for Winter
Regardless of orientation, proper preparation before long-term storage is critical:
- Clean thoroughly: Wash the canvas with a canvas-safe cleaner (Iosso, Woolite diluted) and rinse completely. Remove all bird droppings, road grime, and organic matter that feed mold during storage.
- Dry completely: Canvas that is even slightly damp when stored will develop mold within days to weeks in a closed garage environment. Let it dry in direct sunlight until bone dry all the way through.
- Apply waterproofing: Apply 303 Fabric Guard or Nikwax Canvas Proof before storage — a fresh DWR coating protects canvas from moisture absorption during storage and means the tent is ready for the first trip of the season without retreatment.
- Remove the mattress: If possible, store the mattress separately in a clean, dry location — flat, not folded. This prevents the foam from taking a compression set over a long winter.
- Inspect seams: Check all seam tape and stitching before storage and reseal any peeling or cracked areas. Issues caught now cost $10–$20 in seam sealer; ignored until spring they may require panel replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will storing a rooftop tent on its side damage the canvas?
Short-term (a few days to 2 weeks), no significant canvas damage occurs. Long-term side storage creates permanent crease marks where the canvas folds at angles it was not designed for. High-quality poly-cotton canvas is relatively resistant to permanent creasing, but polyester and nylon fabrics crease more readily. The bigger long-term risk from side storage is uneven moisture distribution and potential mold in the lower sections of the folded canvas if any moisture was present at storage time.
Can I store a rooftop tent outside over winter?
Yes, if it has a quality weatherproof cover and is left on the vehicle or properly secured. The canvas is designed for outdoor life — UV resistance, rain resistance, and temperature cycling are all within its design parameters. The main risks with outdoor winter storage are UV degradation of the cover material over years and moisture infiltration if the cover develops tears or gaps. Inspect the outer cover for damage before winter and replace or repair any compromised areas.
How do I transport a rooftop tent that is not on the vehicle?
Transport in a truck bed lying flat (the natural orientation) or in a cargo trailer on a flat floor. Secure with ratchet straps at multiple points — the tent should not shift during transport. Avoid propping it against the truck bed rails on its side for long distances; use padding and secure it as flat as possible. If transporting in a trailer, protect the tent cover from abrading against the trailer floor with moving blankets or foam padding underneath.
Does the mattress get damaged if left in the tent during storage?
The mattress foam compresses when the tent is folded and held compressed for extended periods. For short periods (a few weeks) this is fine — the foam recovers. For a full off-season of 3–6 months, the foam may develop a permanent compression set that reduces its thickness and comfort. Removing the mattress and storing it flat and uncompressed is the best practice for long-term seasonal storage. A 2-inch closed-cell foam insert costs $30–$60 to replace if needed, but proper storage makes replacement unnecessary.