Summary
In short, you can absolutely leave your TentBox on your vehicle all year round.
All our TentBox models are incredibly durable and waterproof, so you won't need to go through the process of uninstalling it after every use!
Check out these tips for best practice when leaving a TentBox on your car for extended periods of time:
Security measures
Naturally, if you're planning to keep your TentBox on your vehicle permanently, it opens up the potential risk of theft. We do not want to worry you, but it's better to take precautionary measures to avoid this risk.
You should consider options for keeping your TentBox secure and safe from theft.
You may also want to consider roof tent insurance just in case the worst happens.
Waterproof material
All our TentBox models are designed with highly waterproof materials, making them ready for both adventures, and long-term installation on your car.
Protecting your TentBox from the elements
Keeping your TentBox protected from the elements is useful if you plan to leave it on your vehicle all year round.
Lite and Lite XL
All Lite models comes with a travel cover. Depending on when you purchased, this will either be secured with a zip or velcro. It's important to ensure the travel cover is installed properly, and we recommend regularly checking it.
Without this, the hinge and mattress may be exposed as your Lite be in a folded-up position.
With the more recent generations, the addition of a zip means that the travel cover is better secured, without the worry of velcro coming undone over time.
Classic
The TentBox Classic is highly water resistant due to its ABS shell.
If you own the TentBox Classic and want to keep it looking newer for longer, you may want to purchase the protective cover, designed to look after the ABS shell and keep it safe from the elements. It's super easy to use, too!
Cargo
The TentBox Cargo is built from incredibly strong and durable aluminium, and has stainless steel fixings, meaning it is well-equipped to handle being on your vehicle permanently.
Airing out your roof tent
You need to ensure your TentBox is dry before it's closed up. It's a good idea to air it out fully for a few hours before closing it up for winter.
You may also want to consider airing it out every few weeks during winter just to ensure any mositure that may have built up from humid air is able to escale.
Reducing condensation in a roof tent, when both in use and closed on your car, is an important part of getting a long life out of your TentBox.
Check your installation regularly
A final very important point is that when keeping your TentBox on your vehicle long term, you should regularly check that:
- Your roof bars are attached securely to your car
- Your TentBox is attached securely to your roof bars
We use nyloc nuts to prevent them from loosening over time, but driving puts a lot of force on a roof tent so it's always best practice to make sure everything is still in the correct place at least once every couple of weeks, or more if you drive regularly.