Have you noticed how many 4WDs, SUVs and utes are driving around these days with Kings roof top tents fitted to their roof racks? The distinctive black cover and blue and white Adventure Kings logo is recognisable a mile away, and with so many people running them now, people are quickly realising just how practical they are.

There used to be a thought that roof top tents are a luxury you can only afford to take camping if you have lots of excess space in or on your 4WD. After all, they take up a fair bit of space, don’t they? The answer is yes, and no. Read on to see what we mean.

Kings roof top tents like the Tourer which comes with an included annex are actually very small for the amount of usable, multi-purpose space you get. When a Tourer is fitted to a Kings steel roof top tent rack, it takes up the back three-quarters or so of the rack, but not the whole thing. That means you can still use your roof as storage for other bulky items like kids bikes, camp chairs or jerry cans.

The real secret to how much space a Kings roof top tent saves you lies with what you can fit inside one while it’s packed up, as well as when it’s opened up at camp. While packed away, a Tourer roof top tent can actually hold all your linen and pillows inside it, tucked away in the standard heavy duty 600GSM PVC protective cover/bag. Think about how much space three or four pillows can take up in the back of your car as well as a doona or a couple of sleeping bags, and then imagine if you didn’t have to pack them in the boot anymore because they’re already packed away inside the roof top tent! That’s a smart way to make the absolute most of your available storage space of the roof top tent. Don’t forget all Kings roof top tents also include a thick, comfy mattress in the design as well, so you don’t need to pack a separate mattress in the car either.

Once you get to camp, a Roof Top Tent Tourer can actually serve as a base camp for you to setup around, thanks to its massive included annex. What we mean by that is if you don’t have the space to carry a swag or two plus pillows and linen for sleeping, as well as a gazebo for shade, you can use the Tourer’s annex to serve as your shady, waterproof camp shelter.

The Tourer’s annex is made from waterproof and insect proof material. It has its own base that is fully sealed to the walls so acts as an enclosed shelter that won’t let water run through the bottom, and certainly won’t let bugs or insects in. You can roll up the large windows to allow breeze and sunlight to enter through the mesh windows without letting anything else in.

Inside the annex you can easily fit a few camp chairs and a Kings aluminium roll up table, meaning it’s the perfect side to eat in, play games in, read a book or watch a movie. When it comes to bed time you can also swap the chairs for a couple of Sumo stretcher beds, a self-inflating mattress or a Big Daddy swag for extra sleeping spots for the kids or other camp guests.

This is what we mean about a Kings roof top tent actually being a very smart choice for people who don’t have heaps of space on their 4WD. If you’ve got a 4WD that has a fridge/freezer in the back or maybe a couple of kids car seats, you’ll know it’s not always easy to fit long items like swags or gazebos. But if you put a roof top tent on your rack – and especially a Tourer to make use of the included annex – you’re carrying Mum and Dad’s bedroom on the roof, as well as the loungeroom, dining room and spare bedroom all in one. That means you don’t need to pack a second tent for the kids and you can leave the bulky tarp, pole and rope setup at home as well – just live out of the annex and have the convenience of a quick set up and packup at your fingertips for even easier camping.