For many car and travel enthusiasts, the road is more than just a way to get from A to B — it’s the beginning of the adventure. Whether you’re heading into the outback, hugging the coastline, or climbing through mountain passes, your vehicle becomes more than transport.
It becomes your home. Your kitchen. Your shelter. Your basecamp.
Turning your vehicle into a reliable, comfortable, and self-sufficient basecamp is one of the most rewarding upgrades for overlanders and weekend warriors alike. And central to that transformation? The humble but game-changing hard top roof top tent.
Let’s discuss how you can build a true mobile basecamp that’s built for the journey, no matter where the road takes you.
1. Start with the Right Tent: Why Hard Top Roof Top Tents Are a Game-Changer
If you’ve been on the road with a swag or ground tent, you already know the downsides—lumpy ground, mud, longer setup times, and vulnerability to weather. Roof top tents solve a lot of these problems, but hard top roof top tents take things to a whole new level.
These rugged, aerodynamic tents mount directly to your roof racks and pop up in seconds. No poles. No pegs. Just a solid, weatherproof shell that opens into a comfortable sleeping space above the ground. The hard top protects your bedding and mattress from dust and rain while you’re driving, and many models include integrated ladders, storage nets, and even solar-ready panels.
For solo travellers and couples alike, a hard top roof top tent offers unmatched convenience and quick deployment—perfect for pulling up at a remote beach or roadside rest stop after a long day of exploring.
2. Build Out the Sleeping Setup
The tent is just the beginning. To turn your vehicle into a true basecamp, think about comfort and convenience.
Start with bedding. Most hard shell tents allow you to leave your mattress and sleeping bag inside, so setup is as simple as popping the tent open. Bring proper pillows, a fitted sheet, and a quality sleeping bag or doona rated for your climate.
Also consider internal lighting. A USB-powered LED light strip or a rechargeable lantern makes reading or prepping for bed far easier once the sun goes down.
3. Create a Cooking and Eating Station
No basecamp is complete without the means to feed yourself. A fold-out drawer kitchen or portable camp kitchen setup can turn the rear of your 4WD or ute into a fully functioning outdoor kitchen.
Include:
- A dual-burner stove or portable BBQ
- Slide-out table or prep bench
- Cooking utensils and cutlery
- Collapsible sink and washing tub
- Food storage and sealed containers
Pair this with a quality 12V fridge or esky to keep food and drinks fresh. Bonus points if you’ve got a dual battery system and solar panels to keep everything powered off-grid.
4. Maximise Your Storage
A well-organised basecamp vehicle is a joy to live out of. Drawer systems, roof racks, and under-seat storage all help you make the most of limited space. Label your gear by purpose—cooking, recovery, hygiene, clothing—and keep it packed in grab-and-go containers.
Inside the cab, use seat-back organisers and sun visor pockets to store frequently used items like torches, maps, and first aid kits. On the roof, consider a rooftop box or gear bag to supplement the space taken up by your hard top roof top tent.
Just remember: heavy items low, light items up high. And everything tied down securely.
5. Add Shade and Shelter
A basecamp isn’t just where you sleep—it’s where you relax, cook, and hang out. Adding an awning to the side of your vehicle provides quick shade and shelter, perfect for hot days or unexpected rain.
Many adventurers pair their hard shell tent with a 270-degree awning that wraps around the vehicle, creating a spacious outdoor living zone. Some even add sidewalls or annexes to provide additional enclosed space—ideal for a change room, toilet setup, or even a second sleeping area.
6. Stay Powered and Connected
Modern basecamps run on power. Keep your phone charged, run your fridge, power your lights, or even run a laptop if you’re working remotely.
A dual battery system is essential here. Pair your vehicle’s alternator with a deep-cycle auxiliary battery, and recharge via solar panels during the day. Use a battery management system to monitor and distribute power safely.
For connectivity, a signal booster can help in remote areas, and if you really want to stay off-grid, a Starlink or satellite internet system can keep you online anywhere on earth.
7. Bring the Creature Comforts
You’re not roughing it—you’re basecamping. Bring what you need to stay clean, dry, and sane.
Consider:
- A portable shower with a privacy tent
- Biodegradable soap and quick-dry towels
- Folding camp chairs and a fire pit
- A good-quality coffee setup (because instant doesn’t cut it on the road)
Even a small camping toilet or a shovel and toilet paper can make a big difference in remote areas.
Final Thoughts
A touring vehicle should do more than get you from campsite to campsite—it should be the campsite. With a thoughtfully designed setup and the right gear, your car can become a basecamp that’s comfortable, self-reliant, and ready for adventure at a moment’s notice.
At the heart of that setup is a quality hard top roof top tent. It’s fast to deploy, built to last, and turns any stop—planned or spontaneous—into a restful night’s sleep above the ground.
So, whether you’re planning a multi-week overland expedition or weekend escapes off the grid, start building a rig that’s built for the journey. Your adventure starts the moment you open that tent.
