See the world from a new perspective in a roof tent

Once you've nipped up the ladder into the roof tent, relaxed on the plush mattress and experienced the thrill of having your very own spot to bed down in high above ground, a world of new options awaits you.

We sounded out Niklas Byvik, Head of Accessories at Volvo Cars Sweden on how to get the most out of life on high.

So Niklas, why sleep on the roof?
"Staying on the roof of your Volvo not only gives you a whole new perspective on the world and your surroundings, but being raised a couple of metres off the ground also gives you a whole raft of practical advantages. You avoid bringing dirt, grass and sand into the tent because you leave your shoes at the bottom of the ladder before you climb it. You avoid the ground chill, which is the main reason for getting cold when camping on the ground despite a well-insulated sleeping bag. Sleeping high above ground is actually one of the factors that extend the camping season considerably. Aside from the cold ground, you also avoid dewfall and the moisture build-up on the ground that gets your gear wet, cold and heavy.

Anyone who ever tried camping knows the nuisance of stumbling over tent lines and tent pegs when moving around your pitch. Waking up in the morning with damp canopy in your face. That feeling of claustrophobia when the sun heats up the canopy to full greenhouse effect. The uneven ground that didn't feel like a problem when you pitched, but has now left you with a stiff back and other aches and pains. The zip-pull of your sleeping bag that mysteriously vanished, so you're wriggling butterfly-style in your cocoon to get out. Factors that some people might see as part of the charm of bedding down in a natural setting, but which tend to sour the fun and freedom of sleeping in a tent. The solution to all these hassles is called a roof tent."

Do you need the same equipment in a roof tent as for a conventional ground tent?
"The big advantage of a roof tent is that it's far more spacious than a conventional tent. The walls are straighter and the ceiling is higher, providing a different roomy, airy feel. The roof tent also comes with a thick mattress, so you don't have to invest in a luxury sleeping system. You can bring your duvet and pillows instead of a constricting sleeping bag. Because duvets and pillows are quite bulky, you can increase the cargo space in your car with the Volvo towbar cargo box, giving you an additional 400 litres of storage space that is easily accessible, and without encroaching on the vehicle's luggage compartment.

As opposed to conventional camping, you can actually go 'glamping' with food that needs to be kept chilled. All you have to do is invest in a cooler powered by the vehicle's 12 V connector."

Do I need a degree in construction engineering to install and pitch a roof tent?
"No! Our roof tent requires no expertise or special tools for use. To install it on your Volvo, you just need two people to lift the tent onto the load carriers. You then mount the tent in the load carrier T-tracks and then secure it by tightening the screws using a torque wrench supplied with the tent.

When not in use, the tent stows inside a travel cover, which zips off easily. You then take hold of the ladder, which is permanently attached to the tent, and pull down. The tent pops up in one single action, complete with its mattress and ladder. Then simply climb your ladder, unzip your tent and you're ready to invite the world into your roof top bunk. No lines, no pegs, no hassle, so you can enjoy the scenery and your very own mobile roof-top home.

The tent can be opened to give you a 360 panoramic view, with or without the mosquito net. You also have a rainfly – a flysheet for rain protection – where you decide whether or not to keep it permanently installed. The only slight drawback of leaving it in place is that it blocks out the sky if you're into star-gazing in bed."

Do I need to bear anything in mind when I find a spot to pitch my roof tent?
"Try to park on as level ground as possible to avoid sleeping on a slope. The vehicle compensates for a lot more bumps than you'd imagine, so finding a level spot isn't usually a problem.

Before you park, have a wander to work out where the wind's coming from. As a rule of thumb, you'll want the tent entrance to be sheltered for your comfort, and it's easier to work out the wind direction before you park. The same goes for the sun. If it's not that windy, you'll want to align the tent with how you prefer the sun to shine on the tent. Do you want to feel the morning sun on your face when you unzip the entrance next day, or do you prefer to watch the setting sun? The tent can be opened so as to let in the sun whichever way you're facing."

Do you want to feel the morning sun on your face when you unzip the entrance next day, or do you prefer to watch the setting sun? The tent can be opened so as to let in the sun whichever way you're facing.

When you're ready to move on to the next spot, do up all the tent zips, fold up the ladder and the tent using the same movement you used for popping it out. Then zip on the travel cover and you're ready to hit the road. That's how easy it is to see the world in a whole new way.

You should know that roof tenting is addictive, and it could become your permanent home from home for many years to come."

Right! So how do you buy the tent?
"Your local Volvo Cars dealership can help you to both order and install the tent. You can locate your nearest dealership here."

Facts and advantages
Tried and tested for Volvo cars with a maximum roof weight of 300 kg static weight, i.e. when the car is stationary.

• Comfortable, flat floor to sleep on.
• Easy fitting and folding/unfolding of the tent.
• The tent and ladder are stored under a protective cover during transit.
• Thoroughly tested with Volvo's load carriers.
• Straps and mounting brackets included.
• Lockable mounting brackets for a quick fit.
• Sturdy structure and reinforced canopy, designed for adventure.
• Rainfly and mattress can remain in the tent when folded away.
• Mattress and rainfly included.