October is when many South African families start planning the December break in earnest. Campsites open their bookings, leave forms go in and the question of how everyone will sleep on the road comes up at the kitchen table. Cloud Camper, a Johannesburg supplier of rooftop tents, awnings and vehicle camping gear, is helping buyers answer that question by matching its tent range to the size of the group travelling.
The idea is straightforward. A couple heading into the Karoo for a long weekend needs something very different from a family of four spending two weeks on the coast. Choosing Rooftop Tents by the number of sleepers first, and then by vehicle and travel style, saves money and avoids a tent that is either cramped or heavier than it needs to be.
For couples: slim, light and quick to open
Cloud Camper’s two-person options are built for travellers who want a low profile on the roof and a fast set-up at the end of a long drive.
The Ultra-Slim 9cm Rooftop Tent is just 9 cm thick when closed. It has a durable aluminium hard shell, a tent fabric of 320G ripstop polycotton with a blackout coating, a PU 5000 mm waterproof rating and UPF 50+ UV protection. It comes with a telescopic aluminium ladder that extends to 2.3 m and a 6 cm inflatable mattress, and sleeps two adults. Cloud Camper also includes a clear note for Suzuki Jimny owners, advising them to check their vehicle’s roof load rating because the tent, rack and hard shell together may exceed it.
The 2-Person Quick Set-Up Car Roof-top Tent, which includes a solar panel bracket, is designed to turn a vehicle into a sleeping space in minutes, using robust, weather-resistant fabrics.
For small families: a three-person hard shell
The Easy Set-Up Waterproof Slimline Hardshell Rooftop Tent sits in the middle of the range. It has a hard shell construction with automatic set-up, waterproofing and UV resistance, and a compact design for travel. The included ladder supports up to 150 kg, and the tent suits couples or small families who want more room without moving up to a full four-person unit.
For families of four: room for everyone
Families who need four sleeping spaces have three choices in the Cloud Camper range. The Kalbarri Z 4-Person Hard Shell Roof-top Tent is built for 4WD camping, with a hard shell made from aluminium, Oxford and cotton fabrics for UV resistance and waterproof protection. It comes with a solar panel bracket, mattress and ladder. The Cloud Camper XV 4 Sleeper is aimed at families who want a tent that sets up fast and lasts, and the Navaro 4 Sleeper adds another four-person option made from nylon, polyester and Oxford fabric.
Buyers who want to compare Rooftop Tents For Sale side by side can see the full range, with specifications and current pricing, on the Cloud Camper website.
Shade and storage around the vehicle
A rooftop tent solves sleeping, but summer camping in South Africa also needs shade. Cloud Camper supplies two freestanding side awnings that attach to the vehicle: a 270 degree awning and a 180 degree batwing awning with a side wall. Both are made from 600D double-ripstop Oxford fabric with a 3000 mm waterproof rating and UV protection of 50+, and both are rated for five people.
The accessories range covers the rest of the trip. It includes the AR-ON FSS-95 95L Dual-Zone Mobile Fridge/Freezer, with two compartments of 52.5 L and 42.5 L that can run as a fridge and freezer at the same time across a range of minus 20 to 10 degrees Celsius. There is also a self-inflating camping mattress, a tent shower, a heavy-duty metal jerry can, a rechargeable camping fan with an LED lantern, and QuickRelease steel mount locks for both roof tents and side awnings.
Questions to ask before buying
Cloud Camper’s own guidance for choosing Roof Top Tents for Cars comes down to four checks:
- Vehicle compatibility: make sure the tent fits the roof rack.
- Capacity: choose for the number of people and the gear they carry.
- Weight: confirm the tent suits the vehicle’s roof load capacity.
- Climate: pick a model suited to the conditions, such as a waterproof tent for wet weather.
Most rooftop tents need two people to install because of their weight, and they are secured to the roof rack with mounting brackets. Spring rain is also a good reminder about care: Cloud Camper recommends cleaning the tent after each trip to remove dirt and moisture, storing it somewhere dry and checking it regularly for damage.
Used from the Karoo to Tanzania
Customer reviews on the Cloud Camper website, from 31 reviewers at the time of writing, describe trips in South Africa and beyond, including the Karoo, Namibia and Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. Reviewers mention the build quality, quick set-up and the service they received when choosing their gear. Several also comment on practical details, such as being able to leave bedding inside the tent when it is closed, the built-in lighting and power points, and how easily the tents pack away at the end of a stay. For first-time buyers, those first-hand accounts are a useful way to judge how a tent performs on real South African roads.
Showroom by appointment
Cloud Camper is based in Johannesburg, with a showroom at Shop 20, Kingswood Centre, 9 Northfield Avenue, Glenhazel. Viewing is by appointment only, so buyers who want to see a tent open before deciding can contact the team to arrange a time.
With the summer holidays a few weeks away, October gives families enough time to choose a tent, have it fitted and try it out on a weekend trip before the long drive in December.
To browse the full range of tents, awnings and accessories, visit https://cloudcamper.co.za/.
About Cloud Camper
Cloud Camper is a Johannesburg based supplier of rooftop tents, vehicle awnings and camping accessories, established by a team of outdoor and camping enthusiasts. Its range includes two, three and four person rooftop tents, freestanding side awnings, mobile fridge freezers and overlanding gear, with a showroom in Glenhazel open by appointment.
Media Contact
Cloud Camper
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +27 76 960 1598
Website: cloudcamper.co.za
