Moisture in the roof tent: what you can do about it – ventilation, insulation & accessories

Moisture in the roof tent – Moisture in the roof tent can be a big problem, especially if it stays damp for a long time.
Especially when camping in winter, but also in spring or fall, it can still be quite chilly on the campsites.
So it’s all the worse if moisture builds up in the roof tent and you have to freeze.
Here are some things and tips you can do to reduce moisture in your roof tent.
In advance in the store: Our mattress pad.

What to do about moisture in the roof tent?

Especially on longer trips in high humidity, in colder regions or when camping in colder temperatures, moisture can quickly build up inside the tent.
Drying out the water again and again only helps to a limited extent and is not a long-term solution.
However, as moisture can lead to mold growth, unpleasant smells and an uncomfortable camping experience, you should avoid it as much as possible!
Here are our SOS aids for wetness in the roof tent as well as effective tips to reduce or completely avoid moisture in the roof tent.

Did you know that humans exhale around one liter of water during the night?
This is not a problem in the bedroom, but in the roof tent it quickly collects on the tent walls in the form of condensation.

How to reduce existing moisture

Once increased condensation has formed and it has become damp in the roof tent, you can take a few simple measures to reduce the moisture quickly and effectively.

Ventilate the roof tent for as long as possible

Open the windows and doors of the roof tent to improve air circulation and thus reduce moisture.
If possible, you should ventilate the tent during the day so that the sun can dry the material.
Also make sure to air the tent in dry weather, as this increases the chance of moisture escaping from the tent.
If it rains, it is better to keep the tent closed to prevent more moisture from getting in.
The longer the roof tent is aired, the more moisture can escape.
If the weather permits, you should leave the tent open for a few hours or even the whole day.
However, you should close it before nightfall to avoid moisture that can form during the night due to condensation.
You should bear this in mind when ventilating:

  • Open all windows and doors to generate airflow
  • Ventilate the roof tent during the day in good weather
  • Avoid ventilation in the rain
  • Ensure air circulation for as long as possible
  • Close windows before nightfall

Ventilate the roof tent as long as possible during the day in good weather!

Use absorbent materials

Use absorbent items such as pillows, towels or even newspaper to draw the water out of the tent.
You can place them in the corners of the tent or under the sleeping bags, for example.
Ideally, use cotton or microfiber materials, as they can absorb moisture and dry quickly.
Change the absorbent materials regularly to ensure they remain effective.
If they become completely saturated with moisture, they can lose their effectiveness and even give off an unpleasant odor.
You can also buy special moisture absorbers that can be placed in the tent to absorb excess moisture.
This is how absorbent materials help you:

  • Absorbent things draw water out of the tent
  • Place in corners or under sleeping bag
  • Ideally cotton or microfiber materials
  • Replace absorbent materials regularly
  • If necessary: special moisture absorbers

Measures to avoid moisture

Getting the moisture out of the roof tent can be an annoying and time-consuming procedure.
However, with a few helpful tips, you can also prevent moisture from forming.

Avoid things that promote moisture

Try to bring as little moisture into the tent as possible.
Avoid cooking in the roof tent by cooking outside in the awning and do not use wet clothes or shoes in the tent.
If you have damp clothing, hang it up outside the tent so that it can dry in the fresh air.
You should keep this in mind:

  • Avoid cooking in the roof tent
  • Do not take wet clothing into the tent
  • Hang up damp items outside

Make sure you leave your wet clothes and shoes outside the tent!

Ensure good insulation

Good insulation can also help to reduce moisture in the roof tent.
Even if most roof tents are already equipped with ventilation openings and designed for all weather conditions, it is also helpful to ensure that no moisture penetrates into the tent from below.
A sleeping mat or mattress pad placed on the ground can help with this.
An additional blanket or insulation can also help to keep the tent warm and dry.
Here’s what you need to know about insulation:

  • Make sure that no moisture gets inside
  • Sleeping mat or mattress pad for the tent floor
  • Additional blanket for insulation

Remember to clean regularly

Regular cleaning of the tent can also help to reduce moisture.
Remove all loose items and thoroughly clean the floor of the tent regularly, especially on longer camping trips.
Also check the tent for mold, stains or other debris that can attract moisture.
If you discover mold or other stains, remove them immediately with a solution of warm water and mild detergent.
Use a soft sponge or cloth to avoid damaging the material.
Dry the tent completely before folding it up for the trip.
This will prevent unnecessary moisture:

  • Pay attention to regular cleaning
  • Check the tent for dirt and mold
  • Dry the tent before folding it up

Practical accessories against moisture in the roof tent

There are some accessories that help to prevent moisture in the roof tent in advance.
However, they should not be seen as the only solution.
Regular cleaning, ventilation and avoiding moisture are also important measures for reducing moisture in the roof tent.
These accessories are useful:

Roof tent rain cover

A rain cover for the roof tent keeps moisture out from above so that moisture cannot get into the tent in the first place.
It is a cover that is placed over the entire tent to protect it from rain, snow and other weather influences.

Insulating mat or carpet pad

An insulating mat protects the roof tent from moisture from below.
The mat can be placed on the roof rack or directly on the tent floor to create an additional layer between the tent and the ground.
You can find out more about the benefits here:

Matching sleeping bag

Take a suitable sleeping bag with you that is adapted to the respective temperatures.
While a thinner sleeping bag is ideal for summer, a winter sleeping bag is suitable for cold weather.
Ensure optimum climate regulation and breathability when sleeping so that you neither sweat nor freeze.
Read more here:

Special dehumidifier

There are also special dehumidifiers that can be placed in the roof tent to remove moisture from the air.
These devices usually work electrically and suck the moisture out of the air.

Heater or electric blanket

A roof tent heater can help to keep the tent warm and dry, especially in cold climates and when winter camping.
You can opt for a heater if you have enough space, or you can also use an electric blanket.
Either way, the moisture in the roof tent is reduced by drying the air in the tent.
Go directly to our products in the store here: With our tips for reduction and prevention, your rooftop tent vacation is guaranteed to be a carefree and unforgettable experience!

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Offroad
Raised and extra stable for road and off-road… What do you do if you are traveling in regions with poor roads or drive an off-road vehicle or SUV whose dome height does not fit conventional trailers? The solution: the off-road tent trailer from CAMPWERK – specially developed for extreme conditions. This unique model impresses with a raised and particularly robust AL-KO chassis that can withstand even the most demanding off-road routes. The entire body is made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum, reinforced with durable stainless steel components. So you are perfectly equipped for any terrain.
Black / Silver
Available now: The CAMPWERK Offroader in the exclusive Black/Silver Edition CAMPWERK is expanding its range and now also offers the popular off-road tent trailer in the coveted Black/Silver Edition. The high-quality aluminium body is completely anodized in matt black, while the mudguards are powder-coated in elegant “Gun Silver Metal”. An absolute eye-catcher on any road and in any terrain!
The off-road trailer from CAMPWERK impresses with its lightweight construction: Thanks to the aluminum body, the base only weighs around 300 kg when empty. With a permissible total weight of 1.5 tons, it offers an impressive payload capacity of up to 1.2 tons – ideal for small excursions, transport and even larger expeditions.

Visually, the trailer blends in perfectly with the appearance of an off-road vehicle or SUV with its coarse-tread MT tires and robust, full-length aluminium mudguards. The mudguards are also designed in such a way that they are ideal for the safe transportation of petrol and water canisters or gas bottles.

To ensure flexibility, the off-roader’s tyres can be individually adapted to the towing vehicle on request, so that only one set of spare wheels is required. The standard ball head coupling can also be optionally replaced with a DIN or NATO eye.
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
  • Extra strong square T-drawbar 100x100mm for maximum stability and best maneuverability
  • Axle up to 1,500 kg with maintenance-free hexagonal rubber spring axle
  • Optionally with watertight wheel hub
  • 2 crossbars
  • The chassis is exclusively from the renowned manufacturer AL-KO, market leader in the car trailer and caravan sector
  • Safety indicator on the clutch
  • Independent suspension
Aluminum body
  • Our aluminium trailers are equipped with anodized aluminium profiles
  • double-walled anodized aluminium side panels 30mm, 440mm high
  • Large emergency lighting with integrated rear fog light
  • Equipped with balanced tires as standard
  • Base plate stable screen-printed base, non-slip
  • Complete M8 stainless steel screw connection (V2A stainless steel)
  • Electrical system: Supply cable (wiring harness) standard with 13-pin plug
  • Tailgate latches very elaborate, made entirely of stainless steel
Wheels
  • Black powder-coated steel rim
  • 235/85 R16 tires optionally adaptable to towing vehicle
  • Mud Terrain tire tread
  • Special wheel connection for your towing vehicle on request
Terrain values
  • 350 mm ground clearance
  • 570 mm wading depth
  • 27° slope angle
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Onroad

The perfect solution for your camping adventure:
Road trailer with tent
Imagine a first-class equipped road trailer that is ideal for camping trips in Germany and the surrounding countries.
This trailer comes with a sturdy holding device for a matching tent that can be set up in no time at all.
The result is your mobile home – ready for unforgettable tours!

Your decisive advantage: you are ideally equipped for your vacation in a particularly cost-effective way. And when you’re not on the road, you can use the trailer as a conventional utility trailer. We offer you the road trailer in two versions, depending on your needs: An unbraked version with a permissible total weight of 750 kg and the braked version recommended by us with a permissible total weight of 1,300 kg.
10-year guarantee
Our trailer base was not created in the laboratory – it was made for the real world. The robust construction is optimized for tough conditions. Oversized axles and virtually indestructible aluminum frames ensure exceptional durability. We are the only supplier in Germany to give you a 10-year guarantee on this unique quality!
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
  • 2 crossbars
  • Maintenance-free rubber spring axles
  • Independent suspension
  • The chassis is exclusively from the renowned manufacturer AL-KO, market leader in the car trailer and caravan sector
  • Safety indicator on the clutch
Aluminum structure
  • Our aluminium trailers are equipped with anodized aluminium profiles
  • double-walled anodized aluminium side panels 30mm, 440mm high
  • Large emergency lighting with integrated rear fog light
  • Equipped with balanced tires as standard
  • Base plate stable screen-printed base, non-slip
  • Complete M8 stainless steel screw connection (V2A stainless steel)
  • Electrical system: Supply cable (wiring harness) standard with 13-pin plug
  • Tailgate latches very elaborate, made entirely of stainless steel
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Material and processing.
The tent fabric of our trailer tents is made from a high-quality, 450 g blended fabric, also known as canvas. This unique combination of cotton and polyester combines the advantages of a natural fiber with those of a modern high-tech material. The result is a robust, breathable fabric that impresses with its pleasant feel and high dimensional stability.

The tent fabric, which is also used by the military, is impregnated and particularly tear-resistant thanks to the ripstop process. In this special weaving technique, thicker threads are woven into the fabric at intervals of around 10-15 millimetres, giving the fabric its characteristic tiled structure and exceptional tear resistance. It goes without saying that our fabrics are opaque and therefore offer optimum protection and privacy.
The basis of our trailer tents is a robust stainless steel frame with a thickness of 3×3 cm. A 1.8 cm thick, water-resistant wooden floor panel is securely fastened to this sturdy frame with stainless steel screws. The frame of the trailer tents is also made of galvanized steel tubing and special stainless steel components that ensure maximum stability. The modern surface finish not only offers a high level of corrosion protection, but also gives the material a pleasant feel and ensures a durable, weatherproof construction.
We rely exclusively on yarn from the German market leader Amann. Thanks to the combination of a cotton core and a high-tenacity polyester core, this yarn is characterized by a particularly high tensile strength and excellent water resistance.

On contact with water, the cotton coating swells and closes the seam holes created during sewing. For additional protection, all seams in the roof area are fitted with a transparent sealing strip to ensure maximum waterproofness.
Less is sometimes more.
We are often asked: What about the water column? For tent fabrics, the impermeability of the fabric is specified in the form of the water column. For cotton tents, this value is usually around 300 to 400 mm. However, our tent fabric offers an exceptionally high water column for cotton fabric of around 750 mm. This means that theoretically more than 75 cm of water can stand on the material before the first drops penetrate.

A major advantage of cotton as a natural raw material is its ability to swell when it gets damp, which provides additional waterproofing. In contrast, synthetic fabrics, which cannot swell, must have a much higher water column (between 3,000 and 10,000 mm, depending on the material) in order to achieve comparable waterproofness.
Good night.
The comfort sleep set consists of a high-quality visco foam mattress that adapts perfectly to the individual body shape, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The set is complemented by the innovative Froli bed spring system, which guarantees an exceptional sleeping experience. Perfect sleeping comfort in a well thought-out overall package.
Premium mattress.
An excellent mattress is the basis for healthy and restful sleep. Just as every person is unique, their mattress should also be individually tailored to them.
Our premium mattress adapts perfectly to the contours of the body and promotes orthopaedically correct positioning of the spine. Thanks to targeted pressure relief, back muscles and intervertebral discs can relax optimally. The innovative construction and high-quality materials create an ideal sleeping environment.
There are no compromises at CAMPWERK: We rely on flexible visco foam with memory function. The unique combination of supportive foam core and relieving visco foam topper ensures maximum sleeping comfort.
  • Visco-elastic mattress.
  • High-quality Tencel® cover (38 % Tencel®, 62 % polyester).
  • Four practical turning loops.
  • Four-sided zipper.
  • Removable, divisible and washable.
  • Four practical turning loops.
Suspension.
Good ventilation is crucial for your well-being and sleep hygiene. To ensure maximum sleeping comfort, we combine our mattress with an innovative Froli slat base. The flexible spring elements form a comfortable slat base with individually adjustable firmness zones. This combination ensures orthopaedically correct positioning of the body and provides targeted, pressure-relieving support. This effectively prevents tension and one-sided strain. The open, air-permeable cells also enable optimum ventilation and create a healthy sleeping environment.
Are you allergic or do you have special health requirements? No problem! We cooperate with a renowned German mattress manufacturer to offer customized solutions. Simply contact us and together we will find the ideal mattress for your needs.