When the camping season winds down or you need a break from outdoor adventures, storing the rooftop tent properly is essential. If you're searching for how to store a roof box in a garage (comment ranger un coffre de toit dans un garage), this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about roof tent storage (rangement tente de toit).
What is a Rooftop Tent and Why Does It Need Proper Storage?
A rooftop tent is a portable shelter that mounts to the roof of a vehicle. These accessoires pour pick-up provide a quick and elevated camping solution. It transforms any vehicle into a mobile accommodation.
How Rooftop Tents Work
Rooftop tents are installed directly on a vehicle's roof rack system or on a pick-up with hardtops (pick-up avec hardtop), typically opening up with a ladder for access and often including a built-in mattress and bedding.
While designed to withstand harsh weather, consistent UV and rain exposure can gradually degrade components. Proper camping tent storage practices ensure your investment lasts for years.
Why Proper Roof Tent Storage Matters
Before diving into storage methods, it's important to understand why taking the time to store your rooftop tent properly is worth the effort:
1. Extended Lifespan
Controlled storage prevents degradation from extreme temperatures, UV rays, and moisture, extending tent life from five to fifteen years, depending on type and materials.
2. Financial Savings
Beyond avoiding premature replacement, proper storage saves fuel costs. Leaving tents installed impacts fuel economy during everyday driving.
3. Maintains Cleanliness
Correct storage keeps dust, dirt, and insects out while protecting against mold growth.
Preparing Your Rooftop Tent for Storage

The most important rule of roof tent storage (rangement tente de toit) is ensuring your tent is completely clean and dry. Moisture can lead to mold, odors, and material degradation.
Wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth. Pay attention to corners, seams, and zippers. Then, check for damages that might need repair before storage. After cleaning, allow your tent to air dry in a well-ventilated area.
Use Protective Covers
Once clean and dry, wrap your rooftop tent in a breathable protective cover. This is a camping tent setup trick (astuce amenagement tente camping) that many overlook. Opt for:
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Breathable fabric covers designed for rooftop tents.
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UV-protective covers that shield against sun damage.
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Dust covers that keep debris out.
Best Methods for Roof Tent Storage
The optimal solution depends on your available space, the type of rooftop tent, and storage space. Here are some of the common methods for how to store a roof box in a garage (comment ranger un coffre de toit dans un garage):
Flat Storage on the Garage Floor
This traditional method works well if you have ample floor space and want easy access to your rooftop tent.
How to Store Flat:
1. Remove your rooftop tent from your vehicle
2. Store tent materials and accessories in a protective bag.
3. Create a platform using four pieces of 2x4 wood sections, spaced about 20 inches apart.
4. Place a piece of cardboard underneath for moisture protection.
5. Set your rooftop tent on the wooden platform.
Essential Considerations: Never place heavy objects on top; ensure level placement away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
Vertical Storage Against a Wall
The vertical or "leaner" method is ideal if your garage has limited floor space. This camping storage tent (tente de rangement camping) technique can help maximizes available room.
Step-by-Step Vertical Storage:
1. Wrap your tent in moving blankets or in a protective mattress bag.
2. Cut pool noodles (1.5-3 inches in diameter) into 12-inch pieces.
3. Place pool noodles along floor perpendicular to wall
4. Lift the rooftop tent and place the bottom edge on the pool noodles.
5. Lean the tent against the wall, with the flat side resting on the wall surface.
Why Go For Vertical Storage: Significant space savings, easy implementation, pool noodles prevent moisture contact, and are suitable for both hard-shell and soft-shell tents.
3. Ceiling Storage with Pulley Systems
For the ultimate in roof tent lifting storage (levage stockage tente de toit), ceiling-mounted systems offer the most sophisticated solution, which completely frees up garage floor space. There are a manual pulley system, which requires a percise installation, as well as a motorized system that makes it incredibly easy to remove the tent for both long-term and temporary storage.
Ceiling Storage Advantages: Maximizes garage floor space for vehicles and other equipment, easier loading and unloading, Ideal for year-round storage management.
Elevate Your Adventures with MAXOVERLAND

The MAXOVERLAND rooftop tent transforms your pickup into the ultimate adventure platform. Built for durability and comfort, this premium off-road accessory features a robust ABS shell with an aluminum core, providing a balance of strength and weight.
Key Features of MAXOVERLAND
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Automatic Gas Strut System: Open or close your tent in just 4 simple steps and 180 seconds.
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All-Weather Stability: Robust tent and fly frame locking system withstands winds up to 66.2 km/h. Anti-ponding system prevents water and unintentional folding for enhanced safety.
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Multiple Ventilations: All equipped with integrated insect screens, the interior features 1 door, 2 windows, and a Moon Roof.
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Superior Comfort: The thick mattress features a water-resistant, stain-proof nylon cover. It comfortably accommodates 2 adults with 25 cm of seated overhead clearance.
MAXOVERLAND is compatible with pickup trucks featuring roof rails (Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger) and MAXLINER VENTURE CANOPY when installed with cross bars.
Learn more about MAXOVERLAND rooftop tent
MAXLINER offer a complete ecosystem of truck accessories designed to work seamlessly together, including BEDLINER, VENTURE CANOPY, MAXCOVER, MAXPRO, MAXTAILGATE LIFT, MAXSIDE MOLDING, MAXSLIDING TRAY, MAXLINER WEATHER SHIELD, MAXLINER UTILITY BOX, as well as model-specific accessories for Ford Ranger (accessoires pour Ford Ranger), such as revêtement de benne Ford Ranger, elargisseurs Ford Ranger, and more. All are engineered to provide enduring protection, great function, and improve your car's performance.