How to Store Your Roofnest Rooftop Tent for Winter

Quick answer

Store your Roofnest tent fully dry, clean, and slightly ventilated, then cover it with a model-correct cover such as the Falcon 3 EVO Tent Cover if you own a Falcon 3 series tent. Never fold or store a tent with damp fabric, because trapped moisture is the main cause of mold and mildew over winter.

Winter storage is less about hiding your tent and more about controlling moisture. A rooftop tent that goes away wet will still be wet in spring, and by then the damage is usually visible as mildew stains, sticky zippers, or a musty smell that never quite leaves.

The routine below works for any Roofnest model, whether you run a clamshell like the Falcon 3 EVO XL Air or a lightweight fold-out like the meadowlark-2-xl-ba61a08ea642716a787a2c23-1902141">Meadowlark 2 XL. Follow the steps in order and you will avoid the mistakes that ruin the most tents.

Clean and dry before anything else

Set the tent up in full sun on a dry day and let it air out completely, inside and out. Brush off dust, pine needles, and grit, then wipe the fabric with a mild soap and water solution. Pay attention to the corners, seams, and the underside of the mattress, where condensation tends to collect unnoticed.

The most common mistake is packing up at the first sign of dryness. Fabric can feel dry on the surface while seams and mattress foam still hold moisture. If you are unsure, leave it open an extra hour. A dry tent is the single biggest factor in preventing mold in a rooftop tent.

• Checkpoint: run your hand along the inside of the seams. If it feels cool or damp, keep airing it out.
• Never use a pressure washer on tent fabric. It forces water into seams and coatings.

Treat zippers, seams, and hardware

Zippers are the first thing to seize after a cold, wet winter. Clean them with a soft brush, then apply a silicone or zipper-specific lubricant. Avoid petroleum-based products, which can degrade the fabric coating over time. Inspect seams for loose threads and treat any abrasion points before storage.

Check the frame, mounting brackets, and hardware for rust or loosened bolts. Tightening and lightly oiling hardware now saves you a frustrating first trip in spring. If you notice rust on a mount or bracket, address it before the tent sits for months.

• Checkpoint: zip and unzip every zipper fully at least once after lubricating.
• Do not store the tent with tension on the frame. Relax it before folding.

Fold, pack, and choose the right cover

Fold the tent according to your model instructions, keeping the mattress flat and free of sharp objects. If your tent came with a travel cover, use it, but make sure it is the correct cover for your series. The Falcon 3 EVO Tent Cover, for example, is a durable, waterproof, and secure cover that attaches in minutes and can be used while driving or as protection during storage, but it is not compatible with previous Falcon series tents or with 6 channel crossbars installed.

If your tent stays mounted on the vehicle through winter, a cover protects it from UV, tree sap, and bird droppings. If you remove the tent, store it indoors in a dry space rather than a damp garage floor. Elevate it off concrete, which wicks moisture upward.

• Checkpoint: confirm your cover is compatible with your tent series and crossbar setup before relying on it.
• Store the tent flat or on a shelf. Do not stack heavy items on top of it.

Where and how to store it off the vehicle

A cool, dry, ventilated space is ideal: a climate-controlled garage, a spare room, or a dry shed. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces with wide temperature swings, which encourage condensation inside the folded fabric. If you must use a garage, keep the tent off the floor and away from walls where moisture collects.

Leave the cover slightly loose or partially open if you store indoors, so air can circulate. A fully sealed, airtight bundle traps any remaining moisture. Check the tent once a month during winter, and if you find dampness, set it up and dry it again.

• Checkpoint: monthly inspection catches moisture problems before they become mold.
• Keep the tent away from chemicals, gasoline, and solvents stored in the same space.

Winter storage steps at a glance

1. Step 1: Pick a dry, sunny day: Set the tent up fully and let it air out inside and out before you clean anything. Mistake to avoid: starting on a humid or overcast day, which leaves hidden moisture in the fabric.
2. Step 2: Clean fabric, seams, and mattress: Brush off debris, wipe with mild soap and water, and inspect the mattress and corners for dampness. Checkpoint: the tent should be completely dry to the touch before you move on.
3. Step 3: Service zippers and hardware: Lubricate zippers with a silicone product, tighten bolts, and address any rust on mounts or brackets. Mistake to avoid: using petroleum-based lubricants, which can damage fabric coatings.
4. Step 4: Fold and cover correctly: Fold per your model instructions and use a compatible cover such as the Falcon 3 EVO Tent Cover for Falcon 3 series tents. Checkpoint: verify cover compatibility with your tent series and crossbar setup.
5. Step 5: Store dry and inspect monthly: Keep the tent indoors, off the floor, in a ventilated space, and check it once a month for moisture. Mistake to avoid: sealing the tent airtight or storing it on a damp concrete floor.

Roofnest products that help with winter storage

• Falcon 3 EVO Tent Cover: Durable, waterproof, and secure cover for the Falcon 3 series tent; attaches in minutes and can be used while driving or as protection during storage. Not compatible with previous Falcon series tents or with 6 channel crossbars installed. If you own a Falcon 3 series tent, this is the cover designed for it. Check your crossbar setup first, because the cover will not fit with 6 channel crossbars installed.
• Falcon 3 EVO XL Air: The larger member of the Falcon series, sleeping 2-3 people, with supersized windows for maximum ventilation and views and the Rest EZ Sleep System. Large windows and a big interior mean more fabric and mattress surface to dry before storage. Budget extra drying time for this model compared with a smaller clamshell.
• Meadowlark 2 XL: Super lightweight at 120 lbs, fast setup, with a nearly queen-sized sleeping area for two campers and comfort for up to three. Its low weight makes it practical to remove from the vehicle and store indoors for winter, which is often the best protection if you have dry indoor space.

A little patience in fall saves you a moldy, seized-up tent in spring. Dry it fully, service the zippers and hardware, cover it with the right cover, and store it somewhere genuinely dry. Your Roofnest will be ready to mount and camp the moment the weather turns.