When we first started planning our travel adventures, we knew two things for sure:
- We wanted to see as much of the UK as possible, quite often last minute! Hotels in the UK are EXPENSIVE and require a bit of forward planning.
- Our spaniels, River and Forest, were definitely coming with us and dog friendly hotels in certain parts of the UK are not easy to find.
Elliott had previously owned a caravan and I loved the idea of a roof top tent. After purchasing our Nissan Navara Truck in June we decided we had a decent canopy set up for the dogs when we went camping, so now we just needed to sort out accommodation. So the rooftop tent hunt began!
So, why a TentBox?
When we decided to invest in a rooftop tent, we quickly realised there were a lot of options out there – hard shells, soft shells, hybrids, folding systems, imported brands with names we couldn’t pronounce. It was quite overwhelming to say the least.
And if you’re anything like me (Lynsey), I get quite bored researching. I want the vibe, the photos and the adventure, not 43 tabs open comparing mattress thickness.
Fortunately, Elliott loves researching.
He threw himself into the world of rooftop tents like it was an Olympic sport. Every brand, every review, every forum thread, I’m pretty sure he could write a dissertation on tent specs now.
Luckily, all that research paid off, because we kept coming back to the same name: TentBox.
Here’s why TentBox won us over:
It’s a UK-based company
We loved that TentBox is a British brand. Not only did it mean easier delivery and support, but it also gave us confidence that the product was made with the unpredictable UK weather in mind.
Simple setup, even for me (Lynsey) on my own!
Let’s be honest, some rooftop tents look like they require a degree in engineering to open. And although Elliott does actually have one of those, I wanted to know that on solo adventures I could pop it up (and pack it down) without needing another holiday from the stress. TentBox has nailed the setup process. Whether you go for the Classic, Lite or Cargo model, it’s fast, intuitive and stress-free. Even after a long day on the road it’s up and ready in minutes.
Space & comfort for two humans and two spaniels
Now, as much as I would happily sleep snuggled up with both spaniels, Elliott made it very clear from day one: the TentBox is a dog-free zone.
(That said, I’ve definitely snuck them both up a few times when he wasn’t looking. Sorry not sorry.) Luckily, we’ve got the truck canopy set up as a cosy den just for River and Forest and they are really settled together in there.
That said, if you’re planning to share your TentBox with your pups, you’re in good company. We’ve seen loads of people in the TentBoxing with Dogs community making it work, some with Labradors, others with mini Dachshunds and everything in between.
It really depends on the size of your dogs, your sleeping arrangement preferences and your tolerance for muddy paws in your face at 2am. Most dogs stretch out like royalty and yes, there’s still room for you too (sort of).
Just be prepared to figure out the ladder logistics. Let’s just say as not all dogs are natural climbers.
Customer support that actually helps
Before buying, we messaged a few brands with questions. TentBox came back quickly with honest, detailed answers and even advice on which model would work best for us. That kind of support makes a difference, especially when you’re investing in gear that becomes part of your lifestyle. Plus they offer an initial 2 year warrenty with the option to extend which gave me peace of mind.
Community vibes
One of the coolest surprises? The TentBox community. From the Facebook group to meetups and social media tags, it really does feel like being part of a friendly little family, in the best way. Everyone’s sharing advice, wild camp spots, hacks and photos, it’s inspiration gold.
Price Point
At the time of purchase the Tentbox Go was not on the market. We settled on the TentBox lite 2:0 as it hit the sweet spot between quality, practicality and lifestyle fit. It wasn’t just about price it was about investing in gear that would get used all the time, not just once a year.
We also benefitted from a small discount thanks to Blue Light Card. If you don’t have a Blue Light Card, Code ‘lynseytreharne’ will get you £50 off at check out.
We’ll be sharing our full TentBox setup, pros and cons after a year on the road and how we make it work with the dogs, so keep your eyes peeled!
We didn’t just buy a TentBox, we bought freedom, spontaneity and a front row seat to views with our spaniels by our side that you just can’t get on the ground. It’s honestly one of the best decisions we’ve made.
If you’re sitting on the fence about it, we’ll be sharing more honest reviews, hacks and how we make it work for dog-friendly adventures.
Watch this space.
See you on the road
Lynsey & Elliott