Push-button camping? I tried the Dometic TRT 120E rooftop tent and I’m not going back

If your idea of camping involves more espresso shots than mosquito bites, the Dometic TRT 120E might be the best tent for you. Designed with the rugged outdoors in mind but with heaps of tech, this rooftop tent blends real-world durability with the kind of convenience that makes you wonder why some people loathe camping.

Dometic TRT 120E review

Price and availability

The Dometic TRT120E costs £1,399 (approx. $1,790/ AU$ 2,730) and is available from Passenger Clothing in two colours: Ocean Blue and Forest Green. The tent has a patchy availability in the US and AU, but you can find third-party retailers that sell it.

Specifications

• Style: Pop-up car-roof tent
• Packed size (W x L x H): 229 × 144 × 32 cm
• Pitched dimensions (W x L x H): 218 × 132 × 115 cm
• Weight: 58.92 kg
• Seasons: 4-season
• Capacity: 3
• Vestibules: None
• Hydrostatic head rating: No stated
• Pitch time: Less than 1 minute with the included remote control

Setup

The "E" in TRT 120E stands for electric, and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. A 12V power supply brings the tent to life with the push of a button, deploying the roof and support arms in under 60 seconds. It’s as simple as removing the cover, connecting the 12V plug and standing back as the tent unfolds.

Is there any need for it to be electric? No. Is it very cool and will make you the coolest camper on site? Absolutely.

The tent is powered by your car battery or a portable lithium source. Dometic offers its own PLB40 battery pack, but you can use whatever's handy. I used a small portable power station/bank, which barely noticed the load of the motors folding and unfolding the tent.

Unlike other roof-top tents, which unfold to offer a footprint that is double the size of the folded tent, the TRT 120E stays the same size in terms of square footage when pitched. This design has its positives and negatives.

On the plus side, the tent requires no extra space around the car to pitch, making it much easier to squeeze into tight spots. I also found it to be sturdier than my previous roof tent, which unfolded and relied on the ladder to support the end hanging off the car.

On the downside, though, it does mean the TRT 120E isn't as large as others on the market and doesn't offer a covered area to cook or sit when the weather is being traditionally British. It’s very much a case of horses for courses, with which design is best for your use case.

If you’ll be mounting the tent on a smaller car or will camp on campsites with plenty of space, then a folding style is likely best but if you want to get really off grid and need to pitch up in a tight space, then this style is great.

Design and build quality

With its dual-layer, blackout 300D polyester fabric, this tent is both tough against the elements and excellent at keeping the sun out for lazy lie-ins. It’s rated for all-season use, and its 5cm high-density foam mattress feels more boutique Airbnb than bivvy bag.

The integrated mesh windows provide ample ventilation without letting in the local wildlife. I spent a week sleeping on top of my car, testing the tent in the Scottish Highlands. The forecast was wild, as was the actual weather.

Howling winds, near-consistent torrential downpours, and unseasonably low temperatures had me worried, but I was genuinely very impressed by the TRT 120E’s weather resistance.

The tent doesn't have any excess material to flap about in the wind, which made getting a good night's sleep easier, and at no point was I concerned for the structural integrity of my temporary abode. I’ve slept in some roof tents that sound like a flag dancing in the wind at the slightest puff, but no such issues here.

The rain also stayed firmly on the outside of the tent; nothing got wet or even really damp from condensation, which was very impressive. This is down to the heavy-duty waterproof fabric and dual skin design that allowed airflow around the tent to carry moisture away.

I wouldn't recommend a wet week in a roof tent for fun, but if you absolutely have to, then the TRT12E is a very strong contender for the tent to do it in.

Performance and comfort

The Dometic TRT 120E comfortably sleeps two adults and offers a surprisingly roomy interior once fully deployed. While you won’t be doing yoga in there, it’s perfectly adequate for a couple or a solo traveller who wants to sprawl.

I found the mattress to be very comfortable; its twin-density design offered cushioning and warmth on those chilly nights. There’s plenty of little touches that show someone has actually thought about its design, from pockets for your shoes to an integrated LED strip powered by USB.

The aluminium frame keeps things rigid and weatherproof, though at 56kg, this isn’t the lightest rooftop option out there. You'll want to double-check your vehicle’s roof load rating and maybe hit the gym once or twice before installing.

Depending on the style and design of your roof rack, installation is a bit of a process. The rack I used sat very close to the roof of the car, so to get enough access to the fixing bolts, I had to prop the whole rack with the tent on top. It’s not something I’d want to be taking on and off too regularly, just because of its size and weight.

The tent comes with a very heavy-duty cover that offers protection to the tent when not in use. It’s got reinforced corners and chunky buckles which feel like they'll stand the test of time. I left my sleeping kit in the tent when it was folded up. Nothing got wet whilst driving in the day, my down pillows were bone dry. Perfect for a good night's sleep.

Verdict

The Dometic TRT 120E is a premium rooftop tent that does away with the faff and replaces it with functionality. It’s perfect for overlanders, road-trippers, and anyone who prefers a no-compromise approach to sleeping above ground.

I was particularly impressed by its weather resistance, keeping me warm and dry through some seriously wild conditions. If you're serious about adventure but allergic to inconvenience, the Dometic TRT 120E is your ticket to the great outdoors.

Also consider

The TentBox Go is a slimmed down roof tent offering the essentials and weighs nearly half of the TRT120E. Pat found it to be very comfortable when he reviewed it but found it to be a little small for everyday living.

eon found the TentBox Lite XL to be cavernous, easily sleeping a family but found it a bit of a faff to setup but it’s a great option for those looking for more space.