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After verifying the background of each rooftop tent manufacturer, you’ll likely end up with several suppliers that all look good on paper. So how do you pick the right one to place your order with?
This guide walks you through 5 key factors to compare your final suppliers before making a decision.
1. Low Price Often Comes with Reasons
Price is always the first thing buyers look at, but the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best deal. It’s important to understand why one supplier’s quote is much lower than the others.
For example:
- They might be using cheaper fabric or thinner aluminum frames, which affects wind resistance and durability.
- The tent size or weight capacity could be smaller than what’s shown in photos.
- Some suppliers may offer clearance or leftover stock, not new production. Once sold out, the price for reorders will jump.
As a rule of thumb: you get what you pay for.
If you’ve found several genuine factories, a 10–30% difference in pricing is normal. Large manufacturers often charge more because they have better quality control systems, brand reputation, and after-sale service.
For example, a big rooftop tent producer working with well-known outdoor brands may quote 40% more than a small workshop — but you gain consistency, reliability, and guaranteed after-sales support.
So when comparing prices, don’t stop at the numbers — ask why they’re different, and decide whether the reasons make sense for your market.
2. Get Samples to Evaluate Tent Quality
Beyond pricing, the sample quality is the best indicator of a supplier’s true capability. No matter what they claim about their materials or production process, you need to see and touch the product yourself.
If you’re happy with a quotation, request a sample tent from the supplier’s past production or their display model. Be prepared to pay a sample fee and the international shipping cost.
For example, if one tent costs $700 wholesale, the supplier might charge you $200–$300 for a sample. That’s normal, since making a single sample costs more than producing in bulk.
Well, if you’re planning to get samples from 3 or 4 different rooftop tent suppliers, the total cost can easily go over $1,000. That’s before you even start placing bulk orders!
There are mainly two ways to ship your tent samples:
- Express (Air): This is fast but very expensive. It’s only worth it if you need the sample urgently. Since rooftop tents are big—almost like a bed—air express can cost thousands of dollars, sometimes even more than the sample itself.
- Sea (Container): This is what most people choose. It’s much cheaper and ideal for large items like rooftop tents.
If you want to save money, having someone reliable in China makes a big difference. A Chinese shipping agent can:
- Collect samples from several factories for you,
- Combine all the samples into one shipment or container.
This way, you pay for just one sea shipment instead of several separate ones. Some buyers also ask another supplier in China to combine their goods in the same container — either method can save you thousands in freight costs.
When Developing Custom Rooftop Tents, Sampling Differs
There are two different sampling situations when developing rooftop tents:
1. Custom fabric rooftop tents
These tents are made with fabric and aluminum frames, so they can be hand-produced once all materials are ready. However, fabric customization always has an MOQ — you can’t just order a few meters. Most dyed or printed fabrics require 300–500 meters per color, and special coatings or printed patterns may need 500–1000 meters.
A rooftop tent usually uses 4–8 meters of fabric, so 300 meters can produce about 37–75 tents.
If you only need one sample, the factory may charge a sample or small-batch fee, or suggest using their stock colors and existing materials to save cost.
2. Hard-shell rooftop tents (ABS or aluminum shell types)
For hard-shell tents, things are different. Creating a new mold for the outer shell is expensive and takes time — usually $40,000–$80,000 and around 60–90 days, depending on the size and structure.
Because of this, it’s better to first evaluate suppliers based on their existing designs, production experience, and client feedback before investing in a custom mold.
ENJOIN offers a variety of design types and colors, and we launch 2–3 new models every year. If you want to customize your own rooftop tent, contact us to discuss your requirements and get started.
3. Good Communication Saves You Time and Cost
Communication with suppliers is just as crucial as price and quality. Smooth, clear communication helps you avoid costly mistakes during production.
When we help clients find rooftop tent manufacturers in China, we always look at how well the supplier communicates before placing any orders. Even if they have great products, poor communication can easily lead to problems.
For example:
If you explain your tent specifications (like fabric density, ladder type, or color scheme) several times, but the supplier still misunderstands, it may result in wrong materials or assembly. Fixing those errors after production is both time-consuming and expensive.
Many Chinese suppliers hire junior sales staff who are not experienced with international clients or outdoor gear. Some may not fully understand your technical requirements — especially terms like PU coating, load-bearing capacity, or anti-condensation design.
That’s why strong communication matters.
A good supplier shows two key features:
Feature 1: They understand your needs clearly and respond completely.
A reliable supplier will answer all your questions — from pricing and customization to packaging and shipping options — in one clear message. You won’t need to repeat yourself.
For example, when we sent inquiries to several rooftop tent suppliers on Alibaba, only a few replied with all the details we asked for. The rest just sent their catalogs and said, “Please check our products.” That’s not a professional response.
Feature 2: They give professional suggestions based on experience.
A great supplier doesn’t just follow instructions — they advise you.
For instance, when one of our clients wanted to develop a lightweight aluminum rooftop tent, our engineer suggested a different frame thickness and hinge structure to improve strength and reduce cost. By following that advice, the client saved 15% on production costs and got a stronger tent.
Professional communication means the supplier understands your market and wants to help you succeed, not just make a sale.
4. Time Is Gold for Outdoor and Seasonal Products
Lead time — how long it takes for production and shipment — is another key point to compare.
For rooftop tents, the normal lead time is around 30–60 days, depending on design complexity and order quantity. However, this can vary:
- Soft-shell tents may take 30–60 days
- Hard-shell tents with molds or custom shells may take 30–90 days
If two suppliers offer similar prices, choose the one who can deliver faster. A shorter lead time usually means better production management and stronger capacity.
This is especially important if you’re targeting seasonal or trending markets. For example, if rooftop tents are in high demand in summer or during camping season, being first to restock can make a big difference.
One client we worked with launched a new tent model just before the spring camping season. Their supplier’s production speed allowed them to ship three weeks earlier — and they captured the early-season sales while competitors were still waiting for stock.
So when you compare suppliers, always ask:
- What’s their average production lead time?
- Can they rush an order if needed?
- Do they stock common materials like tent fabric, mattresses, or poles?
Time is money — and in the outdoor market, speed often decides who wins.
5. Shipping Solution & Shipping Cost
Rooftop tents are large, heavy, and space-consuming, which makes express or air shipping completely impractical for bulk orders. The freight cost alone can easily exceed the tent’s value — sometimes higher than buying directly from local distributors.
That’s why choosing a supplier with the right shipping solution is crucial.
The most suitable methods for rooftop tents are:
- Sea Freight (FCL or LCL): The best and most cost-effective option for bulk orders. Suppliers can load multiple tents in one container, significantly reducing the cost per unit.
- Rail Freight (to Europe): A faster alternative to sea freight with reasonable pricing, suitable for European importers.
When comparing suppliers, always look at the total landed cost, not just the product price.
That includes:
Product Cost + Packaging + Freight + Customs Clearance + Local Delivery (if any)
For example, a supplier offering a slightly higher product price may still be more competitive if they have better container loading efficiency or long-term partnerships with freight forwarders.
Also, not every manufacturer is experienced in shipping bulky items like rooftop tents. Some may underestimate packaging needs or fail to optimize container space, leading to damage or higher costs.
If your market is in Australia, the U.S., or Europe, it’s best to work with suppliers who already export rooftop tents regularly.This ensures smooth customs clearance, predictable delivery time, and no hidden costs.
To Wrap Up
Choosing the right rooftop tent supplier in China takes more than just comparing prices. You need to look at all five aspects together:
- Price differences and their reasons
- Sample quality and material inspection
- Communication skills and professionalism
- Production lead time and flexibility
- Shipping solution and total landed cost
When you evaluate each supplier with these checkpoints, you’ll be able to identify the one that best fits your business goals — reliable quality, fair pricing, and efficient service.
ENJOIN – The Best Rooftop Tent Supplier in China
If you’re unsure about comparing suppliers or need help with samples, ENJOIN is your best choice.
As one of the leading rooftop tent manufacturers in China, ENJOIN designs and produces high-quality rooftop tents, conducts on-site quality inspections, and ships directly to your warehouse — making the entire purchasing process simple, safe, and hassle-free.
👉 Contact ENJOIN today to start your rooftop tent project.
