The plan was simple: To drive from Stockholm to the wild, inviting west coast. With us we had the Dometic roof tent along with several practical camping accessories that made the experience more comfortable.
The car in question was a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, a model with higher ground clearance, four-wheel drive and protective plastic trim, making it fit for adventure.
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The West Coast awaits
The outfit, in an elegant Shade Green Metallic colour, looked at home in the natural surroundings. The combination of the Taycan Cross Turismo’s sporty lines and the roof tent created an odd but charming silhouette that did not go unnoticed.
The Cross Turismo version not only offers good cargo possibilities, but also benefits such as air suspension which contributes to a smooth and comfortable ride, even on uneven roads.
We started our journey during the midsummer weekend – one of the country’s busiest weekends – and left Stockholm just after work, like all other holidaymakers. The first thing you notice when driving with a roof tent is that the wind noise increases significantly.
The roof tent is designed as a large cube when folded, which significantly affects aerodynamics. For an electric car like the Taycan, this means increased electricity consumption, but thanks to the car’s charging capacity of up to 320 kW, we were able to handle this without much concern.
A break for charging and food
At Sweden’s first charging station in Norrköping, we stopped to charge both the car and ourselves. Driving an electric car during one of the busiest weekends of the year can be a stress factor due to the charging issue, but we didn’t experience any major problems.
Along the way to the west coast, we made another charging stop in Ulricehamn, where we got to see the car’s impressive charging power of 321 kW. The air suspension in the Taycan contributes to a high level of comfort, but the extra weight and size of the roof tent somewhat limits the car’s dynamic abilities.
The roof tent – a new type of camping experience
When we arrived at Hönö, it was time to set up the roof tent. For one roof tent camper there is a certain freedom in being able to camp almost anywhere, but it is also important to think about safety.
When you sleep in a roof tent, you are slightly more exposed than in a mobile home. The perceived security is therefore crucial for a good night’s sleep, especially when you are in a new place.
With the help of some friendly pedestrians, we found an ideal place to pitch our tent – on their own property. The charm and hospitality of the West Coast quickly made us feel welcome and at home.
To fold up the roof tent, it was just a matter of pulling off the cover, folding up the long sides and folding down the steps. With a simple push of a button, we activated Dometic’s air pump system. The air bags that make up the tent’s frame inflated quickly, and the tent was ready in just a few minutes.
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Electric freedom
With us on the trip we also had a refrigerator, mounted in the trunk and connected to the car’s 12V socket.
The advantage of an electric car like the Taycan is that we could have the car running to keep the fridge active without disturbing noise or emissions, something that complements the camping experience in a unique way.
When we used the Taycan’s “Gravel Mode” the passability increases, which allowed us to drive on gravel roads without any problems.
But for a car in this price range, it’s often more about the feeling of robustness than actually challenging the car’s full capabilities on difficult off-road sections. Even so, the extra height and four-wheel drive gave us the freedom we needed to really enjoy our adventure.
Archipelago idyll meets camping culture
The first night in the roof tent was like a dream. One of the big advantages of the roof tent is the flat sleeping surface and the possibility to bring proper bedding, which means that you don’t have to bother with sleeping bags.
The disadvantage is that you are dependent on the weather and temperature, and the sun can quickly heat up the tent during early summer mornings. Thanks to mild weather during the midsummer weekend, this was not a major problem for us.
The next day we steered the boat towards Marstrand, known for its picturesque houses and maritime history. Our roof tent on the roof attracted stares and conversation.
On site, we folded the tent up again and supplemented with an extra awning, table and chairs. Dometic had also provided us with gas hobs, which made cooking smooth and easy.
At Marstrand’s local campsite, we enjoyed the simple pleasures of camping life, including the site’s facilities and the opportunity to have dinner at a nearby restaurant.
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A final destination
The trip ended in Grundsund, one of the west coast’s hidden gems where the idyllic houses meet the open sea. Here we found a place by the water where a curious family, who owned a house nearby, greeted us and offered to use their facilities if we needed.
This kind gesture summed up our whole trip: The meeting with people who turned each place into a new, memorable experience.
Life under one roof
The feeling of freedom that the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and the Dometic TRT 140 AIR tent gave us was priceless. It was an adventure wild enough to feel exotic, but comfortable enough for us to fully enjoy.
As the morning sun rose over the archipelago, and we looked out from our elevated nest, we felt the true freedom of living on the road. A Porsche Taycan as a travel companion also made the journey all the more enjoyable.
Midsummer is usually about traditions and celebrations. While I don’t think roof camping with a Porsche Taycan will become an annual tradition for me, the freedom and adventure on the road became a memory of a lifetime – a midsummer adventure that definitely raised the feeling of freedom to new levels.
The roof tent
Dometic TRT140 AIR from SEK 30,849
Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (2024)
Motor: Electric motors front and rear, 435 horsepower, 610 newton meters
Transmission: 1-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 4.7 seconds
Top speed: 220 km/h
Electrical range: 614 km
Weight: 2 355 kg
Dimensions: (length/width/height): 4974/2144/1409 mm
Price: From SEK 1,370,000
Source: nyheter24.se
