A. We get asked this question all the time because nowadays, people have limited storage space in their garages or homes. Let’s face it, as the saying goes, “what goes up, must come down”, and the same can be said for rooftop tents. Eventually, you will want to take it off your vehicle’s roof and store it somewhere for the season you are not using it. In answering your question, we are referring to hard shell rooftop tents. The answer is yes, you can store a roof tent on its side, but the tent should be tilted, as in, not placed vertically upright, instead, upright but at an angle or tilted diagonally. If you were to place your hard-shell rooftop tent perfectly vertical, the weight and pressure would be exerted on the side of the lid of your tent. Eventually, this upright angle may compress the lid on one side and could misshape or even crack it. You do not want this to happen. Instead, we recommend you angle or tilt the tent so that the side of the base of the tent is in contact with whatever you have placed the roof tent on. The side of the base of your tent is much studier and should not get damaged in this way. My short guide to storing a hard-shell roof top tent on its side is as follows: 1. Remove any objects from inside the tent before storage- poles, lanterns, solar battery packs and roof rack and bar fixings all add weight. 2. Before placing on its side, lie the tent on its side (closed) and wind pallet or bubble wrap around the outside edge of the tent. This may help prevent it from getting scratched. 3. Fully cover the top, bottom and sides in plastic sheeting and secure with heavy-duty adhesive tape. These materials can be bought in any hardware store or builder’s merchant. 4. Place a pallet with cushioning material close to a wall in the room or area where you plan to store your tent. This cushioning material will add extra protection to the underside of the tent. Place tent on its side on the pallet and tilt it upright against a wall. You have now successfully stored your hard shell rooftop tent.