Your Guide to Choosing the Right Roof Rack for Your Rooftop Tent
Choosing the right roof rack for your roof tent is a critical factor in ensuring both safety and comfort during your adventures. We've put together a guide to help you navigate through the important aspects you need to consider before fitting your roof tent to your car.
Check the Fit of Your Roof Racks
To ensure that your car and roof racks are compatible with our roof tents, there are three main things you need to check:
1. Maximum load for your roof racks and car roofs
It is important that the weight of the roof tent plus your roof rails does not exceed the maximum load for your car roof or your roof rails. Usually the roof rails have a maximum load of between 75-100 kilos, which fits all our roof tents. The maximum load specified is dynamic, which means that it applies while driving. When the car is stationary, both the roof and the roof rails can withstand significantly higher loads.
2. Sufficient Length of Clean Handrail
It is important that you have sufficient length "clean railing" on the load holders. This refers to railings without protruding plastic parts from the feet. To mount our roof tents, you need at least 72 centimeters of clean railing. Attach the roof rails to the car and measure the distance on both the front and rear rails.
3. Distance between Roof Racks
The roof racks must be able to be mounted with a distance of between 70 and 120 centimeters, depending on the size of your roof tent. A rule of thumb is that the roof tent should protrude approximately 30-40 centimeters both front and back from the roof rails. For our largest roof tents Regular 180 and Large 180 , the roof rails should be at least 100 cm apart.
We recommend the roof rails where the load carrier rests on the feet. A flexible variant is the roof rack with a square profile. More modern roof racks with an aerodynamic shape, such as the Thule Wingbar Evo, also work well, although the rubber strip may move or wear when installing the roof tent.
Maximum width of the roof rails for roof tents
The width of the roof rails can vary between different brands. Our roof tent can be mounted on roof rails with a width of up to 10 centimeters.
The roof rails where the load holder is not on top of the feet are not recommended for roof tents, because the center of gravity will be wrong, which can damage the rails and roof. We also do not recommend mounting a roof tent on the roof rails that are attached to the car's door frame.
We recommend the roof rails where the load carrier rests on the feet. A flexible variant is the roof rack with a square profile. More modern roof racks with an aerodynamic shape, such as the Thule Wingbar Evo, also work well, although the rubber strip may move or wear when installing the roof tent.
Maximum width of the roof rails for roof tents
The width of the roof rails can vary between different brands. Our roof tent can be mounted on roof rails with a width of up to 10 centimeters.
The roof rails where the load holder is not on top of the feet are not recommended for roof tents, because the center of gravity will be wrong, which can damage the rails and roof. We also do not recommend mounting a roof tent on the roof rails that are attached to the car's door frame.
Tips for Optimal Load
To maximize efficiency and safety when using a roof tent, you should place the roof rails as far apart as possible, preferably close to where the rail connects to the car body. Mount the roof tent evenly over the roof rails, so that it protrudes equally at the front and back. After installation, press firmly on the roof tent to ensure that it is properly installed and cannot be lifted or moved on the roof rack. Distribute the load by, if possible, using three or four roof racks to mount the roof tent.
Requirements for the car for the installation of the roof tent
You don't have to worry about your car not being able to handle the weight of you and your family on the roof. Car bodies are designed to support their own weight at one volt. The limiting factor is usually the maximum load on your car roof, which is usually between 65-100 kilos.
Determine the maximum load on your car roof
To be able to mount a roof tent on the roof rails, you need a car with either rails or fixed attachment points in the car roof. We do not recommend that you fit roof tents on cars with roof rails that are attached to the door frame.
Summary
Choosing the right roof rack for your roof tent requires careful consideration of maximum load, length of clear rail, and distance between roof rails. By following our recommendations and tips, you can ensure a safe and comfortable experience with your roof tent.
We hope this guide has given you all the information you need to make an informed choice and enjoy your future tent camping adventures!
