A rooftop tent you’d rather fix it right the first time. That way you drive safely, everything stays in one piece and you don’t have to repair anything along the way. Below you can read step by step how to mount the tent and what to look out for in practice.
Beforehand: can your car handle this?
- Roof load car (dynamic): can be found in the instruction booklet or at the dealer. Also read more in our blog about roof load car.
- Carrier load capacity: listed on the kit or in your roof rack manual.
- Always include everything: tent, carriers, ladder and accessories.
If you have doubts about the margin or if your set is heavy (for example, a rooftop tent 4 people)? Then choose lighter or move weight inside. If it doesn’t fit neatly in terms of roof load, consider a roof tent on trailer.
What do you need to attach a rooftop tent?
- Socket wrench or ratchet (a torque wrench is useful but not required).
- Two to 3 people to lift (depending on weight and height). Even better is a forklift or other lifting device.
- Time and space to work quietly.
Step 1: Check the roof racks
The base must be solid. Carriers are straight, tightly attached and properly spaced (usually 80-110 cm). A crooked or loose carrier does not mean safe mounting. Read in this blog more about which roof racks fit your car.
Step 2: Place the rooftop tent on the carriers
Lift the tent onto the car with two to four people. Place it in the middle of the roof and clear of antennas and edges. A good position ensures stable handling and less noise. This applies to compact models as well as larger ones.
Step 3: Install bolts and mounting plates.
Under the tent are mounting rails. Slide the bolts into them. Place the mounting plates under the supports and hand-tighten the nuts. This way you can still make corrections. Use all the mounting points provided. Fewer bolts will cause slack and risk of damage.
Step 4: Tighten evenly
Tighten the nuts crosswise and evenly. Do not tighten one side at a time. This prevents warping and deformation of carriers. With a torque wrench, you keep the tension even everywhere.
Step 5: Checking after assembly and test drive
Move the tent lightly. No slack is allowed. Also look at the carriers; if they warp, you have over-tightened. Take a short test drive and check all connections again after about 50 km. This is especially important with heavier or stiffer models, such as a hardcover roof tent.
Personal advice or assembly assistance
Rather make sure everything is right for your car and carriers? Send us a picture of your roof and your car details or drop by our showroom. In our showroom in IJsselmuiden, we will measure your car, fit the set and you can test drive it right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dynamic and static roof load?
Static roof load is the actual weight the roof can carry when the car is stationary, for example someone lying in a roof tent, and is much higher than dynamic roof load. Dynamic roof load is the weight the roof is allowed to carry while driving, which is the maximum weight mentioned in the car’s service booklet.
