Roof tent mounting on the car roof rack

Do you want to buy a roof tent or do you already have one, but don't know exactly how to mount the roof tent on your vehicle? In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about mounting a roof tent on a roof rack.

5 steps to roof tent assembly

With this guide and in a predetermined order, attaching the roof tent will be easy. We will show you what you need to pay attention to and what role issues such as roof load, roof racks and mounting rails play.

1. Check the roof load of your vehicle

Regardless of whether you drive an off-road vehicle such as a Ford Ranger, Suzuki Jimny or VW Amarok or a car such as a Skoda Octavia, VW Golf or Dacia Duster, you must find out the roof load specified by your vehicle manufacturer before installing the roof tent. You can find this in your car's manual. Most cars have a dynamic roof load between 50 and 100 kg. This indicates how much load you can carry on your car roof while driving. Roof tents weigh between 50 and 90 kg on average.

2. Mount a suitable roof rack on the car roof

Once you know the maximum roof load of your vehicle, look for suitable roof racks for mounting the roof tent. It is important to note that a roof tent can never be mounted directly on the roof of the car or on the railing; roof racks are always required. It does not matter whether you mount a roof rack platform - such as our ExRoof - or two standard cross bars. The roof racks should be mounted as far apart as possible in order to maximize the support surface for the roof tent later.

3. Prepare the roof tent mounting rail

Almost all roof tents are mounted in such a way that they have two fastening rails on the roof tent floor. The slider plates are then inserted into these with screws. Normally, the roof tent is screwed onto the roof rack in four places and eight slider plates and four counter plates are required. With our roof tents, all the material you need for assembly is included in the delivery and you don't have to worry about anything else.

4. Lift the roof tent onto the car roof

Once the sliders and counter plates are prepared, the roof tent can be lifted onto the roof rack. Depending on the size and weight of your roof tent, this will require two or four adults. Make sure that the roof tent is positioned centrally on the car roof before tightening the screws.

5. Screw the roof tent to the roof rack using counter plates

Then two screws are screwed to a counter plate and the roof tent is clamped to the roof rack.

If you find it difficult to install the roof tent due to the small distance between the roof rack and the roof tent floor, there are also roof tent installation aids. These brackets increase the distance, making it easier to reach with the wrench and screw it in more easily.

Nothing stands in the way of your next roof tent adventure - have fun!