Which roof bars do you need for a rooftop tent?
With every rooftop tent we sell, the same question comes up: which roof bars do I need? The honest answer: it depends on your car, and that is why they are not included with the tent. In this article we explain which roof bars are suitable for a rooftop tent, what to look out for in terms of width, spacing and load rating, and how to fit the tent properly afterwards.
Why roof bars are not included with the tent
A rooftop tent is the same for every car. Roof bars are not. A Land Cruiser with roof rails, a van with rain gutters and an SUV with fixed mounting points each have a different system. If we supplied roof bars, they would not fit half of our customers. So you sort them out yourself, matched to your make, model, version and year. We are happy to think along with you, but the owner's manual and the bar manufacturer decide what is allowed.
Roof load first, then the bars
Before you buy roof bars, there is one number you need to know: the dynamic roof load of your car. That is what the roof may carry while driving. Tent and bars together must stay below it. Closed, our tents weigh 60.5 kg (Dune), 66 kg (Oasis) and 74 kg (Savannah); roof bars usually weigh 5 to 8 kilos. We calculate with 7 kg for a set. So a Dune with bars comes to 67.5 kilos, an Oasis to 73 kilos and a Savannah to 81 kilos.
Do the roof load check with your registration number for a first estimate. It is indicative only; your car manufacturer's figure is what counts. What people often forget: the roof load of the car says nothing about the load rating of the bars. That is stated separately on the packaging of the bars, and that number must also be above the tent weight.
The three types of roof bars
Bars on roof rails. Your car has raised or integrated rails running lengthwise, and the crossbars clamp onto them. The most common system on SUVs and estate cars. With integrated (flush) rails, make sure you get the right foot; it differs per car.
Bars on fixed mounting points. The car has factory points in the roof, often under a flap or a rubber strip. The foot of the bar is then model specific. Many SUVs without rails have this.
Bars in the rain gutter. A classic on older off-road vehicles and vans: the foot clamps into the rain gutter. Strong, simple and often the highest load rating, but check that the gutter is not dented or rusted.
A fourth option is a roof rack or platform. The tent then goes on top of the rack, and the weight of the rack counts towards the roof load. On a pickup the cab roof is rarely suitable: there the tent goes on the canopy or on a bed rack. That is covered in rooftop tent on a pickup: cab, canopy or bed rack.
Aluminium or steel?
Aluminium bars are lighter and do not rust; that saves on roof load. Steel bars are cheaper and often sturdier under heavy loads, but they weigh more and tend to rust once the coating is damaged. For a rooftop tent of 60 to 74 kilos either works, provided the load rating is right. In practice we mostly see aluminium on SUVs and steel on off-road vehicles with a rain gutter.
Width and spacing: the two measurements that matter
Width. The bars must be at least as wide as the tent. The Dune is 131 cm wide, the Savannah 145 cm and the Oasis 151 cm. Bars narrower than the tent let the shell bend at the edges, and you do not want that.
Spacing between the bars. The tent has mounting rails on the underside and the bars must fit underneath them. On the Dune those rails are 70 cm apart, on the Oasis 81 cm and on the Savannah 74.5 cm. Indicative only: measure them on your own tent before you buy roof bars. With roof rails you can often slide the bars; with fixed mounting points the spacing is fixed, so measure beforehand whether it fits.
| Dune | Oasis | Savannah | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tent width (closed) | 131 cm | 151 cm | 145 cm |
| Minimum bar width | 131 cm | 151 cm | 145 cm |
| Tent weight | 60.5 kg | 66 kg | 74 kg |
| Tent + bars (7 kg) | 67.5 kg | 73 kg | 81 kg |
| Roof load needed | 68 kg | 73 kg | 81 kg |
Two bars or three?
Two sturdy crossbars are the standard and enough for our tents. A third bar spreads the weight better over a long roof and is common on off-road vehicles, but then you also need three mounting points. More bars also means more weight and more wind noise.
How to fit the tent
Never lift the tent on your own. 60.5 kilos is the lightest one, and it goes onto a roof almost two metres high. Two people, or three for the Savannah. Place the tent on the bars, slide the mounting brackets into the rails of the tent, hook them around the bars and tighten them evenly. After the first drive of a few kilometres, check everything again, and after that on every trip.
If you collect the tent from us in Hoogwoud, we fit it for free and supply stronger bolts than the standard ones in the box. Bring your own roof bars, already fitted.
Want to carry gear on the roof as well?
On top of a hardshell you can add an extra layer with the heavy-duty cargo bar for a shovel, sand tracks or an awning. That weight also counts towards the roof load; the tent does not carry it on top of that.
Frequently asked questions
Do roof bars come with a rooftop tent?
No. Roof bars are car specific and you sort them out yourself. We advise which ones suit your car and fit the tent for free if you collect it in Hoogwoud.
How wide do roof bars for a rooftop tent need to be?
At least as wide as the tent: 131 cm for the Dune, 145 cm for the Savannah and 151 cm for the Oasis.
How much spacing should there be between the roof bars?
On the Dune the mounting rails are 70 cm apart, on the Oasis 81 cm and on the Savannah 74.5 cm, indicative only. With fixed mounting points, measure beforehand whether that fits.
How much do roof bars weigh?
Usually 5 to 8 kilos for a set of two. We calculate with 7 kg. That weight is added to the tent weight, so you need at least 68 kg (Dune), 73 kg (Oasis) or 81 kg (Savannah) of dynamic roof load.
Can a rooftop tent go on roof rails?
Yes, with crossbars that clamp onto the rails. Check the load rating of the bars and the roof load of the car; both must be above the tent weight plus bars.
