Roof Bars for Roof Tents

The short answer is no. Only certain vehicles and certain roof bar systems are suitable for carrying a roof tent safely.

A safe setup depends on the following.

1. Your vehicle dynamic load limit

The dynamic load limit is the maximum weight your vehicle roof can carry while in motion or on the road.

▶ It must be at least 75kg.
▶ You will find the figure in your vehicle handbook (usually listed as Maximum Roof Load).
▶ The combined weight of the roof tent and the roof bars must be below this limit.

Typical roof tent weights:

▶ Small tents: around 46kg
▶ Medium tents: around 54kg

If your vehicle has a lower load limit (typically under 75kg), then it is not suitable for a roof tent.

2. Your roof bar dynamic load limit

Your roof bars (as well as your vehicle) must have a minimum dynamic rating of 75kg.

▶ Some retailers sell bars that have limits below this.
▶ Always use the lower value between the vehicle limit and the bar limit.
▶ Aluminium aerodynamic bars from premium brands are usually the preferred options.

3. The way your roof bars attach to the vehicle

You must not fit a roof tent using bars dedicated to vehicles with normal roof types (sometimes referred to as plain roof types, bare roof types, or an absence of a rail or fixed points on your car roof, more information can be found in our full roof bar buying guide) or roof bar sets that come with clamp-style foot packs. These features rely on pressure against the door frame and are not engineered to hold the load of a roof tent. They can flex, loosen or damage the roof.

Suitable roof fitting types include:

▶ Open roof rails (sometimes referred to as raised roof rails)
▶ Closed roof rails (sometimes referred to as flush roof rails)
▶ Fixed point roofs
▶ Gutter roof types
▶ T-profile roof systems

Open rails are sometimes too weak if they only have two legs that sit between the gaps. They are generally suitable if the rails have multiple contact points or reinforced ends. Roof bars must sit as close as possible to the strongest part of the rail.

To safely fit a roof tent, you should choose:

Premium aluminium roof bars

High-strength aluminium bars are recommended because they are rigid, lightweight and designed to handle consistent load. Trusted brands include Thule, Farad and Fabbri. Avoid universal bars, telescopic bars and lower-rated steel systems unless the manufacturer specifically approves them for roof tent use. A quality aluminium roof bar system offers greater rigidity and is generally the preferred choice.

Roof bars where the bar passes over the feet

This type of bar construction improves stability and reduces flex. Avoid integrated low-profile bar styles, such as the Thule WingBar Edge, where the bar does not extend over the feet when in place. The Thule WingBar Evo would be a better choice.

Bars with a minimum 75kg dynamic rating

This is essential for fitting a roof tent safely.

Bars allowing for the correct spacing

Always refer to your tent’s own fitting guide for the correct bar spacing. Typically, side-opening tents are designed to sit on bars that are spaced further apart, whereas rear-opening models tend to work with a closer bar spacing. Spacing affects ladder angle, weight distribution and overall safety.

Possibly, but only if your current bars meet all of the following conditions:

▶ They attach using rails, fixed point, gutter or t-profile roof types.
▶ They have a dynamic rating of 75kg or higher.
▶ They allow the required bar spacing for your specific tent.
▶ They are rigid aluminium bars from a reputable manufacturer.
▶ They have been fitted correctly and tightened regularly.

Before installing your roof tent, make sure:

▶ The combined tent and bar weight is within all limits.
▶ The mounting channels line up with your bars.
▶ All fixings are tight. Any movement can loosen bolts during driving.

If you are unsure, check both your vehicle handbook and the installation manual supplied with your tent.

Dynamic loads while driving

You must never exceed the limits of your vehicle or roof bars. Dynamic loads assume you are driving on main roads. If you drive down muddy tracks or off-road, you should reduce the load by around 30 percent because it increases vibration of the setup dramatically. Light gravel or campsite roads in the UK do not usually count as off-road conditions.

Static loads when parked

Static load limits are not listed by most manufacturers. Brands vary in their estimates, with some suggesting up to 2.5 to 3 times the dynamic limit and others suggesting higher.

Because of this inconsistency, it is best to treat static figures as guidance only and avoid relying on high multipliers.

Always ensure that:

▶ the ladder is correctly angled to support part of the load
▶ weight is spread across the feet of the roof bars and the ladder
▶ the tent structure is stable and secure

Vehicle handling and stability

A roof tent raises the centre of gravity of your vehicle. Expect changes in handling, especially during cornering or in strong winds. Driving more cautiously is strongly recommended.

The biggest mistake people make when using roof bars with a roof tent is failing to check that the roof bars are securely tightened before every journey.

Climbing in and out of a roof tent, as well as movement while sleeping, can place additional stress on the roof bar system. Over time, this may cause fixings to loosen slightly. Before driving, always check that your roof bars and roof tent mounting hardware are correctly tightened in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Failing to carry out these checks could allow the roof tent to move while the vehicle is in motion, creating a serious safety risk.

You may occasionally find that a roof tent manufacturer recommends a roof bar setup that we wouldn't advise for the same vehicle. This can happen for a number of reasons, including the manufacturer's own testing procedures, different product criteria, or because they are only confirming that a particular roof tent can physically be mounted to those bars.

At DriveDen, our recommendations are based on the vehicle, the roof bar manufacturer's guidance, and the suitability of the complete setup. Where we believe a roof bar system isn't appropriate for use with a roof tent, we won't recommend it.

There is always some level of risk when fitting a roof tent, so we strongly recommend checking compatibility with both the roof bar manufacturer and the roof tent manufacturer before purchasing.

No. As DriveDen does not sell roof tents, we have not carried out independent testing of our Fabbri, Farad or Modula roof bars with specific roof tent brands.

Where testing has been carried out by a manufacturer (for example, Thule on selected products), we recommend contacting them directly for details of their approved roof tent combinations and test data.

We're always happy to advise on whether a particular roof bar system is suitable for your vehicle, or to let you know if we don't believe a roof tent should be fitted. However, because we don't test roof tents ourselves, we cannot guarantee compatibility with every roof tent on the market. If you're unsure, please contact us before ordering and we'll provide guidance wherever possible.

In some cases, providing your vehicle:

▶ Has open or closed rails, fixed point fixtures, gutters or t-profile roofs.
▶ Has a dynamic rating of at least 75kg.
▶ Are strong aluminium bars where the cross bar passes over the feet.

However, all vehicles, bars and roof tents vary. Because of this, DriveDen cannot guarantee compatibility or accept liability for incorrect installation or overloading. Always check your vehicle limits and follow the installation instructions provided with your tent.