How do I know if my car can handle a roof top tent?
How Do You Know If Your Car Can Handle a Roof Top Tent?
You are just a few searches and a simple calculation away from determining if your car can safely support a roof top tent without causing any damage. Generally, if you own an SUV, Jeep, van, or truck, you are likely good to go. However, sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes are typically not suitable for roof top tents. Additionally, any vehicle with a rooftop load limit under 165 lbs can be ruled out for this purpose.
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Let's explore the steps you need to take to ensure that you can buy, install, and safely drive with a roof top tent.
Step #1: Finding Out Your Car's Manufacturer-Recommended Rooftop Load
To determine your car's maximum rooftop load, check your owner’s manual or visit the manufacturer’s website. When using the manufacturer's website, make sure to select the correct make, model, and year for accurate information. In some cases, information may not be readily available, but forums can help guide you—just be cautious and don't rely entirely on unverified claims.
Consideration #1: Your roof is sturdier than you may think; it is designed as a safety feature in case the vehicle rolls over. Vehicles equipped with roll cages can support significant weight to protect occupants during accidents. This design also allows them to carry hefty roof top tents.
Consideration #2: It's essential to understand the distinction between static load and dynamic load, which means you may encounter two numbers:
- (1) Your car's maximum rooftop static load
- (2) Your car's maximum rooftop dynamic load
Step #2: Figuring Out Static & Dynamic Load
The static roof top weight limit refers to the weight your car can accept when stationary, like when using a roof top tent for sleeping. Conversely, the dynamic roof top weight limit describes the weight your car can carry while in motion with the tent installed and closed. We assume you won’t be driving while people are sleeping in the roof top tent.
It is important to remember that the static load is typically much higher than the dynamic load.
Step #3: Checking Your (Future) Roof Top Tent’s Technical Specifications
When considering the purchase of a roof top tent, check its technical specifications and note the following two numbers:
- (1) Total Roof Top Tent Weight - crucial information!
- (2) Roof Top Tent Weight Limit / Load Limit - this indicates how much weight the tent can safely support.
* Why is this important? The roof top tent's total weight (when closed or folded) is considered a dynamic load while driving, and most maximum roof top limits pertain to dynamic loads rather than stationary situations.
** Why is this important? A roof top tent may be marketed for four people, but this weight designation might be based on ideal conditions. It’s crucial to account for the total weight of accessories and the occupants when verifying weight capacity since a four-person tent might not safely accommodate four adults in specific scenarios.
Step #4: Buying the Right Roof Racks for Your (Future) Tent
Your chosen roof top tent likely does not include a roof rack, which is a necessary investment. The brands that manufacture roof top tents have undergone extensive testing and understand their products, so consider these options:
- (1) Best Choice: Purchase one of the roof racks they have tested and recommend.
- (2) Next Best Choice: Opt for a premium, heavy-duty roof rack. Given the cost of roof top tents, this is one area where you shouldn’t skimp.
- (3) Risky Option: Use popular roof racks that are not heavy-duty and have weight limits close to the tent's actual weight. This could be risky, as additional weight from passengers or gear may exceed limits, possibly causing damage to your car and equipment.
We refrain from recommending specific roof racks, as it is always best to choose based on your selected roof top tent and the vehicle you intend to use.
Step #5: Estimating Maximum Total Payload
A couple of important metrics to consider are GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and CW (Curb Weight), which refers to the weight of your car when it is stationary and unloaded.
These numbers can sometimes be challenging to find; some vehicles list them on a placard on the driver's side door, while others are found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Don’t trust random numbers from forums as they could have serious implications for safe driving.
Once you have identified the GVWR and CW, you can perform a simple calculation:
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) - CW (Curb Weight) = Total Payload Capacity.
With your supported payload determined, you can gain peace of mind by performing this check:
Passenger Weight + Roof Top Tent & Accessories Weight < Supported Payload.
If this holds true in most scenarios, you can be confident that the combined weight of passengers and your roof top tent along with any accessories will remain below the supported payload.
Step #6: Get Some Peace of Mind
It’s often reassuring to see what other overlanders have done. If you search for “my make-model roof top tent,” you will likely find various RTT setups that are compatible with your vehicle, along with interesting builds that provide additional assurance.
Additional Considerations
Weight limitations are a primary concern for most roof top tent buyers. However, there are other important factors to consider, such as gas mileage and wind resistance.
Will A Roof Top Tent Work With My Car?
Is my car suited for a rooftop tent?
This is the first question you should ask yourself before you purchase a roof top tent. It is important to understand that roof top tents can work on any car; however, that doesn’t mean your vehicle is ideal for one. You may need to invest in accessories like a roof rack to ensure safe transport.
Throughout Australia, we have come across numerous vans (Jucy, we’re looking at you) equipped with heavy hardtop tents. While there are many success stories, it’s crucial to be mindful of how you use or carry these tents. If you own a sedan or a compact vehicle like a hatchback, these tents may impact your vehicle differently.
Implementing a roof top tent adds additional weight on top of your roof and increases wind resistance.
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RTTs typically weigh around 120 lbs at a minimum and require a set of roof racks (which adds more weight). So, if you have a smaller, less powerful car, the added weight and wind resistance can significantly alter its performance, affecting speed and acceleration.
Some tents, like the Featherlite by Front Runner Outfitters, weigh less than 100 lbs, making them better suited for sedans or smaller vehicles.
It is not advisable to keep all that weight on smaller vehicles regularly. Use the tent only when necessary, and remove it when not in use. In contrast, larger and more capable vehicles, such as utes and 4x4s, can handle leaving the tents on at all times.
Finally, it is vital to understand that to carry a rooftop tent on any vehicle, you need the correct set of either a roof rack or crossbars.
Will My Racks Work With The Roof Top Tents?
Choosing the right rack is crucial. Some recommended brands for roof racks include Front Runner Outfitters, Yakima, Thule, and Rhino Rack. However, others can work as long as they meet the necessary specifications.
Roof Top Tents can be installed on flat racks, crossbars, or canopies; what matters is the load rating or weight capacity of your chosen system.
Check the Dynamic Weight Capacity (DWC), which must be at least equal to the weight of the tent. Most car manufacturers and rack brands refer to the DWC as 'Load Rating' or 'Load Capacity.' If the tent weighs 130 lbs, the racks must meet or exceed that DWC.
The DWC is the weight the rack can handle while the vehicle is in motion. When the tent is in use, the weight is distributed across the vehicle’s entire frame, which mitigates the additional pounds as long as the vehicle is stationary.
Typically, when the vehicle is parked, the load rating becomes significantly higher, known as the Static Weight Capacity (SWC). This is much greater, as the vehicle frame can accommodate the combined weight of the occupants.
This is why Front Runner Slimline II racks, for instance, boast a load rating of 600 lbs when stationary, sufficient to support any roof top tent with four occupants.
That said, you should not place your RTT on just any rack. For example, while the Rhino-Rack systems such as Fixed Mounting Point, Backbones, Gutter Mount, and Trackmount can work with RTTs, they may not be recommended due to potential stress from increased weight. Before purchasing an RTT, ensure you have a robust rack system in place to support it.
We highly recommend opting for aftermarket racks instead of factory-installed ones.
One of our preferred rack systems is the Rhino-Rack Backbone system, known for its strength and safety. They are specifically designed for increased Static Weight Capacity, ideal for RTTs.
Another noteworthy aspect is that stock mounting hardware typically fits rack bars with a cross-section of 3.25" width x 2" height. Make sure to mount your racks 32"-48" apart on your vehicle!
How About The Weight Capacity Of The Tents?
Most tents offered at Off Road Tents AU weigh between 100 lbs and 220 lbs. Your choice of tent will depend on how much weight your roof rack can carry. The good news is that with various brands and styles available, your rack should accommodate at least one model from our collection.
Our selection includes racks such as cross bars and platform racks like the Rhino Rack Pioneer or the Front Runner Slimline II, along with options for Ute beds or less complex load bed bars at a more affordable price point.
Regarding tent weight capacity, RTTs typically accommodate around 200 lbs per occupant. For a two-person tent, the total capacity is approximately 400 lbs. A three-person tent can support around 600 lbs, and it’s worth noting that ladders usually have an average weight capacity of 320 lbs.
***If you're unsure whether your vehicle has the right roof rack, check out our roof rack collection, as most models will support any roof top tent.***
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