Need help fitting your roof tent?
Check out our handy step-by-step roof tent install guides. We also provide a roof tent fitting service at our workshop in Hampshire, UK. To find out more and availability, please contact us.
A roof tent is secured/bolted to roof bars or a roof rack that is fixed to your vehicle’s roof. Our tents are supplied with quality stainless steel fixings that bolt to roof bars. Depending on the type of roof rack that you have and where you want to mount the roof tent, you may be required to drill and bolt through your roof rack.
If you have any questions about securing a roof tent to your vehicle, get in touch with us at support@tentandtrail.com to find out more information.
Roof tents can be fitted to either cross bars or a roof rack, each has its benefits and is widely available. For an example of each see below and further information on each.
Roof bars or crossbars are a common accessory for many car owners and are widely available for most vehicles. You can pick up roof bars at Halfords and they offer a service to fit them as well. Roof bars are split into different types, depending on how they are mounted to the vehicle’s roof:
Rain Gutter – for older cars, roof bars were usually mounted directly to the gutter surrounding the roofline.
Bare Roof – modern vehicles, which do not have gutters, can have a roof rack installed by attaching hooks to the top of the door frames.
Fixed Point – some vehicles have fittings for after-market racks that attach via reinforced lugs in the roof or have pre-threaded holes.
Side Rails – vehicles with factory-installed rails, which may be flush against the roof or raised off of the roof, running front-to-back on the roof.
Factory Bars – some vehicles have a factory-installed permanent roof rack.
When you are installing roof bars to your vehicle, make sure to attach the bars correctly and refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
A roof rack is a metal frame that is fixed on top of a car and used for carrying large objects. These are less common on vehicles but provide more space and strength for carrying loads on your car’s roof.
Roof racks fix to the roof of a vehicle in the same way as roof bars but come as one large framework, meaning they normally need two strong adults to fit, otherwise you might end up with scratches across your roof’s paintwork.
When installing roof racks, it is important to fix the rack properly, in accordance with the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Roof rack manufacturers will give you advice on the right rack for your vehicle.
A great online company that offers lots of roof racks and bars for any vehicle – The Roof Box Company.
All roof tents come with stainless steel fixings to attach to your roof bars or rack. Nuts, bolts, brackets, and even tools with detailed instructions are included. All the supplied fixings are made from premium stainless steel 304-grade metal. This is to prevent them from corrosion/rust and strength.
There are two most common ways of installing your roof tent to your car. The first method is drilling holes in your roof rack or bars and then bolting the roof tent down. And secondly, use the provided brackets to clamp to your roof rack or roof bars.
Here you can see we have measured and pre-drilled holes in our roof rack to bolt the roof top tent to the roof rack. Two channels run the width of the roof tent base, making it possible to bolt the roof tent down in several places if needed.
We would always say that the roof tent needs to be secured in 4 places with the m8 stainless steel bolts provided with your roof tent.
NOTE – make sure all bolts are tight but do not overtighten the bolts.
In this example, the roof tent has been clamped to a roof bar using the provided stainless steel brackets and m8 nuts and bolts. Spread the clamping points equally across the two roof bars, to achieve 4 spaced securing points.
NOTE – make sure all bolts are tight but do not overtighten the bolts.
The roof tent mounting channels run across the tent base spaced 80cm apart. If you’re using roof bars and the supplied fixings, then the mounting channels will need to run across the roof bars (Compact & Explore Series). This means the roof tent will open to the side of your vehicle, the driver’s or passenger’s side depending on your choice.
If you are using a roof rack, you will need to measure out the 80cm mounting space to pre-drill your desired mounting position and opening direction.
If you need any help with mounting or deciding which is best for your setup, then feel free to get in touch. Visit our roof tent installation page for specific information for each roof tent model.
With the roof tent opening to the side, you have a great covered space for cooking or sitting under. You can access your vehicle via the passenger doors and you don’t need to worry about opening clearance. But you do need to check that the boot opens without hitting the side of the roof tent base.
If you are using roof bars, this will be the best option and it gives you an easily covered space next to your vehicle.
As with the side opening position, opening over the back of your car, you can create a covered space at the rear of your vehicle. Great for cooking or sitting under while having access to your car’s boot space.
One thing to check if you’re going for this setup is whether your vehicle’s boot will open with the roof tent open.
Yes, in most cases, a roof tent can be mounted to your car, as long as your vehicle can be fitted with roof bars or a roof rack. However, there are a few important checks to ensure compatibility before setting off on your next roof tent camping adventure.
What to check before installing a roof tent:
Your vehicle’s weight limit
Refer to your vehicle’s handbook to confirm that your roof can support at least 50kg of dynamic weight (the weight your vehicle can handle while in motion). This is crucial for safely mounting a roof top tent.
Roof bars compatibility
Ensure that your roof bars or roof rack are suitable for carrying a car roof tent. Always check with the manufacturer of your roof bars or rack to confirm they meet the weight and design requirements for a roof tent UK setup.
For more detailed guidance, visit our can I fit a roof tent to my car page page for expert advice and tips on getting started with your car tent.
All our roof tents come complete with a comprehensive vehicle fitting kit, including bolts, brackets, and even the necessary tools for installation. To ensure long-lasting durability, all our fixings are crafted from premium 304-grade stainless steel, which provides excellent resistance to weather corrosion and rust while adding superior strength.
For more details, check out our helpful fitting my roof tent guide page page.
Yes. All of our roof tents are 100% waterproof and built to withstand the elements. They feature secure and durable outer covers made from weather-treated aluminium and heavy-duty canvas.
The fabrics we use are completely waterproof straight out of the box, with a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 3000mm for the body of the tent and an impressive 4500mm for the rainfly. This ensures maximum protection against heavy rain, keeping you dry and comfortable.
In addition to being waterproof, the canvas is also UV and mould-resistant, ensuring your roof tent stays cooler, more durable, and ready for any weather conditions you may encounter on your roof tent camping adventures
While your Tent & Trail roof tent is built to endure a variety of weather conditions, including rain and moderate winds, using it during severe storms or strong winds can pose risks to both your safety and the tent’s integrity. To ensure the longevity of your roof tent and a safe camping experience, it’s important to follow the recommended operating guidelines for wind ratings and be mindful of weather conditions.
Wind limits – Tent & Trail roof tents are engineered to withstand winds of up to approximately 35mph (Near gale conditions). However, using your tent in winds stronger than this can be hazardous and may result in damage to the tent or its mounting system. Always check the forecast and avoid setting up in high-wind conditions.
Check wind direction – Before setting up your roof tent, assess the wind direction. Position your tent so the least exposed side faces the wind to reduce impact. This setup minimises resistance and adds stability.
Seek shelter – If a severe storm with strong winds or heavy rainfall is expected, it’s best to take down your roof tent and seek a more sheltered area. Even a sturdy roof tent cannot provide sufficient protection against extreme weather conditions.
Waterproof design – Tent & Trail roof tents are crafted with waterproof materials, taped seams, and a robust outer shell to keep you dry during rainy weather. While these features offer excellent protection against rain, they may not prevent water ingress if set up incorrectly or in extreme conditions.
Noise in windy conditions – In gusty winds, even within safe limits, some noise from flapping fabric or the movement of the tent’s structure is normal. To reduce noise, ensure guy ropes and all connections are securely fastened and tensioned.
Our free delivery service is available to the vast majority of UK customers. However, certain UK postcodes do not qualify for our free delivery service and customers in these areas may be required to pay a supplementary delivery fee.
Our current free shipping exclusion zones include postcodes in the following areas (and which are subject to updates from time to time): Channel Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Scottish Highlands & Islands.
If your postcode falls within one of the free delivery exclusion zone(s), please email support@tentandtrail.com confirming your full address details and we will be in touch with a quote for delivery. We can also arrange delivery all over Europe – please contact us for a quotation.
When gaining access to your property vehicle access restrictions may apply which could mean additional cost or delivery failure. If you are concerned this may apply to you, then please be sure to email us before you complete your order at checkout.
See our delivery and returns page for more information.
We’ve got you covered.
At Tent & Trail, we understand that accidents can happen during your adventures, but there’s no need to stress about your roof tent or vehicle awning. We stock a wide range of spare parts for all our products, including travel covers, window rods, brackets, and fixings, to ensure you stay on the road and keep your roof tent camping experience seamless.
If you need a replacement part, simply contact us with the details of what you require, and our team will get back to you promptly to help you get back to exploring.
Roof tents will fit any vehicle not just a 4×4.