Need your roof tent fitted?
We can set up and install your roof tent at our workshop in Hampshire, UK.
Welcome to your next adventure setup! In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up and install your Discover Series roof tent. While your roof tent will arrive with printed instructions, we know it’s helpful to get a closer look at just how simple and straightforward the setup process really is.
This guide is tailored for installation on roof bars, which is the most common mounting method for our customers. If you’re using a roof rack system, the included clamping plates may still be compatible — though this depends on the design of your rack. If the clamps don’t fit your setup, you may need to drill mounting holes for a secure installation. For more information on that option, check out our How Does a Roof Tent Attach? guide.
Read on for a step-by-step walkthrough and get ready to hit the road with confidence!
Start by carefully unboxing your roof tent. It’s a good idea to have a friend help with this part, as the tent is large and can be a bit heavy to manage solo.
Tip: If you’re using a knife or box cutter to open the packaging, take extra care to avoid slicing too deeply—you don’t want to damage the tent or the cover accidentally.
Here’s how to safely unpack your tent:
Lay the box flat on the ground with the top half of the box facing up.
Cut and remove the straps securing the box.
Lift off the top half of the cardboard box and set it aside.
Remove any protective wrapping, foam padding, or paperwork packed with the tent.
With assistance if needed, carefully lift the tent out of the bottom half of the box and place it on a clean, flat surface.
Now you’re ready to move on to the next step.
With your roof tent resting securely on its base (lid side facing up), it’s time to open it briefly and remove the internal components. This makes the tent significantly lighter and easier to lift onto your vehicle.
Follow These Simple Steps
1. Unbox and Open the Tent
Once the tent is out of its packaging, release the Velcro strips around the sides to fold back the protective middle cover.
2. Unclip the Front Latches
Unclip the two corner clips at the front of the tent to release the lid.
3. Partially Open the Tent
Gently lift the top shell just enough to access the inside — no need to fully open it yet.
4. Remove Internal Components
Carefully take out all internal items, including:
Ladder
Cargo bars
Awning extension
Any accessory bags or mounting hardware
Tip: Removing everything now makes the tent much easier and safer to lift onto your vehicle with a second person.
5. Close and Re-Secure
Once all components are removed, gently close the lid and re-latch the clips to keep it secure for transport and mounting.
With everything removed from inside the roof tent, you will find the following contents.
Roof tent accessories:
Cargo bars:
Roof tent fixings:
Tools:
Next, it’s time to fit the ladder clips so you can securely attach your ladder when the tent is open.
From the installation box, find the following:
2 x ladder clips
4 x M8 16mm Allen head bolts
4 x M8 slim nuts
Allen key (usually included in the cargo bars box)
Slide the 4 x M8 slim nuts into the cargo mounting rail on top of the tent. Make sure you’re working on the non-hinged (opening) side of the tent — this is where the ladder will attach.
Place the ladder clips over the aligned nuts.
Use your ladder as a guide to space the clips correctly, so they match the locking points on the ladder.
Insert the M8 Allen head bolts through the clips and into the slim nuts.
Use the Allen key to tighten each bolt until secure — but do not overtighten.
Tip: Add a small amount of grease to the bolt threads. This helps with smoother installation and easier removal later.
If you are not installing cargo bars, you can skip this step and go straight to Step 6.
If you’ve chosen to fit the cargo bars (great for mounting additional gear like bikes, boards, or extra storage), follow the instructions below:
Insert 2 x M8 16mm bolts into the top mounting rail on the roof tent.
Place one cargo bar foot over the bolts and lightly secure.
Repeat this on the opposite side of the tent, making sure the feet are directly aligned with each other.
Insert 2 x M8 20mm bolts into the channel on the underside of the cargo bar — one at each end, spaced to line up with the feet.
Carefully place the cargo bar onto the feet.
Secure using penny washers and M8 nylon nuts.
Repeat this process for the second cargo bar.
Using a 13mm spanner, tighten all nuts evenly. Be careful not to overtighten — they should be snug and secure.
Tip: Add a small amount of grease to the threads. This helps with smoother tightening and makes it easier to remove them in the future.
Once your cargo bars are in place and secure, you’re ready to move on to mounting your tent to your roof bars.
Before lifting your tent onto the vehicle, take a moment to decide which direction you’d like it to open. The hinged side determines where the tent will overhang when set up — typically over the side of the vehicle, either on the driver’s or passenger’s side, depending on your preference and setup.
👉 Important: The mounting rails underneath the tent should run perpendicular to your roof bars for a safe and secure fit.
Once you’ve decided on the orientation:
Grab a friend — lifting the tent is definitely a two-person job.
Lift carefully, using proper technique to avoid injury or damage to your vehicle or tent.
Place the tent gently onto your roof bars in the chosen position, ensuring it’s centred and aligned correctly before securing.
Tip: Watch out for sharp edges or raised parts on your roof bars or rack that could interfere with placement or damage the tent base.
Next step: let’s get it clamped down and secured properly!
Now that your tent is positioned on the roof, it’s time to assemble the mounting hardware to secure it in place.
Gather Your Hardware
You’ll need:
8 x Aluminium Sliding Plates
8 x M8 x 50mm Bolts
Insert the Sliding Plates
Carefully slide two plates into each mounting rail channel located on the underside of the roof tent — one plate on either side of each roof bar, creating four mounting locations in total.
⚠️ You will need to slightly lift the roof tent to get the sliding plates and bolts into position.
To make this more manageable, you can do one side at a time — lift just enough to insert two plates and bolts, then repeat on the opposite side.Tip: If the sliders are difficult to move: Apply a small amount of lubricant (e.g. WD-40) to the sides. If still an issue, you can lightly file down the edges of the sliding plates for a smoother fit.
Once the sliding plates and bolts are in place, you’re ready to clamp and secure your tent to the roof bars.
With the sliding plates and bolts in position, it’s time to attach the tent securely to your vehicle.
Mount the Steel Clamping Plates
Position a steel mounting plate up against the underside of your roof bar so that the M8 bolts protrude through the plate.
Secure with Washers and Nuts
Thread an M8 washer and M8 nylon lock nut onto each bolt.
Use a 13mm spanner to tighten the nuts until secure. Avoid overtightening — firm and snug is all you need.
Repeat at All Four Mounting Points
Complete this process at each of the four mounting locations.
Final Check
Once all bolts are tightened, give the tent a firm shake to ensure it’s securely mounted and does not move.
Tip: Add a small amount of grease to the bolt threads. This helps with smooth tightening and makes future removal much easier.
Maintenance Reminder:
Periodically check all mounting bolts and brackets during use to ensure they remain tight and secure — especially after off-road travel or long journeys.
Your roof tent is now securely installed and adventure-ready! Whether you’re heading into the wild for a weekend escape or embarking on a longer journey, your Discover Series tent has you covered.
Before You Roll Out:
After your first trip, take a moment to check all nuts, bolts, and fittings to ensure everything remains tight and secure.
Ongoing Maintenance Tip:
It’s good practice to periodically inspect all mounting hardware, especially after rough terrain or long-distance travel. This helps keep your setup safe, secure, and performing at its best.
Now that the setup is done — it’s time to hit the road. Happy camping!
We can set up and install your roof tent at our workshop in Hampshire, UK.
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.