Roof tents can turn an ordinary car into a comfortable camping vehicle. Whether your car is suitable depends on its permitted roof load, the roof rack system and the total weight you plan to carry on the roof.
Static and dynamic roof loads
Static roof load concerns the load while parked, including people and equipment when sleeping in the tent. Neither the dynamic roof load nor the roof's strength in a rollover provides a general approval for a roof tent. Check the requirements for your specific vehicle, rack system and tent. If roof-tent use is not covered, consult the relevant manufacturers before installation.
Dynamic roof load limits the weight carried on the roof while driving. The racks, tent and everything else carried on the roof must together stay within the vehicle's permitted roof load. Find the applicable figure in your vehicle manual and take the particular roof configuration into account.
The checklist below helps you gather the information for your own vehicle. A general model list cannot replace this check.
Calculating the load on your roof
Include every item that remains on the roof during the journey:
- The complete roof rack system.
- The roof tent, using the manufacturer's weight specification.
- Additional accessories.
- Bedding or luggage carried inside or on top of the tent.
The combined weight must not exceed the permitted dynamic roof load. Also check the vehicle's permitted gross weight using the vehicle documentation.
Choosing compatible roof racks
The racks connect the vehicle and roof tent. Check both the permitted load and whether the complete rack combination is suitable for roof tents. Crossbar profiles, mounting clamps and spacing must match the relevant manufacturers' requirements. Follow their instructions for installation, inspection and use.
Preparing your roof-tent setup
Confirm the roof load, add up all carried weights and check the compatibility of the racks and tent before mounting. For questions about installing our roof tents, contact us at hi@bia-outdoor.com.
Roof-load checklist for your car
If you are looking for a car with a 100 kg roof-load limit, check the exact vehicle version. A model name alone is not enough to establish compatibility. A high roof-load limit also does not confirm that a particular rack system is suitable for a roof tent.
- Identify the vehicle: Note the manufacturer, model, model year, body style and roof configuration. Have the vehicle identification number ready when contacting the vehicle manufacturer.
- Read the vehicle manual: Look for roof-load and roof-rack information. Record the limit and any restrictions. For glass or panoramic roofs, explicitly check suitability with the vehicle manufacturer.
- Identify the rack system: Check the exact combination of feet, fitting kit and crossbars against the rack manufacturer's instructions. Ask specifically about roof-tent suitability and permitted loads.
- Check the tent and mounting requirements: Compare weight, fittings and required crossbar spacing with the tent's installation instructions. An adequate load rating does not replace compatible mounting hardware.
- List the carried load: Add up everything that stays on the roof during travel. Also check the limits of each component and the vehicle's permitted gross weight.
A worked example for driving
A purely illustrative setup has a 65 kg tent, 7 kg of roof racks and 3 kg of additional equipment: 75 kg in total. With a permitted vehicle roof load of 75 kg, that example leaves no capacity for additional weight on the roof. These are not product specifications or approval for a particular car. Rack suitability, rack load limits and use while parked require separate checks.
Help with selection and installation
Send us your vehicle details, the relevant information from its manual and the model of your roof racks so we can respond to your enquiry more precisely. For local installation, enquire about our roof-tent installation service in Deilingen.
Once vehicle and rack compatibility are established, our Gerald and Robert comparison can help you choose. Browse the models in our roof-tent collection.
Updated on 6 October 2026. Manufacturer reference for roof loads, roof types and rack compatibility: Thule: Will a rooftop tent fit my car? Always follow the vehicle, rack and tent instructions for your specific setup.