Roof tents offer an easy way to turn a conventional car into a comfortable camping vehicle. Many of you ask us whether your car is suitable for one of our roof tents. The answer depends on several factors, in particular the roof racks, the permissible roof load of your vehicle and the total weight you want to transport on the roof.
Static vs. Dynamic Roof Load
First of all, it is important to understand the difference between “static” and “dynamic” roof load. You may have heard of this before, but what exactly does it mean?
Static roof load: This describes the load that the roof can bear when not in use. However, most vehicle manufacturers rarely specify this value because it can often be misleading. In the worst case scenario, such as if the vehicle rolls over, the roof must bear the weight of the vehicle and its occupants. It can therefore be assumed that the static roof load is usually well over a ton.
Dynamic roof load: This value is easier to determine and indicates the weight that can be safely transported on the roof while driving. The dynamic roof load is usually between 50 kg for smaller vehicles (e.g. a Fiat 500) and 150 kg for larger vehicles (e.g. a VW Bulli). This value is significantly lower than the static roof load because additional forces such as wind, braking, acceleration or uneven terrain act on the vehicle while driving.
At the end of this article you will find a list of the permissible roof loads for some common vehicles. Remember that this information is not guaranteed and you should definitely check the exact roof load of your vehicle before buying or installing a roof tent.
Important factors when calculating roof load
When calculating the permissible roof load, you should consider the following factors:
- weight of the roof rack
- Weight of the roof tent according to the manufacturer's specifications
- Weight of additional accessories such as crossbars
- Additional load , such as sleeping bags or luggage, stored in or on the roof tent
The sum of these values must not exceed the permissible dynamic roof load. You should also make sure that the permissible total weight of the vehicle is not exceeded. In contrast to the permissible roof load, you will find this value in the registration certificate part 1 ("vehicle registration document") under point F.
Roof racks and their meaning
Roof racks are crucial for whether a roof tent will fit on your vehicle. In addition to the permissible weight, they must be stable enough and have the right geometry so that the tent can be mounted safely. Often the problem is not the load-bearing capacity, but rather whether the rails of the roof tent fit the width of your roof rack. Therefore, regularly check the distance between the rails and compare it with the dimensions of your roof rack. This can be a hassle, especially when buying online.
Conclusion
The right roof load and suitable roof racks are crucial for safely mounting a roof tent on your vehicle. Pay attention to the dynamic roof load, take all weights into account and regularly check the compatibility of the roof racks. This way you are well prepared for your next camping adventure! If you have any questions about safely mounting our roof tents, please contact us at hi@bia-outdoor.com.
Permissible dynamic roof loads for common vehicle types
Here you will find a list of the permissible dynamic roof loads for many well-known vehicle models (information without guarantee). It is best to speak to a specialist workshop or the vehicle manufacturer to find out the exact roof load of your vehicle.