Which Roof Bars Work for Roof Tents?
Before buying a roof tent, you need to ensure your roof bars are suitable. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about roof bars for roof tents – from weight limits to measurements and recommended models.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Roof bar max load is usually 75-100 kg – must cover both tent and bars
- ✓You need to measure 'clear roof bar' – the space between the feet
- ✓Distance between bars varies by tent model (60-120 cm)
- ✓Square profile roof bars are easiest to mount on
- ✓Avoid roof bars that clamp to door frames – risk of paint damage
1. Weight Limits
The first thing you need to check is that your roof bars and car can handle the weight of the roof tent.
- Most roof bars have a max load of 75-100 kg
- The max load must fit both the tent weight AND roof bar weight (3-7 kg)
- The max load is dynamic – it applies while driving
- When stationary, the car can handle significantly higher loads
- Check your car's specific roof capacity in the manual or on car.info
2. Clear Roof Bar – What Is It?
'Clear roof bar' is the free space on the roof bar between the feet, where no plastic parts protrude. This is where the tent's rails attach.
To mount a Wild Land roof tent, you need to measure this distance on both your roof bars. Different tent models require different measurements – see the table further down the page.
Illustration: 'Clear roof bar' is the space between the feet
3. Distance Between Roof Bars
To distribute the weight correctly, the roof bars need to be positioned at the right distance from each other. This varies depending on the tent size.
Place the roof bars as far apart as possible, preferably near where the rails connect to the car body.
4. Recommended Roof Bars
Not all roof bars are equally suitable for roof tents. Here are our recommendations:
Square profile roof bars
Easiest to mount roof tents on. The tent sits stable and screws are easy to access.
Thule Wingbar Evo / similar aerodynamic
Works great but the rubber strip may shift during mounting. Consider using a protective mat.
Thule SquareBar
Classic square profile that's perfect for roof tents.
5. Roof Bars to Avoid
We don't recommend certain types of roof bars for roof tents:
Low-profile roof bars (e.g. Thule Edge)
The load carrier sits below the feet, causing incorrect weight distribution and risk of damage to rails/roof.
Roof bars that clamp to door frames
Risk of paint damage to the car roof. We don't recommend this even though many use it.
6. Measurements by Wild Land Model
Here are the exact measurements for all our roof tent models. Use this table to see if your roof bars are compatible.
Lite Cruiser
Normandy Auto 120
Normandy Auto 140
Air Cruiser
Wild Cruiser 160
Voyager Pro 140
Desert Cruiser 120
Voyager Pro 160
SE-125
Desert Cruiser 140
Voyager Pro 230
Bush Cruiser V2 Pro 120
SE-180
Rock Cruiser
Wild Cruiser 250
Bush Cruiser V2 Pro 140
* Values in parentheses show minimum measurement when rails are moved to the edges.
7. Mounting Tips
- 1Place the roof bars as far apart as possible
- 2Center the tent so it extends equally front and back
- 3Check that the tent is properly secured – it should not be able to move
- 4Make sure the tent doesn't obstruct forward view or block the trunk
Unsure About Your Roof Bars?
Contact us and we'll help you find out if your roof bars are suitable for a roof tent.
Contact us