
An example of a roof rack for motor cars without water channels.	Connection for off-road vehicles or motor cars with water channels.	Attachment bars for motor cars with fitted rails.	Suitable robust roof bar system will make installation simple.

The tents are completely independent of the roof rack, so attachment is simple and straightforward.	Place the tent onto the roof bars and position centrally.		The underside is equipped with two strong C shaped channels to attach the tent to the roof bars.
			FIG.1&2 Attachment clamps to fit to suitable roof bars.
		FIG.3 Slide all assembled top plates into C shaped channels.
		FIG.4 Slide all top plate assemblies into position against the roof bars.
		FIG.5 Lift the tent to allow the bolts to straddle the roof bar at all locations.
		FIG.6 Loosely attach the bottom plates with the nuts and washers provided at all locations. With a suitable spanner tighten all nuts until firm. After a short drive retighten the nuts,

Roof Rack Capacity and Roof Top Tents

When considering the suitability of a roof top tent for your vehicle there are three main factors to consider.

1. The vehicle manufacturers recommended maximum roof rack capacity which is available in your vehicle handbook. This is the maximum load allowable when the vehicle is travelling to allow for cornering, braking and shock loads.

2. The roof rack manufacturers recommended maximum roof rack capacity, (this will be available from your supplier) is also the maximum load allowable when the vehicle is travelling. It's worth while checking several roof rack manufacturers as their ratings vary with the different designs.

3. Whichever is the lowest rating is the final maximum allowable load whilst the vehicle is travelling.

This is not the end of the story as the actual maximum static load can be much higher, such as when you are parked and sleeping in your tent.

Another area that must be considered.

The overall width of the roof tent compared to your vehicle. At this point measure across the width of your vehicles roof and visualise your chosen tent installed. A small roof overhang is no particular problem but the tent must be inside the vehicles overall width. We need to get the roof tent in balance with the vehicle and don't want something that looks like a aeroplane wing on top of the vehicle. This would affect the vehicle's handling in heavy cross winds. If you are taking the vehicle amongst the trees in really rough country the tent needs to be as close to the width of the roof as possible to avoid hangups and damaging the tent or roof bars in the trees.

Additional considerations worth mentioning at this point.

The style of roof bars:- They should be flat and the full width of the base of your tent. Some of the Sports Bars have an oval section and this will add a complication to installation as the standard mountings are designed for square or rectangular section bars.

Three bars or two?

Be guided by the roof rack manufacturer as the normal roof tent only needs two. However on really rough or corrugated roads a third bar can help control harmonic vibration set up by regular shuddering being transmitted through the vehicle.

Have a look at the Rhino Roof Rack Selector site for some ideas for your particular vehicle. Their heavy duty range are particularly suitable.