When deciding which roof tent is right for you and your car, there is one crucial factor that must be considered: the roof load.
The roof load refers to the weight of all objects that may be attached to the roof of your vehicle. This can be, for example, a roof rack, a bicycle, a kayak, or a roof tent. In any case, the roof load must not be exceeded!
Before you buy a roof tent, you should definitely check the permissible roof load for your car. The information can be found in your vehicle’s operating manual.
Camping Guide
Roof load: calculate the maximum weight correctly
Once you know the maximum roof load of your car, you should compare it with the weight of the desired roof tent plus the required roof racks. Because not only the roof tent, but also the racks have a dead weight, which must be included in the roof load calculation: A roof tent weighs between 50 and 80 kg depending on its size. Roof racks can be calculated with a weight of approx. 3–6 kg.
If you have the option of transporting additional equipment on or next to your roof tent, such as a kayak or smaller items such as an axe, shovel or solar panel, you must also include the weight of your equipment.
Tip for a tight roof load: In many cases, the ladder of your roof tent can be removed and transported in the trunk of your car. This saves weight on the car roof.
Example: With two to three people you are well equipped with an X-Cover from iKamper. The tent weighs 71 kg (larger or smaller roof tents are available in this overview.) A suitable roof rack weighs around 4 kg. The total weight would now be 75 kg, but could be reduced by 6 kg if you transport the roof tent ladder in the trunk. An Audi A4 has a maximum roof load of 90 kg. With this car you could even mount a kayak on the X-Cover. However, with a Skoda Octavia with a roof load of 75 kg, it will be tight. Here you should avoid additional luggage in or on the roof tent.
And this is how you proceed
- Check the roof load of your car (information in the operating instructions)
- Determine the weight of the desired roof tent
- Determine the weight of the roof rack to be mounted on the car
- Check whether the weight of the roof rack + roof tent + any equipment exceeds the maximum roof load of your car
- Mounting the roof rack on the car roof
- Mount the roof tent on the roof rack
- Off on vacation!
Distribution of the weight on the car roof
No matter whether you want to transport a roof box, a bicycle or a roof tent on the car roof: It is important that you distribute the weight of the load evenly on the roof. This will avoid uneven loading, which in the worst case could lead to an imbalance and thus to the vehicle tipping over.
Especially if you plan to drive on uneven roads or extremely winding routes, you should remember that the load on your car roof changes the center of gravity of your vehicle. In any case, the speed should always be adapted to what you are transporting on your car roof. You should drive all the more slowly and carefully on very uneven surfaces.
Fastening and load securing
Just slapped on? Better not! When attaching your roof tent (instructions for mounting a roof tent) and other equipment to the car roof, nothing beats the right fastening material. Always make sure that everything is firmly and securely attached and cannot slip during the journey. It also doesn’t hurt to check the load securing again during a coffee break.
Short and sweet: answers to the most important questions
What does the kg specification for the roof load mean?
With a roof load of 75 kg, for example, this means that objects may be transported on the car roof while driving if they do not exceed the maximum total weight of 75 kg. This weight should never be exceeded, as overloading is dangerous and also prohibited! In addition, the roof rack system should also be designed to be able to transport the planned load.
Once you have parked the car, the restriction due to the roof load no longer applies and higher loads on the car roof are possible. This means that even if you have already exhausted your roof load with roof tent + roof rack, you can still sleep in your roof tent.
By the way: The permissible roof load of a vehicle is between 50 and 200 kg – quite a range. You should therefore check exactly how much is permitted for your car.
Where can I find the information on the roof load?
You can easily find out how high the roof load of your car is: However, the permissible roof load is not stated in the vehicle registration document, but in the vehicle manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Important to know: No matter how high the permissible roof load of your car is: The maximum height of four meters must not be exceeded. And the maximum permissible 2.55 meters must always be taken into account for the overall width. Anyone who also takes a trailer must, as the ADAC reminds, also keep an eye on the total weight of the combination.
Is it possible to increase the roof load?
No, the specified roof load cannot be increased without further ado and should not be exceeded. If the roof load is too low, you can only try to reduce the weight on the car roof, for example by removing the tent ladder and transporting it in the trunk. This will save you 6 kg directly.
But: When stationary, i.e. as soon as the car has been parked by you, the car roof can carry far more than the permitted roof load (more on this in our FAQ). Then even a whole family can safely spend the night in the roof tent. Only the permissible total weight of the car must not be exceeded!
Does the car roof buckle under the weight of the load?
Whether bicycles or a roof tent – the roof load is always attached to corresponding roof racks. These are mounted on the car roof beforehand.
The roof bars support and stabilize the roof load thanks to the wide support surface, which also distributes the load evenly over the entire roof. This reduces the risk of uneven loading and prevents damage to your car roof.
Why does the roof load restriction exist at all?
The roof load restriction exists for safety reasons. A car is designed to carry a certain load. If the permissible weight is exceeded, this can lead to the vehicle becoming unstable.
The roof load can be particularly noticeable and dangerous when braking, steering or swerving. As the center of gravity of the vehicle changes due to the roof load, the risk of skidding and tipping is greater. Especially if the specified maximum roof load is exceeded.
