Busting The Myth That Rooftop Tents Are Bad For Your Car

You’ve undoubtedly seen a rooftop tent mounted on a vehicle—they’re a popular way to sleep when camping or traveling. However, there are rumors that rooftop tents are bad for your car. Let’s address some of these rumors.

Yes, a Rooftop Tent Will Add Weight. Can The Roof Handle It?

A car rooftop tent must be mounted to a vehicle properly so it doesn’t damage the vehicle and for safety. This means having a proper roof rack to accommodate a rooftop tent. Some vehicles, such as Subaru Crosstrek or Toyota 4Runner, come standard with factory-mounted roof rails, but that’s not enough to accommodate a tent. You’ll need a set of crossbars sturdy enough to carry a tent. There are a variety of manufacturers offering crossbars for factory roof rails. Be sure to look into their load capacity before installing a tent, however.

Most vehicles equipped with roof rails and appropriate crossbars can handle the weight of a tent without adverse effects. Plus, most vehicles’ roofs are made to handle a lot of weight from a safety standpoint. Adding a tent generally isn’t a problem so long as the rack is up to the task. Some vehicles’ factory roof rails will have a load rating specified. Look into your vehicle’s owner’s manual for details before buying a rooftop tent.

If you’re already got a platform-style rack on your vehicle, ensure a tent is compatible with it. If your vehicle doesn’t have any rack, you still might have options. You can often find a kit and/or rack that will attach to your specific vehicle. Remember to look at the load ratings before purchasing a car rooftop tent.

Even with people in the tent, your roof should be fine with the weight. Generally, it’s not the roof that’s the concern with rooftop tents, it’s the rack. So do your research.

Will The Extra Weight Wear My Suspension or Other Components Faster?

Many rooftop tents weigh well under 200 lbs. If you think about it, how much do your passengers weigh? While it could be argued any added weight will wear out your car’s components faster, 200 lbs. (and often less) isn’t much in the big scheme of things. Adding a rooftop tent won’t wear your vehicle’s components out any faster than having a passenger in the vehicle.

How Will a Rooftop Tent Effect My Car’s Fuel Economy?

Nearly all roof-mounted accessories will hurt your fuel economy, but it’s pretty minor. This is because you’re altering the vehicle’s aerodynamics, and that means the engine has to work harder to maintain speed. A rooftop tent will lower your car’s mileage, but it’s generally only a couple of MPGs max. Often, the benefits of owning a rooftop tent far exceed the small hit you’ll have to your vehicle’s fuel consumption.

Won’t a Rooftop Tent Make My Rig Handle Worse?

Any time you modify your vehicle, be aware of how it will change its driving dynamics. Most people who have a rooftop tent on their vehicle don’t expect it to handle like a Ferrari in the first place. But adding weight on the roof will make the vehicle’s center of gravity higher and it’ll have an effect on the way it handles both on and off the road. So be aware of this in the corners or on the trail. Also remember, the vehicle will be taller. When it comes to low-hanging branches or parking garages (or your own garage!), make sure your vehicle can fit where you’re going.

Rooftop Tents: The Pros Outweigh the Cons

Rooftop tents are often more comfortable, faster to set up (and put away), and are studier than ground tents. Most buyers find them to be excellent ways to camp. Any negative effects they have on a vehicle are minimal. However, you must ensure your rooftop tent is mounted properly on a rack and that your roof rack setup is up to the task, too. Do this by talking to your installer or by contacting the rack manufacturer. Also, remember you’ll have more weight up top, and that can change the vehicle drives, especially in off-camber situations.

There have been hundreds of thousands of rooftop tents sold over the years, and they’re not ruining cars. Knowing this, we’d say the myth that rooftop tents are bad for your car is busted.