Roof top tent brackets are the clamps, plates and bolts that fasten the tent base to your cross bars. They do the real holding: the tent sits on bars, the bars sit on your rack or roof, and the brackets lock the two together. Which ones you need depends on your bar shape (round, square, aerofoil or T-slot) and your tent base, so match the bracket to both before you buy. Follow the tent maker's manual for the fitting and the tightening.
Torque figures come from the tent maker, so we do not quote one.
What Actually Holds a Roof Top Tent to the Vehicle?
Three things hold it: the mounting hardware, the cross bars, and the rack or roof underneath them. Each one has to be sound, because the tent is only as secure as the weakest link in that chain.
| Part | Job | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting hardware (brackets, clamps, plates, bolts, nuts) | Locks the tent base to the bars | Fits your bar shape and width, comes from the tent maker or is made for tents, and is fully tightened |
| Cross bars | Carry the tent weight across the roof | Strong enough, wide enough apart for the tent base, no cracks or bends |
| Rack or roof | Takes the load into the vehicle | Rating for a load while driving, which is the lower of the rack rating and your vehicle's roof rating |
The loads are not only down. Braking, cornering, corrugations and gusts all push the tent sideways and back and forward. That is why a tent needs proper clamps and not straps or a hopeful jam between bars.
Do You Need Special Roof Top Tent Mounting Brackets?
Yes. You need hardware made to hold a tent base to your bars. Many tents come with it, and some need a kit bought to match your bars. Check which applies before you order, and use the bolts and brackets your manual lists.
Which brackets you need depends on three things:
- The shape of your bars. Round, square, aerofoil and T-slot bars each take different clamps or plates.
- The tent base. Some tents use tracks or channels on the underside, others use fixed holes or plates.
- The tent maker's design. The manual shows which brackets, washers and bolts the maker expects you to use.
Our roof top tent installation guide covers the full fitting from start to finish.
What Is the Difference Between a Universal Kit and a Maker's Mounting Kit?
A maker's kit is designed and sold for one tent or range, and a universal kit is designed to fit many tents and many bars. Both can work. The point is to know which you have, and to follow the instructions for that kit.
| Maker's mounting kit | Universal mounting kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | That tent, or that maker's range | A wide range of tents and bars |
| Fit | Matches the tent base holes or tracks | Adjusts, so you check it suits both your base and your bars |
| Instructions | In the tent manual | In the kit's own instructions, which you read together with the tent manual |
| Warranty | Ask the maker what it covers | Ask both the kit seller and the tent maker |
| Best for | Bars supplied or recommended by the maker | Existing racks and bars from another brand |
If you mix parts, such as a tent from one brand, bars from another and a universal kit from a third, ask the tent maker whether that combination is fine. If a manual says one thing and a kit sheet says another, stop and ask before you drive.
What Do You Check About Cross Bars Before You Mount a Tent?
Check that the bars are strong enough for the tent while driving, spaced to suit the tent base, and fastened properly to the rack or roof. Bars that look fine can still be the weak part.
- Read the bar rating. The maker's page or box will list a load rating. Look for one that covers a load while driving (called dynamic), not only a parked load.
- Check the spacing. The tent manual gives the span the base needs. Measure your bars centre to centre.
- Check the rack and roof. The tent's weight counts against your vehicle's roof load rating, which is in the owner's manual. See our roof rack weight limits guide for the sums.
- Look for damage. Cracked end caps, bent bars, loose rack feet or rust at the mounts should be fixed first.
- Check the bars are tight. Bars that shift on the rack will shift the tent.
Do not guess any of these numbers. The vehicle rating is in the owner's manual or on the maker's page, and the bar rating is on the bar maker's page or box.
How Tight Should Roof Top Tent Brackets Be?
Tight enough that nothing moves, and no tighter than the maker allows. The right torque is in the tent manual, or in the bracket or bar instructions if the tent manual points you there. The figure differs between hardware.
A few habits help:
- Use a torque wrench if the manual gives a figure, not a guess by hand.
- Fit every bracket and every bolt, with the washers and nuts the manual lists.
- Tighten evenly, working across the tent rather than finishing one corner first.
- Do not overtighten. Too much force can crush a bar, strip a thread or crack a plate.
- Look for loose bolts, thread showing, and marks where parts have rubbed.
When Should You Re-check Roof Top Tent Brackets?
Re-check after the first short drive, after the first real trip, and then on a regular schedule. New hardware settles and bolts can loosen, especially on corrugated roads.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before you leave the driveway | Push and pull the tent by hand. Nothing should shift on the bars |
| After a short local drive | Stop and check every bracket and bar clamp again |
| After the first trip | Check again, particularly if you drove on rough or corrugated roads |
| Before each trip | Quick look and wiggle test |
| After a rough track or a bump | Stop and look at the mounts |
The tent maker's manual may give a set re-check interval. Follow that over any general advice you read here. If a bracket keeps coming loose, do not keep tightening it. Find out why, and ask the maker.
What Comes in the Box With the RIGDUP Nomad 1.4M?
The Nomad 1.4M comes with cross bars and a 2.6 m ladder in the box. For the mounting hardware, check the product page and your manual before you plan the fitting.
| Nomad 1.4M | Detail |
|---|---|
| Closed size | 217 x 150 x 18 cm |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| In the box | Cross bars, 2.6 m ladder |
| Mounting hardware | See the product page and manual |
| Warranty | 2 years |
At 72 kg, the tent counts fully against your roof load. Use the RIGDUP fitting guide to work out what suits your vehicle, and check the FAQs if something about your rack is unclear.
FAQs
What is a roof top tent mounting kit?
It is the set of brackets, clamps, plates and bolts that fasten a tent base to your cross bars. Some tents include one, and some need one bought to match your bars.
Can I use any bolts to mount a roof top tent?
No. Use the hardware your tent manual lists, with the washers and nuts it specifies.
Do I need cross bars for a roof top tent?
Yes. The tent rides on bars that sit on your rack or roof. Check that your bars suit the tent weight and spacing, or use the ones supplied if the tent comes with them.
How often should I check roof top tent brackets?
After the first short drive, after your first trip, and before every trip after that. Follow any interval in your tent manual.
What torque should I use on roof top tent brackets?
Use the figure in your tent manual or the bracket instructions. It varies with the hardware.
Is the Nomad 1.4M Right for Your Setup?
Weigh 72 kg against your rack and roof rating first. The fitting guide shows what suits your vehicle. See the Nomad 1.4M roof top tent for the full details.
