You can fit a roof top tent to a Subaru Forester only if the tent plus the bars or rack holding it weighs less than the Forester's dynamic roof load limit and the rack's own rating, whichever is lower. Subaru Australia does not publish that roof limit on its Forester specs, brochure or accessories pages (checked 20 Oct 2026), so get the figure for your exact model year from the owner's manual before you buy a tent.
Be honest with the maths. Our Nomad 1.4M weighs 72 kg, so your Forester needs a dynamic limit of at least 72 kg plus the weight of your rack. If it does not have that, the Nomad 1.4M is the wrong tent for your Forester, and this guide shows the options that do work.
What Is the Subaru Forester's Roof Load Limit?
The Forester's roof load limit is in the owner's manual for your car, and it can change between model years and roof rail types. We could not find it on Subaru Australia's own website. Here is where we looked on 20 Oct 2026:
- Subaru Australia Forester specs page: lists overall height, kerb weight, tare mass, GVM and towing, but no roof load figure.
- Subaru Australia Forester brochure: says the roof rails can carry outdoor gear, and lists ladder style or low profile rails depending on the variant, but gives no roof load figure.
- Subaru Australia Forester genuine accessories: lists genuine roof cross bars, a Thule roof basket and roof boxes, but the cross bar page shows no load rating.
You will see roof load numbers for the Forester quoted on forums and shopping sites. We have not repeated them, because we could not check them against Subaru Australia's own material, and a wrong number here could put too much weight on your roof. Get the real figure from one of these:
- Your owner's manual. Look in the section on loading your vehicle, roof rails or roof racks. Note both the driving (dynamic) and parked (static) figures if both are listed.
- A Subaru retailer. Give them your VIN or build year so they quote the right model.
- Subaru Australia customer contact on 1800 22 66 43, the number listed on its website.
Write the figure down with your model year. A Forester from one generation may not share the number of another.
Does the Roof Rack's Rating Count Too?
Yes. Your limit is the lower of two numbers: the Forester's roof rating and the rating of the bars or rack the tent sits on. Going over either one is overloading.
- The vehicle rating is set by Subaru. It is what the roof and rail mounts can carry.
- The rack rating is set by the rack or bar maker, and it can differ by vehicle and by rail type. Check the rack maker's fit guide for your exact Forester.
- The rack's own weight counts. If your bars or platform weigh 10 kg, that 10 kg comes off the limit before the tent goes on.
- Rail type matters. Subaru's current brochure lists ladder style rails on some variants and low profile rails on others. Bars that suit one may not suit the other.
Cross bars come in the box with the Nomad 1.4M. RIGDUP does not sell roof racks, though, so check how the bars will mount to your Forester's rails, and count the weight of whatever carries the tent. Our guide to roof rack weight limits for roof top tents explains dynamic and static ratings in full.
Can a Subaru Forester Carry a 72 kg Roof Top Tent?
Only if its dynamic roof limit, and your rack's rating, are at least 72 kg plus the rack's weight. Do the sum with your real numbers:
- Find the Forester's dynamic roof limit in your owner's manual.
- Find your bars' or rack's rating for your Forester. Use the lower of the two.
- Take away the weight of the bars or rack.
- Take away the weight of the tent.
- If the answer is below zero, the tent does not fit. If it is zero or a little above, you have nothing left for other roof gear.
Here is what the Nomad 1.4M needs with racks of different weights. The rack weights are examples, not real products:
| Bars or Rack (example) | Nomad 1.4M | Lowest Dynamic Rating You Need |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 72 kg | At least 77 kg |
| 10 kg | 72 kg | At least 82 kg |
| 20 kg | 72 kg | At least 92 kg |
Compare that with the figure in your manual. If your Forester's limit sits below the line for your rack, do not fit the Nomad 1.4M. Medium SUVs are often rated lower than big 4WDs and utes, so the margin on a Forester may be thin or not there at all. We would rather you buy the right setup than a tent your roof cannot carry.
At camp, the static rating takes over. The tent, rack, bedding and everyone inside must all fit under the static figure in your manual. Use the published number, not a rule of thumb.
What Are Your Options If a 72 kg Tent Is Too Heavy?
If the numbers do not work, pick a lighter tent, keep the tent off the roof, or tow your bed behind you. Each one gets you camping without overloading the Forester.
| Option | How It Helps | Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| A lighter roof top tent | Leaves more of your roof limit free. iKamper lists its Skycamp 3.0 Mini at 56 to 57 kg (the page gives both figures) on its product page (checked 20 Oct 2026). Soft shell fold-outs are often lighter again. | Still add the rack weight and check it against the lower rating |
| A ground tent | No roof load at all, more floor space | Slower setup, sleeping on the ground |
| Sleeping in the car | No roof load at all. Fold the rear seats and measure the load space for your model | Space for one or two people only, gear has to go elsewhere |
| A camper trailer | Nothing on the roof, and the bed stays set up at camp | The trailer must suit your Forester's towing capacity and tow ball download |
For lighter tents, our guide to the lightest roof top tents in Australia compares a few. If you are weighing up a tent on the ground instead, read roof top tent vs ground tent.
On towing, Subaru Australia's brochure (checked 20 Oct 2026) lists braked towing of up to 1,800 kg on some Forester variants and 1,200 kg on others, with a maximum tow ball download of 180 kg or 120 kg depending on the variant. Check the figures for your car. RIGDUP also takes pre-orders for an off road camper trailer, built to order. For towing rules, registration and loading, check with your state transport authority.
How High Will a Forester Sit With a Roof Top Tent?
Expect a Forester with a hard shell tent to sit close to 2 m high or more, so measure it before you head for a car park. Subaru Australia's current brochure lists the Forester's overall height at 1,730 mm (checked 20 Oct 2026).
Add the height your bars or rack add above the roof, plus the tent. The Nomad 1.4M is 18 cm high when closed. With 100 mm of bars, which is an example and not a real product, the sum comes to about 2,010 mm. Older Foresters may have a different overall height, so check your own model.
Measure the fitted car on flat ground, from the highest point to the ground, and stick the number on your sun visor. Read the height sign at every car park entry and check your garage door opening before you drive in.
What Else Should Forester Owners Check Before Fitting a Roof Top Tent?
Check the tent's footprint against your roof, the bar spread, and how the extra weight up high changes the way the car drives. A short list:
- Footprint. The Nomad 1.4M is 217 x 150 cm closed. Check how far it would sit past the windscreen or tailgate on your roof.
- Bar spread. The tent maker and the rack maker may each set a minimum and maximum spread. Check both.
- Handling. Weight on the roof raises the centre of gravity. Drive slower on corners, gravel and corrugations.
- Bolts. Check the mounting bolts before every trip and after rough roads.
- Tailgate and sunroof. Make sure the tent and ladder clear the tailgate when it opens, and the sunroof if you have one.
- GVM. Roof load is only part of it. People, fuel, water and gear must keep the car under its gross vehicle mass, which is on Subaru's specs page.
The RIGDUP fitting guide walks through the checks for your vehicle and rack.
FAQs
What is the roof load limit on a Subaru Forester?
Subaru Australia does not list it on its Forester specs, brochure or accessories pages (checked 20 Oct 2026). Find it in the owner's manual for your model year, or ask a Subaru retailer. It can differ between generations and rail types.
Can I put a roof top tent on factory Forester roof rails?
Possibly, if the tent plus the bars fit under both the Forester's dynamic limit and the bars' rating. Many tents are heavy, so do the sum with your real numbers first.
Is the Nomad 1.4M a good fit for a Subaru Forester?
Only if your Forester's lowest dynamic rating covers 72 kg plus your rack. If it does not, it is the wrong tent for your car, and a lighter tent or a trailer is a better choice.
Can two people sleep in a roof top tent on a Forester?
That depends on the static roof rating in your manual. The tent, rack, bedding and both people must fit under it. Use Subaru's figure, not a guess.
Do I need a platform rack on a Forester?
Not always. A platform spreads the load, but it also weighs more, which leaves less of a low roof limit for the tent. Bars rated for your Forester and the tent can be the lighter way to go.
Will the Nomad 1.4M Work on Your Forester?
Check your owner's manual first. If your Forester's dynamic roof limit and your rack's rating both cover 72 kg plus the rack, the Nomad 1.4M roof top tent sleeps 2, sits 18 cm high closed, and comes with a 255W solar panel and cross bars in the box. If your numbers fall short, go lighter or tow instead.
