Rooftop Tent Mounting: Simple Guide

General idea

Most rooftop tents are mounted in the same way:

• Rails under the tent
• Clamps that attach to roof bars

The rails are fixed to the tent, and the clamps hold the full setup onto your vehicle roof bars.

The two clamp types

There are two common options:

• U-shape clamp (U-bolt)
• Straight plate clamp

Both do the same job: they clamp the tent to the bars.

Important difference

• If there is enough space under your roof bars: both systems work well.
• If bars are close to the roof: U-shape is often easier to install, because the nuts are easier to reach and tighten.

What if there is still not enough space?

Use spacers between the tent base and the roof bars.

Spacers:

• create extra gap
• improve hand access
• make tightening easier and cleaner

Bolt size matters

Use multiple bolt lengths depending on your setup:

• Short bolts when space is tight
  • easier to fit
  • lower risk of roof contact or scratches
• Long bolts when there is more space
  • easier to catch threads
  • easier final tightening

Best setup for compatibility

To avoid issues when renting your rooftop tent:

• Use U-shape mounting
• Keep different bolt sizes available
• Have spacers ready when clearance is limited

This combination gives the highest chance of fitting different roof bar geometries without complicated modifications.

Example mounting parts

U-shape mounting (example)	Straight plate mounting (example)
Spacers (example)	Bolt sizes (example)