Roof Bars & Compatibility
You need roof bars for your trip. The owner may have compatible ones, contact him. This guide helps you know which bars fit your car.
Check which bars you need
Copy and paste this into an AI chatbot:
Roof bar types
There are 4 types of roof bars, depending on your car:
| Type | How to recognize it |
|---|---|
| Fixed points | Factory mounting points under small covers |
| Clip-on / bare roof | No rails, clamps on the door frame |
| Open rails | Raised rails with a gap underneath |
| Closed / flush rails | Rails sit flat on the roof, need specific feet |
Vertical clearance for mounting
Compatible roof bars or a roof rack can still be too close to the roof. Most rooftop tent mounting systems require enough vertical space between the underside of the bars and the roof for the clamps or mounting hardware to fit safely.
We recommend checking with the listing owner first: they can usually confirm whether the setup has enough clearance in practice.
As a simple visual guide, there should generally be about a palm-high gap between the roof and the bars, as shown (often around 7-9 cm / 2.5-3.5 in, depending on hand size).
Roof bar materials
| Material | Summary |
|---|---|
| Steel | Strongest and most durable, best for rooftop tents |
| Aluminium | Lighter and quieter, but lower load ratings |
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Reach out to us at hello@roofwander.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Explore