ROOF TENT USER GUIDELINES

As a driver with a roof tent installed, you are responsible for ensuring that you are being safe at all times.

It is important to take safety seriously when installing and using your roof tent, and to exercise caution at all times.

Always follow our three safety guidelines: Choose, Install, Check...

1. CHOOSE

You must choose safe and appropriate roof bars, and an appropriate roof tent model, for your planned vehicle installation.

Roof bars

Make sure that your roof bars:

Are made by a reputable manufacturer.
Have been tested appropriately (e.g. TUV tested).
Have been authorised for usage in conjunction with your vehicle.
Have an adequate load limit for the roof tent model you are installing.
Are made from aluminium and have an oval shape (aerodynamically shaped, sometimes referred to as 'aero' or 'wing' bars), rather than square.
Have a 'through bar' design, i.e. where the bars extend over the roof bar foot, rather than stopping at the foot.

Roof load limit

Make sure the roof load limit of your vehicle is adequate for the weight of your roof tent model.

2. INSTALL

You must install your roof tent and roof bars correctly and safely.

In particular, make sure you:

Have installed your roof bars safely and securely as per the manufacturers instructions.
Follow the manufacturers installation instructions for your specific roof tent model when installing your roof tent.
Close your roof tent fully and securely before driving.
Retighten your roof bars after first using your roof tent – this step is really important as your bars will loosen slightly after they are first loaded with weight.

Why retighten your roof bars?

Roof bars loosen slightly after first being loaded with a significant weight, so it is paramount you retighten them to ensure your roof tent remains secured to your vehicle.

You should do this after first loading your roof bars with significant weight, for example after sleeping in it for a night.

Once they have been retightened, they will generally remain tighter for longer. However, you should then regularly check your setup as per the instructions below.

3. CHECK

You must perform regular checks on the installation of your roof tent and roof bars – before every journey and every 100 miles – and drive appropriately at all times.

In particular, make sure you:

Regularly check that your roof bars are securely fixed to your vehicle as per the manufacturers instructions and that none of the components are damaged. Retighten the bars as required, and typically at least every 2-3 months.
Regularly check that your roof tent is securely fixed to your roof bars and that none of the components are damaged.
Drive at an appropriate speed, and never above the speed limit.
Give due consideration to the change in your vehicle's drive behaviour when a roof tent is installed on your car, taking into account side-wind sensitivity and corner and breaking behaviour.
Give due consideration to the change in your vehicle's height when a roof tent is installed on your car. The height of your vehicle can increase by up to 90cm (depending on your roof bars), so beware of low entrances and low-hanging branches.
When driving off road, extra caution should used and consideration given to how the vehicles behaviour may be affected by the roof tent installation, such as in side slope crossings.
Replace your roof bars at least every 3 years.

If ever in doubt about the safety of your roof bar or roof tent installation, seek the advice of a professional mechanic or automotive engineer.

4. OTHER

You should also ensure that you:

Avoid using your roof tent in extreme weather conditions
Never leave children unattended inside the roof tent