Tent Boxes Destroying Roof Bars

[Gavster]

I've ended up down the rabbit hole of people using these and then finding out it's bending roof bars, pushing them out of place or even denting their car's roof.

For example, a lot of cars have a maximum roof box weight limit of 75 - 100kg. Then people are putting a tent box which weighs ~50kg + two fully grown adults in there. Could easily be up to 200kg, plus any additional forces you might exert on the roof bars . Sounds like even if used 'safely', these boxes are running right on the limits of what a normal car like a hatchback can handle.

Plus they're ugly and must destroy MPG. Just get a tent

[V8Granite]

I don't understand why people don't realise this right away ?

For the people selling them, they are wallet beans and sell the wrong kind of brackets.

It's really not a surprise, the same people normally have a dry robe and a penchant for being noisy at campsites.

Dave!

[Mito Man]

The roof load limits are low because they’re accounting for dynamic weight, they can handle a fair bit more when parked up. I think the roof box tents are stupid though and the sudden proliferation of them just points to another passing fad.

[Rich B]

https://tentbox.com/blogs/help-and-guid ... Ewj3dGBWZx

I expect there’s a lot of caveats and it conveniently ignores the bars themselves.

[mik]

I spent several months belming at people who’d chosen this ugly af roof box when they started to become popular.

Then - of course - I googled the manufacturer name and realised they are for wheelchairs….

[Jobbo]

the same people normally have a dry robe

So true. They even have similar Facebook groups devoted to the wankers who have them.

[integrale_evo]

Tent box posts regularly pop up on my Facebook feed. I guess I spent time reading one once now get them all the time.

It seems they only recommend the cheap summit brand bars, I guess they get a hefty markup on them.

Lots of stories of bars failing, denting the roof, ripping out mounting points, on a few occasions people have had the box come off the roof while the car is in motion!

I expect the rated load on bars is quite conservative, it will be a static load so should in theory be able to stand quite a lot more through dynamic loading. But yeah, people aren’t light, I wouldn’t want a box plus two people on the roof of the mito or merc, I’d be reluctant on the x5 tbh

[Barry]

Been looking at roof bars for my Jazz (ultimately for cycle rack) and for "plain" roof like the Jazz has (the clamp grips the roofline, not a slotted fitting) they only recommend 35kgs weight on the roof, and most roofbar sites categorically recommend NO tent boxes on plain roof fitments because of that.

Hell, the roofbars, cycle rack and my Orbea will be close to that limit alone?!

[Gavster]

The roof load limits are low because they’re accounting for dynamic weight, they can handle a fair bit more when parked up. I think the roof box tents are stupid though and the sudden proliferation of them just points to another passing fad.

Getting railed in one is movement therefore a dynamic load though? I wonder if these tent boxes come with a 'no shagging' warning

[IanF]

Porsche sells a roof tent for the 911 so I think it’s more probable that people are incorrectly installing them and then complaining..

[integrale_evo]

I’m still not convinced they’re that practical unless you’re regularly camping somewhere that floods.

My regular tent takes about 5 mins to open and peg out, and the ground doesn’t wobble around in the wind. And I can either leave it and drive somewhere or pack it away and throw it in the boot and not have to drive around with a big ugly box on the roof.

[V8Granite]

My incredibly big and strong Brownchurch roof rack with 12 connection points has a load limit of 110kg.

2 aluminium cross bars held on with M6 threads is not a sensible way to mount things.

Dave!

[V8Granite]

Also let's remember people are generally really crap at estimating weight.

Dave!

[mik]

I’m still not convinced they’re that practical unless you’re regularly camping somewhere that floods.

That. I'm not sure what problem they are solving (unless you really need to avoid getting snakes in your boots), and they bring significant compromises over a conventional tent......

[Rich B]

My incredibly big and strong Brownchurch roof rack with 12 connection points has a load limit of 110kg.

How much does your rack weigh?*

I get the concept of roof tents, not so much in this country, but they’d be great for a road trip around some of the more green areas of america. Park up, open the top and you’re done. or come back from your hike, the cars all secure and locked up, 30 seconds later it’s ready to sleep in.

My mate does a lot of fly fishing - he has one on his landy. Again, the idea of it all being closed and locked when you get back, then ready to sleep in almost instantly is great.

*great chat up line!

[V8Granite]

Have one on a trailer tent as it is up and useable in 10 seconds, does not involve any faffing in the rain, is better in extreme weather if it has the hard shell top. Also after nearly being flooded out once, I can see why people would like them.

It's a lot of extra weight and drag though for the benefit though.

More a fad than anything.

Dave!

[V8Granite]

My incredibly big and strong Brownchurch roof rack with 12 connection points has a load limit of 110kg.

How much does your rack weigh?*

*great chat up line!

Well sugar bear I'm glad you asked

Around 40kg for my version.

Dave!

[Rich B]

Have one on a trailer tent as it is up and useable in 10 seconds, does not involve any faffing in the rain, is better in extreme weather if it has the hard shell top. Also after nearly being flooded out once, I can see why people would like them.

It's a lot of extra weight and drag though for the benefit though.

More a fad than anything.

Dave!

A trailer is WAY more hassle than a roof box though - more space needed to store it, restrictions on speeds you can legally drive, far more difficult to park, more expensive, etc…

A roof tent is so little issue that plenty of people leave it on the whole year (and obviously spoil their mpg) and just drive around normally.

i have no desire for one, but i can see some of the appeal.

[jamcg]

8a50e6bb-79b8-4a84-be46-fed47e9c9d7f.jpeg (54.47 KiB) Viewed 486 times

That’s my current tent. I refuse to stay in something I can’t stand up in now- it stands almost 3m high at the peak so loads of room I can have that up in around 10-15mins solo, and the same back down, and if I want to go off site for the day I don’t need to pack it away, so far more convenient than a roof tent, and if it’s wet, which let’s face it this years an exception to our usual weather, it’s got loads of space to sit in a comfy camping chair

[Mito Man]

Just saw a car with one on the roof now and curiosity got the better of me. I genuinely thought it would be a few hundred quid. It’s just a tent with a solid floor at the end of the day but WTAF
https://tentbox.com/products/tentbox-c ... Q0EALw_wcB
2 fecking grand
It presumed it would fold out like an RV to give more space but 2 grand for a 2 person dog crate. They should come with a free gimp suit…