Roof Types & Our Roofbars

We can hire you roofbars for £35 per hire. We have sets compatible with most vehicles.

Do I need roofbars?

If you would like to hire a rooftop tent or a roofbox from us, then you will need roofbars (also called cross bars or cross rails).

Do I already have roofbars?

Roofbars run side-to-side across your roof. Don’t confuse them with roof rails which run front-to-back along the sides of your roof.

If your vehicle has good quality roofbars already fitted, you’re good to go. Just check they can take the weight of the roof tent (46 – 62kg) or the fully laden roofbox that you have in mind.

Roof rails

Your vehicle might already have roof rails running front-back along your roof. You’ll also need roof bars before you can hire a rooftop tent or a roofbox.

Roofbars

To hire one of our rooftop tents or roofboxes, you will need roofbars. We’ll hire you these if you need them. If you’ve already got a decent set, then you’re good to go.

I'll need to hire roofbars

If you don’t have roofbars, we have a wide selection of Thule roofbars available for hire for a flat rate of £35, suitable for everything from superminis to SUVs. They are all rated at 75kg dynamic load which is enough for all our rooftop tents and roofboxes.

You are welcome to hire roofbars from us for any purpose, not just to go with one of our rooftop tents or roofboxes. Just remember that you can’t put more than 75kg total weight on them when driving.

Will my roof take the weight?

Please check that the dynamic weight limit for your vehicle’s roof is high enough for the weight of the roofbars + the weight of the item you’re putting on them. This applies whether you’re hiring our bars or using your own. Most cars are rated at 50kg, 75kg or 100kg.

For the rooftop tent “Amelia”, 50kg or above is fine.
For the rooftop tent “Mallory”, “Scott” or “Shackleton”, 75kg or above is fine.
For roofboxes, just make sure you don’t exceed your roof’s limit when loading your luggage.
For attaching your own stuff to the bars, just make sure you don’t exceed your roof’s limit when attaching it.

Please see our rooftop tents page for more information on how rooftop tents with people inside them are safe on car roofs.

If you’re unsure, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

Will it fit my vehicle?

When you contact us to hire a roof tent, roofbox or bars, just let us know what vehicle you have got (the make, model & year) and what you’re putting on the roof.

As long as you’ve checked your roof’s weight limit (and that of your own roofbars if you have them), we’ll take care of the rest.

As a guide, the pictures below will give you some idea whether we’ll be able to fit stuff to your vehicle.

If your vehicle has a full width panoramic sunroof completely or a glass roof, then we’re sorry that we cannot fit anything to the roof. But ordinary sunroofs are no problem – just be aware you might not be able to tilt-open the sunroof with items fitted to the roof.