When I was buying my roof top tent I also needed to buy crossbars for my vehicle. I had a great factory rack already installed, but didn’t feel confident in its ability to hold the roof top tent. I spent hours double-checking to make sure it fit my vehicle and had the strength to hold the tent.
There are two ways to mount a roof top tent. First, you can buy aftermarket crossbars and a tower system that mounts to your vehicle’s roof or existing side rails. You can also buy a permanent roof rack to install onto your vehicle to carry your roof top tent and other gear.
Both are great options, however one is much cheaper than the other. Crossbars and a tower system to hold the bars in place cost roughly $450. While a nice roof rack will be around $1,000 give or take. The permanent roof rack will be able to hold heavier loads because it distributes the weight across the vehicle.
Either way, we will cover some of the best rack systems for your RTT, as well as what’s great and not so great about them!
General information to know about roof racks
Before we dive into the more common roof racks and crossbars used by roof tent users, it is important to cover some terms and best practices.
The first thing to know is the dynamic weight limit (DWL) of the rack. The DWL is the amount of weight the rack can hold while the vehicle is in motion. So for example, if the DWL of your crossbars is 165 pounds, then you must have a tent that weighs 165 pounds or less.
However, when the vehicle is parked and not moving, it can hold much more weight. This is known as static weight, which is why you can sleep on the roof of your vehicle and not over exceed the weight limit. After that, it comes down to the weight limit of your RTT, which can generally hold 200 pounds for each person the tent is rated to fit.
RTTs weigh anywhere from 95 to over 200 pounds. If you have a smaller vehicle like a sedan, hatchback, or even a compact SUV, it would be wise to get a lighter tent. Some models can handle a fair amount of weight but the heavier it is, the worse it will affect your gas mileage.
I compared over 20 of the most popular RTTs weights in an easy to read table. If you want to read more about that topic, you will also find ways to reduce the tent’s weight and other best practices.
With that out of the way, let’s get into the most common roof racks used by RTT owners.
Crossbars
Crossbar systems seem to be the more common choice because they are easier to install and cheaper than a permanent rack. Crossbar systems can also be equipped to just about any vehicle in the world! There are some very popular crossbar manufacturers like Thule, Yakima, and Rhino-Rack to name a few!
I find the cost to be very comparable to one another across each of these brands. However, when recently purchasing crossbars and researching on my own, I ended up going with the Yakima Corebars.
I didn’t receive a recommendation from anyone, but I knew each of these brands were well respected. The difference-maker for me was Yakima narrowing the product options down to just a few, making it much easier to draw a conclusion. I was overwhelmed on the other sites and didn’t know where to start.
If you go to Yakima.com/fit, you can enter your vehicle’s information and they will recommend the right crossbars and mounting system for your vehicle! I don’t care if you go with Thule, Rhino-Rack, or some other brand. I just know this was the most simple and straight forward process for me! Also, the price was $450 all said and done which is pretty good!
Here is a super helpful video on which roof rack system you should buy for your vehicle. While it is produced by Yakima, many of the crossbars and tower systems are so similar for each competitor that you can just find one for the brand you prefer. Either way, this will give you the right idea of what to look for.
Crossbars can vibrate and slide ever so slightly, possibly causing chips on the paint of your car’s roof. To be honest, I don’t see this to be much of an issue or a common occurrence. Crossbar systems work perfectly fine for RTTs as long as they meet the DWL. Depending on the crossbar you choose, you can find DWL’s of over 220 pounds!
Platform Rack
A perfect option between the crossbars and permanent rack is a platform rack. This will give you the ability to haul more gear and take on heavier loads, while not fully committing to a permanent rack.
The Yakima LockNLoad System can be mounted to your existing crossbars or directly to the tower system. The off-road rating is anywhere from 165-330 pounds depending on the vehicle fit and roof type.
I like this option because it is still cheaper than a permanent rack. More importantly, if you pick a larger platform size, you can bring more than just your RTT. If you have a vehicle type that isn’t extremely popular for off-roading, this is the next best option to getting a permanent style rack.
Rhino-Rack also offers a product like this, the Pioneer Platform. However, rather than the bars running side to side on the vehicle, they are positioned front to back. You can still use this rack for a RTT, but you will have to make additional modifications if you want to open the tent from the driver/passenger side of the car, rather than the back.
Factory crossbars
Fair warning, do not use factory crossbars for a RTT! They do not have the strength to hold them, nor can they be moved the proper width apart. Oftentimes, new car owners will realize they can’t mount their old bike racks or cargo carriers to the new factory rack system.
It is well worth the money to buy an aftermarket crossbar system. You can buy from either Thule or Yakima, both have racks that mount directly to the factory rails of a vehicle. This way, you will feel confident about your rack’s ability to hold the weight of your RTT.
Permanent racks
Having a rack that can be permanently installed to your roof will allow you to haul more gear, which is ideal for overlanding! I personally have both a permanent rack and a crossbar system on my FJ Cruiser. I did this because my permanent rack has a curvature to it and I wanted the extra stability of crossbars.
When looking at permanent racks you can expect to spend anywhere from $600 up to a couple of thousand bucks! Depending on the complexity of the rack’s installation, you may also have to pay for someone to do it. With that said, these racks are extremely handy for more than just RTTs! They have a low profile and a clean look when mounted to an off-road vehicle.
Slimline II by Front Runner
I would argue that this is one of the more popular rack brands due to the many vehicles it is made to fit. If you have an offroad type vehicle, odds are you can find the perfect match for your car!
I love the sleek and slim look of this rack, plus the crossbars allow you to mount your RTT anywhere you would like while still having plenty of room for extra gear. Even better, for most vehicles, you won’t have to do any drilling. The Slimline Rack is made to be attached directly to the preset mounting point of your vehicle.
This rack can hold the weight of any RTT since it is rated to hold up to 660 pounds! The aluminum rack is on average 30% lighter than an all-steel rack. This allows you to carry heavier loads, while also decreasing your vehicle’s environmental impact, gas mileage loss, and vehicle wear and tear!
You can also buy endless attachments to mount other gear like skis, shovels, recovery racks, suitcases, fishing rods, etc! I think my favorite feature is the ability to add or remove the crossbar slats! You can make a solid platform by adding slats, or take advantage of your sunroof and remove some slats!
This rack is exceptionally durable and will hold up to any off-road adventure you take it on. On average, you’re looking at around $1,200 for the Slimline II depending on which vehicle you have. If you need a rack to hold extra gear and handle the rigorous stresses of off-road use, this is your best bet!
KC Hilites
Another great rack option is the KC Hilites line up! While the video is specifically for 4-runner models, they offer a huge range of racks to fit many vehicles.
What I like about this rack in particular are the integrated LED light bars that come in various styles. You can choose either individual bulbs or a sleek bar. Combining the two accessories will save you money but more importantly helps you integrate the two for a more streamlined look!
If you want a rack and LED bar, I would just save up for this awesome combo and have the best of both worlds! It can absolutely haul a RTT, each racks DWL varies depending on the vehicle you have.
Prinsu
This an awesome low profile rack that can have an included wind fairing and LED bar if you want! I love how customizable they are and can easily integrate accessories as you want them. You can find racks to fit a Subaru, Toyota, Dodge, Sprinter Van, and many more car types!
I love the look of this rack and it comes in at a very reasonable price point. The weigh limits will differ depending on your vehicle type but they are plenty strong for an RTT and other gear. You can also find racks that use screws, or no screws if you prefer not to drill any holes into your vehicle.
The only downside to the low profile design is you will probably have to buy “feet” for roughly $80. These are attachments that Prinsu sells separately to raise your tent a couple of inches off the rack so you have enough room to screw the mounting brackets in with ease.
Permanent roof rack vehicle types
Many of the options for permanent roof racks will depend hugely on your vehicle. If you have a Jeep Wrangler of some sort, you will find endless roof rack options. While other vehicles like Subaru’s will have a smaller number of options to choose from.
The most important thing is the rack has crossbars and can hold the weight of a RTT. The basket roof racks are nice, but they won’t allow the tent to sit flush with the crossbars.
A workaround for permanent racks not having crossbars is to buy a softshell RTT and make it open to the back of your vehicle, instead of the side. Many campers do this as an alternative and actually prefer it depending on their set up!
Bed rack
This section is for truck users only, but still important to know in case you end up having one in the future. If you have a truck you can mount an RTT to the cab, bed, or camper shell. I would argue I see most trucker users mount RTTs to a bed rack.
RCI Off-Road
RCI off-road racks seem to be a very common choice for truck users that overland. It is a very strong rack and it looks great on just about any truck type. You can also add other gear and accessories to it other than your RTT at the same time!
You simply select the bed length of your truck and can opt for an additional top brace for even more strength. They also have a rack selection where you can pick from a higher or lower sitting rack. This brand of bed rack is beastly and supports a static weight of over 700 pounds!
Leitner
Leitner’s bed racks are perfect for overlanding and hauling RTTs because they include rear sliding load bars and integrated gear pods! The sliding load bar allows you to store large items like mountain bikes and motorcycles. While the optional gear pods give you water-resistant storage space which can be locked!
The off-road dynamic weight of the ACS Classic rack is 250 pounds and the on-road dynamic weight is 500 pounds! This rack is perfect for RTTs and overlanders alike!
When buying a bed rack, you should consider how much you use the bed of the truck. It is nice to have a low profile rack, that way the RTT sits flush with the cab, reducing wind resistance. On the other hand, this will leave you with little space to pack gear in the bed. In that case, many truck owners prefer to buy crossbars that sit much higher which allows for plenty of room in the bed of the truck.
There are literally endless options to choose from on bed racks. You have some very simple ones with just a couple of crossbars, like the Thule TracRac. Or you could get a Slimline II which will give you more options for attachments.
Overlanding Trailers
Another popular option among overlanders is buying a trailer to mount the RTT. This option costs more money than an ordinary rack, but for good reason!
I personally like the FSR Overlander Trailer ($7,495) as an option. There are plenty of others out there, but I believe FSR’s to be the most bang for your buck!
You can easily attach/detach it from your daily driver and the compact design allows you to easily store it inside your garage. The axel less design enables you to travel to all places without getting slowed you down. You can add luxuries like power solutions, showers, and even awnings.
The best part about this tent is the included Rhino-Rack 65″ Vortex crossbar system. You can add even more rack upgrades if you want to carry additional gear on the trailer and free up space inside your vehicle.
Adding a trailer will alleviate so many headaches that come with RTTs and choosing a rack. First, the gear you bring on camping trips quickly adds up. This will free up tons of room on and in your vehicle. Second, you don’t have to worry about getting a rack for your tent since the trailer comes with one!
Lastly, you don’t have to unmount and mount your tent after each use. This is a pain! You can easily unhook the trailer by yourself and roll it into the garage. I think the last point sells me the most on it. Also, most people keep RTTs on their daily driver, which really hurts fuel economy. You can get rid of all of those worries with this cool toy!
Factors to consider when choosing a rack
The most important considerations to make when buying a roof rack is the amount of weight you need it to handle. RTTs range anywhere from 100-220 pounds! If you’re getting an Alu-Cab Gen 3 or Eezi-Awn Stealth, I would go with a permanent rack ten times out of ten!
Are you going to be doing some serious off-roading and rock crawling? Crossbars probably won’t be able to handle the stress of that. Odds are, if you’re blazing these kinds of trails, you’re in a vehicle with plenty of permanent rack options.
For a sedan, hatchback, or compact SUV owners that don’t plan on doing serious off-roading, crossbar systems are probably your best bet. They can handle plenty of weight while providing a safe and smooth ride. Additionally, you can opt for a platform rack that emulates the similar features of a more robust permanent rack!
All of the serious overlanders typically have permanent roof racks. Not only for durability but also for space to pack extra gear and integrating accessories such as LED bars. Gas cans, shovels, an off-road jack, coolers, and luggage are all items that can be stored on the extra space of a roof rack.
The final thing you need to check is the weight limit of your vehicle. The weight on the roof is typically high because you’re distributing all of the weight across the frame of the vehicle. It would still be a good idea to double check the weight limit before buying too heavy of a RTT.
Which rack system I recommend
It comes down to a few key factors for me. If I had a popular off-road vehicle and the option to buy a specially fitted roof rack, I would obviously opt for that. This style of roof rack is far more versatile and in my opinion, looks better than a crossbar system. If you plan on adding a bunch of accessories to your vehicle there is no easier way to do it than mounting it to your roof rack.
However, for most people, the crossbar system will be plenty strong to hold a RTT and you may not need extra space to haul other gear. This is also a great way to save money by not going all-in on a permanent rack. Crossbar systems are still very versatile and can carry ski’s, bikes, SUPs, you name it!
Overlanding trailers are becoming more and more popular. They are so versatile and allow you to leave your RTT mounted all year. Even if you do want to take it off, you don’t have to lift it as high to get it on the trailer. I think they look really cool and I hope to have one for myself in the near future.
It really depends on your budget and intended use for the rack. It is always nice having more versatility and durability, but some campers just don’t require those features.
My roof rack set up
As you can see, our rig already had a really nice permanent rack on it. However, we would’ve had to open the tent to the back of the vehicle and felt it would be more secure on a set of crossbars. I saw mixed reviews in FJ Cruiser forums but thought I rather spend $450 on crossbars than damage the tent and or our vehicle!
I personally went with the Corebars from Yakima and had to get the Timberline tower system to fit my rail type. I chose the Corebar crossbars over the JetStream and HD Bar for a few reasons.
I don’t need the HD Bar because I don’t plan on buying over a 200 pound RTT, nor do I need tie-down points. The Jetstream has a beautiful design, providing a more aerodynamic, smooth, and quiet ride on the road. But the extra $54 dollars wasn’t justifiable for me since I would still be able to add bikes and ski racks to the Corebar.
Also, the SKS locking system is a must in my eyes and costs $60. So by choosing the Corebar instead of Jetstream, it would offset the cost! I would recommend buying the locking system because any person walking by can just pull off one of the components to the tower. I have heard of many people having their roof rack system stolen. The $60 dollars is worth the peace of mind in my eyes!
Final thoughts
In closing, it depends on how serious you are about roof tents and hauling gear. I would recommend a permanent rack for someone planning to carry heavier equipment or go off-roading. While for the majority of RTT users will only need a crossbar and tower system, which works great!
Unfortunately, this is an added cost many don’t give consideration when first looking at RTTs. However, it is an extremely vital one because you want to ensure a safe experience with your tent.
Overall, you just need to follow some very simple guidelines on the weight limits. After that, it comes down to your preferences and needs as a camper! I hope this article helped ease your mind or point you in the right direction for your next roof rack or crossbar system!