Roof Tents for Every Ride – A Guide to Small, Medium & Large Vehicles

When it comes to roof tents, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your vehicle’s roof load limit, shape, and height can affect not only what fits, but how safely and easily you can use your tent. This guide breaks it down by car size to help you find your perfect match.

🚗 Small But Mighty: Roof Tents for Compact Cars

If you’re driving something like a Fiat 500, Mini, or Toyota Yaris, don’t worry — you’re not ruled out! You just need a lightweight setup.

What to look for:

• Soft shell tents or ultra-light hard shells

• Low profile to reduce drag and wind noise

• Easy installation with lighter roof bars

Key considerations:

• Most small cars have a dynamic roof load of 50–75kg

• A lighter tent means easier handling and better fuel efficiency

• Ideal for solo campers or couples with minimal kit

🚙 Mid-Size & SUV-Friendly Roof Tents

Driving a VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga or Subaru Outback? You’re in the sweet spot. These vehicles offer a great balance of roof load capacity, interior space, and driving comfort.

Best options:

• Most soft shells and mid-weight hard shells are fair game

• Models that sleep 2–3 are ideal

• Fold-out or pop-up options for fast setup

Why it works:

• Roof loads typically 75–100kg

• Higher ride height makes ladder access easier

• You can carry more accessories like awnings or solar panels

🚐 Big Rigs, Big Adventures – Vans & 4x4s

If you’ve got a Transporter, Land Rover Defender, or similar, the world of roof tents opens right up.

What you can go for:

• Premium hard shell tents with hydraulic or gas strut opening

• 4-person family tents with annexes

• Extended length options and accessories galore

Perfect for:

• All-season touring and off-grid camping

• Overland setups with extra gear

• Families or campers who want more comfort and space

🔮 Planning to Change Your Vehicle?

If you're thinking about buying a new car or van and want a roof tent to fit now and later, keep this in mind:

• Check the dynamic roof load of any new vehicle you're eyeing

• Think about the tent’s packed height for garage access and fuel use

• Future-proof your setup by choosing a tent that can grow with your needs

🧭 Not Sure Where to Start?

Use our Vehicle Compatibility Tool to check what tents will fit your current (or dream) vehicle.