Carrying cargo on your roof tent...

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Contributor I

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Chris
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Hi, I'm a new member and I'm looking at starting my first overland. I have a saloon car which I would like to put a roof tent on but I would also like to bring my surfboard/bike with me. I have been doing my research and I have found a couple of roof tents that offer the ability to carry cargo on the top of the roof tent, like these: Discover Series and Adventure Series from a company called Tent & Trail. My question is: does anyone have any experience of using these types of roof tents? Or suggest any other way to carry a surfboard/bike with a roof tent?
 

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Hi, I'm a new member and I'm looking at starting my first overland. I have a saloon car which I would like to put a roof tent on but I would also like to bring my surfboard/bike with me. I have been doing my research and I have found a couple of roof tents that offer the ability to carry cargo on the top of the roof tent, like these: Discover Series and Adventure Series from a company called Tent & Trail. My question is: does anyone have any experience of using these types of roof tents? Or suggest any other way to carry a surfboard/bike with a roof tent?
Not quite the same situation but I have an RTT on my trailer and sometimes carry my kayak on top of it. It's a pretty basic tent that I'll just describe as "soft".

I strap soft roof rack pads (link below) to the tent and then the kayak to the pads. They strap down firmly and I've had no issues.

22-09-01 1.jpg

Orion Motor Tech 34 Inch Universal Car Soft Roof Rack Pad, with Adjustable and Substantial Straps, for Surfboard Kayak Luggage Carrier Paddle Board, Load 165.3lbs, Cargo Racks - Amazon Canada
 
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Contributor I

68
London, UK
First Name
Chris
Last Name
Martins
Not quite the same situation but I have an RTT on my trailer and sometimes carry my kayak on top of it. It's a pretty basic tent that I'll just describe as "soft".

I strap soft roof rack pads (link below) to the tent and then the kayak to the pads. They strap down firmly and I've had no issues.

View attachment 266512

Orion Motor Tech 34 Inch Universal Car Soft Roof Rack Pad, with Adjustable and Substantial Straps, for Surfboard Kayak Luggage Carrier Paddle Board, Load 165.3lbs, Cargo Racks - Amazon Canada
Nice setup! Thanks for sharing, I was wondering about whether I could some soft padding and then strap it to the top of a normal RTT. Although, I do like the fact I can use the RTT without removing the cargo on the RTTs with built-in cargo bars.
 
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Hi, I'm a new member and I'm looking at starting my first overland. I have a saloon car which I would like to put a roof tent on but I would also like to bring my surfboard/bike with me. I have been doing my research and I have found a couple of roof tents that offer the ability to carry cargo on the top of the roof tent, like these: Discover Series and Adventure Series from a company called Tent & Trail. My question is: does anyone have any experience of using these types of roof tents? Or suggest any other way to carry a surfboard/bike with a roof tent?
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Hi, I'm a new member and I'm looking at starting my first overland. I have a saloon car which I would like to put a roof tent on but I would also like to bring my surfboard/bike with me. I have been doing my research and I have found a couple of roof tents that offer the ability to carry cargo on the top of the roof tent, like these: Discover Series and Adventure Series from a company called Tent & Trail. My question is: does anyone have any experience of using these types of roof tents? Or suggest any other way to carry a surfboard/bike with a roof tent?
Hi Chris and welcome to Overland Bound!

There are many hard-shell tents that have attachment options for additional equipment on top of the tent (with fastening profiles and reinforcements). This often seems clever at first glance. But please keep in mind that your vehicle with a roof tent is already very high and the permissible roof load is often (almost) exhausted. I think that the top of the roof tent is not the right place for really heavy equipment. However, stowing or attaching comparatively light recovery boards or other light equipment is certainly an option in many cases.

If the tent is not too big and you perhaps have a flat roof rack platform, then maybe there is space next to the roof top tent or in front of it? Maybe you could also transport a bike at the rear of your rig?

Greetings,
Bjoern
 
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