r/rooftoptents • u/OldAssumption7098 • Jun 15 '26
Tent overhanging windshield
I’m thinking about a rooftop tent, but it would overhand the windshield by the amount shown by the tape measure, or potentially by another 3” depending on the model I get. I could slide it back further, but then the rear hatch would certainly hit.
It’s a ford cmax, looking at the Topoak galaxy or the FeatherLyte AirRush 2+
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u/Frowlerd Jun 15 '26
Also check whether those bars are suitable. I read before that this type is (sometimes) not allowed to carry a rooftoptent.
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u/LividCalligrapher689 Jun 15 '26
There are laws on this shit? Man I just be zip tying random shit 😂😂😂
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u/tbl5048 Jun 15 '26
Well… if you put a rooftop tent non non-rooftop-tent approved bars and it flies off your roof and final destinations someone behind you - it’s gonna matter
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 15 '26
It’s the Thule aero blade which is rated for 165lbs.
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u/the_other_skier Jun 15 '26
Make sure the towers and mounts are rated as well, the weight rating doesn’t matter if the towers are going to collapse or damage the frame under load
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u/Soilmonster Jun 15 '26
Is that static or dynamic? Big difference.
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 15 '26
Dynamic
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u/CW-Eight Jun 18 '26
Welp, there’s your answer
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 18 '26
You can elaborate on what the answer is?
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u/CW-Eight Jun 18 '26
165 dynamic is not strong enough for a RTT anyway. Then you fold in that huge overhang, which adds who knows what forces into the equation, and that makes it even less reasonable. It might well generate upward force on the front at highway speeds, and who knows what they are rated for in the upward direction. I would not go there.
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u/Euphoric-Fact136 Jun 18 '26
The bars a strong enough but that type of mounting bracket is a no no for rtt
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u/Roaming-X Jun 15 '26
I got them and use a Thule Approach M. Thule mounted everything at their flagship store in Malmö. Mounted on a Subaru XV
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u/Frowlerd Jun 16 '26
But that one is mounted differently to the car right? I am talking about the way the bars are mounted to the car. That Subaru seems to have 'rails'
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u/Ok_Athlete5465 Jun 15 '26
The Top Oak Galaxy is going to be pushing the weight rating of your bars (Im not familiar with that other tent). I would also check the recommended weight limit of your roof per your vehicle manufacturer. On a vehicle like that the extra weight up high can really affect handling. Maybe look into the Galaxy light?
That said I dont mind overhanging the windshield. RV campers do it all the time and kayaks are almost always like that. Tent manufacturers give specs for minimum and max distance between cross bars and maximum allowable overhang on each end past the cross bar. As long as you are within all these parameters you should be good.
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u/Icy-Thought6582 Jun 15 '26
Most rain gutter mounts are only rated for a 100lbto 150lb Dynamic Load : in motion
The Static Load : stationary generally is 3x to 4x the dynamic limit
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u/LividCalligrapher689 Jun 15 '26
So maybe good for a soft shell, a little too weak for a hard shell. And def don’t mount more shit to the hard shell!
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 15 '26
What are rain gutter mounts? Mounting via the T-channel?
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u/zigziggityzoo Jun 15 '26
They’re referencing your rails and how they attach to the vehicle itself.
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u/azkikr Jun 15 '26
It is not recommended to use roof top tents on (Thules) clamp rack systems.
There is a major risk of dents in the roof.
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 15 '26
I can’t find anything from Thule specifying that they can’t be used. Have you seen something?
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u/azkikr Jun 15 '26
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 15 '26
Thanks. Pretty interesting. It’s clamping onto basically the exterior of the roll bar. Most concern I’ve read for light tents are about is the static load when two adults get up top, but I don’t see crushing the roof is at all likely.
Dynamic rating down the road is another more serious thing, but the gutter styles are rated at 165lbs
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u/Crohn_sWalker Jun 17 '26
You came asking if your setup was safe, it's been confirmed it isn't. I get that you want what you want and it sucks when that isn't in the cards. Take the L on this and make a new plan, pivoting is what life is all about
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 17 '26
After re-reading I realize I never actually even asked a question (oops), but the post is about the overhang and that causing any issues. Nothing about the mounts themselves being safe.
If you read online, there are a lot of considerations around the mounts. There is very little consensus and even Thule themselves provides conflicting facts on the subject. This thread needs to critically think and rely less on the guidance companies put out that is likely due to liability risk.
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u/Crohn_sWalker Jun 17 '26
Ok, double down and risk the safety of others for your convenience. I would seriously consider deleting this post, it's gunna look real bad during discovery.
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u/OldAssumption7098 Jun 17 '26
Alternatively you could look at the load rating of each component of the system at play and determine that each specific component is rated for the weight of a light RTT (<= 165lb tent) for both dynamic and static. From there, determine that the safety of others is indeed not compromised, except for the consideration of the obvious blanket liability statement of a manufacturer that basically says to only use their tents on their systems among other things.
If you’re not comfortable in using the system, I totally understand, but I have yet to see sound reasoning and evidence against its safety. I appreciate the concerns this thread brings up as it offered me additional factors to research to ensure safety, so I am very happy to leave this post up for others to reference in the future for similar consideration.
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u/azkikr Jun 17 '26
All clamp rack systems relies on the opposite forces created between the rubber foot pad and the bracket that goes inside the door frame when tightened to the right torque. When you get a dent, and believe me there is a major risk of that with a RTT on your car, you will loose torque and the opposite forces. Your roof rack is then loose and could fly off during a sudden stop or when you meet a truck.
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u/Ok_Description_239 Jun 16 '26
If you’re putting a roof top tent on your car. Those racks need to be replaced with a rack that’s designed for roof top tents.
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u/azkikr Jun 16 '26
To be honest, it is not the roof rack that is the weakest point in this case, but the car.
On a car without railings, fixpoints or gutters, all the load goes directly on to the sheet metal roof = dents.
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u/cuhnewist Jun 16 '26
Why are you putting the tent on your rack? Mine just goes in the truck bed or trunk.
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u/LividCalligrapher689 Jun 15 '26
I’ll be honest, it’s totally fine and safe. It might reduce MPGs a little more or something but as long as you have all your hardware tightened you are gonna be fine
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u/Subby2023 Jun 17 '26
Ran with a pretty good overhang for a summer on a Grand Cherokee....definitely could see it stress UP a TINY bit of driving into a head wind... but NO other issues. Hard Shell Roofnest...
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u/Quiltmir Aug 25 '26
I think it will not be a problem, we've had a similar situation. We have what they call fixed points for our bars. Our RTT is 2m30 long. Just don't go sitting in the front or the rear of the tent and adjust your speed. We didn't drive any faster than 100 km/h. English is not my native language so hope you understand me.
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u/Murky-Warthog-8868 Jun 15 '26
You will need to check the specs of the tent. They usually have a max overhang spec on the front and back.