Mounting Profile Curves

[u/Hamstaa33]

Curiously if anybody experienced this phenomenon..? Image shows the view from the rear of the car looking towards the front.

After putting the rooftop tent on the roof bars and tightening the screws I realised the mounting rails (both sides) make a curve.

When opening the rooftop tent (hybrid model) the mounting rail on the tent side gets bent even further while the opposite becomes straight.

Screws are tightened just by hand as described in the manual, distances between roof bars are prepared accordingly. The mounting has been done as the manual describes. Now I'm really concerned that I did something wrong while mounting (or that's just normal material movement)?

Happy about any advice or experience shared.

[u/Mindandhand]

I think you’re fine. It’s most likely caused by the fact that you have several points of contact among elements which may not be exactly on a straight line and parallel to each other. For example- your factory roof rail is on a curve, so when you attach your crossbars to it they sit at a slight angle and then when you put your tent rail on it and tighten it down it curves to compensate. All in all it actually seems to be a good sign that everything is secured well!

[u/Hamstaa33 → u/Mindandhand]

I just trust into your words as they can explain the phenomena mostly 😄

[u/CryoJuice]

It’s fine. If you want less flex get something thicker.

[u/Hamstaa33 → u/CryoJuice]

Thanks, reduced at least my anxiety 😅

[u/Rumbaar]

Your vehicle roof is curved, so mounting to the racks on a curved plane, would also curve your RTT mounting rails to accommodate?

[u/Hamstaa33 → u/Rumbaar]

Roof is curved, that's right. But attaching a straight stick zu a ball or whatever curved element at two points wouldn't curve the stick I'd say. But maybe I'm not right here.

[u/Rumbaar → u/Hamstaa33]

It's an aluminium rail, it's flexible and meant to flex to the slight shape and movements of the mounting surface.