BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series roof rack tent

roof tent
roof top tent
5/5

No matter what year your BMW 3 Series was built, the 3 Series is a great and also very reliable vehicle. With the BMW 3 Series, you also have the opportunity to practice your new hobby, camping. You don’t need a heavy camping trailer or RV. You can also do without an uncomfortable ground tent.

The BMW 3 Series offers you the opportunity to mount a rooftop tent on the vehicle roof and thus reach campgrounds that you would otherwise never be able to reach with a large camping trailer or RV. With a rooftop tent, you can camp anywhere your vehicle can go.

A rooftop tent offers many advantages, such as the elevated position on the vehicle roof. Because of this, you are safe from small and large animals. You are also safe from water or rain that collects on the ground. Modern rooftop tents also offer a lot of comforts. Rooftop tents are also very easy to set up. Setting up a modern rooftop tent takes no more than five minutes.

For example, there are hard-shell or soft-shell rooftop tents. You can mount both versions on the roof of the BMW 3 Series. A hard-shell rooftop tent is very easy to set up (setup time is only about 2 minutes). A soft-shell rooftop tent usually offers more comfort, more space, and better equipment. Choosing the right rooftop tent is of course up to you.

All you need to mount a rooftop tent on the BMW 3 Series are the appropriate roof rails and roof crossbars. The roof rails are screwed to the factory mounting points on the vehicle roof. The crossbars are screwed to the roof rails and thus provide a stable basis for mounting the rooftop tent. All rooftop tents are attached in the same way and are therefore universal.

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The weight of the rooftop tent and the people in the roof tent is transferred to the vehicle body via the roof rails. So neither the roof nor the body of the BMW 3 Series is damaged by a rooftop tent.

The registered permitted roof load of the BMW 3 Series is relatively low, but this only applies to the vehicle in motion. This is important if you are transporting a roof box or other loads on the vehicle roof, for example.

However, as soon as the vehicle is stationary, the permissible roof load increases many times over. So you can easily mount a rooftop tent on the BMW 3 Series and sleep with several people in the roof tent or stay in the roof tent.

I recommend that you mount a maximum of one four-person rooftop tent on the roof of the BMW 3 Series. With larger rooftop tents, the rooftop tent may be wider than the vehicle when folded. With a four-person rooftop tent, hard-shell or soft-shell, your whole family can stay safely on the vehicle roof.

Please note, however, that installing a rooftop tent on the vehicle roof increases fuel consumption and reduces the maximum range. The rooftop tent worsens the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The driving behavior of the vehicle can also deteriorate because the center of gravity of the vehicle shifts further upwards. So always be very careful when you are out and about with the rooftop tent and think about the increased fuel consumption. If possible, you should only assemble the rooftop tent when you really need it and otherwise store it safely in your garage or basement.

Below you will find a few examples of the most popular rooftop tents for the BMW 3 Series.

If you are looking for more information about rooftop tents or camping, you will find many helpful and informative articles on this website!

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Here we have listed the best roof top tents to make it easier for you to make the right purchase decision.

Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2 Rooftop Tent

Blue
  • Can accommodate up to two people
  • Constructed from coated 600 denier and a 260g poly-cotton blend made to withstand the elements of any season
  • Tent fabric is UV resistant and withstands the elements of any season
  • Mesh panels offer plenty of ventilation and open for more airflow
  • Four, large internal pockets for storing gear and camping accessories
  • Includes a high-density foam mattress for added comfort
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Smittybilt Overlander Tent

  • Standard size tent (sleeps 2-3) with high-density 92″ x 55″ foam double/full mattress and 661 lb. max load
  • 600D heavy-duty waterproof top and rain fly; sunroof; side windows with mosquito netting; anodized aluminum tent frame poles; telescopic ladder; interior LED strips and many more features
  • Easy to set up and take down; heavy duty PVC cover keeps tent dry and free from UV rays when not in use
  • Smittybilt Tent Annex (sold separately #2788) with removeable floor can be attached with heavy duty zippers for privacy
  • Tent also available in Size XL (sleeps 3-4 #2773). Ladder extension also available (#2785).Ladder capacity:265 lbs
  • Mounting brackets included

Thule Tepui Low-Pro Rooftop Tent

  • Can accommodate up to two people
  • Ultra low profile design folds down to 7″ / 18 cm for better aerodynamics and vehicle fit
  • Tent base is constructed of thermoplastic materials that are both durable and 100% recyclable
  • Dome canopy is lightweight while still providing all-season protection
  • Patented ZipperGimp easily attaches the canopy to the base of the tent

Thule Tepui Autana Rooftop Tent with Annex

  • Can accommodate up to three people
  • Includes an extended private canopy entrance with removable annex
  • Diamond plate base for added protection and durability
  • Constructed from high-quality 360g stitched fabric
  • Includes an anti-condensation mat to keep moisture from building up under the mattress

Thule Tepui Autana Rooftop Tent with Annex

  • Can accommodate up to four people
  • Includes an extended private canopy entrance with removable annex
  • Constructed from coated 600 denier and a 260g poly-cotton blend made to withstand the elements of any season
  • Tent fabric is UV resistant and withstands the elements of any season
  • Mesh panels offer plenty of ventilation and open for more airflow
  • Four, large internal pockets for storing gear and camping accessories
  • Includes a high-density foam mattress for added comfort

TMB Beige Pop Up Roof Overlanding Tent

TMB-Beige-Pop-Up-Roof-Overlanding-Tent-Universal-for-Cars-Trucks-SUVs-Camping-Travel-Mobile
  • Fits most vehicles equipped with cross bars and roof rails, make your camping and overlanding adventures more comfortable and convenient
  • 6-Month Warranty against Manufacturer defects
  • Closes via snap straps, bungee net roof storage with side pouches, inner and outer zippers for easy closure
  • Easy to open with shock assisted arms, stays securely open once fully extended, memory foam mattress pre-installed
  • Includes: Ladder, extra storage bag, Closed Dimensions: 84″ x 49″ x 13″
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Is it difficult to install a roof rack tent?

No! On the contrary, with most models you only have to screw the underside of the tent floor to the roof rack of your vehicle. The best way to do this is with two people, as the roof rack tent is relatively heavy. After you have tightened all the screws properly, you can put full load on the tent.

Is it difficult to clean the tent?

No, you can easily clean the outside of the tent with water and a little detergent. The inside of the tent is also best cleaned with soap and water. Make sure that the inside of the tent is completely dry before you fold it up and store it. Otherwise it could happen that mold could form in the tent due to the high humidity.

How many people can sleep on the roof of the car in the tent?

It all depends on the size of the tent. You can also sleep with three people in a two-person tent. The weight does not play such a big role here, as the tent is not supported on the roof of the car, but on the supporting pillars (A-pillar & C-pillar) of the car or truck. This means that the weight is always evenly distributed over the entire vehicle.

Everything there for assembly?

The Roof Rack Tents are mounted on the Roof Rack Crossbar of your car. You need these brackets for your car roof. If you don't have a roof retention system yet, you can find one with us! Just click HERE.

Since I got a roof rack tent, I have been out in nature a lot more and go camping very often. It's just great to be able to pitch your tent so easily and anywhere!

Tom W. Happy Customer
happy customer

I sold my RV and bought a jeep with a roof rack tent mounted on it. That was the best decision i ever made. I can pitch my tent anywhere in the desert with my jeep and spend the night there. I would never have come to these places with my RV.

Mark S. Happy Customer

My friend and I bought a roof tent for our car and now drive it almost every weekend into the wilderness and pitch our tent where it suits us. We're just excited about our new roof rack tent and never want to go camping without a roof tent again.

Samanta K. Happy Customer