Handout of Tesla Motors' mass-market Model 3 electric cars

Tesla Model 3 Roof Rack Tent Buyers Guide

roof tent
roof top tent
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Yes, you can fit a rooftop tent on your Tesla Model 3!

All you need is a roof cross bar and the rooftop tent itself.

It is straightforward to install the roof crossbars on the Model 3. The roof crossbars are connected to the car with just a few screws.

Then the actual rooftop tent can be mounted on the crossbars.

You can use almost any rooftop tent! Here are a few recommendations for you and your car:

The Tesla Model 3 is not only one of the most popular electric vehicles currently available. The Tesla Model 3 is also perfect for the next camping trip with your new rooftop tent.

All you need to mount a rooftop tent on the Model 3 are roof rails and roof crossbars. The rooftop tent is then easily connected to the crossbars at four mounting spots. This offers an optimal connection to the vehicle.

The Model 3 is ideal for spending a camping weekend with the whole family. You can mount a four person rooftop tent on the Tesla Model 3 without any problems.

You should only make sure that the new rooftop tent is not wider than the vehicle when folded.

If you are now wondering why a relatively low maximum roof load is shown in the vehicle registration document of your Tesla Model 3, you must note that this number only applies to a moving vehicle. When the vehicle is stationary, the permissible roof load is many times higher. The car is subjected to much more stress when driving. The body of the vehicle also twists while driving. When the vehicle is standing still, this stress on the body is eliminated and more weight can be loaded onto the roof. So four adults can stay in the roof tent without any problems. The additional roof load is transferred to the entire body of the Model 3 via the roof rails.

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You are free to choose whether you buy a hard-shell or sot-shell roof tent for your Tesla Model 3. You should only note that the vehicle’s driving dynamics automatically deteriorate as the vehicle’s center of gravity shifts further upwards. Be careful in fast corners!

The range of the Tesla Model 3 will also decrease if you are traveling with a rooftop tent. Even when the roof tent is folded, it still disturbs the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The range can be reduced between 10% to 20%!

Therefore, you should always remove the rooftop tent when you don’t need it and store it in the garage.

If you are looking for more interesting information about rooftop tents and camping, you will find many interesting articles on this website. Just look around.

Further down this page, you will also find a listing of the most popular rooftop tents for the Tesla Model 3.

Happy Camping 😉

Here are the biggest pluses of a roof rack tent:

  1. Roof rack tents are easy to setup.
  2. Roof rack tents are very cozy.
  3. Roof rack tents last a long time.
  4. Roof rack tents can be taken along when changing vehicles.
  5. Roof rack tents will become more and more popular in the years to come.
  6. Roof rack tents turn your vehicle into a fully-fledged camping vehicle.
  7. Roof Rack Tents are easy to clean and maintain.
  8. Roof rack tents keep the cold off the floor at night.
  9. Roof Rack Tents can easily be stowed in your garage or basement when you don’t need them.
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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
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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″

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