Does my car fit
a rooftop tent?
Pick your tent – and instantly see which vehicles are compatible.
Roof load for rooftop tents — dynamic and static
Before you buy a rooftop tent, you should know your vehicle's dynamic roof load. It tells you how much weight your car may carry on its roof while driving. Most cars have a dynamic roof load between 50 kg (small cars) and 150 kg (vans and off-roaders). You'll find the exact value in your owner's manual.
At Groenberg: the WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort travel inside the car – your vehicle only needs to be approved for roof bars. When parked, the roof and roof bars carry the tent and its occupants, so the static roof load and the load rating of your bars apply. For the Halvor, Alvar and Tjelvar, which stay on the roof while driving, the combined weight of tent and roof bars (~5–8 kg) must not exceed the dynamic roof load.
Our interactive Roof Load Finder shows you in one click which vehicles suit your rooftop tent — from over 90 current models by VW, Toyota, Ford, BMW, Dacia and many more.
Choose your rooftop tent first
Click a model above — we'll show you all compatible vehicles.
Which rooftop tent fits my car?
Suzuki Jimny, VW Golf or Land Rover Defender — here you'll find the most important models with their dynamic roof load and a clear recommendation of which Groenberg rooftop tent fits.
Rooftop tent with a low roof load — these vehicles need a special solution
Many popular vehicles have a surprisingly low dynamic roof load. From our range, only the WEEKEND Classic or WEEKEND Comfort are an option — both travel inside the car. Requirement: the vehicle is approved for roof bars.
The Suzuki Jimny is the darling of the overlanding community — and one of the vehicles most often searched for together with rooftop tents. Despite its off-road character, the Jimny (GJ/HJ from 2018) has a dynamic roof load of only 30 kg. That rules out a conventional softshell or hardtop rooftop tent. The WEEKEND Classic fits: it weighs 11.5 kg, travels inside the car, and only the roof bars are on the roof while driving.
The Seat Alhambra and its twin, the VW Sharan, have a dynamic roof load of 75 kg. The WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort are no problem. The Halvor (68 kg) fits on paper too — with roof bars (~7 kg) you end up at about 75 kg, exactly at the limit. If you want some reserve, go for the WEEKEND.
The Lada Niva is a true off-road classic — but despite its heritage it only has 50 kg of dynamic roof load. That is not enough for softshell or hardtop rooftop tents. The WEEKEND is the right choice here: it travels inside the car, is set up at your destination — and the Niva stays within its approved limits.
The petrol Fiat 500 has a dynamic roof load of 50 kg — according to the manufacturer, the electric 500e allows no roof load at all. Important: the panoramic roof reduces the roof load to 0 kg. Only with a regular steel roof and approved roof bars is the WEEKEND an option.
Because of its rear engine, the Renault Twingo has a particularly low dynamic roof load of only 35 kg. Rooftop tents that stay on the roof while driving are not possible. From our range, only the WEEKEND fits — provided suitable roof bars are approved.
The triplets VW Up!, Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo share platform and roof load: 35 kg dynamic. All three have been discontinued but are still common on the road. With the WEEKEND — which travels inside the car — a rooftop tent adventure is possible even with these city cars.
According to the manufacturer, the Smart Fortwo allows no roof load in any generation. Since no roof bar system is permitted, the WEEKEND cannot be mounted either. The Smart Fortwo is therefore not suitable for rooftop tents of any kind.
According to their manufacturers, these electric vehicles allow no roof load — neither roof bars nor a rooftop tent. The reasons: aerodynamic optimisation and the heavy batteries. If you want to combine an EV with a rooftop tent, look at the VW ID.4 (75 kg) or Tesla Model 3 (~68 kg) — both allow at least the WEEKEND.
Top models — the 15 most searched vehicles for rooftop tents
These vehicles are searched for most often in combination with rooftop tents. Here are their roof load values and Groenberg recommendations at a glance.
The VW Golf is one of the most registered cars in Germany and correspondingly popular as a rooftop tent base. With 75 kg dynamic roof load (Variant too), the WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort fit easily, the Halvor on paper — but without reserve (approx. 75 kg incl. roof bars). The Alvar and Tjelvar (approx. 84 kg incl. roof bars) exceed it — not possible. Important: a panoramic roof reduces the roof load considerably.
The VW Tiguan is one of Europe's most popular SUVs and, despite its size, has only 75 kg of dynamic roof load — the same as a Golf. The WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort are no problem, the Halvor fits without reserve. The roof load is not enough for the Alvar and Tjelvar. With the Tiguan, too: check for a panoramic roof, as it significantly reduces the roof load.
The VW bus is the classic rooftop tent base and one of the vehicles mentioned most often in the community. With 100 kg dynamic roof load, all Groenberg models fit: WEEKEND, Halvor, Alvar and Tjelvar. The large roof also gives you more room to position the roof bars.
The Dacia Duster is one of the vehicles most often searched for with rooftop tents — affordable, sturdy roof, factory roof rails. With 80 kg dynamic roof load, the WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort fit easily, the Halvor with little reserve. The Alvar and Tjelvar (approx. 84 kg incl. roof bars) exceed the roof load — not possible.
With 100 kg dynamic roof load, the Toyota RAV4 is a very good base for rooftop tents. All Groenberg models are compatible — WEEKEND, Halvor, Alvar and Tjelvar. Its solid roof and factory roof rails make the RAV4 an uncomplicated base for rooftop tent adventures.
The Land Rover Defender is the premium choice for overlanding and rooftop tent travel. With 100 kg dynamic roof load, all Groenberg models are compatible. The Tjelvar pairs especially well with the Defender: hardtop, low profile and wind resistance up to Beaufort 8 — built for demanding trips.
The Skoda Octavia estate is popular in the rooftop tent community because it combines a large boot with a wide roof. With 75 kg dynamic roof load, the WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort are no problem, the Halvor fits without reserve. The WEEKEND simply travels in the large boot.
The now discontinued Skoda Yeti has a remarkably high dynamic roof load of 100 kg — unusual for a compact SUV of its class. All Groenberg models are compatible. The Yeti remains very popular on the used market and is one of the most affordable bases for the Tjelvar and Alvar.
The VW Caddy offers 100 kg dynamic roof load and a large, flat roof — ideal for rooftop tents of all sizes. All Groenberg models are compatible. The Caddy is especially interesting for families who want to combine boot space and a rooftop tent.
The VW Passat estate comes with 100 kg dynamic roof load and a generous roof. All Groenberg models are possible — including the Alvar and Tjelvar. The Passat estate is one of the most understated yet practical rooftop tent bases: lots of boot space, solid roof load, factory rails.
With 100 kg dynamic roof load and a sturdy frame, the Ford Ranger pickup is a classic choice for rooftop tents. All Groenberg models are compatible. On the Ranger, we recommend mounting on a bed cover (hard cover) or a roll bar — not directly on the cab.
The VW Touran is a popular family car with 75 kg dynamic roof load. The WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort fit easily, the Halvor without reserve. The WEEKEND is especially handy for Touran drivers because it travels in the large boot.
The Ford Focus — especially the estate — has 75 kg dynamic roof load. The WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort are no problem, the Halvor fits without reserve. Thanks to its wide roof, the Focus estate offers a good mounting base for roof bars.
The Mercedes G-Class is the premium off-road icon with 100 kg dynamic roof load. All Groenberg models are compatible. The Tjelvar in particular — a low, aerodynamic hardtop — suits the G-Class's boxy silhouette. Important: mount it on the factory roof rack, not on the body.
The Hyundai Tucson and its sibling, the Kia Sportage, each have 75 kg dynamic roof load. The WEEKEND Classic and WEEKEND Comfort fit easily, the Halvor without reserve. Both come with factory roof rails, which makes fitting roof bars easier. The roof load is not enough for the Alvar and Tjelvar.
FAQ: roof load and rooftop tent mounting
What is the dynamic roof load and where do I find it?
The dynamic roof load is the maximum weight your car may carry on its roof while driving. For most cars it is between 50 and 150 kg, and you'll find it in your owner's manual — not in the registration document. The combined weight of roof bars, rooftop tent and any other luggage must not exceed this value while driving.
What roof load do I need for a Groenberg rooftop tent?
It depends on the model. The WEEKEND Classic (11.5 kg) and WEEKEND Comfort (13 kg) travel inside the car — your vehicle only needs to be approved for roof bars. When parked, the static roof load and the load rating of the roof bars apply. The Halvor (68 kg) needs at least 75 kg including roof bars, the Alvar and Tjelvar (77 kg each without ladder) at least 84 kg of dynamic roof load.
Can I mount a rooftop tent on a small car?
Yes. The VW Polo, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio or Toyota Yaris usually have 75 kg of dynamic roof load — enough for the WEEKEND and, on paper, for the Halvor too, though without any reserve. Because it travels inside the car, the WEEKEND even suits city cars like the Hyundai i10 (50 kg roof load).
Why do electric cars often have a low roof load?
Electric cars are heavier because of their batteries and more aerodynamically optimised. According to their manufacturers, some EVs — VW ID.3, Dacia Spring or Renault Zoé — allow no roof load at all. Others, like the VW ID.4 (75 kg) or Tesla Model 3 (approx. 68 kg), have usable but limited roof loads.
Does a panoramic roof reduce the roof load?
Yes, considerably — often by 20–25 kg compared with the standard version. Some manufacturers don't allow roof bars at all with a panoramic roof. Always check the owner's manual for your specific trim level.
What is the difference between static and dynamic roof load?
The dynamic roof load applies while driving — usually between 50 and 150 kg — and is decisive for rooftop tents that stay on the roof (Halvor, Alvar, Tjelvar). The static roof load applies to the parked vehicle and is considerably higher on most vehicles, because the roof is also designed for rollover protection. For the WEEKEND, which travels inside the car, the static roof load and the load rating of your roof bars apply when parked — you'll find both in the documentation from your vehicle and roof bar manufacturer.
