Roof Tent Question on rack and rails weight limit?

I am just wondering about weight limits on roof racks/bars vs rails. I see Disco's have a 75kg limit for the racks but this is more for driving than stood camping with a tent on top... I can't find any info on max loads for say two people on top while parked. Also I would like to find out is the max weight parked up by using the rails rather than the roof bars?

The main reason I ask is I currently have a 2001 Mercedes ML270 CDI... It has roof bars fitted but unlike Discos and Defenders it does not have the rails or gutters if you will that I see people using on there Discos so I am wondering can I use the Roof bars on the ML to load a roof tent on or should I sell it and buy a Disco 2 and use the rails system?

I know the Disco is a more capable off roader but I only want to be able to park up on light rough ground and not get stuck on muddy grass so its more than capable but has the advantage of been German built and full of toys that work.. My last 3 Landrover's were great drive trains but everything else around them fell apart.

I am planning to use it for events like camping at the British F1 GP and so it will be kitted out with a clamshell roof tent on top then various bits of kit in the back for shower facilities and fridge etc. Its the 7 seater version and has tons of space in the rear area (well when I remove the 6th & 7th seat it will). Auto Box so easy to drive and heated lather etc. Its a shame to sell it as its by far the best spec and condition old ML there is out there. Even has a factory AMG body kit which is rare on the CDI models. Id probably only get £3500 for it and that would only get me an average Disco 2 so I am really reluctant to sell it for a straight swap but if I can't load the top I might have no option.

Anyway that was a long winded way to ask can I load roof bars at much as rails? if it were a Disco that is? I can't find anyone using these the same on Merc forums so no one to ask. I have seen pics of it done but that does not give me enough info.

Thanks Dave

Can you not find the weight restriction for the roof rails anywhere? I think you might be ok with those vertical bars then cross bars, but don't take my word for it.

I was looking to put my roof tent on my Mazda CX5 and I came to the conclusion that the rack needs to hold at least 150kg and seeing as mine is only rated to 50kg it is a no go.

The main question has to be why would you want a roof tent for camping at UK events? For the price of the cheapest, nastiest roof tent you could buy a much larger ground tent and top quality sleeping mats/cots. Roof tents are ok for expeditions where a smooth level pitch may be hard to find but most are very restrictive in terms of floor size and headroom. Khyam quick erect tents are virtually as fast to erect as a roof tent and far more versatile (other makes are available!).

MrIFan said:

The main question has to be why would you want a roof tent for camping at UK events? For the price of the cheapest, nastiest roof tent you could buy a much larger ground tent and top quality sleeping mats/cots. Roof tents are ok for expeditions where a smooth level pitch may be hard to find but most are very restrictive in terms of floor size and headroom. Khyam quick erect tents are virtually as fast to erect as a roof tent and far more versatile (other makes are available!).

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Not quite!!!!!!!
IMO,a few pluses for a hard top roof tent.
It goes up in less than 2 mins.
Your bed is ready to climb straight into,as all your bedding is stored in the tent.
You can stop anywhere & put it up,including service station car park.
Dont have to dry it out after night time rain.
Folds away in 5 mins.
I could go on.
Marc

Not quite!!!!!!!
IMO,a few pluses for a hard top roof tent.
It goes up in less than 2 mins.
Once you get the hang of it a Khyam will be up and pegged in 2 mins or less.
Your bed is ready to climb straight into,as all your bedding is stored in the tent.
That's true but I'm not a big fan of getting into a damp and fusty bed!
You can stop anywhere & put it up,including service station car park.
One advantage I grant you but how often have you actually had to camp in a service station car park, and where did you find one that didn't have a 2 hour parking restriction?
Dont have to dry it out after night time rain.
Really? Surely it's going to go moldy just like any other tent that's packed away wet and left?
Folds away in 5 mins.
A khyam comes down and packs away quicker than it goes up, granted you have got to get your bedding out first but personally I wouldn't leave it in a roof tent either.
I could go on.
Me too especially about the benefits of not having to remember about a ladder when needing to answer a night time call of nature!!

Each to their own obviously and I was just trying to give an alternative option. Having used a roof tent in the past in Africa and Eastern Europe I found, that for me, the advantages were far out weighed by the disadvantages and a quick erect ground tent was better for me.

As you say.....Each to their own.
It would'nt do for us all to be alike.
It's all about getting out there & enjoying our hobbys.
Marc

Here's my roof tent. Goes up in about two seconds and folds away in about twenty once you have the hang of it and only cost £49.50

I can only see the hand book for the petrol engine ones here

http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalAssets/pdfmb/ownersmanual/2001_ml320_ml430_ml55.pdf

page 293 has the roof weight limit listed for the ml320 ml430 and the big Amg one.

davidathomas42 said:

I am just wondering about weight limits on roof racks/bars vs rails. I see Disco's have a 75kg limit for the racks but this is more for driving than stood camping with a tent on top... I can't find any info on max loads for say two people on top while parked. Also I would like to find out is the max weight parked up by using the rails rather than the roof bars?

The main reason I ask is I currently have a 2001 Mercedes ML270 CDI... It has roof bars fitted but unlike Discos and Defenders it does not have the rails or gutters if you will that I see people using on there Discos so I am wondering can I use the Roof bars on the ML to load a roof tent on or should I sell it and buy a Disco 2 and use the rails system?

I know the Disco is a more capable off roader but I only want to be able to park up on light rough ground and not get stuck on muddy grass so its more than capable but has the advantage of been German built and full of toys that work.. My last 3 Landrover's were great drive trains but everything else around them fell apart.

I am planning to use it for events like camping at the British F1 GP and so it will be kitted out with a clamshell roof tent on top then various bits of kit in the back for shower facilities and fridge etc. Its the 7 seater version and has tons of space in the rear area (well when I remove the 6th & 7th seat it will). Auto Box so easy to drive and heated lather etc. Its a shame to sell it as its by far the best spec and condition old ML there is out there. Even has a factory AMG body kit which is rare on the CDI models. Id probably only get £3500 for it and that would only get me an average Disco 2 so I am really reluctant to sell it for a straight swap but if I can't load the top I might have no option.

Anyway that was a long winded way to ask can I load roof bars at much as rails? if it were a Disco that is? I can't find anyone using these the same on Merc forums so no one to ask. I have seen pics of it done but that does not give me enough info.

Thanks Dave

Click to expand...

How one earth would you attach anything to those bars ? They follow the contour of the roof and don't look flat which would be a mighty task.

Disco/Defender is 75 but 150 ROTW keep in mind..
Also keep in mind with a genuine roof tent the weight isn't all on the vehicle, the ladder takes a considerable amount.


If you look closely above you can see with the rack its supported the entire length of the vehicle, there is no pressure points via 2 or 3 brackets which can cause distortion. I wouldn't risk it with your Mercedes, it might be possible but it wouldn't look pretty and you would need to craft something over the top to support the tent, and you would also need to try and make it possible to remove it.

I am not going to sing the praises of roof tents or get into that argument but a true roof tent is a well thought out bit of kit, both in regards the tent and the way it fixes to the vehicle. It is strong yet flexible.. But also very expensive hence there are lots of "work arounds and botches" some ok some not. Its your choice.

You can do it in many ways to save money such as bars, but if you consider 300 KG or so on 4 touch points vs a full rack you can see what you are losing.