How to Mount a Roof Top Tent on a Ute

How to Mount a Roof Top Tent to a Ute

Rooftop tent camping on a ute is one of the fastest-growing setups in Australian overlanding - and for good reason. You get the ground clearance of a 4WD, the storage capacity of a tub, and a comfortable elevated sleeping platform that sets up in minutes. But before you bolt a tent to your ute, there's one thing that trips up most buyers: the platform you mount to matters as much as the tent itself.

Most standard ute hard lids and roller covers aren't built to handle the combined weight of a rooftop tent plus occupants. The Load-Lid and the Centurion Canopy with Cantilever Roof Rack are the two Utemaster platforms engineered specifically for this job -each with a 200kg load capacity that makes them genuinely capable rooftop tent bases.

Key takeaway: A roof top tent typically weighs 60–80kg. Factor in the crossbar mounts and two adults sleeping inside, and you're easily pushing 200kg+ static load. Your platform's rating needs to support this -not just the tent weight alone.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how load ratings work, which Utemaster platform suits your setup, and what to check before you mount.

Understanding Load Ratings Before You Mount

Load ratings are the single most important number in any rooftop tent setup, and they're widely misunderstood. There are two separate ratings you need to know -and they're not interchangeable.

Static vs Dynamic Load Rating

The dynamic rating is the one that matters most for day-to-day use. It's what governs how much weight you can safely carry on the road -and it's almost always lower than the static rating. Most factory ute roofs have a dynamic rating of just 50–100kg, which is why mounting directly to a roof without a proper platform is a problem.

The Utemaster Load-Lid and Centurion Canopy Cantilever Roof Rack are both rated to 200kg -well above the factory roof rating of most popular utes. That headroom is what makes them suitable rooftop tent platforms.

A common question: crossbars are often only rated to 75kg -how does that work with a rooftop tent? Crossbar ratings are based on dynamic loads in motion, including forces from wind and vibration. When you're parked up and sleeping, the static load capacity is significantly higher. To achieve a 75kg dynamic rating, a crossbar system has to withstand up to four times that load on a test rig. Your tent is well within range when stationary.

For a deeper breakdown of how these two ratings interact, see the Utemaster guide to static vs dynamic load capacity.

What Counts Towards Your Load Limit?

When calculating whether your setup is within rating, you need to account for the total weight on the platform - not just the tent:

• The crossbar mounts and any side rails
• The rooftop tent itself (typically 60–80kg for most models)
• Occupants sleeping inside (typically 75–90kg per adult)
• Any additional gear stored on top (awnings, solar panels, recovery gear)

A common mistake: people check the tent weight, see it's 70kg, and assume they're fine. But a tent, two adults, and crossbar mounts can easily total 250–300kg static. Always calculate the full system weight against your platform's static rating.

Option 1: Mounting a Roof Top Tent to the Utemaster Load-Lid

The Utemaster Load-Lid is a ute hard lid purpose-built for load-bearing applications. Its 200kg load capacity puts it in a different category to standard fibreglass lids and roller covers, which typically aren't rated for rooftop tent use at all.

Why the Load-Lid Works Where Other Hard Lids Don't

Standard ute hard lids are designed for weather protection and light cargo containment. They're not engineered to handle the concentrated weight of a rooftop tent plus occupants. The Load-Lid's structural design is what sets it apart:

• 200kg load capacity -sufficient for tent, crossbar mounts, and two adults
• Crossbar mount system -crossbars fit to Utemaster side rails or directly to the lid itself, no third-party roof rack needed
• High-strength construction -tested for real-world off-road use, not just static loads

Roller covers and traditional fibreglass lids simply can't offer a reliable equivalent. The Load-Lid is the only hard lid solution Utemaster recommends for rooftop tent mounting.

Why Mount to the Tub Rather Than the Vehicle Roof?

There are practical advantages to mounting at tub height rather than on the vehicle's roof:

• Less drag. The tub area sits within a more streamlined part of the vehicle. Mounting here has less effect on aerodynamic drag than a rooftop setup, which means less impact on fuel economy on long drives.
• Easier to load. Roof top tents weigh between 40–80kg. Getting one onto the roof of a ute often requires a forklift. Mounting to the tub is a comfortable lift for one or two people.
• Easier to set up. You can walk around the ute to deploy the tent rather than climbing onto the roof.

Practical Note: Accessing the Tub

With a tent fitted, the gas stays will only partially assist lifting the Load-Lid -they won't take the full weight, so extra effort is required and the lid won't stay open by itself. If you need regular access to the tub while the tent is on, remove the locking plate under the Load-Lid handle -this lets you open the tailgate independently without lifting the full lid and tent assembly. Note that the lid will still open as long as the tent doesn't collide with the rear window.

Option 2: Mounting a Roof Top Tent to a Utemaster Centurion Canopy

For ute owners who want maximum storage, security, and a dedicated rooftop tent platform, the Utemaster Centurion Canopy with Cantilever Roof Rack is the premium solution.

The Cantilever Roof Rack: Built for Rooftop Tents

The Cantilever Roof Rack is an optional extra for the Centurion Canopy, engineered specifically to carry rooftop tents and other heavy roof loads. Key specs:

• 200kg load capacity -the same rating as the Load-Lid, but with the added benefit of full canopy storage underneath
• Integrated mounting system -designed to work directly with the Centurion Canopy structure, not bolted to a generic roof
• Keeps gear safe and secure -your tub remains fully enclosed and lockable while the tent is mounted on top

This combination is the ideal setup for serious overlanding: a locked, weatherproof storage compartment below and a rooftop tent above. You don't have to choose between carrying gear and sleeping elevated.

Vehicle-Specific Canopy Tent Mounting Pages

Utemaster has vehicle-specific mounting information for popular ute models:

• Ford Ranger (Next Gen) -Roof Top Tent to Canopy
• Ford Ranger -Roof Top Tent to Canopy
• Nissan Navara -Roof Top Tent to Canopy
• Volkswagen Amarok (Next Gen) -Roof Top Tent to Canopy

For the full list of canopy roof top tent mounting solutions, including available bracket kits, visit the dedicated canopy mounting page.

Hard Lid vs Canopy: Which Platform Is Right for You?

Both the Load-Lid and the Centurion Canopy with Cantilever Rack are capable rooftop tent platforms. The right choice depends on how you use your ute day-to-day.

Choose the Load-Lid if you want a lower-profile setup, value easy tub access, and don't need a fully enclosed storage compartment. It's the more affordable entry point into rooftop tent camping on a ute.

Choose the Centurion Canopy if you're running extended trips, need secure lockable storage for tools or valuables, and want a fully integrated system where the rack is purpose-built for the platform beneath it.

Rooftop Tent Mounting Checklist

Before you mount a rooftop tent to your ute, run through this checklist to make sure your setup is safe and legal.

Pre-Mount Verification

1. Confirm your platform's load rating -check the manufacturer's spec sheet, not just the product description. The Utemaster Load-Lid and Centurion Canopy Cantilever Rack are both rated to 200kg.
2. Calculate total system weight -tent + crossbar mounts + estimated occupant weight. Don't just check the tent weight in isolation.
3. Check your vehicle's dynamic load rating -found in your owner's manual. This governs what you can carry while driving, and it's separate from the platform rating.
4. Use the correct mounting hardware -purpose-designed crossbar mounts for your setup. Generic clamps are not a substitute for a proper mounting kit.
5. Check crossbar compatibility -crossbars fit to Utemaster side rails or directly to the Load-Lid. Confirm your setup before purchasing a tent.

On the Road

• Stick to your platform's dynamic rating -the tent weight doesn't disappear when you're driving. It affects handling, centre of gravity, and braking.
• Re-check mounting bolts after the first off-road run -vibration can loosen hardware that was tight at install.
• Exceeding load limits in Australia can result in fines of over $1,000 plus demerit points, and most insurers won't cover damage if your vehicle is overloaded.

Note: Australian transport authorities have increased enforcement of overloaded 4WDs, particularly those carrying rooftop tents, awnings, and roof-mounted gear. Staying within rated limits isn't just a safety issue -it's a legal one.

Built for the Adventure

Overlanding with a rooftop tent is one of the most capable camping setups you can build around a ute. River crossings, corrugated tracks, remote campsites -the rooftop tent and hard lid or canopy combination handles all of it. You pack up in minutes, keep your gear dry and secure, and wake up off the ground wherever you park.

The key is starting with a platform that's actually rated for the job. Both the Utemaster Load-Lid and the Centurion Canopy with Cantilever Roof Rack are designed and tested for exactly this use case.

Running a 270° Awning and a Rooftop Tent Together

One of the most common questions once someone has a rooftop tent sorted is: can I also run a 270° awning on the same setup?

Yes -and the Centurion Canopy with Cantilever Roof Rack is built for exactly this combination.

Utemaster has developed a retrofittable 1300mm crossbar that mounts directly to the top of the Cantilever Rack. Made from heavy-duty custom extrusion, it's engineered to take a load -and it positions the tent and awning with enough clearance between them so both fit without interfering with each other.

Note on clamp fitment: The Cantilever crossbar is slightly wider than some standard crossbars. Before purchasing a rooftop tent, confirm the tent's mounting clamp can fit around the bar.

The Utemaster Awning Mount Bracket bolts to the exterior side rails of the MK3 or MK4 Cantilever Rack -keeping your crossbars completely clear for the tent and other gear. It's been tested with a wide range of leading 270° awning brands including Rhino-Rack, ARB, Darche, Oztent, Alu-Cab, and more.

For full installation steps and awning compatibility, see the guide: How to Install a 270° Awning to a Ute Canopy.

Ready to set up your ute for rooftop tent camping?

• Explore the Utemaster Load-Lid
• Explore the Centurion Canopy with Cantilever Roof Rack
• See vehicle-specific canopy mounting solutions
• Read the guide: Best hard lid for 4WD and camping