Solar Rooftop Tent Mounts

Roof space is not usually the constraint. Dynamic roof rating is, and a rooftop tent has often spent most of it already.

Bushwakka Solar Panel Mounting Plates (4 Pieces)

Regular price$35⁰⁰

View details

Solar Rooftop Tent Mounts

Overview

Solar Rooftop Tent Mounts Overview

About Solar Rooftop Tent Mounts

The problem is rarely space. It is weight.

A 4WD roof has a dynamic rating, which is what the rack and the vehicle will carry while moving, and it is a much smaller number than the static rating people tend to quote at each other. A hard shell rooftop tent will often use most of it before anything else goes up. Add a panel, brackets and whatever has already accumulated on the rack, and the question stops being where the panel fits and becomes whether it belongs up there at all.

These mounts are built around that. Some fix the panel to the tent's own base or lid so the two travel as a single assembly rather than as two separate loads. Others use the strip of rack a tent does not quite fill.

Three things to check before committing. The dynamic roof rating for your vehicle, not the rack's rating on its own. Whether the panel fouls the tent opening or the ladder. And whether you can still reach both once everything is up there.

Plenty of tent setups end up running a portable panel instead, with a small fixed one handling maintenance charge. Nothing says the whole array has to live on the roof.

FAQs

Solar Rooftop Tent Mounts FAQs

Can you mount a rigid solar panel on a rooftop tent?

Yes, you can mount a rigid solar panel on most hard shell rooftop tents using specialized brackets. This setup allows you to maintain a permanent charge for your batteries while you are parked at camp or on the move.

Using rigid panels is often preferred for their durability and better heat management compared to flexible options. It is important to fix the brackets securely to the tent rails or shell to handle wind resistance and vibrations from off road travel. This creates a low profile power solution that makes the most of the space on top of your sleeping quarters.

Explore our 12V Solar Panels or check out our full range of Solar Panel Mounting Brackets to see compatible hardware.

Flexible vs rigid solar panel for a rooftop tent: Which is better?

Rigid panels are generally better for rooftop tents because they are more durable and maintain better efficiency in high heat. While flexible panels are lighter and lower profile, rigid glass panels have an air gap that prevents heat transfer into the tent cabin.

If weight is your primary concern, a flexible panel might be the right choice for certain lightweight builds. For most serious tourers, a rigid panel mounted with sturdy hardware provides a more resilient power source that can withstand the harsh Australian sun and low branches.

Browse our Flexible Solar Panels for lightweight options or see our complete range of Rooftop Tents.

Will a solar panel make my rooftop tent too heavy to open?

Adding a solar panel will increase the weight of the tent lid, but most modern hard shell tents feature gas struts capable of handling the extra load. A standard 160W glass panel weighs roughly 10 to 12 kilograms, which is well within the limits of most high quality strut systems.

You may notice a slight difference in how the tent opens or closes, but the benefit of having a self sufficient power setup usually outweighs the minor weight increase. If your struts are older, upgrading them to a higher rating is a simple fix to keep the tent opening smoothly. This allows you to stay at camp longer without worrying about your state of charge.

Track your power levels with our Battery Monitors or find a match for your panels in our Solar Controllers.

Can these solar mounts be used on soft-shell rooftop tents?

Most rooftop tent solar mounts are designed specifically for hard shell tents with built in accessory rails or flat surfaces. Soft shell tents lack the rigid structure needed to safely support a fixed glass panel while the tent is folded or deployed.

For soft shell setups, a portable solar blanket or a foldout panel is a much more practical choice. These can be moved to chase the sun while you keep your tent in the shade, providing the flexibility you need without adding unnecessary stress to the tent frame or fabric.

Explore our range of portable solar gear to find a suitable solution for your soft shell tent.