How to use the roof tent

Off on your next overnight, outdoor adventure? The roof tent from Thule is a soft-shell, 2–3-person car roof tent designed and tested for Volvo cars with roof rails and Volvo load carriers. At your campsite, simply unzip the travel cover, drop the ladder and unfold. Your tent easily opens in a single motion, and you’re ready to sleep on a flat floor with a plush mattress. Pack it down again by zipping windows, folding the tent with the ladder, and refitting the cover.

Key facts about the roof tent

Capacity: 2-3 people; soft-shell construction with an integrated mattress.

Setup: Cover off, ladder down, unfold.

Helpful tips: Clean and dry before storage. This helps prevent damage to your roof tent over time.

What is a roof tent?

Think of a roof tent as your comfy Volvo accessory that travels with you on every car camping adventure. This car top tent sits on your car's load carriers, has room for up to three people and includes a thick mattress so you can swap complicated sleep systems for some actual z’s. The straight walls and generous openings keep things airy, with views and ventilation when you want them and insect protection when you don’t.

How it works: features & benefits

The roof tent is simple. At home, start by having two people lift the folded tent onto your Volvo load carriers, slide the brackets into the T-tracks and tighten. You don’t need specialist tools besides the torque wrench that comes with the tent. On the road, your roof tent rides under a rainproof travel cover.

At camp, unzip the cover, extend the ladder and pull; the floor folds out and the tent pops open in one smooth action. Packing down is the same in reverse: zip, fold, tuck fabric evenly, refit the cover.

• Comfort first: a flat, rigid floor and plush mattress make all the difference after a long day.




• Quick, calm setup: the one-motion unfold keeps stress low. Watch the video below, which shows the complete flow in minutes.




• Designed for your Volvo: the tent is tried and tested with Volvo load carriers, so fit and function are just right.




• Security in mind: lockable mounting brackets help deter theft when the tent is on the car.




• Everything in one place: tent, ladder and protective travel cover keep your interior space for the rest of your gear.

Tip: Be sure to follow your model’s roof-load guidance. We advise up to 300 kg static (parked) as a guidance figure for the tent, but always check your model’s page for the exact number for your specific car (for example, XC90 values differ from EX40).

Step-by-step: mount, open, pack away

Here’s the quick process to mount the tent at home, then open and pack it down smoothly at camp.

Before you start

• Make sure your car has roof rails and approved Volvo load carriers; choose parts for your exact model via the Accessories portal.




• Check your roof load limits (dynamic while driving, static when parked) in your model info. Volvo accessory guidance for the tent covers fit and usage; always follow your model’s limits.

First-time mounting

1. With two people, lift the tent onto the load carriers.




2. Insert the mounting hardware into the carriers’ T-tracks and tighten until secure.




3. Engage the lockable brackets where they’re supplied and do a short test tug. Re-check tightness after your first drive and regularly afterwards.

At camp

1. Park on level ground and apply the parking brake.




2. Unzip the travel cover and stow it neatly.




3. Extend the ladder to the ground; use it as leverage to unfold the tent. The fabric and bows tension themselves as you open up.




4. Arrange the mattress, zip mosquito nets if you’d like, and fit the rainfly if rain or heavy dew is likely.

Packing down

1. Zip windows/doors and remove or roll the rainfly.




2. Fold the tent using the ladder; tuck fabric evenly so nothing snags.




3. Zip on the travel cover and do a quick walk-around check before heading off.

Safety, weight and weather tips

Car camping is a fun activity for everyone. But it’s important to do it right and keep safety top of mind.

• Respect dynamic and static roof load limits for your specific car model. Refer to your accessory page or model manual for more specific information.




• Choose your pitch with care. Find a place that’s on level ground, place your ladder entrance somewhere out of the wind and keep vents cracked for airflow, especially in wet or cold environments.




• If your car has keyless locking and unlocking, don’t leave the key in your roof tent. Your car might stay unlocked.

Tip: While camping up top, leave your keys in the car and lock and unlock your car remotely using the Volvo Cars app. Alternatively, you can purchase a signal-blocking pouch to put your key in if you’d prefer to have it with you in your tent.

Note: Signal-blocking pouches sold separately, not available through the Volvo Cars Accessories portal.

Storage and maintenance

Back home, brush off debris, let the tent dry completely, and store it indoors in a cool, dry place, ideally on a soft surface and out of direct sunlight. That’s the easiest way to keep the canopy fresh for next time.

Quick storage and maintenance checklist:

• Clean and air-dry before storage.




• Store cool/dry, out of direct sun; don’t stack heavy items on the shell.




• Check fixings and locks before your next trip.

Watch the roof tent in action

See the one-motion setup from cover off to ladder down to fully opened.

FAQs about the roof tent

Can you sleep in the roof tent in the rain?

Yes. Use the rainfly for rain protection, keep the vents slightly open to manage condensation, and pitch with the entrance out of the wind for comfort. Being elevated helps you avoid ground moisture and dew, which is a big part of staying warm and dry on your outdoor adventure.

How much weight can the roof tent hold?

We list a maximum roof weight of up to 300 kg static (when parked) for roof-tent use. Always confirm your model-specific roof-load figures in the accessory page or model manual before you travel.

Is the roof tent safe for wind and bad weather?

Yes, the tent is tested with Volvo load carriers, and the canopy is reinforced and designed for adventure.

How do I lock the tent to prevent theft?

The roof tent fastens to the roof rack with lockable mounting brackets, which help deter theft when the tent is fitted. Be sure that all brackets/straps are fully tightened and locked before you leave the car.

What’s included in the roof tent package?

You'll get a mattress, rainfly, straps and mounting brackets (with lockable mounting brackets for quick fit). The ladder stores under the protective cover, and the tent/ladder travel together on the roof to save interior space.

Is the roof tent easy to set up by one person?

At camp, yes, but it should be assembled by two people for the first time out of the box. When you’re at your campsite, the tent pops open in a single action after you unzip the travel cover and extend the ladder, as shown in the video above. For the first-time mounting at home, we advise two people to lift the folded tent onto the load carriers before tightening the brackets.

Glossary

Not sure what ‘T-tracks’ or ‘static roof load’ mean? This quick glossary keeps the essentials clear so you can set up your roof tent with confidence.

• Roof tent: A fold-out tent from Thule made for Volvo cars that attaches to approved load carriers.




• Load carriers: Volvo crossbars that clamp onto the roof rails and hold the tent.




• Roof rails: The long bars running front-to-back on the roof that the load carriers attach to.




• Dynamic roof load: The maximum weight your roof can carry while you’re driving.




• Static roof load: The maximum weight your roof can carry when the car is parked (important when people are in the tent).




• T-tracks (T-slots): The channels in the load carriers where the tent’s mounting hardware slides in.




• Lockable mounting brackets: Brackets that fix the tent to the load carriers and can be locked for security.




• Torque wrench: A tool that lets you tighten bolts to the exact torque specified.




• Travel cover (rainproof cover): A protective cover that goes over the folded tent while driving.




• Rainfly: A removable outer layer that boosts rain protection and helps reduce condensation.




• Mosquito net: Built-in insect mesh that keeps bugs out while still letting air flow.




• Panoramic window: A large opening for wide views and extra ventilation.




• Polyester ripstop canopy: Durable, water-repellent tent fabric reinforced to resist damage.




• Pitch: The campsite spot and direction you choose (aim for level ground with some shelter).