Why it's important to select the correct vehicle and tyre size

Vehicle

There are a surprising number of vehicles that cannot use traditional snowchains, the types that put chain on the inside of the wheel as well as on the tread. This is usually because there is not enough space between the wheels and the shock absorbers; this can be a problem for ordinary SUVs and 4x4s as well as for high performance cars.

You will find this important information in your car handbook - please check this before using your snowchains! Our database is intended to do the basic work for you but, with so many new vehicles and tyre sizes, it should only ever be treated as a guide.

Tyre size

Please also check your tyre size - if you buy incorrectly-sized chains they will be either too tight or too loose.

Ladder track chains

The good news is that car handbooks usually only refer to "traditional snowchains". Ladder track chains such as the Polaire GRIP and Spikes-Spider range only put chain over the tyre tread, so are not subject to these restrictions. They are also ideal for use on rear wheel drives where there is minimal space between the top of the wheel and the wheel arch.

Yakima SkyRise HD vehicle roof tents

Yakima SkyRise HD vehicle roof tents are serious camping gear, great value because of their excellent design and the premium quality of workmanship and materials. They're surprisingly spacious, and a lot of fun! An optional annex is available to provide some stand-up privacy, and more storage space.

yakima skyrise on roof tents on vehicles by the sea

Roof tents allow you to park up wherever it's allowed, and to set up camp in a matter of minutes. You release the integrated travel cover, pull out the telescopic ladder, and use this as the lever to swing open the tent. Packing up is almost as quick.

Unlike ground camping you're not competing for a flat site, free of stones - the roof tent mattress will support you and, with insect screening and plenty of ventilation, the potential for a good night's sleep is (1) very good (2) the same every time!

Yakima SkyRise HD roof tents should only be fitted to a suitable vehicle, be it car, SUV, van, pickup, or trailer. Vehicles with clamp on roof bar systems are not suitable, and not all raised roof rail systems are suitable. The vehicle roof and the roof bars also need to be strong enough - there's detailed information about this on the product pages.

Note: This video shows a Yakima SkyRise in red, not the stronger SkyRise HD in tan. We are including it because the core features are the same

Why choose a Yakima SkyRise HD

yakima skyrise roof tents on vehicles in winter season

These are 4 season Heavy Duty tents, made from 600D Ripstop polyester with a separate, removable waterproof rainfly / fly sheet (210D Ripstop polyester), each waterproofed to the equivalent pressure of 3000mm of water - that means waterproof! The travel cover is made from a low glare high quality 680g PVC.

They include a tools-free roof bars fitting system, smart and quick to use, which locks the tent onto the roof bars.

yakima skyrise roof tents with windows and doors opened

There's lots of ventilation and light, with 4 large windows and 2 large skylights, each with a separate mesh insect screen. The removable rainfly / fly sheet is also a particularly good shape and design.

There are two sizes, Small (2 people) and Medium (2 to 3 people) - at 46kg and 54kg kilos respectively they're among the lightest tents available.

Size options

SkyRise HD Tent - SMALL

2 person
Weight: 46kg
Internal dimensions (open): 214cm x 122cm x 107cm
Dimensions (closed): 122cm x 107cm x 41cm

Yakima SkyRise HD vehicle tent, small £ 1375 View this product

SkyRise HD Tent - MEDIUM

2 to 3 person
Weight: 54kg
Internal dimensions (open): 243cm x 142cm x 107cm
Dimensions (closed): 122cm x 142cm x 41cm

Yakima SkyRise HD vehicle tent, medium £ 1425 View this product

Vehicle Suitability

Only certain vehicles can carry a roof tent

You may find that suppliers of other roof tent brands take a more relaxed view, but Yakima is primarily a major designer and manufacturer of vehicle roof bar and other load carrying systems, so they know the engineering and the risks, and they wouldn't put barriers in the way of sales unless there are very good reasons for doing so.

The vehicle and roof bars need to be strong enough, and the same for the roof bar fixings.

Your VEHICLE must have a minimum of 75kg load carrying capacity.

Check your vehicle handbook to find your vehicle's roof loading limit.

Your ROOF RACK SYSTEM must have a minimum of 75kg load carrying capacity.

Check the instructions for your roof bar AND fitting kit system.

You MUST NOT fit Yakima roof tents to plain roof / clamp on roof bar systems

The risk of damage is too high, and flexing roof bars might also loosen the fitting kit clamps, especially if the roof bars are not correctly fitted.

Do I have a plain roof / clamp on roof system?
If your car doesn't have any obvious fitting system on the roof the bars clamp around the bodywork.

Only certain vehicles with RAISED RAILS are suitable for use with a Yakima roof tent

Some raised roof rails are too weak; they are OK if there are more than two legs, or a two leg system is supported at each end. Additionally, the cross bars must be positioned as close as possible to the side or centre rail legs.

Do I have a raised rail roof system?
Raised rails run from front to back and you can usually push your hand under them.

Different types of Raised Roof Rails

Centre Supported

Centre supported raised rails are suitable for a roof tent IF the vehicle's roof loading limit is a minimum of 75kg. Check your vehicle handbook.

Side Supported

Side supported raised rails are suitable for a roof tent IF the vehicle's roof loading limit is a minimum of 75kg. Check your vehicle handbook.

Un-supported

Unsupported raised rails are NOT suitable for a Yakima SkyRise HD roof tent.

Other types of roof bar system

All other types of roof bar system are suitable for use with a Yakima roof tent providing that the vehicle's roof loading limit is a minimum of 75kg. Check your vehicle handbook.