Everything I Put on My Ford Bronco Sport to Get a Roof Rack Tent Installed

Sep 6

If you’ve ever looked into adding a rooftop tent to your car, you already know it’s *not* as simple as just buying the tent and throwing it up there. I found that out the hard way after hours of trying to figure out what to get. This was my very first time researching all the random little pieces you actually need to make it happen—and wow, it was overwhelming at first.
After a lot of scrolling, comparing, and second-guessing myself, I finally landed on the setup below. This combo lets me run a rooftop tent on my **Ford Bronco Sport** and still feel confident that everything is mounted safely and securely.
If you’re just getting into overlanding or car camping, hopefully this breakdown saves you hours of Googling. Just a small note: my car is a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outerbanks.

The TrailRax Foundation

I quickly learned that you can’t just plop a tent on factory crossbars and call it good. You need a strong, modular system that can handle the weight and adapt to extras like lighting. That’s where TrailRax came in. If you live in Utah they have a shop with amazing mechanics who can help plan and instal your rack.

TrailRax Modular Roof Rack for the Ford Bronco Sport
This was the must-have. It’s designed specifically for the Bronco Sport, super sturdy, and modular enough to add accessories. It’s basically the skeleton that everything else attaches to. I got the one with a Light Bar cut out.
TrailRax Light Bar Mount
Since I knew I’d eventually want to add extra lighting for backroads and camping setups, I grabbed the light bar mount right away. I went with the black powder coated mount.
TrailRax Baja Designs OnX6/S8 Upfitter Wiring Harness
This is the not-so-glamorous piece that makes sure your new lights can actually turn on.

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The Tent

Once the rack was figured out, I started looking at tents. I wanted something durable, weather-proof, and sleek.

Pegasus Aluminum Clamshell Tent
I ended up going with this clamshell style from Pantheon Adventure. It’s sleek, fast to set up, and aluminum so it feels really solid. The first night you pop it open and realize you’re off the ground, cozy, and ready for morning coffee views—it’s the best feeling.
This rooftop tent comes equipped with crossbars and LED lighting, which makes nighttime setup and packing a breeze. The Rip Stop Canvas (280g) provides durability against the elements, while the high-density mattress with a removable quilted cover ensures a comfortable night's sleep. There's also interior storage and a shoe bag to keep your gear organized.
An anti-condensation mat helps keep the interior dry and comfortable, and the telescoping ladder, along with its base plate and mounting rails—all finished in black—gives the entire setup a clean, polished look - which was lowkey the #1 thing I was looking for.

Lighting the Way

Camping often means arriving at trailheads in the dark or setting up after sunset. I wanted lighting that wasn’t just functional but powerful enough to make night drives less stressful.

Baja Designs S8 40" Driving/Combo LED Light Bar
This lightbar cuts through the dark like nothing else. It mounts cleanly onto the TrailRax bar mount and makes nighttime adventures feel way less sketchy.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be honest—putting all this together felt like building a puzzle where I didn’t know what the final picture looked like. There were so many questions like: Do I need extra hardware? Can my car even handle the weight? Am I about to spend way too much money on the wrong thing?

But in the end, I’m glad I slowed down, researched, and pieced it together. This setup feels safe, functional, and like something I’ll actually use for years of camping trips. If you’re also staring at your Bronco (or any SUV) and wondering how to make rooftop camping a reality, hopefully this list gives you a solid jumping-off point. And trust me—you’re not the only one Googling “what do I actually need to install a roof rack tent?”