Best Trailer for a Rooftop Tent

Question:

greetings, looking for a trailer to attach a 130lb roof top tent looking at this item: Malone EcoLight Sport Trailer - 58 Crossbars - 400 lbs Item # MAL53FR there will be no other items on trailer. after viewing the other trailers in this category it appears the 600 -800 lbs load variants are basically the same trailer except for tyres having larger load bearing rating. thanx

asked by: Hoke S

Expert Reply:

Comparing the different Malone roof rack on wheels, you are correct in that they have similar designs with tires that can handle more weight.

Of course, attaching a rooftop tent to one of these may have some complications due to the height. Rooftop tents generally use a ladder to support part of the weight, and neither Thule nor Yakima (the manufacturers of our rooftop tents) could confirm if the ladders could be used with something so low.

The EcoLight, part # MAL53FR , that you mentioned is 31" from the ground. Yakima has a trailer and stabilizer kit for their rooftop tent, and that trailer is 41" from the ground. This is the lowest that their tent ladder can go. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that your tent will work with the EcoLight.

If you are interested in the Yakima setup, the trailer is the EasyRider, part # Y08129. The stabilizer kit is the SkyRise Tent Kit, part # Y08127. And, the tent is the SkyRise HD Tent, part # Y07436. I've linked to a video review of this setup for you to look at.