How to Secure a Roof Top Tent on HMOR Bed Bars the Right Way

Mounting a rooftop tent on bed bars is straightforward, but doing it correctly matters. A good setup is not just about bolting the tent down. It requires proper alignment of both the bars and the tent itself, and using the right mounting hardware so the system stays quiet, secure, and safe to work around.

When installed correctly, an HMOR bed bar system creates a strong, stable platform for a rooftop tent while keeping the truck bed fully usable.

Start by Positioning the Bed Bars

HMOR Bed Bars are designed so each bar can move independently along the bed rails. This allows you to match the spacing of the tent's mounting rails instead of forcing the tent to fit a fixed rack position.

Most rooftop tents have two aluminum rails running front to rear on the underside. The bed bars should sit directly beneath those rails.

A typical starting position looks like this:

• Front bar placed just behind the cab
• Rear bar placed toward the tailgate
• Bars spaced to match the tent rail spacing

This spreads the load evenly and prevents the tent from flexing or rocking while driving.

Take a moment to measure the rail spacing on the tent before tightening the bars. It makes the rest of the install much easier.

Center the Tent on the Truck

Once the bars are positioned correctly, the tent itself still needs to be aligned..

This is a step many installers overlook.

The tent should sit evenly across the truck bed so the weight is balanced left to right. Slide the tent until the spacing from the tent edge to each bed rail is equal. This keeps the load centered on the truck and prevents unnecessary stress on one side of the rack.

The result should look clean and symmetrical when viewed from the rear of the vehicle.

Centering the tent also helps keep the truck stable during off road travel or when the tent is occupied.

Avoid the Thin Factory Mounting Plates

Most rooftop tents ship with thin steel mounting plates that clamp to flat roof rack crossbars. They technically work, but they are not ideal for round tubing.

Two problems usually appear.

First, those flat plates do not wrap securely around round bars, so they tend to twist or shift over time.

Second, the mounting bolts often stick down several inches below the rack. That hardware can easily catch clothing or scrape someone's head while in the truck bed.

Neither is desirable when you are loading gear or moving around the truck at camp.

Use Rooftop Tent Security Mounts Instead

A cleaner and more secure option is to use rooftop tent security mounts designed for round tubing.

The kit includes grade 8 bolts that drop into the tent’s OEM sliding nuts inside the aluminum rails. The bolt heads stay captured in the rail, leaving the threaded portion pointing downward like a fixed stud.

The security clamp wraps around the bed bar tubing and has flanges with holes that align with those studs. The studs pass through the clamp, a washer is added, and a security hardware nut is tightened using the special socket included with the kit.

This system secures the tent from underneath the rails, pulling the clamp upward against the aluminum rails and creating strong clamping tension on the rack.

The bolts have just long enough thread for the hardware without anything hanging down into the bed.

The result is a much better installation:

• Proper clamping on round tubing
• No long bolts sticking down into the bed
• Safer when loading gear or working around the truck
• A cleaner, more intentional look

Once tightened, the tent is firmly locked to the rack while keeping the hardware compact and out of the way.

Tighten Evenly and Recheck After the First Drive

After the tent is centered and clamped in place, tighten the mounts gradually and evenly across both bars.

Alternating sides while tightening helps the tent settle flat against the bars. Once everything is secure, push on the tent from multiple directions to confirm there is no movement.

After the first drive, check the hardware again. The mounts may settle slightly as the components seat together.

A quick re torque ensures the tent remains locked in place for the long term.

Keep the Truck Bed Usable

One of the advantages of bed bars compared to tall racks is that the truck bed remains open for gear.

With a rooftop tent mounted above the bed, you can still carry:

• Coolers
• Recovery gear
• Storage boxes
• Camping equipment

Heavy items stay low in the truck while the tent rides above them. This improves vehicle stability and keeps gear organized.

Many owners also add bed bar accessories such as HMOR Accessory Mounting Plates or gear mounts to keep tools and recovery equipment off the bed floor.

The End Result

When the bars are positioned correctly, the tent is centered on the truck, and proper mounting hardware is used, the system becomes extremely solid.

The tent stays quiet on the highway, stable off road, and safe to work around when loading gear.

That combination is exactly what bed bars are meant to provide: strong support above the bed without sacrificing the usefulness of the truck.