NorthstarTC650-n-Tundra

[kerry]

Great pictures. Got a question about your rack system. What is it? How are those long rails attached to the roof and how do the racks attach to those rails? Are the rails thru bolted? When I had my Northstar TS 1000 roof apart for repairs I learned that the solid material stopped back from the edge and there was styrofoam to make the curved edge. I thru bolted Yakima gutter mounts on the sides of the roof and I've been relatively happy with it (4 cross bars) but I think the adjustability of your rails would be desireable. I typically carry canoes or kayaks up there. You may be able to see my system in this photo.

 

[zidaro]

Great pictures. Got a question about your rack system. What is it? How are those long rails attached to the roof and how do the racks attach to those rails? Are the rails thru bolted? When I had my Northstar TS 1000 roof apart for repairs I learned that the solid material stopped back from the edge and there was styrofoam to make the curved edge. I thru bolted Yakima gutter mounts on the sides of the roof and I've been relatively happy with it (4 cross bars) but I think the adjustability of your rails would be desireable. I typically carry canoes or kayaks up there. You may be able to see my system in this photo.View attachment 438972

Nice ride! love the service bed. Looks like you are sitting at the Tioga gate?

my rack-

I contacted Northstar and they were able to send me a PDF of the roof cap. mine is an 05 and has a full sheetmetal bullnose over the transition along the edge. Hopefully 3" deep into the top. So i screwed into that. used sheet screws #10? 1"L. Lots of them. and Dicor sealant to bond it like hell.

uses the Macstiedowns versatie tracks. A-track i think is its common name
http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/p...ace-mount-wide-contour-series3/VersaTie-Track

i used their threaded stud connector and washers/lock nut to attach my crossbars
http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/m10-threaded-stud/VersaTie-Fittings

1x1-1/2 0.12wall square alum. tubing for the crossbars. basically matches the Thule racks so i can use my attachments (ski/bike/paddle).

It does flex a little in the middle so i pad the bar with surf pads where it may contact the roof. But feel confident and have beat it on many rough trails with + #150 on the roof. Lifting it is another story, and is a 2 person job when its loaded!!

 

[kerry]

Thanks. I think that picture was taken on Conejos Pass if I'm not mistaken. Interesting that yours has that sheet metal bullnose. Mine has metal 90 degree angle pieces periodically to connect the sides to the top but nothing over the styrofoam that I could see. I definitely like the versatility of your rack but mind has to be higher due to the curved sheerline of most canoes when they are turned upside down. Even though my crossbars are about 4-5" above the roof I have to place some canoes carefully or the tip of the bow will ride on the roof surface. It's why I have 4 crossbars--so I can get both solo and tandem canoes placed and tied without hitting the roof surface. I could probably get away with three. The rear most rack has a piece of 2" abs pipe over it to make it slippery so I can easily push canoes up on to it. Do you have a crank mechanism for your roof? I modified a sailboat winch handle, installing the Heco gear head in it so I could get more leverage than the original short handle provides. I can crank my roof up easily by myself with 180-200lbs of boats on it.

 

[zidaro]

Thanks. I think that picture was taken on Conejos Pass if I'm not mistaken. Interesting that yours has that sheet metal bullnose. Mine has metal 90 degree angle pieces periodically to connect the sides to the top but nothing over the styrofoam that I could see. I definitely like the versatility of your rack but mind has to be higher due to the curved sheerline of most canoes when they are turned upside down. Even though my crossbars are about 4-5" above the roof I have to place some canoes carefully or the tip of the bow will ride on the roof surface. It's why I have 4 crossbars--so I can get both solo and tandem canoes placed and tied without hitting the roof surface. I could probably get away with three. The rear most rack has a piece of 2" abs pipe over it to make it slippery so I can easily push canoes up on to it. Do you have a crank mechanism for your roof? I modified a sailboat winch handle, installing the Heco gear head in it so I could get more leverage than the original short handle provides. I can crank my roof up easily by myself with 180-200lbs of boats on it.

i also do have 3 bars on when i have boards up there.
I "can" crank it solo, but just seems like it is a lot of strain on the mechanism, so i like a second set lifting on the ceiling.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Looks great... We have a MC600, slightly smaller and lighter than yours, but that suits my 2003 Tundra well. Thanks for detailing your rack system, something I have not tackled yet.

 

[zenfire]

Just receiving my truck/northstar May 22. 23,000 actual miles on 2012 Chevy 1500 4x4 Z71. TC650 camper like new. Will look into airbags and torklift stableloads, as well as a leveling lift for front. Anyone have experience with the adjustable lower stableloads? Any suggestions on 2 or 2.5 or 3 or 3.5" level? With or without rear lift? And some beefy 33's for 17" rims? I'm like you zidaro, in that I drive long highway, and search for every gravel or rutted scenic route. Especially Burr Trail, Valley of the Gods, Hell's Backbone, Alpine Loops, Ophir Pass... I'm in Los Angeles, Aspen, Jackson, and Sierra, capturing all the Utah and Wyoming and Montana and Colorado trails in and out of the areas. Nice rigs All!

 

[zidaro]

Added a much needed accessory for an upcoming trip to Baja


started out by securely attaching some cutdown rails identical to my Prinsu Rack on my T4R. Used #12 1/4" hardware. 3M 5000 sealant. Extruded Alum. pieces are from T-nuts. 1x2 10series. takes 1/4x20 hardware

then, using the Frontrunner awning brackets, which fit the extruded alum rails perfectly, i attached the awning to the wall.

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...NYODsM4IUyQwi0PCjfehoaed_o65EWqhoCvAMQAvD_BwE

Came ut great, seems to be very secure. Im a gonna test it out!!!!!
EASY deploy and packup! Puts a large shadow out. The awning is heavy, feels like 40#. This is the 2500 version (8'x8').
It removes easily once set up. will use it on the T4R as well, attached with same brackets so hopefully it will have some dual use.

 

[battleborn]

I added timbrens on my titan. they help but I am looking into an airbag system now. good luck keep us posted. the awning mod looks awesome!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[Regcabguy]

My Dometic awning mounted on the horizontal panel on the roof passenger side.
Dometic supplied a couple of plastic receivers on the body. for the legs. Worked pretty wheel.

 

[zidaro]

another epic hot lap thru Baja!! This time we spent almost 3 weeks. Target was some touring along the top of Baja Sur. Couple BIG Highway days to travel the distances- there and back, but mostly toured dirt trail. Camping everywhere. Total mileage in Baja was 1500, atleast half of that on dirt. So fun.
Started just after July 4th weekend crossing in at Mexicali early, had some tacos in San Felipe and headed south on the 5 till sunset.

Next day we pressed on South past Guerrero Negro to the Pacific coastline, following it to Laguna de San Ignacio.

Then to San Jaunico, stayed there for a week

More pics to come!!

 

[zidaro]

July Baja Cont.

San Juanico is a ************ surf zone. Took the Salt Flats road in from San Ignacio. Good times, tried to get out on the dunes North of, it is damn near impossible in a full size!! Lets leave it at that.
Lots of families staying in town that come down and surf camp everyday, big point to camp and surf along. Plenty of Gringos!
Sweet waves all day, every day.
We ended up staying dang near a week cuz it was so fun!

daughter stole my longboard, so i SUP surfed whole time.

ARB awning was KEY!!!!
other activities include buggies and bikes along the beach to South, frisbee, drinking, tacos!

Pulled out days later, heading South along the coast as far as the beach would let us. Plan was to cross peninsula into Bahia Conception region!

 

[BlueSkyCamper]

That's Scorpion Bay you surfed, right?

 

[zidaro]

That's Scorpion Bay you surfed, right?

Si

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Do you get and grief at the border bring the dogs through, or do you just bring a recent vet check document?

 

[zidaro]

Do you get and grief at the border bring the dogs through, or do you just bring a recent vet check document?

No grief whatsoever! So far 4 trips with her and no questions ever. But, we do get a Vet certified form locally in US that verifies her vaccines and health. So far that has been unnecessary.

I will say, traveling with a dog in Baja is great.
First, it is a HUGE deterrent, the culture of Mex. is very cautious of the perro- she keeps Policia and all others from "exploring" the cab of our truck at all times.
Second, and best- kids love her once the "perro no muerde" concerns are defused. Opens up a positive social environment. She's a total happy wiggle butt