Handbuilt Roof Rack

[b63215b]

Hello there guys, I wad looking to build a roof rack that could handle some weight, mostly my RTT. The factory one snapped thr factory crossbars, so I set out to build my own using the best ideas I could from EP and some other forums.

So here is my build so far, I made the design so I could utilize the rails and original locking bolt mechanism from the stock stuff.

Here are some pictures. I don't have any of it locked on yet but trust me it's snug as a bug in a rug so to speak.

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[b63215b]

Here it is with 3/4 inch ply with my spare. The uprights are 12" should I be worried that it is to tall and hie much gad mileage is this going to suck down?

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[b63215b]

More work on it today, I'm happy with it just wish it looked more sleek. I might change the angle of the front a bit. What do you guys think?

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[b63215b]

Well got it all painted up mounted and on the roof. I have the tire up there now but I'm not sure I like it up there it's to heavy plus I want to build and design a rear tire carrier swing out.

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[Adventurous]

Does it have a large enough footprint for your tent? I personally would not be entirely comfortable with the RTT sitting up that high. If the spare tire up there feels too heavy just imagine the impact of a RTT sitting up an additional foot. I would also be wary of the structural integrity of having an open front to the basket.

 

[b63215b]

Does it have a large enough footprint for your tent? I personally would not be entirely comfortable with the RTT sitting up that high. If the spare tire up there feels too heavy just imagine the impact of a RTT sitting up an additional foot. I would also be wary of the structural integrity of having an open front to the basket.

Yes I built it so if I needed the too I could put the RTT up there for now the only reason it doesn't have a front is I didn't have enough steel. Haha I was going to weld pieces together to make a front. So I will wait till I get more 1.25" to finish it. Good catch though for a second I thought about leaving it that way.

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[b63215b]

On another note I agree I wouldn't put the RTT up that high. Who knows I might lower it a bit, the more I look at it it looks weird and to tall.

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[Adventurous]

On another note I agree I wouldn't put the RTT up that high. Who knows I might lower it a bit, the more I look at it it looks weird and to tall.

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I don't know if it has any purpose other than a platform for your RTT, but if that is it's single purpose I'd just cut the uprights off and figure out a way to fasten the tent to the platform portion. As to the MPG hit you could put an extension out front to integrate a wind deflector, but there are few ways of getting around the fact that you are mounting a non-aerodynamic object to the roof.

 

[b63215b]

I don't know if it has any purpose other than a platform for your RTT, but if that is it's single purpose I'd just cut the uprights off and figure out a way to fasten the tent to the platform portion. As to the MPG hit you could put an extension out front to integrate a wind deflector, but there are few ways of getting around the fact that you are mounting a non-aerodynamic object to the roof.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to cut it down quite a bit.

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[b63215b]

So here is the first product, at some point I will have a led light bar in the front on it I left room.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Now to find a place to mount the hi lift.

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[b63215b]

Here is the final product mounted o the truck. Painted it with truck bed liner. Looks slick with my Quick Fist mounting straps.

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[MtnClimber]

IMHO, you're going to want the tent as close to the roof as possible. Start designing the rear swing-out you wanted to mount the tire, shovel, Hi-Lift, etc to. To have nearly 300+ lbs up on your roof is probably not the safe and if you're using the stock mounting locations for the original rack it may enjoy it so much and let go..You also want as much LCG as possible (rollover prevention, safety and mpg's) Your Runner is already high enough so if an annex was to be deployed it should work just fine. Basically build a flat rack design to mount the tent and possibly a front fairing. You'll want the tent as close to center to just over the axle as possible. This will help will proportioning the weight, especially after you build your rear tire swing-out
That's my quick .o2c and as always, YMMV

 

[b63215b]

IMHO, you're going to want the tent as close to the roof as possible. Start designing the rear swing-out you wanted to mount the tire, shovel, Hi-Lift, etc to. To have nearly 300+ lbs up on your roof is probably not the safe and if you're using the stock mounting locations for the original rack it may enjoy it so much and let go..You also want as much LCG as possible (rollover prevention, safety and mpg's) Your Runner is already high enough so if an annex was to be deployed it should work just fine. Basically build a flat rack design to mount the tent and possibly a front fairing. You'll want the tent as close to center to just over the axle as possible. This will help will proportioning the weight, especially after you build your rear tire swing-out
That's my quick .o2c and as always, YMMV

The tent is going on my trailer 95% of the time.

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