mount RTT above doublecab or above topper?

[vplow]

Hi all, I'm new here, and have been reading through all this great info on tacomas. Really great forum you have here! I don't yet have a tacoma, but intend to purchase a 2010 or 2011 shortbox doublecab in the next few months. I'm thinking through my plan of adding both a topper and an RTT. I'm really liking the ARE toppers from what I've been reading, and I'm very interested in purchasing an Autohome Air Top for my truck.

What I've been pondering, as I see others have here, is how to mount the RTT.

My fundamental question that maybe you could help me with: It seems that most people (please correct me...) choose to mount their RTT above the topper, but that approach also raises questions about stresses to the topper from the weight of the RTT plus occupants...typically around 500lbs (static). Would it not work to mount the RTT above the doublecab, instead of above the topper?

I'm assuming that using 3 thule load bars under the Air Top would help to distribute the weight across the top of the cab and down, whereas on the topper I've read of concerns about the topper and bed walls splaying out. Is there a load rating for the top of the doublecab?

Maybe I'm totally missing something though- perhaps the dimensions of an Air Top would be way too big over the cab? I should also mention that in my case, I'm leaning toward a topper with some extra headroom...perhaps the ARE Mx model.

Please, let me know your thoughts, and thanks very much in advance. Really love all the great rigs on here!!

 

[Dave Bennett]

I would not mount a rtt over the cab, i dont think there is enough room front to back since a maggie is about 6ft long...

For the price of a new topper and a rtt you should also consider the FlipPac - Best of both worlds and much less of a headache to mount.

.02

 

[articulate]

The short answer is that the tent will be just fine over the topper; 3 load bars would be great.

 

[vplow]

Thanks for the replies. (LOVE your trucks btw!)

You're right that I'm perhaps overthinking it a little, but I'm just making sure I've got the plan all sussed out before I pull the trigger on all this.

We can't do the FlipPac for various reasons, which is why I'm aiming towards the Air Top plus a topper. Given that the shortbox is about 5 feet long, and (though I haven't measured it...) the doublecab is close to that as well, either way I have some overhang from the RTT.

I'm just curious- structurally, is there a reason that people don't tend to put an RTT on the cab? Is it more an aesthetic choice, or is there more to it that I'm missing?

One thought is that my overall rig weight could potentially be a little lower if I were able to go with a slightly lighter duty topper.... that may or may not be a valid concern.

thanks again...just trying to play out the different scenarios.

 

[ETAV8R]

I was also thinking of going with the Airtop above the bed. Tomorrow is flippac installation day! Having a shell will be the tough part to get used to.