Mounting an RTT on a FS open bed truck???

[panzer]

I want to find a way to mount my RTT to the bed of my 04 dodge for a trip next week and I am short of ideas.

Considerations are:
Keep the RTT at just above bed rail height.
Don't want to booger up the bed sides by drilling, bolting and scratching the $#!+ out of the top of my bed sides.

Ideas:
1-Fab up a wood frame inside the bed to support the RTT and achor it down with a couple of straps to the in bed tie down points. I was basically thinking a 2x4 frame box to sit in the bed between the wheel wells. Covered in a plywood shell and maybe even a rear door to keep out prying eyes off my other camping gear in the bed. Add a couple of 2x4 on the top to mount the RTT on.


2-Yakima - I think that Yakima Q towers with a bit of sorting out to find the correct "tongue?" part would sit on the top of the bed rails and anchor to the under lip of the bed rail. This is my favorite idea but I have no idea what the correct "tongue?" part number would be and the local Yak pedlers have not been much help. If anyone has tried this I would really like to see a pic.
Open with Yaks-

3-Least favorite idea. Buying a bed cover like an ARE withe the yak rails on it.
I like the idea but I dont want to spend the $ right now. If I am going to spend that much I might as well double it and just buy a shell.

Any help or ideas is alway appreciated.
Chris

 

[Rockcrawler]

Goodtimes and I built a rack system that clamped onto the bed rails using the stake pockets. It worked really well. I have no need for it anymore since we have the FWC for the Dodge now. If you were closer I would say that you could borrow them for your trip or make me an offer on them to keep for your truck.

I'll find some pictures in a bit so you can at least maybe get some ideas.

Kyle

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The last edition of Overland Journal highlights a new option from Paul @ Equipt Expedition Outfitters. I've got my name on one but they are not due til' the middle of the month

Wish I could find a pic of one, mabey one of the OJ crew can post a pic?

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

maybe something like the Thule Xsportster?
http://www.plentypupule.com/xsportster.htm

 

[panzer]

Goodtimes and I built a rack system that clamped onto the bed rails using the stake pockets.
I'll find some pictures in a bit so you can at least maybe get some ideas.
Kyle

If you find pics that would be great. I appreciate the help.

 

[panzer]

I considered the Thule and Yakima versions but ulitimately they are cost prohibitive for a one time use.
The RTT normally lives on the M101 but this trip I am taking the coal burner for the higher MPG and MPH.
It is a long way from Texas to Montana and unfortunately from here to there is all great plains.

If it were just me I would probably add a day to the travel time, take the cruiser and trailer and stick to the two lanes and see what I can find in America, worlds biggest ball of yarn and stuff like that, but I have a 10 year old that I don't think is really going to appreciate Americana the way I tend to.

 

[Rockcrawler]

Here are the pics of the mount I mentioned earlier.

 

[panzer]

Kyle,
That is really slick.
How did you secure it to the stake pockets?

 

[Rockcrawler]

It is secured to the stake pockets with a plate that you drop into the hole and then when you tighten the bolts, it rotates and wedges against the side of the stake pocket so it can't pull out. The top of the bed gets sandwiched between the plate in the pocket and the large plate on the top of the bed. We put some rubber on the bottom of the top plates to protect the paint on the truck. I can take some pictures later today of the mounting mechanism if you're interested.

Kyle

 

[panzer]

Not necessary. I get the idea.
I looked at a couple of bed rail products this morning so I get the idea.
Times like this I really wish I had metal fab skills.

I got a line on an Undercover bed cover off CL this morning.
www.undercoverinfo.com
I may go this route with Yak bars on top of it.

Or other idea I had was to take 1.5"-2.0" angle iron and bolt it onto the inside bed lip between the stake pockets, outta sight sort of. one on each side would work kind of like a slide for a sheet of plywood to bolt to and then mount the tent to that via Yak or 2x4 or?? I still don't really want to drill into the bed but I guess I could live with this option.

Still working it out this morning, about to go visti the local metal yard.

 

[panzer]

A buddy of mine came up with an idea that I think might work for this one trip. 2x4 or 2x6 with the ends wrapped in felt cloth to protect the bedside tops C clamped to the bed with the RTT mounted to them.

Still mulling the idea over but I think it is the cheapest most field expedient method to solving my problem for this one trip.

 

[ntsqd]

I'd take that idea two steps further.

Use rectangular steel tube stood on edge instead of wood. Drill a large hole (holesaw) through the top surface only at each end. Make it big enough for the foot of the C-clamp to fit through. Doing it this way means that the clamps and tube have to move as a unit. The clamps can't migrate off the tube.

Use rubber sheet instead of some sort of cloth. That way it's stiff enough to not flap in the wind and beat on the paint. Can pop rivet or wire bind it to the tube inboard of the bed rail.

 

[panzer]

I considered that but wood is way cheaper than steel for a one time use.
Now I am off to a totally different plan. I found a Unicover bed cover on CL for cheap so I am back to Yak rails and load bars. Ill post pics when I get it assembled.