Roof tent mounting options on Nissan Xterra

[Gunnslinger]

Has anyone mounted a rooftop tent on an Xterra? Using the factory rack? or maybe a Baja Rack.

I like the Gobi rack and ladder setup but do not think I can find one here (UAE).

Thanks

 

[08whitex]

It can be done. Here is my truck with an aftermarket rack. Photo by Photoman

 

[Gunnslinger]

Thanks, Nice Xterra.

 

[trump]

Yup, 4 wider plates and 8 longer bolts is all it takes. Easy afternoon project.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Thanks Mark,

Nice rig. Any pictures of the plates an bolts set up? Or a description.

 

[trump]

Thanks Mark,

Nice rig. Any pictures of the plates an bolts set up? Or a description.

Here you go:

The metal strips are 3/16" steel I had laying around. Cut them to size and covered in undercoating. I can't remember the size of the bolts off the top of my head, but they were found at either Ace, Lowes, or Home Depot. These parts x4 should get the job done with any RTT with the two sliding rail mounts (i.e. Camping Lab, Mombasa, etc...)

 

[Gunnslinger]

Thanks again, did you use Thule, Yakima or factory cross bars?

 

[trump]

Completely factory... My wife would freak if I started turning her vehicle into a project too.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Thanks again, Nice Tacoma as well.

 

[trump]

Thanks again, Nice Tacoma as well.

Thanks for the kind words.

BTW... Another possible way for mounting on the factory rack; you could drill holes for the tents bolts directly through the cross bars. I decided I would leave mine stock.

 

[Gunnslinger]

My tentative plan right now is to install a Garvin basket that fits flush with the factory rails and mount Thule or Yakima crossbars on top of the rails for the tent. The basket will be useful when the tent is not installed and maybe a good place to store seldom used equipment (under the tent) when the tent is installed.
Now if only there was a good place to put a 5 gallon jerry can externally on a stock Xterra.

 

[trump]

I think you might have second thoughts of adding crossbars to the stock rack when you see how high it sits in person. Just my $0.02. You might just want to look into a full replacement rack.

 

[Gunnslinger]

That's a good point....

There is local dealer for BajaRack.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Ordered a BajaRack for the Xterra along with a rooftent, changing room and awning from www.blingmytruck.com

Will send some photos when it all gets delivered and installed. My plan is to attach the RTT directly to the factory bars using the longer bolts and brackets until the BajRack gets delivered in 4-6 weeks.