brittan
Adventurer
I am almost done preparing for a trip to Moab and thought I'd share with the community. I sourced the tent for $400 on a close out. I think they are redesigning the tent and pushed the old model out the door. I had to find a place to put it and until I get a trailer built this will have to do...
To answer some questions I know are coming:
-The main hoop is angled toward the cab to get every extra inch out of the bed. The tent is longer than the bed by 10" sitting on the rack.
-The tent supports that extend the length of the bed look angled in the pictures...they are. I have heavy duty springs in the back and I needed to angle them for a loaded truck. If all goes as planned the tent will be level when the truck is loaded.
-I wanted to use the bed of the truck without the RTT. To that end I fabed up sleeved brackets that the rear cross-member fits into. It will be pinned to secure it.
-The rack is attached to the bed by gravity...no there are C clamps that will hold it down. In addition I have angle iron at the corners.
-The tent is high on the truck so I can carry more gear. As you can see I gave up a lot of room in a small bed for a set of drawers.
-The tent sticks up above the cab by +-5". Acceptable wind drag to gear holding ratio for me.
-Round tube is 1.5"X.90 wall.
-Cross members are 1.25 square
-.125"X2" flat stock provides the foundation
Tools for the job:
JD2 #3 bender
Miller 210 welder
Tube notcher
Hitachi drill and grinder
Angle finder
Measuring tape
A little know how...
Cost:
Tent $400
Steel +-$60
Hardware $30 -I am sure I could have sourced it cheaper
Materials $15 if I paint it
I may have it powder coated...$50
Difficulty:
This is by far the easiest fab job I have done to date(look at the bumpers and sliders on the same site). It took me a few hours to get it done. I know...I have the tools...and that partly makes it easy. I'd say its a :beer: :beer: job.
Enjoy...
To answer some questions I know are coming:
-The main hoop is angled toward the cab to get every extra inch out of the bed. The tent is longer than the bed by 10" sitting on the rack.
-The tent supports that extend the length of the bed look angled in the pictures...they are. I have heavy duty springs in the back and I needed to angle them for a loaded truck. If all goes as planned the tent will be level when the truck is loaded.
-I wanted to use the bed of the truck without the RTT. To that end I fabed up sleeved brackets that the rear cross-member fits into. It will be pinned to secure it.
-The rack is attached to the bed by gravity...no there are C clamps that will hold it down. In addition I have angle iron at the corners.
-The tent is high on the truck so I can carry more gear. As you can see I gave up a lot of room in a small bed for a set of drawers.
-The tent sticks up above the cab by +-5". Acceptable wind drag to gear holding ratio for me.
-Round tube is 1.5"X.90 wall.
-Cross members are 1.25 square
-.125"X2" flat stock provides the foundation
Tools for the job:
JD2 #3 bender
Miller 210 welder
Tube notcher
Hitachi drill and grinder
Angle finder
Measuring tape
A little know how...
Cost:
Tent $400
Steel +-$60
Hardware $30 -I am sure I could have sourced it cheaper
Materials $15 if I paint it
I may have it powder coated...$50
Difficulty:
This is by far the easiest fab job I have done to date(look at the bumpers and sliders on the same site). It took me a few hours to get it done. I know...I have the tools...and that partly makes it easy. I'd say its a :beer: :beer: job.
Enjoy...
