RTT ladder attached to an 80 series ARB bull bar ?

[SoCal_80]

Hello.
I am in the market for a RTT and am looking for some help. I have a 80 series with a Hannibal roof rack and would like to have a RTT that opens out over the hood and the ladder is supported by my ARB bumper. (This is much like a lot of Rovers do). I know Hannibal makes a tent and or ladder adapter that allows for this but am hoping someone has some info on another tent and or ladder that has been adapted to attach to an ARB bumper.

Much like this:

Any help would be appreciated!
Cheers...
Sean

 

[esh]

Why not a Hannibal then?

That pic shows a weird setup for the front ladder. Maybe you can order the ladder in different ways? Mine is 2 pieces that together reach from the rack to the ground. A 3rd piece is the foot that is adjustable with holes in it. You bolt it to either of the two ladder sections at the base. Allows 2 things- to use either a full ladder setup or half ladder (to the bullbar), and adjustability to reach the bullbar.

On their page it looks like they even make an extension with a curved foot for bars- http://www.hannibal.co.za/default.asp?pageid=541

 

[lx450landcruiser]

the eezi awn tents have the telescoping latter. Just open it up to the desired length and drill holes for the pins to pop in. Many of us have done this when we take out RTTs off the truck and put them on our trailers. same concept. You can then fabricate an angle bar with pins that would slide into the the antenna mounts ont he ARB bumper and youd have a bullet proof set up

 

[SoCal_80]

Why not a Hannibal then?

That pic shows a weird setup for the front ladder. Maybe you can order the ladder in different ways? Mine is 2 pieces that together reach from the rack to the ground. A 3rd piece is the foot that is adjustable with holes in it. You bolt it to either of the two ladder sections at the base. Allows 2 things- to use either a full ladder setup or half ladder (to the bullbar), and adjustability to reach the bullbar.

On their page it looks like they even make an extension with a curved foot for bars- http://www.hannibal.co.za/default.asp?pageid=541

Hannibal tents are darn near impossible to get now (at least in the States). I have had MULTIPLE conversations with Rover Acc******* in Texas w/o much luck.....

 

[SoCal_80]

the eezi awn tents have the telescoping latter. Just open it up to the desired length and drill holes for the pins to pop in. Many of us have done this when we take out RTTs off the truck and put them on our trailers. same concept. You can then fabricate an angle bar with pins that would slide into the the antenna mounts ont he ARB bumper and youd have a bullet proof set up

Great advice! Thanks....:sombrero:

 

[Mike S]

I think that most folding fabric RTTs have a telescoping ladder.

I question the idea of mounting the tent so that you need to climb over the front bumper to get into it, though. The reason? Harder to get the tent open and harder to stow, plus most tents have additional canvas to create a changing room beneath the platform, which won't work with the tent opening over the hood. But everybody makes a solution according to their needs.

Our AutoHome tents (OverLand and OverZone) have a third section that is an adjustable ground extension. This could easily be modified to engage the top crossbar on the bumper.

 

[esh]

Mike makes a good point in that every situation and need is different.

I haven't noticed an increase in difficulty between mounting it for forward or rear opening. I have run it forward opening without the ladder attached at all, just using my rear bumper ladder to get in and that works ok. The deal is to use the bumper ladder, it's nice to have the rear hatch closed. Maybe I should build a side-mount ladder off my rear quarter protection and use the rear bumper ladder's spot to mount cans or bike mounts. Too many options!


It's actually nicer to mount it forward since I don't need to bring and stow the extension section of the ladder. But you do have to be aware of the attached top section of the ladder swinging down on your hood (potentially) as you unfold it over the hood. Wouldn't be good in a situation where you need to set it up in a hurry (I would just sleep inside the truck on my platform and wait if that were the case.

I guess the main reason for me to have it forward mounted is to allow better attachment of anything I need to carry on the rack (a 2nd spare tire, possibly cans, firewood to hall back to camp, etc..). I guess you could also reason that having it over the hood decreases the entire vehicle footprint if you were in a situation that warranted it (haven't been in one yet, but have been in many where I wouldn't have room or want to exit the tent to the side.

I want to fab up a rolled sheet of aluminum piano-hinged along the front base of the rack that swings up and over the width of the rack to further protect the tent cover and act as an aero enhancement (lol), gps/sat radio attachment, and maybe even light mount. we can all dare to dream, right? :sombrero:

 

[Crikeymike]

I have had MULTIPLE conversations with Rover Acc******* in Texas w/o much luck.....

I'm pretty sure they're completely out of business now.

 

[SoCal_80]

I'm pretty sure they're completely out of business now.

Figured as much....The owner never returned my calls and running a business like that will only lead to one thing.