Should I mount the tent on the front or the back of the rack?

[Longtallsally]

Thanks to Box Rocket who picked up the slack where REI failed, I just picked up a Tepui Ayer yesterday. I am super excited to get out with what our son refers to as the "treehouse".

Here is my question: Should I mount the tent to the front of the rack or the rear?

Here are my variables:
- Dirt bike will be on a hitch carrier on solo trips and weight distribution becomes an issue (I do have airbags in the back of the Jeep, though).

- I will have gas cans in a basket on the other part of the rack. I was concerned due to the omniscient stupidity of CARB that my legal gas cans might leak on the tent if I put them in front while on the road (heating and expansion and such) and this is something me no likey likey.

- I was thinking about having it open to the front of the Jeep to keep my footprint exceptionally minimal, but not sure about economy/noise hits while on the road. I don't want it to go to the rear based on the dirt bike deal.

So I just don't know what would be best for the front or rear with weight distribution and noise/economy. I already know I just put a sail on a refrigerator, but just wondered what others thought. Neither the rack nor the tent will live on the Jeep as I want to retain up and down ability when change over to the soft top.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Back.

I used to have 2 ayers, one opening off the back, one opening forward. You could crawl from one to the other on top.

The front position won't allow the ladder to clear your hood and still be vertical enough to climb safely and comfortably.

The wind noise is dramatically different with only the back tent. The wind deflector on the gobi sent the wind UNDER the front tent, creating a drumming effect that was not fully appreciated by everyone in the vehicle. also lots of bugs ended their lives on the bottom of the tent. With the back tent only, the noise is almost unnoticeable, compared to tire noise.

Putting it back all the way, you can open the tent and have the ladder clear the rear door and glass, but the cover becomes a pain. If you mount it to open back, I would suggest mounting the cover "backwards" so the cover opens forward. It is amazing how dirty the covers get, and having it hanging down on you is annoying.

You could also mid mount it, with the opening off the side. This is what I did first, it worked well, but it is easier to set up with the tent aligned along the same axis as the vehicle, I've also found a few (very few) spots where you would have trouble setting up due to vegetation or rocks alongside the site, but you could always drive to another spot.

It doesn't take much to move them, or rotate them, so experiment a bit.

either way, this will be an exciting day for you and your kids! Have fun.

 

[Longtallsally]

Wow! I couldn't have asked for a more comprehensive response! Absolutely what I was looking for. Thank you for the input.

I installed it last night to the front, but based on your input, looks like that probably won't work. I'll monkey around with location, but I was hoping to not have to remove and cut down the tracks, but most likely to the side and some form of mid mount is what is going to work best for me.

 

[spikemd]

I have mine on the front due to my SD rack raising up in the rear. I thought I would change it, but it works well for me as I can squeeze in my jerry cans behind it and the rear of the tent. I thought gas mileage would suffer but it didn't change. My rover is a brick as it is.

I prefer opening on the side, but as mentioned, the cover gets in the way of door opening. Also when I have my jerry cans on top I have a hard time closing the rear of the cover so I just close 3 sides when we are camping and moving each day like last week. 8 days, 1700 miles down thru Baja and back.

I agree with the gas. Wouldn't want to coat the tent and one of my cans leaked in Baja requiring an unscheduled top off to prevent more spillage.

 

[Longtallsally]

So I spent a couple hours trying different locations and decided on... MIDDLE. This left plenty of room in the rear for the basket and probably gives the best weight distribution.

As mentioned, there is not enough length to be in front (ladder was at too much of an angle), and the rear would have to go ALL the way back to allow the tailgate to open.

I ended up pulling the tent off (actually took it off and put it back up by myself- I'm not as old and broken as I complain about apparently) and rotating the mounting track 90 degrees and cutting them down for the final mounting location. I'm having it open to the passenger side.

I'll post some pics later.

 

[Longtallsally]

Here is proof it's no good in the front:

I have pics on the DSLR of it to the rear, but take my word for it- not enough room.

Here is how I ended up:

The basket works perfect in the back there. I took it out on the freeway for a couple miles. The noise is definitely more than the rack alone, but I've not decided yet if it's enough to do something about. All told I'm happy with the setup.

 

[tarditi]

Is it a trick of the light and lens or is your rack sagging with the tent on there?

FWIW - on the back, it may be easier on the suspension and less impact on handling characteristics

 

[Longtallsally]

Just the way the light looks- it's totally level. The rack is rated 500 lbs- static or moving- so it will be fine.

I didn't put the tent on the back due to gas cans like I mentioned and the dirt bike, like I mentioned. And actually the handling should be more neutral in the middle- sagging the rear is a bad idea that I see way too often.

 

[pray4surf]

Here is proof it's no good in the front:

What if you 'landed' the ladder on the front bumper? I do see the winch, which may interfere...

Good Luck!