Bed rack ideas for RTT, custom or other options?

[reconbyfire]

The tent is only 130#. The Thule rack should be able to handle it no problem.

Thanks Dave. In my mind I questioning 2 adults plus the weight of the tent on the Thule.

I also like the modified and multiple yaki bars hooked into the bed rail system. I personally am looking at a cost efficient temporary system so the wife and I can get on the road. Most time will be spent traveling from Michigan to Mustang Island,Texas to our Big Bend Property to Woodland Hills, Ca (daughters home), grand Canyon, and back to Michigan. That is the basic route and we plan on stopping to see things we never have.

 

[mountainpete]

Thanks for that offer man. Prolly won't be around there anytime soon though.

Thanks to everybody for all the help actually. I think I've settled on the Thule Xsporter for now. Its relatively cheap and I can get it shipped right to my door for free. Then maybe down the line I'll be able to do the "adventure rack" idea I was going for. OR I might find the Thule system is all I need and I can save a bunch of money for gas!

Dave,

Before you pull the trigger on the Thule, make sure you at least exchange an e-mail with Wil. If he still has that rack, it will be stronger and (probably) much cheaper then the Thule.

Pete

 

[DaveM]

Thanks Dave. In my mind I questioning 2 adults plus the weight of the tent on the Thule.

My understanding is that the rated capacity of a rack is it's dynamic load rating, the most weight it can travel with. Movement of the vehicle increases the apparent weight on the support system. The static load, or at rest capacity can be much higher. For instance most OEM vehicle racks are spec'd at no more than 150# dynamic load but can easily accommodate the tent and 2 adults at rest. So the 450# rating on the Thule is more than enough.

I like the modular attachment system as well. I have two home-built canoes that I like to take with me and this rack would work great for them when the tent is not in use. I'm also hoping that the t-slot system they use can be used for custom attachment, like an under tent basket etc.

 

[DaveM]

Dave,

Before you pull the trigger on the Thule, make sure you at least exchange an e-mail with Wil. If he still has that rack, it will be stronger and (probably) much cheaper then the Thule.

Pete

I've seen his rack and it's a sweet set up, but it looks too low for my Maggiolina to clear the top of the roof. He made it for his Ezi-Awn which is much shorter and can sit lower in the bed (a plus IMO). I'm assuming this is the rack you're talking about?

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=48814&postcount=185

 

[mountainpete]

I've seen his rack and it's a sweet set up, but it looks too low for my Maggiolina to clear the top of the roof. He made it for his Ezi-Awn which is much shorter and can sit lower in the bed (a plus IMO). I'm assuming this is the rack you're talking about?

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=48814&postcount=185

Yes, that's the one. If you don't think it will work with your Magg then that's another issue and makes my nagging useless

 

[DaveM]

Yes, that's the one. If you don't think it will work with your Magg then that's another issue and makes my nagging useless

Nah, I appreciate any help I get around here man! Thanks for trying. I do wish I could fit my tent down lower like wills, but it needs to clear the roof by 3" for the latches to work properly

 

[flyingwil]

Yup, the rack is now gone... I found that with the rack it left too much out in the open, and with moving the Engel and such to the bed with the addition of FlyingBaby, the CanBack was a better solution.

 

[DaveM]

Yup, the rack is now gone... I found that with the rack it left too much out in the open, and with moving the Engel and such to the bed with the addition of FlyingBaby, the CanBack was a better solution.

I love those canbacks. Mind if I ask how much?

EDIT: nevermind, I found the price online... $1100 for a Short bed Tacoma.

 

[reconbyfire]

My understanding is that the rated capacity of a rack is it's dynamic load rating, the most weight it can travel with. Movement of the vehicle increases the apparent weight on the support system. The static load, or at rest capacity can be much higher. For instance most OEM vehicle racks are spec'd at no more than 150# dynamic load but can easily accommodate the tent and 2 adults at rest. So the 450# rating on the Thule is more than enough.

I like the modular attachment system as well. I have two home-built canoes that I like to take with me and this rack would work great for them when the tent is not in use. I'm also hoping that the t-slot system they use can be used for custom attachment, like an under tent basket etc.

Dave,
thanks for summing up that for me.
I would be using mine for two kayaks when a tent is not in use. I guess I will head to the locally Outdoors Store to see if any are in stock. It would be nice to actually see them.

I just viewed the installation pdf for the 375/376 Truck Rack System. It states 750# max load capacity. That is plenty. One of the dealer sites had it listed at 450#.

edit: The question now is cost. Can I build a custom rack for less than the $500 cost of the Thule? However, I like the convenience of easy install/removal of the Thule. The Thule is looking pretty good so far.

Dave

 

[obiwanjak]

Thanks for that offer man. Prolly won't be around there anytime soon though.

Thanks to everybody for all the help actually. I think I've settled on the Thule Xsporter for now. Its relatively cheap and I can get it shipped right to my door for free. Then maybe down the line I'll be able to do the "adventure rack" idea I was going for. OR I might find the Thule system is all I need and I can save a bunch of money for gas!

Dave,

Did you end up going with the Thule Xsporter? I am about to buy a maggiolina. If so, did it mount right up to the Xsporter? Or did you have to buy additional parts? Thanks.

Loren

 

[DaveM]

Dave,

Did you end up going with the Thule Xsporter? I am about to buy a maggiolina. If so, did it mount right up to the Xsporter? Or did you have to buy additional parts? Thanks.

Loren

Hey Loren,

I ended up getting the Thule Pro series contractors rack. Similar to the Xsporter but with fixed not telescoping towers. The Maggiolina will not mount directly to the wide bars of the Pro Series, not sure on the Xsporter. They look almost as wide but might fit ok. The RTT uses 4 sets of flat bars that go under the rack bar and connect to the tents T-slot with 2 1/4" carriage bolts. The width between the holes in the stock bars is the limiting factor, all you need to do is cut out some new mount bars form flat aluminum bar and drill wider holes. You can also use heavier bolts, like 3/8".

If you get the Pro Series Contractor rack ( a better rack IMO) it has t-slots on the back face of each rack bar that allow you to make up a set of aluminum Ls to mount the tent directly to the rack itself. Thats how I set mine up. HTH

dave

 

[TacoRocco]

Thats awesome that you found a solution.

I have one question: How do you secure the stuff you leave in the bed of the truck?

I am looking at getting a rack to add a top tent but can't get around the idea of someone stealing my stuff when I park the truck somewhere.

I was hoping to get something like a Demello Expedition Rack .

 

[sprale]

I like the roof-top tents, for many reasons. With a four-door, there would be plenty of room to add two tents. I mocked up one on a six foot long-bed, but prefer the short five footer.

If you flip a fiberglass camper shell over, you could build a 'roll cage' that mounts to the bed rails and extents to the inside roof. This could support the extra roof weight and still provide locking storage for your gear. Add another rack to the front and a second tent could open over the hood. If the rear tent were shifted as far rearward as possible, some room between the two tents could be left for external storage.

 

[Seth Kendall]

I always thought that if I had a truck (I want an '04 double cab Taco) I would want to go with a setup like this. 1000lb. rating, plus with the right configuration you could have a patio, changing rooms, second tent, extra storage, or any number of possibilities with the space left over up top. And, you could still lock up the important stuff (the fridge).

 

[SAR_Squid79]

I went custom but simple.

I had 4xInnovations fab me up a set of cross beams that are sturdy and stout as hell, but can be easily and quickly removed. I can also interchange my RTT or Basket depending on what kind of outing I'm on.

And here's a pic with the basket:

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