colodak
Adventurer
I've been debating this same thing with my Dakota, putting an RTT on my shell, I have an Astro topper with a Yakima rack system installed (Yakima track, risers, bars, bike racks, loadwarrior basket).
Few things I've learned. 1. From Astro as well as the local distributor, they only rate the topper for a max of 500 lbs. That is with the rack system mounted properly for weight distribution. While in for short periods of time, they may be able to carry more, it is not recommended for long periods of time. Also, even though mine is 12 yrs old, I recently sent it in for repair under the lifetime warranty on the finish and gelcoat. The shop that I use, when I talked to them about it was saying that if it were sent in and showed signs of cracking because of excessive weight, Astro would void the warranty. He also showed me warranty info. for a couple of other toppers they carry, all advise against installing RTT's on them or carrying more than 500 lbs.
2. Yakima, Thule, etc., rate cross bars to a max of 150 lbs per bar, loaded properly. While talking with a local shop (Rack Attack) that specializes in Yakima and Thule systems and talking to Yakima direct. They recommend that a RTT be installed on the roof of the vehicle, using at least 3 (recommended is 4) cross bars. This was based on using a CVT (Cascadia Vehicle Tent) which weigh between 125 and 145 lbs (depending on model) and two people. In my case, I weigh 245 and my wife weighs 140. That would be over 500 lbs of weight and the bars may or may not support the weight (their legal reasoning).
3. When talking to the rep. from CVT, he even suggested the samething that they recommended roof mounting or using a ladder rack vs. attaching to a shell. The vehicle roof or use of a ladder rack is more stable and designed to handle the weight.
Few things I've learned. 1. From Astro as well as the local distributor, they only rate the topper for a max of 500 lbs. That is with the rack system mounted properly for weight distribution. While in for short periods of time, they may be able to carry more, it is not recommended for long periods of time. Also, even though mine is 12 yrs old, I recently sent it in for repair under the lifetime warranty on the finish and gelcoat. The shop that I use, when I talked to them about it was saying that if it were sent in and showed signs of cracking because of excessive weight, Astro would void the warranty. He also showed me warranty info. for a couple of other toppers they carry, all advise against installing RTT's on them or carrying more than 500 lbs.
2. Yakima, Thule, etc., rate cross bars to a max of 150 lbs per bar, loaded properly. While talking with a local shop (Rack Attack) that specializes in Yakima and Thule systems and talking to Yakima direct. They recommend that a RTT be installed on the roof of the vehicle, using at least 3 (recommended is 4) cross bars. This was based on using a CVT (Cascadia Vehicle Tent) which weigh between 125 and 145 lbs (depending on model) and two people. In my case, I weigh 245 and my wife weighs 140. That would be over 500 lbs of weight and the bars may or may not support the weight (their legal reasoning).
3. When talking to the rep. from CVT, he even suggested the samething that they recommended roof mounting or using a ladder rack vs. attaching to a shell. The vehicle roof or use of a ladder rack is more stable and designed to handle the weight.
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