Just joined the RTT club

[upcruiser]

No more ground camping with the Rover. I mounted this up yesterday.

Ok, got some shots loaded from the RTT install....

It worked out perfectly size-wise to remove the side rail center section of the roof rack. Though it kind of killed some extra useable space on the basket, I can still put dry bags with gear in front of and behind the RTT now.

after wrestling the damn thing around in the yard I trimmed up the extrusion rails, mounted the ladder then removed as much weight out of it as I could before the solo hoist onto the truck.

Madi sat and watched and I think chuckled to herself a bit watching my futility at times.

All mounted and opened up. Although, not pictured, we got the changing room that attaches under the tent, should make for a nice place to store stuff, sit out of the rain, and even work as a bathroom when nature calls.

rear shot

all folded up

side view. I need to remove the side rail on the driver's side as well as I discovered the awning supports won't go in with it in the way.

It centered out pretty well. I definately notice the extra weight on the roof. I think with the tall, narrow nature of a Discovery I, it will definately pay to be vigilant. I think this load would be better suited on my much wider stanced 80 series. I just need to go and test this thing out now. It is going to be so much more comfortable then a ground tent and though I think the sleeping arrangement in the 80 series is pretty good, I believe this will be even more comfortable.

 

[Cleand]

That looks pretty good. I just have my RTT on the Thules. I have been looking for a cargo rack, but I think I am holding out for an SD rack.

 

[upcruiser]

That looks pretty good. I just have my RTT on the Thules. I have been looking for a cargo rack, but I think I am holding out for an SD rack.

Thanks, I was debating on whether to just put it on Thule bars or not depending on what I would have to do to the basket to make it work. Turns out it fit perfectly with just taking the one side off. I use the basket alot normally to haul ski gear and for offroad trips put dry bags with soft goods up there. The big bummer for me going the RTT route now is that I completely loose the ability to haul canoes and kayaks along with the utility of just throwing stuff up there that is to big to fit in the truck for domestic uses.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Nice rig

Thules are a good way to go, they will save a lot of weight up there. The tent really limits the usefulness of a basket. Another nice thing about Thules is that if you want to carry something home, you loosen the tent's mounts, slide it over and tighten back up, then you have room up there for something else temporarily. Oh, if you can ever find some of the old alloy Thule super high foot towers, they are worth it, really well crafted.

I talked with one of the Land Rover engineers years ago about recommended weight on a Disco and he said that while 165 pounds is the stated maximum, anything over 140 you feel because of the lever moment.

Rich

 

[citthru]

I often wondered about these roof racks in terms of how many/how much weight can they and the roof with stand. I weigh about 250lbs and would feel a bit scared to get up there.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I often wondered about these roof racks in terms of how many/how much weight can they and the roof with stand. I weigh about 250lbs and would feel a bit scared to get up there.

Are you talking about the roof strength itself, in a static sense?

I'm not positive, but I think FMVSS requirements dictate the roof has to be strong enough that the vehicle can withstand it's own weight on the roof without collapsing.

And don't forget, LOTS of people do this.

 

[upcruiser]

I often wondered about these roof racks in terms of how many/how much weight can they and the roof with stand. I weigh about 250lbs and would feel a bit scared to get up there.

The max weight reference he was refering to is more in regards to effects on vehicle dynamics. I crawl around up there all the time and with that many gutter mounts supporting the basket, can't imagine that I am stressing the gutters.

Now, I have no intentions of tackling very technical trails with this truck, but more so exploring high alpine trails, dirt roads, and two tracks really so I don't feel the compromise will be too bad. In the interest of not wallowing like a high seas trauler though on the road, I would be curious to know if there are some stiffer sway bar options out there.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I sure haven't seen any swaybar options, but the design of the Disco bars are such that it wouldn't be hard to have some custom made. Both are dead nuts simple straight bent bars. At least on the D2, I assume the D1 as well. But, even some OME HD springs would help. Just too bad you can't get them without a lift if you don't want.

 

[upcruiser]

I sure haven't seen any swaybar options, but the design of the Disco bars are such that it wouldn't be hard to have some custom made. Both are dead nuts simple straight bent bars. At least on the D2, I assume the D1 as well. But, even some OME HD springs would help. Just too bad you can't get them without a lift if you don't want.

Actually it has the OME heavies on it already to clear the. 235/85's. I might do some digging into swaybar info. I haven't really driven the Rover a ton since the install so I need to get a bit more time behind the wheel with real world driving in order to really assess the handling properly.