Oman4x4
Laurie Bridger
Wondering if anyone's given this some thought... the Raptor is getting a roof top rack above the bed with awnings and a roof top tent. The problem is while this is going to make for a great fun camping rig, it won't fit in some of the garages I occasionally have to park in.
I can get the front end of the tent to clear but the rear is raised and that's where it needs some help.
Options at the moment that I can think of:
1) Crazy over-complicated folding roof rack mechanism to bring it back behind the cabin and down to bed height.:
Pros:
Look like something out of transformers
Stock Suspension
Solves the problem
Cons:
Complicated
Something that can rattle to pieces while off roading.
Increases the length significantly while retracted.
2) Warn ATV Winch on the chassis to compress the rear suspension to the bump stops to enter the garage. In most cases once inside and parked I could release the tension and let the truck sit at rest. Just need to clear pipes and signs and things on the way in and out.
Pros:
Solid Roof Rack
Stock Suspension
Cons:
Stress on the leaf suspension?
3) Third option is to maybe look at doing a link suspension in the rear with Air Bags instead of leafs.
Pros:
Solid Rack
Can lower without straining anything
Ride may be a little less truck-like.
Cons:
Could it handle the abuse.
Cost.
Major modification to the suspension.
4) Keep the Mountain Bike on the back for when I have to park far away.
Pros:
Simplest Solution
Cons:
In the summer time it's 125 Farenheit here. Sometimes you just need to park as close to the door as you can.
Anyone got any other thoughts / inputs?
I can get the front end of the tent to clear but the rear is raised and that's where it needs some help.
Options at the moment that I can think of:
1) Crazy over-complicated folding roof rack mechanism to bring it back behind the cabin and down to bed height.:
Pros:
Look like something out of transformers
Stock Suspension
Solves the problem
Cons:
Complicated
Something that can rattle to pieces while off roading.
Increases the length significantly while retracted.
2) Warn ATV Winch on the chassis to compress the rear suspension to the bump stops to enter the garage. In most cases once inside and parked I could release the tension and let the truck sit at rest. Just need to clear pipes and signs and things on the way in and out.
Pros:
Solid Roof Rack
Stock Suspension
Cons:
Stress on the leaf suspension?
3) Third option is to maybe look at doing a link suspension in the rear with Air Bags instead of leafs.
Pros:
Solid Rack
Can lower without straining anything
Ride may be a little less truck-like.
Cons:
Could it handle the abuse.
Cost.
Major modification to the suspension.
4) Keep the Mountain Bike on the back for when I have to park far away.
Pros:
Simplest Solution
Cons:
In the summer time it's 125 Farenheit here. Sometimes you just need to park as close to the door as you can.
Anyone got any other thoughts / inputs?
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