Making the RTT quicker to mount / unmount

[JMyerz]

In the summer I'm sure we'll find ourselves leaving the RTT on the truck 100% of the time, it's the in between months that I want to figure out a quicker solution for mounting and un mounting the RTT from the truck. The provided nylocks, while secure are both a PITA to take on and off and the nylon always seems to wear out a bit quicker than planned.

I went to the hardware store and perused the fasteners and think I found a solution that will speed it all up. I'm adding a lock washer to help with any vibration induced loosening. Is it as secure as the nylocks? Probably not, but I can't imagine all 8 would go at once.



Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[TheFutur]

It would also make theft easier. So in the summer months when the tent will be on the truck for a couple of months I would use the nylock nuts for the added security.

Other than that you would have to make sure you can get that tight enough by hand for the lock washers to properly do their job. As you probably know the tighter the nut (or in your case this hand tightener) the more pressure the lock washer is putting on it which cuts down on unplanned loosening of the fasteners. I'd check them quite frequently on trips, especially down gravel roads, to ensure that they are indeed staying tight. Maybe every time you put your truck in park for a break, for gas, or for food, you should give them all a quick once over.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[JMyerz]

Those are good points.

I'm not too worried about theft, its going on top of my ram 1500 so it'll be both difficult, heavy and awkward to remove and leave with it. Maybe I'm too trusting though...

Yes, I'll definitely need to make sure to get a good torque on these, they are pretty big and fill the palm nicely so I think that won't be too much of an issue. As with anything I do, I know I'll be pulling over every five minutes for the first trips to make sure it's secure and tight. I just found this video from Treeline RTT and it looks like at minute 4 they are using this exact setup:

[video=vimeo;121700088]https://vimeo.com/121700088[/video]

 

[Maxcustody]

Looks like a good idea. What are the part numbers and where did you purchase them? thanks

 

[JMyerz]

It was a local hardware store and they had their own part numbers
What I do know is they are called "knurled knob pass through" and the 8mm version fit the bolts supplied by CVT perfectly.

I wanted to find all metal ones, but these plastic w/ metal nut inserts will do for now.

J

Looks like a good idea. What are the part numbers and where did you purchase them? thanks

 

[joelbert]

If you are at all concerned with them unscrewing, you could always drill a hole in the bolt and put a cotter pin or one of these ( http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...ted-Round-Head-Wire-Lock-Pin-807468/204276210 ) one the downside of the knob after it's secured.

 

[Maxcustody]

It was a local hardware store and they had their own part numbers
What I do know is they are called "knurled knob pass through" and the 8mm version fit the bolts supplied by CVT perfectly.

I wanted to find all metal ones, but these plastic w/ metal nut inserts will do for now.

J

Thanks

 

[JMyerz]

If you are at all concerned with them unscrewing, you could always drill a hole in the bolt and put a cotter pin or one of these ( http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...ted-Round-Head-Wire-Lock-Pin-807468/204276210 ) one the downside of the knob after it's secured.

Thought about that and I might end up doing that down the road. For now I've got a wide rubber band stretched between the two knobs, this with the lock washer and natural spring tension of the mounting straps should be enough to keep these on. Time will tell!

 

[rayra]

Easy to switch out hardware. Online sources like McMaster-Carr, McFeely's, many others have a wide variety of bolt hardware you could substitute. Many available with torx or square drive heads, adding to security against casual theft. Look for pan head machine screws, or truss head (broader and flatter than pan heads)

 

[Scoutman]

What if instead of a plain knob you used one of the locking knobs like what come on Thule roof racks? The one I'm thinking about just has a threaded hole in the middle (not sure of size) and the key either engages or disengages the knob. Easier to remove AND lockable.

http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products.../thule-security-lock-_-thule knob lockable rv

 

[cruiserpilot]

What if instead of a plain knob you used one of the locking knobs like what come on Thule roof racks? The one I'm thinking about just has a threaded hole in the middle (not sure of size) and the key either engages or disengages the knob. Easier to remove AND lockable.

http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products.../thule-security-lock-_-thule knob lockable rv

I would be aware of the Thule knobs. I have 2 of 4 that the plastic has stripped the inner knob from the inner bolts. That is my only concern for the plastic knobs.
But I have to admit, I find taking my RTT on and off a pain. This has got me thinking of a better way now.

 

[Scoutman]

I believe if you replace the plastic plugs with locks it fixes that problem. I had a set of Thule bars do the same thing.

 

[stingray1300]

But I have to admit, I find taking my RTT on and off a pain. This has got me thinking of a better way now.

A "better way" sometimes involves thinking along new lines. I too struggled with how to not have to leave the RTT on the top of the truck whenever I wasn't going camping. So, here is *my* solution (YMMV). I utilize 3 Thule cross bars. That takes a lot of time to dismount from the rack. So I use the McMaster Carr locking nuts for security, then I just unlock each of the 6 Thule "towers" and use my home made tent crane. It takes me 15 minutes to mount or dismount:
.

.
Easy and cheap to build.

 

[mike r]

what ever type of bolt you use be very careful not to over tighten. you will ruin the rails that are attached to the tent.

 

[mmaattppoo]

I went the route of using hitch pins and 2" extruded aluminum angle and square tubing (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1839186)

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