Mark's DC Tacoma
- Thread starter Mlachica
- Start date
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
Install
Mounting turned out to be a breeze. The can-back up rights used a set screw to keep the cross bar in place. The distance between the set screws happened to be the same distance between the mounting rails, so all I had to do was ream the holes and drill through the cross bar and the top of the upright. It worked out perfect. I ended up getting longer bolts than what's pictured. The nylocks didn't quite have as much bite as I wanted with the supplied bolts.
Mounting turned out to be a breeze. The can-back up rights used a set screw to keep the cross bar in place. The distance between the set screws happened to be the same distance between the mounting rails, so all I had to do was ream the holes and drill through the cross bar and the top of the upright. It worked out perfect. I ended up getting longer bolts than what's pictured. The nylocks didn't quite have as much bite as I wanted with the supplied bolts.
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
Once everthing was test fitted the can-back up rights got a coat of rust inhibiting flat black paint then voila...
I can get in the passenger side door of the tent via the bed rail.
I can also get in through the passenger side door of the tent by standing on the bed rail.
Here's what it looks like closed...
Weighing in around 130 lbs. it's comparable to a 70lb garvin industries rack with gear.
I had my bro get in and shake the tent around and I saw no flex in the can back frame - the entire truck moved. But just to be safe can back is sending me another pair of uprights to help distribute the weight.
So who wants to go to Joshua Tree Memorial Weekend?
I can get in the passenger side door of the tent via the bed rail.
I can also get in through the passenger side door of the tent by standing on the bed rail.
Here's what it looks like closed...
Weighing in around 130 lbs. it's comparable to a 70lb garvin industries rack with gear.
I had my bro get in and shake the tent around and I saw no flex in the can back frame - the entire truck moved. But just to be safe can back is sending me another pair of uprights to help distribute the weight.
So who wants to go to Joshua Tree Memorial Weekend?
Last edited:
Ramdough
Adventurer
NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are gonna love sleeping up there.
:victory:
One thing you might consider is the side that you open the tent to. I put mine on the passenger side so that if I ever get stranded on the shoulder, I can open the tent away from traffic.
Just a thought.
You are gonna love it.
You are gonna love sleeping up there.
:victory:
One thing you might consider is the side that you open the tent to. I put mine on the passenger side so that if I ever get stranded on the shoulder, I can open the tent away from traffic.
Just a thought.
You are gonna love it.
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
Ramdough said:
That's a good point. How well does it function as an awning? I was thinking I can extend the amount of shade by attaching a tarp to the tent and the truck.
My rear tire carrier is going to open to the passenger side, I wonder how it'd affect the tent opening to that side.
Ramdough
Adventurer
Only 1-2 people can sit under my Technitop. I don't really know anything about the eezi-awn.
I think between the truck, and the tent, you could add one tent pole to have a fully supported awning. :beer: Great for a few friends and beverages.
I don't know what affect your bumper will have on your design. The good thing about having your bumper swing the way yours will is that you can open it towards the road shoulder.
I think between the truck, and the tent, you could add one tent pole to have a fully supported awning. :beer: Great for a few friends and beverages.
I don't know what affect your bumper will have on your design. The good thing about having your bumper swing the way yours will is that you can open it towards the road shoulder.
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
Thank you all for the kind words :victory:
Not quite sure yet. I really would like to leave it off but it takes about 3 people to put it on and I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to use it when nobody is around to help me load it. I usually do spur of the moment trips...But if I leave it up I know it'll affect my mileage and will put additional wear on my truck that really isn't necessary.
I plan on camping memorial weekend (anybody interested?) and I'll leave it as is and see how I like it opening to the drivers side.
What are you guys using for warmth at night? I bring either my SD 35 deg. bag or my TNF 0 deg. bag and a 3/4" thermarest pad. But now that I have this 3" matress I'm not sure if I need all that. What do you sleep under?
p1michaud said:
Not quite sure yet. I really would like to leave it off but it takes about 3 people to put it on and I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to use it when nobody is around to help me load it. I usually do spur of the moment trips...But if I leave it up I know it'll affect my mileage and will put additional wear on my truck that really isn't necessary.
I plan on camping memorial weekend (anybody interested?) and I'll leave it as is and see how I like it opening to the drivers side.
What are you guys using for warmth at night? I bring either my SD 35 deg. bag or my TNF 0 deg. bag and a 3/4" thermarest pad. But now that I have this 3" matress I'm not sure if I need all that. What do you sleep under?
Ramdough
Adventurer
Do you have any strong tree branches near by?
My tent costs me 3MPG!!!!
And my tent cover is already showing age after 2 years. I highly recomend removing it when not in use.
I have a pully on the end of a rope. I throw the pully over a tree branch and lower it to thte ground.
I then feed a rope through the pulley. I hook one end to a "harness" that I attach to the tent.
The other end I attach to a boat trailer manual winch.
I crank away and drive out from under.
I added two skooter wheels to my roof rack so I can roll my tent like a wheelbarrow into my garrage.
When I build a house with at least an 8 foot tall door, I will just hoist it to the ceiling.
Pics are here.
Total cost: $50
Freedom to take it off by myself: Priceless :xxrotflma
My tent costs me 3MPG!!!!
And my tent cover is already showing age after 2 years. I highly recomend removing it when not in use. I have a pully on the end of a rope. I throw the pully over a tree branch and lower it to thte ground.
I then feed a rope through the pulley. I hook one end to a "harness" that I attach to the tent.
The other end I attach to a boat trailer manual winch.
I crank away and drive out from under.
I added two skooter wheels to my roof rack so I can roll my tent like a wheelbarrow into my garrage.
When I build a house with at least an 8 foot tall door, I will just hoist it to the ceiling.
Pics are here.
Total cost: $50
Freedom to take it off by myself: Priceless :xxrotflma
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
That's pretty slick. Too bad I can't roll the tent on my can back :hehe:
I'll have to rig it to something with a couple of blocks to make it easy on my body since I don't have a winch...ahhh but I do have a come along! Ideas are popping up everywhere.
What are you sleeping under? comforter? coleman type sleeping bag? mummy bag?
I'll have to rig it to something with a couple of blocks to make it easy on my body since I don't have a winch...ahhh but I do have a come along! Ideas are popping up everywhere.
What are you sleeping under? comforter? coleman type sleeping bag? mummy bag?
