Roof Tent Mounting Options

[ZeroV]

My current solution

I ordered a Bakflip CS, the "rack" portion is pretty flimsy, but the plan was to use that for my canoe.

I had a smaller aluminium rack made to fit into the same groove as the original rack. I designed it to maximize my space and to provide some adjustability. I can have my tent centered on it to keep it away from getting bush whipped(some tight trails around here) or I can slide it over to one side so that I can mount upright bike holders.

Its high enough that I can see a little out back, just enough that I dont back into a tree....again. And low enough that I can park in my underground parkade. Added bonus I can also mount the original CS "rack" with tent and bikes and still get my canoe up there over the tent portion, never needed to for a trip but the option is there.

I like the security of the cover and helps keep things a little less wet or dusty, plus I can load the truck up anytime during the week including food(via engel mounted in pickup bed) and back it against the concrete wall of my parking stall and she's ready to run out of town on a friday after work.

 

[Jammer]

To those that mount their RTT on Yakima/Thule bars mounted to a truck cap/topper...my biggest concern is strength and safety. I called ARE and they said that the recommended weight limit on my V series cap is 165lbs. When I told them I was considering mounting a RTT their reply was "we have seen people do this but we do not recommend it".

I know it will handle the weight of the tent in travel and based on this and many other threads it seems to not be an issue sleeping, but I am more concerned with other tent activities.

I don't want to cause damage to the cap or worse, fall of the top of the truck.

 

[Jammer]

Nobody has any input on strength and safety of mounting a RTT on a truck cap/ topper with Yakima or Thule bars?

 

[Ramjet]

I think if you reinforced it from the underside of the topper, you shouldn't have any issues as long as it is connected to the bed of the truck. Then you could really have some fun.

 

[Jammer]

Yep, I have thought about that too. I have seen a couple other set ups with custom "cages" inside the bed/topper. But since I am not a welder or fabricator, maybe a Contractors Ladder Rack would solve all issues?

 

[Ramdough]

I reinforced mine shell.

I reinforced my shell. I have a short writeup on my web site. A link is in my signature. I felt better about having the weight tied to the bed.

 

[Ramdough]

Here is the link to my shell supports. I can't seam to be able to upload pictures from my iPhone.


I hope this helps.

 

[Mike S]

We have many customers who fit RTTs on standard fiberglass camper shells. I fitted a medium Columbus to the standard ARE shell on my F350 using a Yakima rail system and two cross bars - no re-inforcement required.

Most camper shell manufacturers offer a heavy duty shell designed for carrying heavy loads. SO that is an option also.

 

[SALT]

RTT for 4 on a snugtop XV?

Howdy,

I'm contemplating a RTT for my Tacoma. Can anyone tell me the weight restrictions on a 2012 Snugtop XV? Snugtop's website is sub-par and they have not yet replied to my emails. I'm confident that most RTTs would be ok just on the Thule cross bars, except we have two children. So I'm exploring the idea of mounting a CVT Mt. Rainier or something similar.

http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=117

My Snugtop has the factory rails with two Thule towers / cross bars, and I have the OEM Toyota cab rack. I tried to upload a photo of my truck but my F'n mac is driving me to drink.

Long term I'd love a off-road trailer, but this is step one.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[montypower]

Posted this on another thread...

I'm running a SnugPro Commerical Grade fiberglass canopy. It is rated for 500lbs. It is plenty strong for the tent, rack, awnings, etc. But... The truck bedsides are not strong enough! I started having issues with them spreading. It was resolved by adding a spanner bar to pull the bedsides together. I'd recommend limiting how much weight you put on the bedsides. Getting some good vertical support to your bed/frame is a wise idea no matter what canopy you choose.

Also, standard fiberglass canopies are not designed or rated to carry the load of a roof tent. You will likely damage them.

 

[SALT]

Thanks Montypower, I think I'm back to the trailer daydream.

Cheers,

Salt

 

[pray4surf]

There have been a couple attempts recently to provide a lowered position for travel combined with a raised position for deployment use. Box Rocket has modified his off-road trailer so that the RTT is raised vertically and my open truck bed RTT which follows an arc to deploy. Both make use of gas charged struts to assist with moving the weight around.

Adam has a lengthy trailer build thread, right about here is where the 'adjustable' RTT aspect begins
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/23624-Box-Rocket-Homemade-trailer-build/page20

My bed rack build thread is here
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75222-A-new-twist-on-bed-mounted-RTT-s.

Obviously, not applicable to those who actually have a 'rooftop' mounted RTT.

We feel that we have the 'best of both worlds' with these arrangements. Keeping the RTT as low as possible when traveling provides benefits such as lower CoG and reduced wind resistance on the road. Having the RTT raised for use, first and foremost allows full use of the annex (if desired).

Rick

 

[SALT]

There have been a couple attempts recently to provide a lowered position for travel combined with a raised position for deployment use. Box Rocket has modified his off-road trailer so that the RTT is raised vertically and my open truck bed RTT which follows an arc to deploy. Both make use of gas charged struts to assist with moving the weight around.

Adam has a lengthy trailer build thread, right about here is where the 'adjustable' RTT aspect begins
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/23624-Box-Rocket-Homemade-trailer-build/page20

My bed rack build thread is here
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75222-A-new-twist-on-bed-mounted-RTT-s.

Obviously, not applicable to those who actually have a 'rooftop' mounted RTT.

We feel that we have the 'best of both worlds' with these arrangements. Keeping the RTT as low as possible when traveling provides benefits such as lower CoG and reduced wind resistance on the road. Having the RTT raised for use, first and foremost allows full use of the annex (if desired).

Rick

Thanks Rick.

This is sick. The adjustable height is the lynchpin.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/23624-Box-Rocket-Homemade-trailer-build/page20

I've been daydreaming about something like this, but starting with a Manley ORV trailer or similar. My wife is having trouble seeing my "vision" for an off trailer. She wants a pop-up trailer, but I have no interest in paved campgrounds. I'm attempting to add some comfort & convenience for backcountry camping with a family of four. I want to go explore the mountains with my kids. I'm thinking that a RTT mounted on a trailer would be pretty awesome. Cost is always a challenge, but welcome to reality. I don't need the uber tricked out off road trailer with all the drawers and on-board everything, that's why I like the manley trailers. I can add what we need and god knows I already have enough camping gear to run a outfitters shop.

Cheers, thanks for the links.

Salt

Salt

 

[Nilton J]

My roof top tent assembly and configuration:


A local friend of mine had a set like this below and after his first trip, he removed the tent from its car's roof and now is building a trailer.

He claims that driving the car became quite unstable...




So, based on my friend's experience, and also taking into consideration that I have a similar car as my friend's one, roof top tent in a trailer was the way to go.

This is my set:










video of my expedition set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma5D-JhM498

 

[jruba]

My roof top tent assembly and configuration:


A local friend of mine had a set like this below and after his first trip, he removed the tent from its car's roof and now is building a trailer.

He claims that driving the car became quite unstable...

View attachment 195901


So, based on my friend's experience, and also taking into consideration that I have a similar car as my friend's one, roof top tent in a trailer was the way to go.

This is my set:

View attachment 195902

View attachment 195903

View attachment 195904View attachment 195905

View attachment 195906


video of my expedition set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma5D-JhM498

Nice set up , hey is this the USA Jeep renegade version ?