Roof top tent load distribution

[jasonsuperb]

So I'm trying to figure out the most minimal way to mount a fold over roof top tent to my JKUR with hardtop and have been doing research on rack load capacities with regard to static and dynamic weight and it got me thinking about the weight distribution of a fold over tent when it is open. Is part of the weight of the tent and occupants supported by the ladder? Or is it just there to get into the tent?

If the Ladder is supporting half of the tent my calculations come to
120 lbs tent
250 lbs (me and my gf)
20 lbs sleeping bags/pillows

total 390

So that would put 195 lbs on the roof rack and 195lbs on the ladder.

Is this true or is the roof rack supporting all or most of the weight?

 

[pilosopo]

In my experience most of the weight is on the rack not the ladder.

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[Trophycummins]

Thats a rough calculation youre trying to make. Roof top tent weight is very dynamic. The load is not perfectly center, the weight on either side is distributed by the hinged center. But I would account for ALL of the weight to be placed onto the rack.

 

[eviioiive]

The ladder takes some but theoretically it should be able to support everything sitting on the edge no ladder

 

[Overland History]

RTT's are designed to support the rated load without the ladder. The ladder is designed for climbing up into the tent, but does also provide some additional support.

If you look up inside of your tent, you'll notice straps that run up and over the top of the cross support bars. They support a lot of the load. If you look at the bottom, where the tent hinges, you'll notice a notch that sits inside of a groove that supports the bottom.

 

[SubalpineRanger]

RTT's are designed to support the rated load without the ladder. The ladder is designed for climbing up into the tent, but does also provide some additional support.

If you look up inside of your tent, you'll notice straps that run up and over the top of the cross support bars. They support a lot of the load. If you look at the bottom, where the tent hinges, you'll notice a notch that sits inside of a groove that supports the bottom.

Any chance you could upload a pic of this notch?

failure to train is training to fail

 

[Overland History]

Any chance you could upload a pic of this notch?