roof top tent on factory xterra rack?

[KiwiKurt]

I think the answer is going to be going with a light weight RTT and upgrading the hardware. You can find them in the 110lb range, which is well south of the 150lb driving weight. I dont think weight of sleepers spread out across the length while stationary will cause it to fail.(obviously i could be wrong)

But yeah. I have zero desire to tow a trailer, much less build one. I wont need a heavier/full feature tent, I dont think...The only reason I want a RTT is to be off the ground when its wet or when I dont want to be as readily eaten.

Zuk- what was your mounting solution for the RTT to the stock rack? can you share pictures/details? Thanks sir.

Thanks for the input all.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I really like the rack that Silver dude pointed out. Looks as though it'd stand up pretty well if you upgrade the factory hardware. Throw some Loc-tite in there and be done. Also keep the RTT weight as low as possible.

 

[RonapRhys]

I actually just talked to Cascadia Tents a few days ago. Didn't talk about this, but I do plan on picking up one of their tents as soon as I can. Probably in the next month or so.

http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=116

 

[KiwiKurt]

Thats a good size tent and under the weight limit. Do they have a solution that mounts to the factory rack? I should call them

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[RonapRhys]

I believe they do, though honestly, I've not gotten that far into it yet. I believe it'll mount to the two main bars pretty easily. I don't have the crossbars anymore as I've got a Dephep rack in there instead. If I need to, I can rig up something else - but I don't think I'll need to.

 

[DesertFront]

Have you tried Xoskel?

http://xoskel.com/frrr2ndgenx.html

 

[KiwiKurt]

saw that one.... one of the previously mentioned companies makes a rack specifically for a rtt. its for a first gen, but ill see abiut getting one made for a second gen when the time comes.

 

[SpongeX]

I wouldn't put a rtt on my rack. My cross bars are wore out after 1 season of camping and all I carried up there was my Yakima rack and a few bundles of fire wood. I'm picking up one of the trailers from Ruger trailers first...or getting my wife the Calmini rack for her first gen and make her carry the tent.

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[Jack Stilts]

Just saw this thread. I'd love to share my experience!

I have a CVT Mt. Bachelor rooftop tent, and it was mounted to my factory roof rails with a DepHep cargo rack. The rack sits about an inch above the roof itself, and the rack rests on the roof rails for even weight distribution. I also have a crossbar that goes straight across the cargo rack to help.

A note - the DepHep rack (found at xterraperformance.com) is great for what it is - it allows the user to fully utilize the entire area of the roof with even weight distribution and secure attachments. While it is not built specifically to hold a rooftop tent, it did the job just fine. It was a hassle to get it attached, but that was not the fault of the rack or the tent itself - both products are great, just not necessarily built to be used together.

Pros:
Didn't need a trailer

Cons:
Combined with the weight of interior gear, passengers, fuel, etc., it really weighed the vehicle down (stock suspension other than aftermarket shackles / PML))


It was used over the summer, driven about 1500~ miles. Most of these were highway miles with it stowed away and covered, but there was quite a bit of trail driving, with one very tricky hill climb (4LO and bouncy). The tent didn't move or even shift; granted, I had it secured with bolts AND ratchet straps for extra security.

All in all, it was good for the intended purpose. Long-term, I'd like to build a trailer for it because my trip planning has changed in the sense that I'd like to do less off-roading / rock crawling and more long-term overlanding with mostly highway / trail driving. I'd also like to have the roof rack available for more cargo.

If I wasn't going to build a trailer for it, I'd get the full replacement roof rack (Gobi, etc.) to fit the tent AND cargo up there, but before that - enhanced suspension. Add-a-leaf, UCAs, etc. The full package.

I'll gladly share anything else I can about my experience with this stuff

 

[KiwiKurt]

Thanks for chiming in! Im torn on the rtt. I want it because they are comfy and 'cool' but they arent practical considering how much storage space they take up....

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[zukrider]

use some shallow unistrut with 2.25" conduit clamps. 3 or 4 should suffice. that is my plan for mounting the rental at Gone.

 

[El Robot]

Thanks for chiming in! Im torn on the rtt. I want it because they are comfy and 'cool' but they arent practical considering how much storage space they take up....

A lot of RTTs allow you to leave the bedding folded up within it. This is a selling point for me, as that's room taken in the back. With one installed, you still have the front portion of the rack, plus all available cargo space (Which I think is somewhat at a premium, I mean these girls aren't running with a Suburban amount of cargo space.) for other items needed/wanted for long term travel.

 

[KiwiKurt]

A lot of RTTs allow you to leave the bedding folded up within it. This is a selling point for me, as that's room taken in the back. With one installed, you still have the front portion of the rack, plus all available cargo space (Which I think is somewhat at a premium, I mean these girls aren't running with a Suburban amount of cargo space.) for other items needed/wanted for long term travel.

Agreed, but it still takes up more space than a tent and a therma rest pad.....

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[DragonX]

I would run a roof top tent on my stock rig! What I wouldnt do is rely on the stock cross bars. They are the weakest part of the entire roof rack. Also The second gen roof racks are more securely bolted down than the first gen racks. There is a great option that you can add to the stock rack that will strengthen it and wont break your budget. The BM light Bars are actually built by Heps designs and have the exact same clamping brackets as the roof rack. They are also made with the same strength steel and are extremely solid! The double as replacement cross bars. I would suggest replacing the factory cross bars with these and mounting the RTT to them!
THe 150 LB suggested weight limit is calculated considering the stock cross bars. I think that weight limit would change drastically if calculated with the replacement bars.

 

[AutoXSS]

Did anyone ever use this option for more than just lights? I'd like to hear how well they've held up to some weight