[RTT] Roof top tent question for all those experienced with having one on a campertop

[K.Ray]

I'm trying to decide if this is a good idea or not. I have a Toyota Tacoma with the 6ft "long" bed.

My Tacoma has a Leer 100R top with the integrated roof rails. It appears that the roof is reinforced for the rails. Currently, two out of the four shell mounts are cracked from the previous owner hauling heavy things or over-tightening them. I feel like it would be slightly dangerous to put a full size RTT on this shell the way it sits.

I also need some one with mounting wisdom. Will two yakima control tower crossbars be sturdy enough? Will I need a third in the middle? Or should I just look for a stronger mounting system?
I found the supplier that ARE uses for their topper clamps. I've sent an inquiry in to quote a pack of them. I figure I can add a few of these clamps to my current system to help stabilize everything and decrease my chances of a blow-out event.

Thoughts? Should I just sell this shell and look for a commercial spec one? Give up completely and buy a Four Wheel Camper?

 

[ZMagic97]

I never mounted one myself, however I did months of research on this:

Usually, most shells cannot hold the weight of a tent and yourself safely. People have gotten away with it, however unless the shell has been specifically reinforced for the weight of a RTT or similar, I wouldn't recommend it.

You mentioned the commercial spec shell, that should hold the weight no problem (I'd still do your homework of course). They are cheap, plentiful, and strong. You could even line or paint it yourself to get rid of the not-so-exciting white paint.

Side note: the commercial specs types, if it's the type I'm thinking of on construction trucks, easily can have racks installed on the inside for fishing pole, gear, etc...

I hope this helps!

 

[K.Ray]

I never mounted one myself, however I did months of research on this:

Usually, most shells cannot hold the weight of a tent and yourself safely. People have gotten away with it, however unless the shell has been specifically reinforced for the weight of a RTT or similar, I wouldn't recommend it.

You mentioned the commercial spec shell, that should hold the weight no problem (I'd still do your homework of course). They are cheap, plentiful, and strong. You could even line or paint it yourself to get rid of the not-so-exciting white paint.

Side note: the commercial specs types, if it's the type I'm thinking of on construction trucks, easily can have racks installed on the inside for fishing pole, gear, etc...

I hope this helps!

Yeah. Just not a lot of definitive science behind this is there? I spoke with my local Leer dealer. He can get me a color-matched commercial fiberglass topper with rails for $2000 OTD. These come with the flip up access wings on the side and no glass/windows. They are rated at 400lbs dynamic load (while driving) and much more while parked. It's certainly the way to go if I didn't already have a topper. I'd hate to throw down thousands of dollars if I don't really need to.

My other option is to just mount it half on the cab and half on the shell. Sort of in the middle of the truck, if that makes sense.

 

[ZMagic97]

I totally understand what you mean by the 1/2 and 1/2 mounting. That may be the best option in your case. I know figuring this out isn't easy: I ended up throwing in the towel and sleep in the bed under the camper shell these days.

And I agree, $1000 extra, almost 50% higher cost, is a LOT for just some more weight rating.

 

[K.Ray]

I totally understand what you mean by the 1/2 and 1/2 mounting. That may be the best option in your case. I know figuring this out isn't easy: I ended up throwing in the towel and sleep in the bed under the camper shell these days.

And I agree, $1000 extra, almost 50% higher cost, is a LOT for just some more weight rating.

See that's what we do now and it's really uncomfortable for two people and a dog. Winter camping was horrible. We didn't want to keep the windows open so moisture got trapped and we would wake up soaked. Always banging my head on the darn thing, too. Plus, if I open the bed up I'll have tons more room for storage and things like a fridge, later on. Or maybe it's all just a pipe-dream and I need to save my hard earned cash and just man up and sleep in the bed.

 

[ZMagic97]

See that's what we do now and it's really uncomfortable for two people and a dog. Winter camping was horrible. We didn't want to keep the windows open so moisture got trapped and we would wake up soaked. Always banging my head on the darn thing, too. Plus, if I open the bed up I'll have tons more room for storage and things like a fridge, later on. Or maybe it's all just a pipe-dream and I need to save my hard earned cash and just man up and sleep in the bed.

Yeah, there are certainly trade offs. Good luck figuring out the best situation for you needs! (and wallet)

 

[kai38]

I have a short bed tacoma w a ARE shell, I was told the model I bought has reinforced corners and will support the weight of the RTT and me
I have 3 Yakima cross bars but only attached the tent to the front & rear x-bars

I also use a M416 for the RTT depending on the trip I go on.
Its nice to drop the trailer and tent in camp and drive around, having the RTT awning deployed its a PIA to break down camp if you need to go into town (MX trip) or wheeling.

 

[Kevin108]

[RTT] Roof top tent question for all those experienced with having one on a c...

Another way to do it would be to visit a local welding shop, like where the contractors are getting ladder racks, and have them make you up something.

The configuration I'm thinking of has side rails that sit under the shell and have protruding feet, allowing the legs of the racks to bear on the truck bed rather than on the shell roof.

Something like...

You could either have them made close enough together to attach the RTT directly to them for a custom low-cost profile setup, or you could integrate a full roof rack for carrying other items when the tent isn't installed.

 

[taco_tay]

I have the same issue with my DCLB. Mine is a snugtop with no mounting rails. I've been thinking about building an "exocage" style mount to securely mount it. Something like this guy did.

 

[Mat Mobile]

Here's a good reference: Desk to Glory build. They made it all the way to Ushuaia so it must be a "good enough" installation.

 

[2scars]

Yeah. Just not a lot of definitive science behind this is there? I spoke with my local Leer dealer. He can get me a color-matched commercial fiberglass topper with rails for $2000 OTD. These come with the flip up access wings on the side and no glass/windows. They are rated at 400lbs dynamic load (while driving) and much more while parked. It's certainly the way to go if I didn't already have a topper. I'd hate to throw down thousands of dollars if I don't really need to.

My other option is to just mount it half on the cab and half on the shell. Sort of in the middle of the truck, if that makes sense.

I wouldn't do the half on/half off thing. The bed will move independent of the cab with frame flex and ruin whatever the mounting is.

 

[keenz]

Yet you hear all the time about people with their toppers and RTT mounted on top.. never having a problem.

I've only seen one post where the canopy was cracking.

Worry less, camp more?

 

[yonah]

I totally understand what you mean by the 1/2 and 1/2 mounting. That may be the best option in your case.

I would recommend mounting the RTT either on the shell or over the cab on some type of rack. Mounting it in the middle with an attachment point on the cab and on the shell could induce some structural damage to the tent frame/mounting bars as the body of the truck and the bed flex somewhat independently.

 

[dman93]

I now have about 10000 miles on my Tacoma with ARE Z series camper shell with ARE-installed mounting tracks and two Yakima crossbars, and a Tepui Kukenam tent. Mostly pavement, but about 100-150 miles of dirt/gravel/washboard and a few miles of real trail. No cracks, no issues.

 

[Flyer69]

I have a JB Evasion Evo mounted on my ARE Z-series canopy. Originally used 2 yakima crossbars, then switched to a 2-bar Frontrunner system. The FR is lower profile, the tracks and mounting hardware is beefier, and the mounting slot on the bottom of the bars is a great mounting location for my awning. I do plan on adding a third bar, and the FR brackets have a little bit of height adjustment ability which will compensate for the slight fore-aft crown of the canopy. If you use 3 yakima bars, the center one will be slightly higher, resulting in a see-saw problem.

As far as strength is concerned, I have put close to 10k miles on my rig w/ RTT on and have no issues. I did add another set of clamps to hold down the canopy to the bed, just for added security. I think they are made by API industries, and you can find them on amazon. Get the biggest ones. Hope that helps!