RTT with ARB roof rack

[Torq]

Hey all,

First post here. Just purchased a '96 80 Series Land Cruiser to ultimately used for some expeditions out west.

The first "modification" I want to do is a good rooftop tent with the option for a vestibule, but I currently have a roof rack installed that seems like it might be troublesome.

I checked ARB's site and I think I have this roof rack, but with more of a mesh surface. I also checked they're site and found this tent (with this vestibule), which is exactly the style I'm looking for, but not sure if it'll work with the roof rack.

Any thoughts on whether or not they're compatible or a compatible RTT for my roof rack?

Thanks. (attached some actual pictures of my new rig with the best view of the roof rack that I have)

 

[60Dan]

I would say no. The raised sides on your existing rack would prevent the RTT tent from opening.
You need to go with either a flat rack like the one from ARB your talking about or find a way to raise the base of the RTT so it clears the sides.
The front runner slimline rack or one from Gobi are other options

Nice LC BTW! Welcome to the sickness!

 

[Torq]

Depending on how the RTT mounts, I may like the idea of raising a portion of the roof rack to be level with the side rails. I don't have much experience with RTTs, but I assume they're relatively easy to remove when not on expedition/camping. If that's the case, I like the idea of retaining the high side rails on the roof rack (I also like the idea of not buying a new roof rack - a RTT will be expensive enough...).

 

[60Dan]

The RTT's (well mine at least) has 2 channels running along either side of the base the length of the floor. The bolt heads slide in the channel and secure with a metal plate under the roof rack ---- I'll upload a pic so you can see what I mean.
I suppose you could put 2 cross bars on your rack (Thule or something similar) to secure the tent and get it high enough to clear the rack sides

 

[60Dan]

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Can you mount it? Sure. But as others have pointed out it would have to sit above the basket which is not only aesthetically damning, but detracts from it's function too. I'd recommend either swapping the rack for a RTT compatible or modify your rack but removing the upper rail on the back half of the rack. It's been done on the ARB racks to essentially make a rack like the current ARB touring offering. You could likely find a buyer for your rack and be into the ARB touring rack (re-use the feet kit) for a few bills.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Been meaning to post this picture:

ARB roof rack with modified sides to allow use of a RTT

 

[temple]

Cut the sides half way back, as well as the back. Powder coat. That is what I did with my full arb. Or sell and buy something different.

 

[Torq]

It looks like if I buy one, this ARB Safari rack is my best option.

If I cut it, I'd like to keep some area enclosed so I'd almost want to cut out the back bar and save it to weld to the front after I remove half of the sides so that I have around half to a third of the original enclosed area.



Unfortunately, I don't have any talent in welding or metal working in general for that matter...

 

[concretejungle]

I cut the upper rails off of my ARB just for this very reason, to mount a RTT on it. I had the mesh floor so there were no issues with locations to attach the mounting brackets, but there is no way i would have mounted it up on top of the rails! So, i cut them off and had a perfectly flat surface to mount the tent on. Worked great..... except it's just a heavy combo! The rack is heavy duty plus add a heavy RTT and then i upgraded the mattress with a memory foam topper which probably weighed an additional 40 lbs.... it was A LOT of weight up top.

 

[Torq]

How did the extra weight up top manifest itself with regards to highway driving and off-roading? Anything tangible, or just the guilty knowledge that your center of gravity is a bit higher making you nervous?

Do you know if the touring style rack from ARB is any lighter?

 

[concretejungle]

The weight was noticeable enough in both situations, especially off road, that i made a switch and went with a much lighter set-up.

On road, the truck had a much higher tendency to feel tippy in corners and off road the slightest off camber would make me so nervous that i was constantly trying to make a decision if i wanted the tent on the truck or not. That's when i realized it wasn't a good set-up for me because i was leaving it home on a lot of trips and sleeping in the truck.

Again, this is with a ¾ steel full mesh floor ARB rack, plus a RTT with two foam mattresses. I would guess the tent was around 130lbs and the rack was another 100lbs.

BUT, i will say this for sure, i do miss having the ability to load stuff on the roof as overflow. Things like gas cans, chain saw, water, mat trax..... The only time i would see myself doing that was on long runs where i knew i had little to no hard off road and off camber situations. The rack is by far the most sturdy rack i've seen on the market.

 

[Patrollife]

Been meaning to post this picture:

ARB roof rack with modified sides to allow use of a RTT

View attachment 233181

Is that the Touring Roof Rack? I've never seen that light mount. Have any more pics/info? Interested.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Is that the Touring Roof Rack? I've never seen that light mount. Have any more pics/info? Interested.

It started its life as a standard ARB rack with full sides, the sides were trimmed thus making it a near identical style to the Touring, from there the front light hoop and tabs were added. It was built by Proffitts Cruisers.

 

[zimm]

theres no need to hack your rack if you want the rails for use without the tent. attach 7/8" unistrut to the tent, and use 4 unistrut beam clamps.

sure, with your rack youre up high, but just wrap a 6" strip of roofing rubber around the front and youre no less areodynamic than those of us with a flat rack and a tent, and you have space to slide in a 50 dollar camp table real easy.

the tent is easy to remove and the system works on my m416 also. i put 2 pieces of 1 1/4 conduit from the truck to the trailer and slide it up or down depending on what i want. theres no trying to reach bolts in cramped places or cheesy home made clamps. that system would hold up the truck if the rack wouldnt rip off.