I thought I'd post a few pics of my latest midnight hour project. Basically I ran into a little bit of unexpected cruiser funds and I somehow convinced the 
that a RTT would be the perfect thing to blow it on. Fernando at camping labs had a great deal on RTT's at the time so I picked one up and made a cheap rack to support it. I was able to pick the Mule gutter clamps up from Kaleb for a steal during his end of summer sale. I shopped around for ramps, but I wasn't able to find anything comparable to the Moose ramp for the price. I had two ramps already but neither of them are built as well or fit this application as well as the Moose Industries ramp.
I followed Johnny's excellent writeup found here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/59928-new-how-tech-80-series-aluminum-roof-rack.html
and here:
The J-Rack
Being on a very limited budget and since this is primarily a rack to support a tent, I didn't add the aluminum strips to the loading surface at this time. I am still debating on putting a rounded front non-weight bearing strip around the front to finish it off, but I am still figuring out the final details.
As you can see this is still a work in progress as the rubber tail gait tabs are still attached. I figured I'd leave them on until I figure out what my plans are to finish off the front in case I need them. The rear will probably stay how it is since I like the way the bottom of the ramp is finished with the angled piece.
The Mule clamps are awesome and super stout. I highly recommend them. I was able to keep the mule clamps on their lowest setting on all but the rear pair, so this rack sits as low as possible (factory rack removed, ribs still in place) and I still can clear the hospital parking garage by a mere 3"
. As it sits it is just over 8' tall at the highest point.
The Camping Lab tent seems really well built. I haven't had a chance to test it out during a trip yet, but the gives it's preliminary comfort rating an A+. I'm pretty sure this was the ticket to getting the to come on more camping trips with the boy and I. 
Please excuse the poor night pics. I finished mounting everything at midnight and I was on borrowed time since the was nice enough to let me do a little wrenching on our anniversary
. I'm not sure how I pulled that one off, but my wife was happy with the end result and gaining her parking spot back in garage.
I'll keep this thread updated after I am able to test out this setup. I just got called to be the Scout Master of our local group so I'll be going on some campouts soon if I can get a call-free weekend. Many thanks to Fernando, Johnny, and Kaleb for making this an affordable endeavor.
that a RTT would be the perfect thing to blow it on. Fernando at camping labs had a great deal on RTT's at the time so I picked one up and made a cheap rack to support it. I was able to pick the Mule gutter clamps up from Kaleb for a steal during his end of summer sale. I shopped around for ramps, but I wasn't able to find anything comparable to the Moose ramp for the price. I had two ramps already but neither of them are built as well or fit this application as well as the Moose Industries ramp. I followed Johnny's excellent writeup found here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/59928-new-how-tech-80-series-aluminum-roof-rack.html
and here:
The J-Rack
Being on a very limited budget and since this is primarily a rack to support a tent, I didn't add the aluminum strips to the loading surface at this time. I am still debating on putting a rounded front non-weight bearing strip around the front to finish it off, but I am still figuring out the final details.
As you can see this is still a work in progress as the rubber tail gait tabs are still attached. I figured I'd leave them on until I figure out what my plans are to finish off the front in case I need them. The rear will probably stay how it is since I like the way the bottom of the ramp is finished with the angled piece.
The Mule clamps are awesome and super stout. I highly recommend them. I was able to keep the mule clamps on their lowest setting on all but the rear pair, so this rack sits as low as possible (factory rack removed, ribs still in place) and I still can clear the hospital parking garage by a mere 3"
. As it sits it is just over 8' tall at the highest point. The Camping Lab tent seems really well built. I haven't had a chance to test it out during a trip yet, but the
gives it's preliminary comfort rating an A+. I'm pretty sure this was the ticket to getting the to come on more camping trips with the boy and I. Please excuse the poor night pics. I finished mounting everything at midnight and I was on borrowed time since the
was nice enough to let me do a little wrenching on our anniversary. I'm not sure how I pulled that one off, but my wife was happy with the end result and gaining her parking spot back in garage. I'll keep this thread updated after I am able to test out this setup. I just got called to be the Scout Master of our local group so I'll be going on some campouts soon if I can get a call-free weekend. Many thanks to Fernando, Johnny, and Kaleb for making this an affordable endeavor.
Last edited:
. I don't blame her.
if I don't end up selling I'll end up using them for myself (I always tell my wife that I'm buying things to sell to supposrt us financially, but you guys know better/how it is, right? 
