I probably won’t use the rack for anything other than a Thule box so my main consideration is that install is as easy as possible for the SkycampDLX. I’ll have to remove each use as my garage clearance is low.
Ikamper: what’s the most compatible rack? (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter Thunderbird
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You are going to take on and off a 190 lb RTT?
My ~100 lb sky camp mini sucks to take on and off due to its size and weight with 4 of us and no joke we are all (or were) world class athletes.
To answer your question, I use Yakima round bars and in terms of attaching an unattached the tent it is super easy.
My ~100 lb sky camp mini sucks to take on and off due to its size and weight with 4 of us and no joke we are all (or were) world class athletes.
To answer your question, I use Yakima round bars and in terms of attaching an unattached the tent it is super easy.
- Thread starter
- #3
my thought was…..it’s less than my military press and it’ll be divided by two. Am I delusional? Sounds like I am. 
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Yes you are delusional. What makes it awkward is the size and the fact you are lifting it over/around the vehicle. For our mini the easiest way I’ve found is to attach it to the Yakima round bars (78”) on the ground then lift it by the bars since they are wider than the truck.my thought was…..it’s less than my military press and it’ll be divided by two. Am I delusional? Sounds like I am.
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I am a retired professional skier, still squat 275 and dead lift 450. My son and my daughter both in college and are D1 athletes, and my wife is active duty and has passed the ranger APFT standards every year for >20 years. We use it on average once a year, for us ground tents are better 99% of the time. And it is not a fun job with our mini for the 4 of us.
I can’t imagine doing the mini with 2 of us.
If you are dead set on one could you build a block and tackle hoist?
I have a hoist to store it in my garage. And yes that is a dementor covered up in my garage, my wife is really into Halloween.
It’s just the weight/size that makes it tough. The canoe in the picture is 16’ and 90 lbs the mini is 120 lbs. I can load the canoe on the roof myself if I have to, it is a piece of cake with me and one of the other family members. The RTT is a SOB…
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- #5
Thanks for the info, while I’m certain this old XC runner is super strong I’ll probably get a storage unit and just build out a platform for it.
I’ll probably get a storage unit and just build out a platform for it.
I see you have an LX and LC. The Lexus OEM rack is not up to task as it's too short and can't get the cross bars to span enough to accommodate the full size Skycamp. LC rack may be okay, but you'll need to add 2 more stock cross bars (they are flexy) to have enough stability. Then you'll have to deal with the crown as 4 bars won't be on the same plane.
Aftermarket rack definitely recommended. I can't vouch for any as I use an OEM LC rack on my LX for the Skycamp.
Are you saying you'll be lifting it off without outside the garage as you can't fit? Good luck and it's a process and I agree with @coleAK . It'll be risking damage to the tent or truck everytime.
Here's a strategy my buddy copied to unload/load outside the garage by himself. You can find more detailed vids.
I have an electric hoist setup in my garage (attic) which I use to setup the tent when I need it. About 15-20 minutes to setup in total and has worked well for me over the years. I have a secondary manual lift system as redundancy.
There wasn't a turnkey solution back in the day, but if someone were to set this up today (assuming they can get into the garage with the tent on), I would recommend re-purposing this style of overhead storage lift. Replacing the metal rack with cradling straps.
Aftermarket rack definitely recommended. I can't vouch for any as I use an OEM LC rack on my LX for the Skycamp.
Are you saying you'll be lifting it off without outside the garage as you can't fit? Good luck and it's a process and I agree with @coleAK . It'll be risking damage to the tent or truck everytime.
Here's a strategy my buddy copied to unload/load outside the garage by himself. You can find more detailed vids.
I have an electric hoist setup in my garage (attic) which I use to setup the tent when I need it. About 15-20 minutes to setup in total and has worked well for me over the years. I have a secondary manual lift system as redundancy.
There wasn't a turnkey solution back in the day, but if someone were to set this up today (assuming they can get into the garage with the tent on), I would recommend re-purposing this style of overhead storage lift. Replacing the metal rack with cradling straps.
hoser
SILVER Star
Front Runner with quick RTT mounts would be worth looking into....
I have a skycamp 2.0 on 3 rhino rack crossbars. Garage is too short to get the LC in there. I made a jig last year to take it off by myself. It works but it’s a hassle to use and store. To put it back on this year, I asked a friend of mine to jerk the tent over our heads. My back hurts but was it was quick. Waiting a few years so my kids can do this for me.
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- #10
May just go with a soft RTT for a while.
hoser
SILVER Star
Many people start off with a soft RTT and then switch to a hardshell. I would advise going straight to hardshell unless your camping style doesn't involve moving from site to site a lot.
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- #12
I would prefer that route but the consensus is removing the hard tent multiple times a year is a no go. I got 3 kids, they can deal with setup/breakdown every time I move sites I guess.
Nice ground tent set up? I prefer a ground tent almost every time over the RTT. The only time we use the RTT is when we go up above the arctic circle as the ground up there is either all rocks or marshy tundra. Every other camping scenario ground tents for the win. We camp at least 50 nights a year most years.
I’m of the opinion now that RTTs are more a fashion accessory than functional shelter.
hoser
SILVER Star
For my 2+2 family, hardshell RTT’s have been great. We almost never stay in the same spot each night. Can camp almost on any surface, rocks, mud… non-level surface. Can arrive at camp in the dark and have the tent setup in less than 1 minute. All bedding, kids pajamas remain in the tent.
If staying in the same spot for extended time, I’ll use my Oztent.
If staying in the same spot for extended time, I’ll use my Oztent.
How many are you trying to sleep in the RTT and is there a possibility you can split sleeping in car and RTT? If you can make a lightweight and slim RTT work where you can fit in the garage, that might give you more options for install and removal. There are wedge style RTTs that are under 100lbs where hoofing it on top isn't as big a deal as a 180lb Skycamp. I used a GFC Superlite for a number of years and it was great, but it got tight with growing kids trying to sleep anymore than 2.
Here in the southwest, RTTs earn their keep. Many in my group have tried to stay with ground tents, but there's enough situations where it's not viable. In BLM land, there is often no clear/flat ground, sharp shale and pointy rocks all around, or literal camping on rock mountains where staking down is impossible. Combined with high winds and everyone winds up using RTTs over time.
Not as "Overland", but there's also tailgate tents like the Napier Sport Cove that can enclose an open tailgate, greatly opening up the rear area as sleeping space.
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- #16
In the RTT it’d be me and one or two kids or my wife and I with the kids in a tent on the ground or perhaps in an attached awning room.
Most of our camping is AR, NM and CO. There will be occasional trips to PNW and FL but those are limited.
Most of our camping is AR, NM and CO. There will be occasional trips to PNW and FL but those are limited.
