Hello si anyone running a roof top tent with a factory roof rack??? Can this be done with just adding the thule bars to the factory roof rack?? thanks
roof top tent on factory roof rack??
- Thread starter r3run33
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I've used the 6 feet rack with the middle feet removed. That would count as a 4 feet rack. The rack I bought only came with 5 feet so I left the middles out.
I use the Thule bars and have no issues with the setup.
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- #6
JDM; did the tent work out fine?? did you notice any cracks in the rack??? Working with a budget so not having to spend money on a after market roof rack would help.
I've noticed no cracks in the rack. I have not sent it out to be magnafluxed or anything like that but I'm had it on there for a couple of seasons with no issues. This includes 10 hour stretches of highway speeds. I do check the mounting every winter when I remove it from the rack.
Most definitely doable.
The stock rack is actually incredibly beefy. Far more so than people give credit for as it's solid cast aluminum. I'd go as far to say it's easily more beefy than any aftermarket rack tower or feet.
The load bars on the other hand are flexy. Don't get me wrong as they are still very sturdy pieces. Except they are designed to flex to prevent fatigue type failures. When combined with a substantial load, they do flex a bit more than desired, but they will not break. It's for this reason I was looking for another factory load bar to minimize the deflection.
I'd say go with aftermarket load bars on the stock side bars and you're set.
The stock rack is actually incredibly beefy. Far more so than people give credit for as it's solid cast aluminum. I'd go as far to say it's easily more beefy than any aftermarket rack tower or feet.
The load bars on the other hand are flexy. Don't get me wrong as they are still very sturdy pieces. Except they are designed to flex to prevent fatigue type failures. When combined with a substantial load, they do flex a bit more than desired, but they will not break. It's for this reason I was looking for another factory load bar to minimize the deflection.
I'd say go with aftermarket load bars on the stock side bars and you're set.
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- #9
thanks for everyone's input; much appreciated. Hey teck that tent is huge! any pros or cons for it?? thanks
My RTT has spent 1000's of miles and many nights mounted to the factory roof rack
The cross bars are the weak point. The main rails are strong enough for an RTT. I personally have never mounted a RTT on my truck, nor do I own one. But my OEM rack seemed more than enough for a RTT, the cross bars certainly bend easily, those are the weak links.
No cons that I can really think of as it's only incrementally larger and heavier than any other RTT. My family and I love it. It was absolutely cavernous when deployed, and had a great annex area to change/store things in.
Looking at picking up a RTT locally this weekend.
What hardware is used to secure it to the roof rack?
Do I have to get aftermarket cross bars?
Thanks guys
What hardware is used to secure it to the roof rack?
Do I have to get aftermarket cross bars?
Thanks guys
TeCKis300 said:
Could you show us some detailed pics of the way you mounted your RTT? Also, are you saying that the rack ends (the part that mounts to the roof) are cast aluminum? My friend's was abs plastic... then again he had the style with the 3 mounting points per side and not the style you have.
Can i mess something up if i drill a holes in the floor of the tent to mount to the rack? Yours has those nice alum extrusions, the tent i will be buying has a honeycomb alum floor.
I got my CVT Shasta on the OEM 4 post rack but it squeaks quite a bit. Thoughts?
Where is the squeak coming from, at the point where Channel meets rack, you could try some heavy rubber between tent channel and roof rack. I make and sell tent load bars that work with factory racks. you get the feet setup it's a breeze to remove tent with load bars, 4 bolts. Looks like you'd have to change the orientation of the channels or just use the mounting feet to work with my product though.
