roof top tent with FRP top? (1 Viewer)

[pakaLJ73]

hello all !

as some of you may know, I recently bought a LJ73 with a FRP top and i am looking into options on what to do with it

as my wife and and I are into camping, I would like to ask if any of you have installed (or came across the installation of) a roof top tent on a Land Cruiser with a FRP top.

Would it be safe? or not? a bad idea? or how to make it safe?

thanks !

 

[sark]

The general consensus on this is that the FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) is not load-bearing enough for a RTT and humans up in it. Most people either leave their FRP top naked, or add a small roof rack and only put light items up there. I wish there was a reinforced metal version of the top as an alternative, but you have to get creative.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Trail Tailor makes (not sure if he still is) some really "creative" 73/74 series FRP racks but I guess that isn't an option for someone in France anyways.

Here is one example: FRP top and RTT ? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/frp-top-and-rtt.1020340/post-11301174

 

[Felde]

Hi
Second @sark , concerning a standard, non modified FRP Top.
As the FRP Top doesn't have gutters on the side, you can't use bars, but need to use a rack of some sort, which adds to the weight.
But the gutters are considered to be not strong enough to bear such weight.
There are custom solutions out there to go trough the top to the rollbar, or do reinforcements, but that certainly is a lot of work.
On the other hand, there are also reports of people using a rack & RTT on a FRP Top with no drama.
Try the search function. The topic had been discussed numerous time's.
... but be prepared to get many different opinions.
Good Luck Ralf

 

[Sundowner]

As the FRP Top doesn't have gutters on the side, you can't use bars, but need to use a rack of some sort, which adds to the weight.

There are gutters; I'm looking at a set of them on my 73 right now.

But the gutters are considered to be not strong enough to bear such weight.

And that's actually the issue, here. Rather, it's part of the issue.

@pakaLJ73, my best advice to you regarding a rooftop tent on an FRP top is this: take the top out of the equation entirely. FRP is a very strong material - in fact, it's MUCH stronger than most people realize - but in this application it's not designed to be structural in the way that you'll ask it to be. The gutters really aren't up to holding the dynamic load of a rack and/or tent, and even if you can get the tent weight successfully distributed across the top (and there are ways to do that) you'll still just be transferring the load down to the fasteners that secure the top to the body.

Instead, look into another option: a body/chassis-mounted rack. I'll go ahead and tell you that there basically aren't any of those available where I'm located (USA) but the few 73-series racks that I've seen have all either been custom-made, or they were found in Europe. I suggest looking around your local market to see what you can find.

As another option: I'm slowly working on a way to easily mount a 1350mm (or whatever the length is) Frontrunner rack to the 73. What I have in mind is a complete bolt-on system that shouldn't require a great deal of work to install, but it's still in the design phase. If you're not in a hurry, I may be able to help you with the project...but it's probably a year away from testing.

 

[george_tlc]

My MQ patrol in oz. The rear is FRP. Custom bar work that is tied together at the top with two longitudinal runners from the front hoop to the rear hoop. The rack mounts to the hoop (some welded right angle brackets). Been running this setup since the early 80's. Lots of weight and lots of corrugated roads. Well proven.

Of course the barwork can harm nuns etc and may be illegal in your neck of the woods, even though it is very practical.

cheers,
george.

 

[Felde]

There are gutters; I'm looking at a set of them on my 73 right now.

Well, over the doors, yes, but I ment to say: Not across the full length on the side, so a bar across the back doesn't work. (I have a BJ73).
Second you though.

Very nice solution, @george_tlc
Cheers Ralf

 

[Tennessee Jed]

No cheap or easy answer. An exoskeleton rack that extends down to rear bumper and sliders is the answer that no one wants to hear. The Camel trophy land Rover discoveries that had roof racks had them welded to an internal roll cage. That's another even more complicated option.

Buy a tent and a really thick soft mattress.

 

[pakaLJ73]

ok. from what i see, installing a Rooftop tent over a FRP top will be a bit complicated.

what about removing the back seats and putting a bed / mattress in the back?

1- is it easy to remove the back seats?
2- do you guys think we would have enough space to sleep in that case?

thanks a million !

 

[Sundowner]

ok. from what i see, installing a Rooftop tent over a FRP top will be a bit complicated.

No more complicated than going up and down the ladder in the middle of the night if you need to use the facilities.

what about removing the back seats and putting a bed / mattress in the back?

I'm actually working on that issue currently. Short answer: sure, it's possible.

1- is it easy to remove the back seats?

Yes. Four bolts, in mine.

2- do you guys think we would have enough space to sleep in that case?

How tall are you?

I'm 5'-10" (178cm) and I didn't have nearly enough room without making a few adjustments to the seat brackets. That project is detailed here. 73's are the least-easy to do this kind of thing with, but that just makes it a fun challenge. I suggest pulling the backseat and seeing what kind of space you need to create.

 

[FJBen]

If you really want to have some creative fun…

BJ74 Poptop, modular top camper or something - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/bj74-poptop-modular-top-camper-or-something.1214677/

 

[Sundowner]

 

[Felde]

Hi
A 73 is only long enough to comfortably sleep in, if you fold the front seats forward and use some space over the (then diagonal) front seat backrest.
That requires the bed to be raised from the floor (e.g on top of a storage box system), and then have a removable / foldable extension over the folded seat. I saw respective solutions on the Buschtaxitreffen here in Germany.
The general issue will be the height/ headspace. Also the rollcage will be in the way a bit (if your rig has it).
But it works.
I have a different solution in my BJ73, depicted here:

What did you do on your 70 series today?

Slightly rusted / pitted slave cylinder, old too , couldn’t even get it to bleed.

forum.ih8mud.com

But that rather doesn't work for two people.
(The solution with the storage system and removable extension over the folded front seat is depicted just one threat below of mine)

Good Luck Ralf

 

[Sundowner]

A 73 is only long enough to comfortably sleep in, if you fold the front seats forward and use some space over the (then diagonal) front seat backrest.

Depends on how tall you are, but most people will have to generate a bit of extra space, yeah. One of my housemates, however, is short enough to sleep right behind the seat on a mattress.

That requires the bed to be raised from the floor (e.g on top of a storage box system), and then have a removable / foldable extension over the folded seat. I saw respective solutions on the Buschtaxitreffen here in Germany.

You can minimize that if you want to sleep diagonally, but that doesn't allow two people.

I have a different solution in my BJ73, depicted here:

Very cool.