roof top tents

[joecat66]

I am considering a 2-3 person roof top tent, most weigh in around 150 lbs. Has anyone out there gone thru the process of figuring out which if any rain gutter mounted crossbars can support such a tent and its occupants? Most of the tents claim to have a weight capacity of 600-650 lbs. Perhaps there is a better, preferably removable, option to support a tent?

 

[CurtB]

I'm using the feet and crossbars from a Frontrunner Slimline rack on my Bushcompany tent witn Alu-cab awning. Total static load is approaching 200lbs. Been on for about six months with no issues. Keep in mind that the 600-650 lbs is a static load....I'd think the dynamic load is the bigger challenge.

 

[joecat66]

I'm using the feet and crossbars from a Frontrunner Slimline rack on my Bushcompany tent witn Alu-cab awning. Total static load is approaching 200lbs. Been on for about six months with no issues. Keep in mind that the 600-650 lbs is a static load....I'd think the dynamic load is the bigger challenge.

thanks... wow it's more than the tent at least the II version on ebay is

 

[CurtB]

I should've said total DYNAMIC load is about 200lbs. When I'm in it, the static load rises dramatically, lol.

 

[DrRock]

I'm using the Rhino Rack rails. They are robust, light and easily configurable for different loads/items on your roof. They are also nice and quiet when they have no load which is an added bonus. I have a 120lb James Baroud tent and sleep two of us with dog for a total of 480lbs and use two rails with no issues.

Cheers, James

 

[ntdb]

I use cheap Yakima 1A towers and crossbars for my tent and 270deg awning and haven’t had any problems. I think you’d be fine with 3 crossbars but they come in pairs so I have 4.

 

[OSS]

While a roof top tent has its upsides (big comfy bed away from critters) you lose the ability to carry gear on a dedicated roof rack. When a full sized roof rack is used just for carrying gear — it can carry lots and lots and lots of gear. If a roof top tent is up there, only sleeping bags and pad will fit.

While a roof top tent might end up being your ultimate favored choice, my advice before buying one is try camping (sleeping) different ways first.
1. Pitching normal backpacking tent on empty roof rack with plywood floor (I did that often).
2. Placing a one man tent on top of a Camptime Roll-A-Cot cot (my favorite)
3. Sleeping on the ground in a tent. (Never been my favorite method).
4. Just sleeping inside the car (I did that extensively too)

Personally- while I thought about using a RTT, I’d never use one because I could never afford to lose the roof rack as a cargo carrier.

 

[DrRock]

While a roof top tent has its upsides (big comfy bed away from critters) you lose the ability to carry gear on a dedicated roof rack. When a full sized roof rack is used just for carrying gear — it can carry lots and lots and lots of gear. If a roof top tent is up there, only sleeping bags and pad will fit.

While a roof top tent might end up being your ultimate favored choice, my advice before buying one is try camping (sleeping) different ways first.
1. Pitching normal backpacking tent on empty roof rack with plywood floor (I did that often).
2. Placing a one man tent on top of a Camptime Roll-A-Cot cot (my favorite)
3. Sleeping on the ground in a tent. (Never been my favorite method).
4. Just sleeping inside the car (I did that extensively too)

Personally- while I thought about using a RTT, I’d never use one because I could never afford to lose the roof rack as a cargo carrier.

OSS makes some great points here. Punch line is best way to approach this is to identify your use cases first prior to making a big purchase such as this. You might come to the same conclusion OSS did, or you might not be as concerned with roof top storage. The good news is, in this day and age, you have tons of options. When we looked at camping needs, we identified things we felt were important and the RTT ticked most of our boxes. For our needs, a roof top tent fits our needs best (keeps us out of the New England muck, is comfortable along with quick deployment and stowage- less than 5 min) and we can live with the compromises.

Good luck with your decision!

Cheers, James

 

[ChaserFJ60]

Unless my campsite is >2hr drive I dont take the RTT, Its too heavy and has a big impact on MPG.

But to answer your question I use an ARB full length roof rack like in my profile picture.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I am considering a 2-3 person roof top tent, most weigh in around 150 lbs. Has anyone out there gone thru the process of figuring out which if any rain gutter mounted crossbars can support such a tent and its occupants? Most of the tents claim to have a weight capacity of 600-650 lbs. Perhaps there is a better, preferably removable, option to support a tent?

I used a RTT for years. To answer your question, any reputable manufacturer with just 2 roof bars will suffice.
There will be no issues for your rain gutters nor should they damage them in any way. 3 - 4 roof bars will
spread the load.

 

[FJ73Texas]

The Rhino rack heavy duty RL150 bars and gutter mounts work nicely on the 70 series so I am sure it would be the same on the 60 series. No damage to gutters at all as there is rubber padding.

(To be honest, I agree with some of the comments about RTT now that I own one...they are a PITA to store, remove/install, and eat your MPG....so I have since removed mine)

 

[Seth S]

I like the idea of a roof top tent but I also like the idea of a platform in the back of the car. One costs $2k to $3k less than the other and I always realize I’d probably not use a RTT enough to justify its expense.

 

[WSOPgold2012]

I like the idea of a roof top tent but I also like the idea of a platform in the back of the car. One costs $2k to $3k less than the other and I always realize I’d probably not use a RTT enough to justify its expense.

Ive thought extensively about this but i think the height a platform takes away would cause me to feel veryyyyy claustrophobic. Im leaing heavily towards just an air matty in the cargo area and its going to be this 1. Until i find the camper trailer i want. (which ive narrowed down to a Hybrid) personally id rather have a large bed (imma large guy) Than the added storage space of a platform...for now.

 

[AirheadNut]

I bought a set of cheap ladder racks for commercial vans to mount my RTT. They cost about $65 for the pair a few years ago and required a few simple modifications to work with the tent, but overall for the price they’ve been great. The claimed load rating is 600lbs for two bars, and I can confirm they’re very stout. I used them on my Mercedes 280GE and FJ62, HDJ81 and LJ78 LandCruisers. A simple set of pipe straps from a hardware store made a very secure way of bolting the tent to the bars.