Stock Rails/Rack for RTT? (1 Viewer)

[WestTexan]

Hey guys, first post here. Recently picked up a 2002 100, my first foray into Toyota from several Jeeps. Impressive vehicle and love it.

On a whim I picked up a Yakima Skyrise 3 from REI while on sale (weighs 120lb, I believe), and before I mount it am wondering whether the stock roof rack will be sufficient to support it. The internet, the Yakima reps, the REI guys are all giving different answers. Even the MUD forums seem divided on the point.

The rack on my truck has two connection points for the side rails, no middle supports, and two crossbars. The crossbars seem too flimsy to support any RTT, but the sidebars seem solid, granted missing a middle support that some have. The peeling sticker on the side rails appears to read “150lb” which could be per rail or for both, not sure.

My thought was that it might be safe for the time being to mount directly to the factory side rails and open to the rear, and at some point get either a full Frontrunner rack or some kind of load bars for better support and additional storage options.

But I’m new to roof racks and never had any on my jeeps, so forgive the ignorance.

Thanks for the help chaps!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

 

[TXLX100]

Many have mounted directly to the side rails. I mount mine with a heavier square tube cross bar system. Haven't heard of anyone having an issue or failure using factory side rails.

 

[WestTexan]

Thanks Trunk Monkey. As mentioned, there appeared to be conflicting advice on the forum from what I found previously, which is why I posted. Sorry if my additional post is a nuisance.

 

[WestTexan]

Many have mounted directly to the side rails. I mount mine with a heavier square tube cross bar system. Haven't heard of anyone having an issue or failure using factory side rails.

Great to hear. Do you mind sharing what cross bar system you’ve got?

 

[TXLX100]

I make the brackets and cross bars. It's very simple.... brackets for cross bar are made from angle iron, cross bars are 1.5" square tubing and rest on the brackets. The cross bars are not aero bars, and I'd only recommend using them with a tent, might make wind noise otherwise.

Great to hear. Do you mind sharing what cross bar system you’ve got?

 

[Porter]

Many options to choose from, and depends on size of tent as well. Roof racks to load bars. I removed my tired and well used stock rack for a Rhino Vortex Aero bar system with 3 load bars for a large tent. This system is very sturdy and allows for quick removal of bars when not in use. I like the minimalist look sans bars and better clearance in parking garages for DD. I did have to add a strip of matching foil duct tape to underside channel on bar ends to remove noise. At 70 mph I can’t tell the bars are there.

 

[planomateo]

Do not mount on crossbars. Mount on rails.

If you have to mount on crossbars, buy some Yakima, Thule, etc crossbars (craigslist will save you some money).

 

[elk]

It is possible to mount directly to the factory crossbars. In my case, I have travelled about 30,000 miles or more that way. My RTT is old and heavy. With that being said, I will eventually replace my factory rack with something like a Gamiviti.

 

[WestTexan]

I ended up with Yakima crossbars on the factory rails; it feels solid, but it really elevates the tent high above the roof.

On the plus side, there’s now enough space between the tent and roof to store a table and/or Max Trax. With factory crossbars still in place, there’s a little more to tie down to. Ostensibly I could even move the two factory crossbars all the way forward and have enough space to mount a small cargo rack in front of the tent.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[95Fantasma80]

I ended up with Yakima crossbars on the factory rails; it feels solid, but it really elevates the tent high above the roof.

On the plus side, there’s now enough space between the tent and roof to store a table and/or Max Trax. With factory crossbars still in place, there’s a little more to tie down to. Ostensibly I could even move the two factory crossbars all the way forward and have enough space to mount a small cargo rack in front of the tent.

Thanks for your help everyone!

awesome, can you post some pics?

 

[Albertucsb88]

I make the brackets and cross bars. It's very simple.... brackets for cross bar are made from angle iron, cross bars are 1.5" square tubing and rest on the brackets. The cross bars are not aero bars, and I'd only recommend using them with a tent, might make wind noise otherwise.

View attachment 1849602

Hi TXLX, would you happen to have details for the custom cross bar build. I can understand most of the parts but not certain how you fastened it to the side rail track. Any help would be awesome!

 

[wvrx]

Sounds like RTT are fine to mount to stock roof rack, as long as they’re mounted to side rails and not the cross bars.

Has anyone had issues with their RTT being too tall for for parking garages?

 

[TXLX100]

Hi TXLX, would you happen to have details for the custom cross bar build. I can understand most of the parts but not certain how you fastened it to the side rail track. Any help would be awesome!

Sure. For the side rail mount, I use 1.5" angle steel and cut 1/4" off on one of the legs (making 1.5"X1.25" angle effectively).

Then Mount the angle steel to the side rail using channel nuts and bolts. For a cross bar, you can use square / rectangle tube cut to length, drill, and bolt to the angle mounts. I haven't tried, but if get any wind noise from cross bar, wrap cross bar tightly with paracord. I leave the cross bars attached to my tent when removing and noise is not an issue.

I make and sell these, but I just moved and don't have all my tooling to "finish" roof brackets. I can send you some brackets, nuts and bolts if you like but won't be as clean/finished as I normally deliver. Shoot me a pm if you need more help. Thanks

 

[4Beast]

Sounds like RTT are fine to mount to stock roof rack, as long as they’re mounted to side rails and not the cross bars.

Has anyone had issues with their RTT being too tall for for parking garages?

That's too broad a question. Some people have lifts, some don't, some tents are lower than others etc. With my rack and without my tent I still don't fit in a lot of garages, and there are some I fit in no problem. I'd say the majority wouldn't work with a cruiser and a tent.

 

[harrydunn]

I make the brackets and cross bars. It's very simple.... brackets for cross bar are made from angle iron, cross bars are 1.5" square tubing and rest on the brackets. The cross bars are not aero bars, and I'd only recommend using them with a tent, might make wind noise otherwise.

View attachment 1849602

@TXLX100

Very cool. Do you have a close-up of the angle iron mounting to the factory rails?

 

[FXJ 96]

It is possible to mount directly to the factory crossbars. In my case, I have travelled about 30,000 miles or more that way. My RTT is old and heavy. With that being said, I will eventually replace my factory rack with something like a Gamiviti.

Thanks for this. Almost no one says to do it, but I’ve also not found any posts of OEM crossbars failing. I just took mine off and put one end on garage floor and other end on 6” step. Picked up 50 pounds of weight, adds my 220 carcass, and centered my feet on middle of crossbar and bounced up and down. 270 pounds bouncing in middle and did not fail, but slightly flattened. If I kept doing it, it might bend. But if mounting RTT it would distribute weight to four points, near outside of bar. Based on my highly scientific test, I’m thinking tent weight of around 150 pounds and people and stuff weight of 600 pounds would not be an issue.

 

[abuck99]

I don't trust the plastic ends that the crossbars fit into. I've had a couple of them crack and crumble apart. 15+yrs of sun, heat, freezing environment make plastic bits brittle. If you aim to mount something heavy to the factory crossbars do a thorough inspection.