The Beginnings of Something Different - Car Hauler RTT Camper

[weejub]

A couple guys from TAC have some nice set ups.

One is TAC's Pres @kc_chevota 's Big Red Bus with the back cut off and a 40 goes on the back. I can't find any pics of it, but its awesome

The second is a toy hauler as @SFROMAN states that is all enclosed - trailer. The 40 comes out, and the whole enclosed area is living room. The front part of that one is a kitchen and storage. The back is open for the 40, but cots etc go in there once the wheeling weekend begins.

Can't find any pics of the second set up - I believe the gentleman was from Arkansas and he had a REALLY clean 40 with a 4-link rear end.

 

[S4Cruiser]

After some more thought, I'm now liking the idea of mounting the RTT on the Chevy. Build a rack to go on the exterior of the softopper. Maybe eventually build some sort of a kitchen/power/setup on the front of the trailer, it'll be much smaller.

If building a rack for the truck, I sketched out some VERY rough side profiles. One better than the others? Also included an example of something similar.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'd take out the zig-zags in the end bars and make them vertical, with a double Y middle, like your last pic.

I really like this idea though! Would be easy to take off and stow with a chainfall to the roof of your shop, or one of those jeep top lifts.

 

[NCFJ]

Would be easy to take off and stow with a chainfall to the roof of your shop,

My first 4X4 was a 76 Dodge Ramcharger, the roof can be taken off them and they weigh a ton. I rigged up a pulley system similar to all those pulley systems I had been taught in school over the years. 5/16" rope if I recall correctly, 6 attachment points to the rack and you could literally pull it up with one hand with ease. Tied off to a boat cleat mounted to a stud on the wall. I love mechanical advantage

 

[S4Cruiser]

I'd take out the zig-zags in the end bars and make them vertical, with a double Y middle, like your last pic.

I really like this idea though! Would be easy to take off and stow with a chainfall to the roof of your shop, or one of those jeep top lifts.

No zig zags would be way easier for sure! Let me know when your ready to bend some tube!

 

[rw74228]

Love that idea. Came across this the other day and what you want to do looks similar to this. I would get this if it wasn't $5k+
Go Fast Campers Homepage

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I really like that site.

@S4Cruiser just replicate this design!! Make it unique with a few bends here and there.

 

[jfz80]

Look ma. No bends!

Another idea is a commercial over the camper shell ladder rack. Sub $1k. Was always on the tacoma wish list from cali days way before the overlanding gear gadget hype. Was a slick norcal group making tacoma size units but full size should be easy to find. There was one major mfg in years pst. Ill take a peek around.

 

[lumbee1]

I really like that site.

@S4Cruiser just replicate this design!! Make it unique with a few bends here and there.

That's pretty sweet. I like the triangles over the zigzags.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Look ma. No bends!

Another idea is a commercial over the camper shell ladder rack. Sub $1k. Was always on the tacoma wish list from cali days way before the overlanding gear gadget hype. Was a slick norcal group making tacoma size units but full size should be easy to find. There was one major mfg in years pst. Ill take a peek around.

That's a solid idea right there. Wouldn't be as compact, but I bet it would be easy to find one for cheap on craigslist for @S4Cruiser to try it out, see if he likes it, before building something permanent.

 

[JohnVee]

I saw 2 full-size trucks last night that had the over the shell ladder racks with full cab overhang but no shell. Each had a RTT and some off-road/expo gear but nothing crazy. It was too dark to take pics but it proves people are doing it. Also have seen about 5 full on jumbo slide in rigs and a couple vintage RVs in the last 12 hours. All in different parts of town tho. Weird.

 

[S4Cruiser]

That's a solid idea right there. Wouldn't be as compact, but I bet it would be easy to find one for cheap on craigslist for @S4Cruiser to try it out, see if he likes it, before building something permanent.

So I looked and looked and looked for one of those and could never find one that 1) was for a 6' bed and 2) isn't near the price of a new one. The setup @SFROMAN had when we went to Harlan was what got me wanting one.

I agree the utility shell is an easy way to have both a rack and topper...but for some strange reason I like the softopper exo rack look. Call me crazy.

 

[stevezero]

Found your solution. hardest part may be finding and Olds toronado though

 

[GLTHFJ60]

So I looked and looked and looked for one of those and could never find one that 1) was for a 6' bed and 2) isn't near the price of a new one. The setup @SFROMAN had when we went to Harlan was what got me wanting one.

I agree the utility shell is an easy way to have both a rack and topper...but for some strange reason I like the softopper exo rack look. Call me crazy.

I bet you could talk these guys down below $200.

Ladder Rack

HEAVY DUTY LADDER RACK

 

[S4Cruiser]

Built this very simple rack last week for the Tepui RTT I picked up a while back from REI (holy crap the RTT heavy...all of 200+ lbs). Tent opens so the ladder lands on the trailer floor.

Currently allows for a truck box under it but potential future plans include a drawer style camp kitchen, fridge and storage.

 

[SFROMAN]

Looks good.

I don’t recommend you keep the rrt espoused to the elements 100% of the time. I have replaced both of my covers on mine because I used to keep them exposed year round.

 

[S4Cruiser]

Looks good.

I don’t recommend you keep the rrt espoused to the elements 100% of the time. I have replaced both of my covers on mine because I used to keep them exposed year round.

Good to know as I was curious about this. I wonder if this being their ‘ruggedized’ version if it would be any different or if covering with a tarp would help (when parked at my offsite storage). The tent is big, awkward and heavy so storing not on the trailer would take some figuring.

Was cool how easy setup and stowing was so easy and quick, even the first time!

 

[SFROMAN]

A simple tarp would be fine to protect the cover.

On mine the zippers eventually failed and on the other the cover is cooked and color is very faded. I have the new cover but haven’t repalced it since the old one works. Just looks like crap.

 

[lumbee1]

Built this very simple rack last week for the Tepui RTT I picked up a while back from REI (holy crap the RTT heavy...all of 200+ lbs). Tent opens so the ladder lands on the trailer floor.

Currently allows for a truck box under it but potential future plans include a drawer style camp kitchen, fridge and storage.

I would highly recommend some triangulated bracing for the box.

 

[S4Cruiser]

I would highly recommend some triangulated bracing for the box.

Curious as to why. Not attacking your recommendation, but wanting to learn. I considered it but I couldnt rationalize why I should other than ‘it wouldn’t hurt to add some’.

Here was my thought process - I used 1.5” 13 gauge tube for the ‘box’ frame. The width span (long ways) is 68”, height 36” and depth 31.5”. Using a mechanical load/span calculator the 68” ‘beam’ can carry a max weight of 862lbs. The box has 2 ‘beams’ so max static load increases to 1,724lbs if distributed evenly. The RTT weighs ~220lbs which is only 13% of the max possible static weight. When the RTT is opened and people (plus dog) get in it, the weight will be even more distributed...so it doesn’t seem I would need to add bracing for weight capacity.

Weight capacity isn’t the only reason to add bracing though...where diagonal bracing would add torsional rigidity. Most of the non static forces to the box seem to be from stopping while towing (front to back) but some lateral forces when turning and bouncing/trailer flex. I’m not near smart enough when it comes to structural engineering to figure how to calculate the torsional effects and bracing requirements.

Looking at some of the ready made trailer (e.g. turtleback brand) they don’t appear to add diagonal bracing BUT they are skinned which I think adds structural rigidity? With the hopes of skinning this in the future and adding some sort of drawer system, if possible I don’t want to add bracing that would interfere with this plan.

If I did add some, where would you recommend it being placed?