Where to mount RTT on my Rack (1 Viewer)

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bonestock

Transportation Specialist
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Lookout Mountain, GA
Did some searching and didn’t find anything definitive.

I’ve recently purchased and ARB RTT from a Mudder and am looking to mount it to my full length Front Runner rack.

My question is whether to mount the tent forward or aft on the rack? I’ve decided that I want the access on the PS leaving my awning on the DS. Only thing of note is that I am going to use the Front Runner quick release tent mounts.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I only want to do this once since I don’t have any kind of hoist rigged up.

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I would essentially center it fore and aft, in order to best spread the load evenly on your (6) roof mounts.
 
Probably a good call. I would prefer to mount it as far forward as possible so that I can get my fuel and water cans on the back of the rack as well as the spare tire (assuming it'll al fit).

Thanks for replying!!
 
I've mounted my RTT both ways (not on a full length rack though) and the only reason I prefer having it all the way at the back of the roof is that you get easy access to three sides of the tent rather than just two. It just makes getting the cover on and off much easier.
 
I've mounted my RTT both ways (not on a full length rack though) and the only reason I prefer having it all the way at the back of the roof is that you get easy access to three sides of the tent rather than just two. It just makes getting the cover on and off much easier.
I'm a rookie when it comes to RTT camping. I hadn't considered the cover removal in my thought process. Thanks for the reply!
 
I mount it all the way to the back for a couple of reasons.

1. It's easier. I don't have to push the tent any farther forward than I have to when hoisting it up there. Especially with the FR quick release mounts, they don't "slide" very easily across the rack if loading it from the rear.
2. It leaves room in the front for a storage bin where I throw extra sleeping bags and pillows and stuff that I use when I sleep. I don't have to climb up and down the ladder to grab stuff, I just open the window and pack/unpack my stuff while still in the tent.
3. It's easier to unzip if the zipper is all the way to the rear then you have access to 2 sides (rear and side). No matter what the front side of the zipper will always be inconvenient, but if it's pushed forward it makes the rear facing zipper that much harder to reach.

Unless you have gorilla arms, tie a length of cord on the zipper pull to make it easier on yourself so that you can reach it from either side when the zipper is in the middle of the roof.
 
Turns out RTTing is not for me. I like a ground tent with a cot. Storage when not in use was another factor. I don’t like to leave it on the truck (one can look too cool at the mall) and there’s no where inside I can put it with out sacrificing my 80s parking spot.

I’ll have another one someday but when it can be mounted to a fully kitted M416 trailer.


Thanks for all the input here!
 
(one can look too cool at the mall)
Knowing is half the battle

Back east you don't suffer from good ground to camp on and end up loosing out on its greatest advantage. I love mine as I don't have to sleep on the rocks that are the reality of the desert. And when the wind picks up I'm not in the sand storm on the ground. But on a pure logistical discussion the RTT can be much harder than a ground tent. I just leave mine installed and look too cool all the time. Its the price I have to pay.

For future readers, I also have found mounted all the way to the rear has worked the best for me. Same reasons. Good access to a 3rd side, more space in front for additional cargo. Or open the sunroof. But since installing the RTT an open sunroof is not very enjoyable except at crawling speeds. The RTT will force a lot of downward air into the cabin on the road. With my Tepi I had the tent centered right to left, with my Eezi-Awn now I favor the side it opens to. Partly for the difference in cover design and partly for the difference with the tent/rack interface.
 
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