Drilling is required. Have a recently acquired LC200 (2014) which doesn’t have OEM raised rails or a track. Roof racks and accessories available at hundreds of stores across Australia. Quality, durability, and strength. This rack will allow you to take any roof top tent on top of it, as well as other equipment or luggage, no problem whatsoever. Keep in mind there is also a Strap-On version. February 26, 2021, Defying The Norm of Being a Woman on The Road Your vehicle is new to the market and we are working on a solution. Remember, roof racks are rated for DYNAMIC loads (e.g., when you’re going 100 mph and slam on the brakes) – the load that the vehicle and rack can carry when you’re parked is a STATIC load an can be as much as 7x the dynamic rating. For most roof-top tents, you will want your racks between 32 and 48 inches apart. Not all roof rack fitting types are suitable for fitting rooftop tents. March 12, 2021, Review on Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack & Accessories If the supplied bolts or clamps are too small then it is a simple procedure to get the appropriate fit. Built with T6 powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel, this particular rack is a beast. We recommend those rack bars, which will fit the vehicle by attaching into the factory mounting points. Another factor with the roof racks to consider is how far apart the racks are mounted. There are very good brands, such as Rhino-Rack, Yakima and Thule (just to name a few), which will fit pretty much any vehicle in the world. Just make sure that your racks have a Dynamic Weight Capacity (DWC) of at least the weight of the tent. I have a 2011 Outback with the factory roof rack. I don’t … Include the fact that each Gobi comes with free, or additional features, and you know you’re getting a very good deal for the price. The Alu-Cab Expedition III is a heavy player. Type: Soft Shell. Skycamp 2.0 Tent. First Name Scott Joined Aug 13, 2019 Messages 175 Reaction score 234 Location SA, TX Vehicle(s) 2020 JT LE Occupation Derpston Jan 16, 2020 #2 Alu-Cab Gen 3 Expedition – Heavy Duty. This is also known as Static Weight Capacity (SWC), and as said, no matter if you’re 3 people on top of the rack, your weight will be distributed around the frame, without breaking them (as some may think), as long as the vehicle IS NOT IN MOTION. Since I want him to choose the right type of rack, I will share this with him. Thanks for pointing out that you should choose a roof rack that can hold more than 165 lbs. A roof rack like this one by Front Runner Outfitters is the best choice if you plan to keep your tent up top for the majority of the time –– or forever. Generally, rooftop tents can be fitted to bars that use fixed point, vehicle specific track, or gutter mount legs but we do NOT recommend using clamp-style fitments or non-specific vehicle tracks. Tepui Tents are designed to fit on most vehicles with roof racks. As well as with any Front Runner Slimline II Rack you might be after. They tend to offer in between 4 to 5 inches of spacing between the cage and the vehicle’s main bars. Pick up canopies, Bed Racks & Bars. That said, the SRC roof rack comes in different sizes depending on the Jeep you have. I make and sell tent load bars that work with factory racks. As said many times, the market is full of brands and options for roof racks and crossbars. https://www.jandjbullbars.com.au/roof-baskets/, Live in South Africa ( frontrunner territory!) Randell Keith Ziegler shared with us his setup (image below). For example, if the tent weighs 130 lbs, the racks MUST have at least that same DWC. The standard roof rack system affords you the ability to remove equipment during the off-season to save on gas and securely stow your tent away when not in use. That’s why it can hold up to 300 DWC and 600 SWC. So, before you purchase a roof-top tent, make sure you have a rack system on your vehicle that can support one. Investigation shows that two of the welded attach points on the Element were broken free. It will definitely hold well any roof top tent, even the heavier ones, but it’s not the best rack in the market. Lightweight RTTs range from around 95 lbs (the Featherlite by Front Runner being one of the lightest), to around 125 lbs. Though roof-top tents have become a phenomenon in the U.S. in recent years, they’ve been around for decades in Australia, Tepui Ayer Tent. That tent is about dead and the family has grown, so I am considering a larger tent. Other options also include those who fit into the vehicle’s roof ditch, those which fixedly attach to your roof using a specialized track mount, or even better, those which drill into the side rails. Replace the canopy with one that does have purpose designed roof racks capable of carrying a roof top tent. The greatest thing about the Gobi Stealth, is that vibration with a lot of weight on it, will not cause any scratches on the roof of your car (something that can happen whilst driving, with other racks or cross-bars). Some Jeep Wrangler roof racks can even accomodate a roof top tent. However, since it impossible to test every possible combination of tent and vehicle, certain precautions must be taken: - Never use a rooftop tent with any clip (Q-Tower or BaseLine) or flush rail type systems. If you don’t, then any mechanic or local repair shop will be able to mount this in 30 minutes or so. / Rightline Gear Truck Rooftop Tent. We recommend you calling directly Rhino-Rack, Thule or Yakima to inquire what’s the best fit for your vehicle. The full height of the tent above ground means roof rack mounted RTT’s are excellent for … Use this article and recommendations as a reference, to have an idea what you should be after. We recommend the Slimline II Load Bed Rack Kit, which once again is available for most pick up trucks. - As a general rule, SUV and trucks can be good candidates for a rooftop tent, while cars, sedans and hatchbacks are usually not. There’s enough space in between the rack and the roof, and the strength of the frame is such, that this will not be a problem. Correct answer: Yes the factory roof rack (minus crossbars) is more than strong enough to support a RTT full of people and gear. The reason? Generally, rooftop tents can be fitted to bars that use fixed point, vehicle specific track, or gutter mount legs but we do NOT recommend using clamp-style fitments or non-specific vehicle tracks. After some initial struggles, we identified a mounting solution that allows us to mount our rooftop tent to the top of the Pioneer Platform. That’s why we narrowed it down to a few options, which either we know that work well, or have been recommended by many seasoned vehicle owners, or other roof top tent camping veterans. It will still allow you to take things on your truck bed, and to safely place your RTT on top of it. For most bed racks the answer is "no". It is a Barricade Rack, which doesn’t require drilling on the roof, and according to him it has performed greatly. Mounting your tent to your car rack: It can be a little complex, so follow mounting directions carefully. That said, the Slimline is made of T6 Aluminum, stainless steel and comes with the pick-up load bed tracks, the load bed leg as well as the rack tray and all the installation hardware needed. It is backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty, and it comes with some interesting features, such as enough space and openings to place camping tables under the rack, and still have your rooftop tent or other things such as kayaks, fishing rods, and bags on top of it. If your car came with a roof rack factory installed you’re going to want to check the manual and verify what weight your rack is rated for. Start by knowing the basics we mentioned above, then think about what roof top tent you want, the weight, the dimensions of your both the tent and vehicle, how many people will use the RTT, and your budget. Write them below, or ask them on our Private Facebook Group (CLICK HERE TO JOIN). I have 2009 audi q5 oem roof rack 220lbs max load and the tent we are using is 4person 176lbs will this be ok if the car is motion to hold and vibrate? If you have another vehicle, feel free to reach out sending us an email at: info@offroadtents.com and we’ll be happy to find the right Slimline 2 Roof Rack Kit for your vehicle. Now, when it comes to strength and durability, you’re looking at a good rack, yet not the best. No need to spend an extra $1000 just to mount your RTT. That tent is about dead and the family has grown, so I am considering a larger tent. Best Roof Top Tents For Your Toyota Tacoma Types of Roof Top Tents There are a few different types of rooftop tents, and they have a few different mounting options too. The load should always be spread evenly over the bars, with no concentration of weight at either end. Just like with the Slimline, there are multiple configurations and multiple models for the different vehicles in the market. In order to mount a roof top tent, you will need a roof rack. Using a ladder, you can enter your rooftop tent from the ground. RACKS. They usually need a specific mount/roof rack that the base of the tent must attach to. Also, roof-top tents are heavy, so having a partner helps. roof racks such as these mount onto existing factory mounting points or clip on to avoid any drilling or other vehicle alterations. We know it has been long, full of information, and that there are many options to choose from. Roof Rack Mounted RTT. There is no safe place to mount a rack to the roof or truck bed of your vehicle. The main method of attaching a roof top tent is via a strong stable and sturdy set of roof racks. The roof rack is what you secure your roof top tent to and ensure you have a stable base for camping as well as keeping the tent from flying off the roof while driving. Let’s now take a look at the recommended roof rack kits and cross-bars. Price is good, quality is good enough, but you can find better options, and Front Runner and Gobi are better options. Would have got a more accessible canopy, lift up side windows, and proper roof racks. I have used roof top tents before on my tacoma and have built my own roof rack for my tent. The Gobi Stealth is one of the preferred racks by most experienced off-roaders. Once the vehicle is parked, and the tent is in use, the weight limit of the tent plus that of it’s occupants is effectively dispersed over the entire frame of the vehicle. They’re made of black powder coated anti-rust undercoat, stainless hardware and a limited one year warranty. iKamper Skycamp sitting on top of crossbars. Your pickup truck is the ideal vehicle for a road trip, and with a … I have a 2005 Honda Element. Dynamic & Static Load Ratings From there start considering other factors: All these questions will help you determine what you should be looking for. Roof top tents can be mounted in many ways to a variety of vehicles. The reason is the way they’re assembled. As we have said numerous times, before acquiring any of these, since we don’t sell them, we wont’ be able to give you a detailed advice. Truck, family sedan, SUV, compact… You can mount them on trailers too. You can simply call your manufacturer; look at the specs of your racks to know. What commercial built bed racks and roof top tents are you using? I almost went down this path. Because of the DWC. Dynamic Weight: This is the amount of weight your roof rack can carry while the vehicle is moving. Is it just the tent or will there be fishing rods? It’s one of the best in the market, and if you want to buy it, CLICK HERE. If you have a standard roof rack system and a non-Jeep Wrangler vehicle, then the factory rails mounted roof rack system (or 3rd party roof rack) on your vehicle is the lowest cost of entry into Rooftop Tent Camping. This is another type of setup you can think of if you own a pick-up truck. Built with T6 powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel, this particular rack is a beast. Also, depending on the type of truck, the bed will be longer then the roof itself, allowing you to have a bigger rooftop tent on the back. With a roof rack, you’re easily able to accommodate extra camping gear you need for your trip. Once the roof rack is installed, the tent is mounted on top and remains there while you’re driving to your destination. Don't worry, it might seem confusing at first, but this helpful guide to calculating load ratings will help. $3,899.00 - $4,199.00. (2) 2 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of … Most Gobi don’t require any drilling, and they can easily hold up to 600 lbs of weight as a SWC, whilst the DWC is normally of 300 lbs, much more than the traditional cross-bars. First, despite the name, some can be either mounted on your roof or over your bed. Depending on the tent’s dimensions, as well as on the truck’s bed and roof dimensions, you might want to get the load rack or a standard roof rack. 96 After one year of use, I noted a noise. Another important aspect to bear in mind is the vehicle you have. Advertisement . Another upside are the holes on the bars, which can make some noise, but if covered they are fine. During travel, the tent is collapsed, and you pop it open when you get to your destination. The All-Pro Rack is placed on the bed rails of a Toyota Tacoma, it is very lightweight and easy to install as well as to attach gear to. With a Thule roof rack, you’re all set to head off on your endless adventures. Most rooftop tents are designed to mount to a traditional roof rack consisting of two bars that run in parallel. AVENN 64" x 23" x 6" Cargo Basket Roof Rack with Cargo Net & J-Bar Rack HD Kayak Carrier Canoe Boat Surf Ski Roof Top Mount Car SUV Crossbar, Black 4.3 out of 5 stars 48 $199.96 $ 199 . These are strong and secure, yet not the best choice if you want to use a roof top tent with them. If you choose to have an annex with your roof tent, we would recommend a bed rack or aluminium canopy because it will be the same height as the cab. These lighter models will be able to fit smaller vehicles, such as SUVs, Subaru Bajas, or other cars which are not exactly built for off-roading. During travel, the tent is collapsed, and you pop it open when you get to your destination. My usual driving was on roads at highway speeds, but often to camp we had to go down dirt roads of varying degrees of bumps. helpful guide to calculating load ratings. Or you don’t know which rack or cross-bars to buy? WELCOME TO YOUR PREMIUM OVERLANDING GEAR STORE! Literally. iKamper. Not all roof rack fitting types are suitable for fitting rooftop tents. Also, the Gobi shifts weight off the mounting holes onto the A pillars of your vehicle, and this increases both the SWC and DWC. All blog comments are checked prior to publishing, iKamper: The Story Behind the Skycamp RTT, The Story Behind Roost USA, a 100% USA-Made Brand, 8 Softshell RTTs For Hardcore Overlanders, Rincon RTT By HIT Vs Type E By Odin Designs, Best Roof Racks And Crossbars For Your Roof Top Tent. Bed / Tonneau Covers - A question we get often is "will my bed cover work with a bed rack?" What you will see happening is that when you’re driving, due to the weight of the RTT, the vibration will cause these crossbars to move a bit, potentially chipping your roof, door, and even damaging the crossbars themselves in extreme cases. However, since it impossible to test every possible combination of tent and vehicle, certain precautions must be taken:- Never use a rooftop tent with any clip (Q-Tower or BaseLine) or flush rail type systems.- Never use a rooftop tent with any vehicle whose rooftop load limit is under 165 lbs.- Generally, rooftop tents can be fitted to bars that use fixed point, vehicle specific track, or gutter mount legs but we do NOT recommend using clamp-style fitments or non-specific vehicle tracks. Add-on options: Some tents offer separately purchased annexes or awnings for more living space. Where is the squeak coming from, at the point where Channel meets rack, you could try some heavy rubber between tent channel and roof rack. We get the question from many owners of a Tacoma, an F150 or other trucks, where should they mount the tent? Most rooftop tents are designed to mount to a traditional roof rack consisting of two bars that run in parallel. The one in the picture is for a Toyota 4Runner 5thGeneration, although there are many more, such as for a Jeep Wrangler JKU 4 Door, for a Land Rover All New Discovery, for a Nissan Patrol/Armada, for a Toyota Fj Cruiser, for a Jeep Wrangler JK 2 Door, and many others. Front Runner Featherlite RTT on top of a Slimline II Roof Rack Kit. The bigger, heavier models, whether we’re talking of 4 person roof top tents, or hardshell tents, are suitable for the bigger, stronger vehicles that are actually built for rougher and tougher trails and can of course support (the vehicle itself) a higher weight. Not all roof rack fitting types are suitable for fitting rooftop tents. Will you carry other gear or luggage with you? Do you want a Roof Top Tent but don’t know if your rack works? The Slimline II rack tends to avoid drilling vehicles roofs. Barricade Rack (photo shared by Randell Keith Ziegler). The goal here is to give you the information you’re after, to save you time researching and to try and answer your questions or doubts before you even have to ask them. Roof-top tents are heavier than your average ground tent so aftermarket roof racks like those from Yakima and Thule may … It won’t impact the vehicle's design, having a lower fuel impact than if the tent was on the roof. No flexing to be seen. Front Runner Outfitters is one of the biggest and best companies manufacturing car accessories, off-roading products, racks, roof top tents and other camping equipment. The SRC is made by the famous Smittybilt brand that specializes in Jeep accessories. All you need is a suitable roof rack to mount them to. Most models weigh in between 120 and 165 lbs, so to be safe you will need a rack that can hold more than 165 lbs. Not all roof rack fitting types are suitable for fitting rooftop tents. Once you’re ready, contact us, we’d love to help you with your roof top tent. I thought it was wasteful to throw away a perfectly good canopy though, without first giving it a proper go. Will you use the roof rack or crossbars for other things such as carrying gear, kayaks on other trips. Brandon explained it has the ability of having add-on accessory bars for Rotopax, Hi-Lift Jacks and other gear, making it a versatile and useful rack. Here’s A Quick Rundown on How Rooftop Tents & Mounting Work: Roof-top tents are mounted to your vehicle’s roof or bed using mounting brackets attached to your roof rack. This South African based company designed the Slimline II Cargo Rack, which is available for many different vehicles (feel free to reach out asking if your vehicle make and model has a Slimline II designed for it). When it comes to these, you’ll see options such as clip-ons, which are not a permanent solution and pretty much clip or clamp into your vehicle on the door jamb curves or factory side rails. Some of them have sunroofs, some don’t. Many stock racks work fine, but generally aftermarket roof racks are sturdier, easier to mount to, and provide versatility for attaching your Tepui, awnings and other gear to your vehicle. Take a look at one CLICKING HERE. The tent is collapsed for travel, and when you reach your destination, you can pop it open. Then once again, this other picture shows a Rhino-Rack Vortex Trackmount 3 Bar Roof Rack, which offers a heavier load rating than just clip-on bars. - Never use a rooftop tent with any clip (Q-Tower or BaseLine) or flush rail type systems. Roof-top tents are heavier than your average ground tent so aftermarket roof racks like those from Yakima and Thule may … We sell a few of them so you’ll see links directing you to the product pages, others we don’t sell, but we’re more than happy to recommend them and even give you more info about them if needed. All-Pro Rack on Toyota Tacoma Bed (photo by: Topo Terra). You must make sure that the rack or bars you are going to buy have a Dynamic Weight Capacity (DWC) of at least the weight of the tent. I have used roof top tents before on my tacoma and have built my own roof rack for my tent. The big off-road rigs have themselves the capacity of sustaining a larger weight capacity than say an SUV, and despite racks or cross-bars being able to support pretty much any tent, if your car is a bit small or not exactly built for overlanding, then overtime the roof might sustain some damages. It is pretty much up to you depending on your rig, and on what you want. Our roof tents are perfectly suitable for pick ups, you can either mount the roof tent onto mountain top bars, bed racks or an aluminium canopy. - Never use a rooftop tent with any clip (Q-Tower or BaseLine) or flush rail type systems. I thought it would be nice to be able to mount the tent on either the tacoma or the outback. After some initial struggles, we identified a mounting solution that allows us to mount our rooftop tent to the top of the Pioneer Platform. Another good thing to know is that stock-mounting hardware will on average fit rack bars with a cross-section of 3.25" width x 2" height. We recommend you check with your roof top tent supplier before purchasing to ensure that these are the correct measurements for your Rhino-Racks. scotticus Well-Known Member. Can I fit a rooftop tent to my roof racks? Now looking to kit this out for a RTT ( to be acquired). February 10, 2021, 23 comments Since we don’t sell the Gobi Stealth, we HIGHLY recommend you CALLING them, so that they can offer you expert advice. From there, look at the options we recommend above, and if you like any of them, you’re in safe hands. The amount of weight you can put on this rack is not an issue. It installs on to the existing factory mounting points, although in some cases it will require some drilling. The first thing to know is the type of rack or crossbars you need to be able to hold a rooftop tent. This opens up other options for you to look at, not just the household brands, but you might want to check with local dealers for other brands, or even custom made roof rack kits, which might be one of the best options possible! Private Facebook Group (CLICK HERE TO JOIN). Best Roof Top Tents For Your Toyota Tacoma, Review on Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack & Accessories, Defying The Norm of Being a Woman on The Road, Tepui Kukenam 3 Siberian Camo Roof Top Tent. All you need is a suitable roof rack to mount them to. Sleeping Capacity: 2. The other two mounts not so much, but still unusable. Once the roof rack is installed, the tent is mounted on top and remains there while you’re driving to your destination. My father mentioned that he is planning to shop for a roof basket for his SUV because he would be regularly hauling things. Chatter bumps, and larger holes that needed going slow. With so many options available today, choosing the right rack for your Roof Top Tent can be a daunting task. These conditions MUST be understood and observed when a roof top tent is fitted and used: Confused by how much weight you can actually carry on top of your vehicle? Spots wleds broke and the metal itself was broken free of the actual roof. How much weight can I actually carry on top of my vehicle. Many stock racks work fine, but generally aftermarket roof racks are sturdier, easier to mount to, and provide versatility for attaching your Tepui, awnings and other gear to your vehicle. However, it’s impossible for us to recommend all the options in the market, or cover many models in depth. But the Pioneer Platform doesn’t have this sort of arrangement. Most all roof top tents come with universal U-shaped mounting brackets and will mount to crossbars or mounting points on our roof and bed racks. A rooftop tent requires a roof rack to support it. This means the weight is distributed well around the vehicle, and you could fit heavier tents on top of these. I thought it would be nice to be able to mount the tent on either the tacoma or the outback. Wondering if your Subaru Outback can carry a Roof Top Tent? When it comes to cross-bars the options are many. As you said, it should have a DWC. We Are Still shipping! In short, yes. - As a general rule, SUV and trucks can be good candidates for a rooftop tent, while cars, sedans and hatchbacks are usually not. That’s why we came up with this blog post, to try and answer it for everyone in need! The weight of each rack changes depending on the vehicle, as well as the dimensions, but they all come with the legs and the tray, and installation is not complicated if you can handle some nuts and bolts. Remember, roof racks are rated for DYNAMIC loads (e.g., when you’re going 100 mph and slam on the brakes) – the load that the vehicle and rack can carry when you’re parked is a STATIC load an can be as much as 7x the dynamic rating. Despite these being able to hold the required 165 lbs, the fact that they clip on, means they won’t be as strong or as securely fastened as permanent bars. YakimaRoof top tents can be a great addition to a Yakima rack system and many are safely in use. The installation is quite a simple process, but drilling is required in some cases, depending on the make and model, and the bumper that you have. In order to look deeper into this question you must understand a few things such as dynamic and static load ratings. I have a 2011 Outback with the factory roof rack. RACKS Tepui Tents are designed to fit on most vehicles with roof racks. All that torque on the tent and racks was probable cause of failure of rack mounts. Any pictures out there? Not really, it just gives you possibilities. Vortex RLT600 Trackmount Silver 3 Bar Roof Rack. The load rating of the vehicle’s roof is never exceeded when driving on the open road by the total weight of all items fitted to the roof – including rooftop tent and bars. The majority of roof top tents are fitted to the roof rack system with a U-Bolt or Universal Clamp. Does this make the process of choosing the proper one a complicated one? Posted on Sep 26, 2018 by Chris Borg. Using the factory rack, you can mount the RTT much lower in profile than any aftermarket rack or crossbar setup that I've seen.