Final word on RTT on stock roof rails.

Sleeping-bear · May 23, 2017

Hey all, this my first post on this forum...
I have read through multiple threads regarding roof top tents on stock roof rails...but havn't found any difinitive answers.

Im hoping to hear from people who have actually mounted RTT on stock rails...and their sucess or failures.

I'm also interested in knowing if you used cross rails? If so which? And why? If no cross rails how did you mount rtt? Does it damage rails?

I have a 2016 trail T4R, stock rails, and a CVT mount bachelor. I intend to eventually get a roof rack, just not in the budget this year. I used to have RTT mounted on my FJ and Baja Rack.

Cymon · May 23, 2017

Sleeping-bear said:
Hey all, this my first post on this forum...
I have read through multiple threads regarding roof top tents on stock roof rails...but havn't found any difinitive answers.

Im hoping to hear from people who have actually mounted RTT on stock rails...and their sucess or failures.

I'm also interested in knowing if you used cross rails? If so which? And why? If no cross rails how did you mount rtt? Does it damage rails?

I have a 2016 trail T4R, stock rails, and a CVT mount bachelor. I intend to eventually get a roof rack, just not in the budget this year. I used to have RTT mounted on my FJ and Baja Rack.

It has been done multiple times with success. Most run aftermarket cross rails, Thule, Yakima, etc.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/109291-rtt-factory-rails-2.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/183558-can-you-mount-rtt-factory-rails-aftermarket-cross-bars.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/229462-roof-top-tent-rtt-factory-rails-its-doable.html

Adventure-Yeti · May 23, 2017

I would recommend using Thule or Yakima cross-bars, that attach to the factory side rails. I would avoid using the factory cross-bars as they are not load rated for a RTT during travel.

You can pick up a cross-bar setup second hand on CL for pretty cheap. Just my .02 cents.

mrblah · May 23, 2017

i don't think anyone would post their failures

Jono.ful · May 24, 2017

Works fine

JSparky · May 24, 2017

Adventure-Yeti said:
I would recommend using Thule or Yakima cross-bars, that attach to the factory side rails. I would avoid using the factory cross-bars as they are not load rated for a RTT during travel.

You can pick up a cross-bar setup second hand on CL for pretty cheap. Just my .02 cents.

I'd bypass the crossbars altogether, attach directly to the side rails if possible.. I know some rtt's require horizontal bars though.

adaml · May 24, 2017

It's fine. I've had a Tepui kukenam mounted directly to the factory rails (NOT cross bars) and now have a CVT Rainier mounted on Thule bars. Anyone who says you need a roof rack is just not thinking it through. All aftermarket roof racks use the same 8 mounting points as the stock rails and there's nothing magical about them that lets them hold more weight.

sooperslow · May 24, 2017

I used Yakima cross bars, only to gain some more space between the tent and roof. I wouldn't hesitate to mount to the stock rails directly.

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deedubb · May 24, 2017

for those who opt to use thule or Yakima cross bars, what width is needed or sufficient for an RTT? I see sizes ranging from 47" up to 60" - hoping to find something wide enough for an RTT but not so wide that it looks stupid when the RTT is off the truck.

Sleeping-bear · May 24, 2017

JSparky said:
I'd bypass the crossbars altogether, attach directly to the side rails if possible.. I know some rtt's require horizontal bars though.

NICE!!! this is what I was looking for.

does this setup damage the rails? being hallow aluminum rails?

thanks for the pic!!

Sleeping-bear · May 24, 2017

adaml said:
It's fine. I've had a Tepui kukenam mounted directly to the factory rails (NOT cross bars) and now have a CVT Rainier mounted on Thule bars. Anyone who says you need a roof rack is just not thinking it through. All aftermarket roof racks use the same 8 mounting points as the stock rails and there's nothing magical about them that lets them hold more weight.

Thanks for the info!!! and your personal experience!! this is very helpful.

JDM4LO · May 24, 2017

JSparky said:
I'd bypass the crossbars altogether, attach directly to the side rails if possible.. I know some rtt's require horizontal bars though.

Looks like there isnt much friction except from pressure of the bracket tightened? Does that slide a bit at all front to back or side to side?

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Mr.Rick · May 24, 2017

JSparky said:
I'd bypass the crossbars altogether, attach directly to the side rails if possible.. I know some rtt's require horizontal bars though.

Which direction does your tent open with the tent mounted like that? Driver side? Passenger Side? or does it open front to rear?

mcox522 · May 24, 2017

deedubb said:
for those who opt to use thule or Yakima cross bars, what width is needed or sufficient for an RTT? I see sizes ranging from 47" up to 60" - hoping to find something wide enough for an RTT but not so wide that it looks stupid when the RTT is off the truck.

I use the 50" Yakima corebars. The hang over the side rails by 3-4 inches I believe.

JSparky · May 24, 2017

Mr.Rick said:
Which direction does your tent open with the tent mounted like that? Driver side? Passenger Side? or does it open front to rear?

I've got it setup for a passenger side open. Tepui tents allow you to mount the aluminum tracks to the bottom of the tent in two orientations, length or width-wise. This enables you to set the tent up for either side or rear opening regardless of the type of rack you have. I'm not sure of other brands but given their similarity it's probably the same deal.

I went width-wise cause I originally had it mounted on a gobi and wanted to maximize weight distribution. When I carried the tent over to this truck the factory rails worked fine so I've got no complaints.

Adventure-Yeti · May 25, 2017

deedubb said:
for those who opt to use thule or Yakima cross bars, what width is needed or sufficient for an RTT? I see sizes ranging from 47" up to 60" - hoping to find something wide enough for an RTT but not so wide that it looks stupid when the RTT is off the truck.

Get yourself 58" Bars and you'll be solid. Leaves a little extra room to mount things like a ARB Awning too.

Cheers-

Sleeping-bear · May 27, 2017

So I guess the final word on this topic is that; it IS possible to safely mount a RTT onto factory side rail, as many have successfully done it and presented options and pics here.

Successfully tested options were;
1. Mount rtt direct to side rails, without cross bars (factory cross bars would not support tent)
2. Mount rtt on aftermarket cross bars, then to factory rails.
3. Mount rtt on aftermarket roof rack.

Thanks for all the input, persoal experiences and pics all. Im looking forward to getting the tent up there soon and getting some miles on the new runner.

SeniorDj · May 27, 2017

Awesome! Wife and I agreed on a cross north America trip this August and I was hoping not to dish out 2g on a rack as a friend of mine said I can use his RTT. Has anyone done 2 to 3 weeks with this set up ? Round trip probably looking at 8-9000km. Most payment but will go down light trails I find

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Kamalani Mahie · May 27, 2017

mcox522 said:
I use the 50" Yakima corebars. The hang over the side rails by 3-4 inches I believe.

What suspension and size tires are you running?

mcox522 · May 27, 2017

Kamalani Mahie said:
What suspension and size tires are you running?

Stock suspension and 265 ko2

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Final word on RTT on stock roof rails.

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