[Sleeping-bear]

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]

Originally Posted by Sleeping-bear

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.

RTT on factory rails

Can you mount a (RTT) with factory rails and aftermarket cross bars?

Roof top tent (RTT) on factory rails. It's doable

[Adventure-Yeti]

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]

i don't think anyone would post their failures

[Jono.ful]

Works fine

[JSparky]

Originally Posted by Adventure-Yeti

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]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by JSparky

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]

Originally Posted by adaml

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]

Originally Posted by JSparky

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]

Originally Posted by JSparky

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]

Originally Posted by deedubb

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]

Originally Posted by Mr.Rick

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.