5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

[Eitek1]

I am looking at getting a hard shell aluminum tent like the roofnest, alu-cab, etc. The standard low profile tents have "weak" crossbars and they are at or below the height of the shark fin.

Would the niserack work on aftermarket side rails? It seems like the factory side rails will not be long enough for a full length aluminum tent.

Could you be a little more specific with your question? I want to make sure I understand what you’re asking.

Also, what length is the tent you want to mount. It may work with the standard NiseRack. I think it would depend on the structural integrity of the bottom of the tent.

[MENTION=456299]Jpilot[/MENTION] has a tent on his NiseRack. Maybe he can provide some feedback.

Here’s a pic, it’s from page 4 of this thread.

I went out and measured my wife’s NiseRack (LOL). You could easily get away with a roof top tent that is 65 inches in length. That would give you 13 inches of overhang on the outside of each of the outer crossbars. You can still raise your tailgate with this setup and clear your shark fin. I looked at the alu-cab tent and it’s 90 inches which might be stretching it.

You may be able to run some long 8020 extrusions perpendicular to the rack and mount the tent to those. In that case, I think you’d be fine with a full size tent. I’d draw out what I’m talking about but I’m out of town and away from my computer.

Either way, I’d like to help you solve this one.

 

[Jpilot]

A folding RTT would be no problem. I have a 23Zero tent that fits great and works perfectly. That being said, most wedge style tents that only open straight up require the entire roof surface. The Niserack is only a half of the roof surface (back end) and so I would not recommend a Niserack for a full length tent using the factory rails.
That being said, if you have aftermarket, full length SIDE RAILS, the Niserack attachments should work with no additional modification. You will have to measure and order the correct width cross rails, (through Tnutz) but that is pretty straight forward as well.
Question for you though, if you have the full length side rails already, why not just put quality cross bars onto the side rails?

 

[nickeltitanium]

Eitek1: Yes, I am referring to the clamshell like the roofnest falcon, alu-cab, etc. external dimension 90" x 50"

Jpilot: Majority full length side rails have cross bars that are too low. I'm looking at the Niserack because it elevate the cross bars to avoid mounting bracket and above the shark fin.

Roofnest recommend Malone Aerobar Crossbar System, but it overhangs on the front.

 

[Jpilot]

Eitek1: Yes, I am referring to the clamshell like the roofnest falcon, alu-cab, etc. external dimension 90" x 50"

Jpilot: Majority full length side rails have cross bars that are too low. I'm looking at the Niserack because it elevate the cross bars to avoid mounting bracket and above the shark fin.

Roofnest recommend Malone Aerobar Crossbar System, but it overhangs on the front.

Yes, I would highly recommend the Niserack for your application. Have Eitek1 ship or recommend the hardware needed to attach to your side rails and you should be golden. I have 4 crossbars on just my factory rails and I think its overkill for my RTT. You should be able to use 4 crossbars on the full rack and still have plenty of capacity for your RTT. Let us know how it goes and take some photos for us all to see. (We love photos!)

 

[Eitek1]

I want to to let everyone know I’m still working at this. Several folks have asked about a faring in the past. I prototyped one up and it didn’t fit as expected. I redesigned it and I’m going to have it built for testing. Here’s a pic of what I’ve been working on. Sorry for the delay but measuring this stuff out and modeling it up takes a little while. It’s one of those measure 3 times and model and then go back and measure twice more. This is literally the first time in months I’ve had several hours all at once that wasn’t committed to something else.

Hopefully I will have the 2nd prototype done after the first of the year and be ready for production. Merry Christmas to everyone!

 

[tundradan]

I want to to let everyone know I’m still working at this. Several folks have asked about a faring in the past. I prototyped one up and it didn’t fit as expected. I redesigned it and I’m going to have it built for testing. Here’s a pic of what I’ve been working on. Sorry for the delay but measuring this stuff out and modeling it up takes a little while. It’s one of those measure 3 times and model and then go back and measure twice more. This is literally the first time in months I’ve had several hours all at once that wasn’t committed to something else.

Hopefully I will have the 2nd prototype done after the first of the year and be ready for production. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Glad to see you are back at it again! After the year you've had, I bet it's nice to get your mind on something else for a change.

On a related topic...now that you are on to ver 2.0 of the brackets I would like to order a set. Any ideas on when they will be back in stock?

Praying you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!

 

[Eitek1]

[MENTION=586085]tundradan[/MENTION]

I’ve had the 2.0 bracket built as a prototype and it turned out perfect. I’m set to have a “run” of them built. They should be done in the middle of January. I’ll order all the other various hardware and components on the first of January and it should be here when the brackets are ready. Once I have everything it takes me a few days to put everything together and package it all up.

The first run I produced was really a test for me to get my processes down. I now have my quality control steps in place to ensure that there will be zero issues on the customer end.

Once I get the next batch produced, barring some catastrophe, I shouldn’t run out of stock again.

 

[s13koop]

Definitely in for one when the time comes. Been loving my rack so far and its more modular that I thought. Adding bits here and there like these new chase lights.
Wind fairing would quiet up my road trips for sure

 

[Eitek1]

I should have brackets ready to ship in two weeks barring something going bad.

Oh yea, to cap off 2020 the right way, I tested positive for COVID-19 today. I’m going to start next year by finding out if I have a job in the first week of the year so I’ve got that going for me too.

You might think that after all the fun I’ve been through this year it would be weighing on me. Nope... Life is good, people are great and things are looking up!
Thanks for all the support I’ve received from the good folks here.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I should have brackets ready to ship in two weeks barring something going bad.

Oh yea, to cap off 2020 the right way, I tested positive for COVID-19 today. I’m going to start next year by finding out if I have a job in the first week of the year so I’ve got that going for me too.

You might think that after all the fun I’ve been through this year it would be weighing on me. Nope... Life is good, people are great and things are looking up!
Thanks for all the support I’ve received from the good folks here.

You take good care of yourself and hang in there. We’re rooting for you. 2021’s going to be much better. :thumb3:

 

[sleepsontoilet]

I should have brackets ready to ship in two weeks barring something going bad.

Oh yea, to cap off 2020 the right way, I tested positive for COVID-19 today. I’m going to start next year by finding out if I have a job in the first week of the year so I’ve got that going for me too.

You might think that after all the fun I’ve been through this year it would be weighing on me. Nope... Life is good, people are great and things are looking up!
Thanks for all the support I’ve received from the good folks here.

After 16.5 years at my company, I got a $25 gift card for a Turkey and a we'll call you if things change. I feel you on that end, and it stinks. Hopefully nothing less than immeasurable blessings are coming your way in the New Year.

Is there a list for us to get on for the 2.0 brackets and fairing?

 

[Just-Someone]

Possibly a dumb question, but my experience with these extrusions is that you have to plan ahead and install the T-nuts before closing out the edge with the bracket. Are the NiseRacks the same or do you buy the extrusions with a bored end? Alternatively are there drop-in nuts I am not aware of?

Sent from my HD1905 using Tapatalk

 

[Eitek1]

Possibly a dumb question, but my experience with these extrusions is that you have to plan ahead and install the T-nuts before closing out the edge with the bracket. Are the NiseRacks the same or do you buy the extrusions with a bored end? Alternatively are there drop-in nuts I am not aware of?

Sent from my HD1905 using Tapatalk

There are drop in nuts and bolts that are available. Also, bracket 2.0 addresses this shortcoming.

 

[s13koop]

Possibly a dumb question, but my experience with these extrusions is that you have to plan ahead and install the T-nuts before closing out the edge with the bracket. Are the NiseRacks the same or do you buy the extrusions with a bored end? Alternatively are there drop-in nuts I am not aware of?

Sent from my HD1905 using Tapatalk

It may seem that way but I haven’t had to. The Tnuts drop in. The Tstuds do take some wiggling to turn and lock in completely.

 

[Eitek1]

Some good news to carry into the new year... I made it through the virus. I’ve been fever free for 36 hours so I’m in the clear. Per the CDC I may still be contagious so I’m stuck in a room away from my family for the next few days.

I was a paratrooper in my youth and have been vaccinated for everything under the sun, more than once. I told my wife the virus entered my bloodstream and was immediately set on fire by my immune system.

Either way business as usual should commence in the coming weeks.

 

[Just-Someone]

Glad to hear that you are on the mend.

Sent from my HD1905 using Tapatalk

 

[headstaller]

It may seem that way but I haven’t had to. The Tnuts drop in. The Tstuds do take some wiggling to turn and lock in completely.

I am just not good on sizing.. do you have link (amazon etc.) for those Tnuts/Tstuds ?
Thanks.

 

[s13koop]

No problem.
I ordered from Tnutz.com
DB-010-SS (1/4-20)
QTB-010-KL (1/4-20)

They’ve come in handy for chase lights, awning, and future add ons.

 

[headstaller]

Can't wait.

I want to to let everyone know I’m still working at this. Several folks have asked about a faring in the past. I prototyped one up and it didn’t fit as expected. I redesigned it and I’m going to have it built for testing. Here’s a pic of what I’ve been working on. Sorry for the delay but measuring this stuff out and modeling it up takes a little while. It’s one of those measure 3 times and model and then go back and measure twice more. This is literally the first time in months I’ve had several hours all at once that wasn’t committed to something else.

Hopefully I will have the 2nd prototype done after the first of the year and be ready for production. Merry Christmas to everyone!

 

[Eitek1]

I should have everything back in stock for Monday and can start shipping shortly thereafter.

Going forward, I don’t plan on running out of stock again. The faring should be available shortly. I need to ensure it fits perfect with bracket 2.0.