Anyone mount a roof top tent?

[Suncoast]

I'm thinking of maybe picking up one of the Tepui http://tepuitents.com/ roof top tents or something similar, Does anyone have any experience with these tents? If I use an aftermarket Thule or Yakima bar systen do they mount to the roof independantly of the stock roof rack or do they attach to the stock roof rack? Any impact on handling? Mines a '97 limited, can I just use the stock toyota roof racks?

 

[Stockwell45]

I keep my Tepui mounted full time. Great tent, and the Kukenam is a perfect fit for the 3rd gen. I have no swaybars, and it doesn't seem to make much more of an impact. I wheel pretty tippy trails with it and travel all over the western US with it and it does fine.

Avoid mounting it to a Thule or Yakima setup if you can, it will sit way too high on the roof. Use Defender rack mounts like I did, it will sit only a couple inches off the roof. They slide into your factory roof rails and will work great for a roof top tent.

Here are the mounts. This order is for only 6 mounts, you need 8 for the tent if you want it to be really stable. Call the company and request 8 with your order instead of 6.

Defender Facotry Roof Rack Mounting Brackets - Off Road Unlimited

 

[gshadow325]

i so want one of these. perfect accessory for my whitson rack thats on order!

 

[Gerdo]

I would never mount a RTT on the stock bars, nor anything else that I cared about. The stock bars are known to break rather often at the plastic ends. I have seen this a few times. I know someone that had a rack with a spare tire in it on 6 bars and it still broke them.

The defender mounts look like the ticket. Low and metal.

 

[NJCatalana]

Here are the mounts. This order is for only 6 mounts, you need 8 for the tent if you want it to be really stable. Call the company and request 8 with your order instead of 6.

Defender Facotry Roof Rack Mounting Brackets - Off Road Unlimited

QUOTE]

I checked out this website and they look pretty good, question-can you mount the Yakima Loadwarrior to these somehow? I've got one mounted on my factory rails, but it does sit a little high for my liking. I'm not sure if there is somway to rig this up or not

 

[Gerdo]

I checked out this website and they look pretty good, question-can you mount the Yakima Loadwarrior to these somehow? I've got one mounted on my factory rails, but it does sit a little high for my liking. I'm not sure if there is somway to rig this up or not

Getting off topic but, bolt a couple of square tubes across them and clamp the Loadwarrior on.

 

[Dirtco]

Here's a couple pictures I have saved of other low profile roof racks I have seen, most are home made. Something like this would keep the tent low, and be stronger than the factory rails. Just idea's...















And a picture of how the tent mounts on the rack, this is on my trailer.

 

[gshadow325]

wow the one on the red one is LOW

 

[Suncoast]

So the stock rails are sturdy enough? It's just the connection between the rails and tent that needs to be fabbed or bought? I like those defender mounts!!!

 

[Stockwell45]

I have yet to hear anyone having problems with the stock rails actually breaking from a rooftop tent. But like Gerdo said, don't trust the stock crossbars!

The only problem I had with my rails were the torx screws coming a bit loose and causing some rattling. I took the screws out and reinstalled with blue locktite. No problems after that and over a year later. Good luck if you decide to go the tent route, and post some pics up if you do!

 

[runandcycle]

I dont trust the stock rails. My rtt weighs about 150 loaded with sleeping gear and ladder. Then add the weight of the rack and it is close to 200 lbs empty. I am using a modified yakima q-tower system on mine currently

I used the drip rails on my land cruiser and my outback had a quality factory rack. From my experience, the 4runner's roof will deflect with 300+ lbs using the stock rails that are screwed to the roof.

 

[Suncoast]

Those defender mounts almost look like a T Hinge, I wonder of I could make mounts using T-hinges. Anyone tried this?

 

[Gerdo]

i would never mount a rtt on the stock bars, nor anything else that i cared about. The stock bars are known to break rather often at the plastic ends. I have seen this a few times. I know someone that had a rack with a spare tire in it on 6 bars and it still broke them.

The defender mounts look like the ticket. Low and metal.

so the stock rails are sturdy enough? It's just the connection between the rails and tent that needs to be fabbed or bought? I like those defender mounts!!!

no!!!

 

[sn0wrunner]

no!!!

I don't think he is referring to the cross bars that are perpendicular to the vehicle, I think he's referring to the rails that are parallel to the vehicle that the cross bars mount to.

 

[Gerdo]

I don't think he is referring to the cross bars that are perpendicular to the vehicle, I think he's referring to the rails that are parallel to the vehicle that the cross bars mount to.

After a re-read, I think you are correct.

 

[Suncoast]

After a re-read, I think you are correct.

Thats correct NOT the cross bars but the rails mounted to the vehicle running lengthwise:thumb3:

 

[MTD]

I'm thinking of maybe picking up one of the Tepui http://tepuitents.com/ roof top tents or something similar, Does anyone have any experience with these tents? If I use an aftermarket Thule or Yakima bar systen do they mount to the roof independantly of the stock roof rack or do they attach to the stock roof rack? Any impact on handling? Mines a '97 limited, can I just use the stock toyota roof racks?

Hey I have a writeup specifically for the 3rd gens that I got from the owner of tepui. Its a pretty low cost and sturdy option. I'll post a link for it when I get home. I have a tepui autana on order, should be here this Wednesday. I am gonna be running a group buy for tepui in April here if you feel like waiting a bit. Just pm me if you have any questions or want to talk.

 

[Gerdo]

Thats correct NOT the cross bars but the rails mounted to the vehicle running lengthwise:thumb3:

That's a good question. How are the rails attached to the roof?

 

[MTD]

That's a good question. How are the rails attached to the roof?

Screwed into Pem nuts that are in the roof gutter.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I would opt for a off road tear drop trailer.

5 Wide Rough Rider - Teardrop Camper/Trailer - Little Guy