Anyone mount a roof top tent?

[stevets]

Are aluminum extrusions required??

Hello All, I want to mount an RTT super low profile and am wondering if anyone would care to speculate on this question:
Are the aluminum extrusions which mount to the bottom of the tent platform that seem to be universal on the RTT's necessary? Or is the platform strong enough without them?

I'm thinking of doing 4 or 6 tabs per side that are drilled and screwed through the platform, with nice big washers on both top and bottom and them mounted to the stock Runner rails.

Any thoughts?

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Hello All, I want to mount an RTT super low profile and am wondering if anyone would care to speculate on this question:
Are the aluminum extrusions which mount to the bottom of the tent platform that seem to be universal on the RTT's necessary? Or is the platform strong enough without them?

I'm thinking of doing 4 or 6 tabs per side that are drilled and screwed through the platform, with nice big washers on both top and bottom and them mounted to the stock Runner rails.

Any thoughts?

I would think it would be necessary. It helps to add to the rigidity of the floor. I made a low profile mount for mine, the floor is about 3 inches off the roof.

There are "rails" mounted on the bottom of the tent that slide inside the rails on my rack and it is then bolted in place. Holds it fine and is easily removable so it doesn't stay on all the time.

 

[I'mStock]

Love your truck, hate your image sizing.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Love your truck, hate your image sizing.

Ok? Look normal on mine.

 

[Mark_BC]

Here is the post on extending the stock roof rails forward, even with a sunroof. I'm going to do that, take them all the way forward to where the roof starts to really slope. Then I'll weld up my own full length low profile rack that attaches to the rails.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/222700-diy-oem-style-full-length-roof-rack.html

 

[Stockwell45]

I've received a few PM's asking how the Defender mounts attach to the tent, and the factory rails. There isn't a lot of information online about them, so I figured I'd post up a few new pictures with some old ones. Hopefully this will help some of you who are looking for an easy way to mount your tent. I'm going on 5 years with this setup now, with over 100 nights in my tent and thousands of rough dirt road miles. The mounts are still holding up great.

 

[stever1000]

I would love one of these tents!

 

[stevets]

The Defenders are almost exactly what I envisioned!
Stockwell45 - did you locate the extrusions on the tent base yourself? Mine came with pre-drilled holes that would make it impossible to do what you've done.

 

[Stockwell45]

The Defenders are almost exactly what I envisioned!
Stockwell45 - did you locate the extrusions on the tent base yourself? Mine came with pre-drilled holes that would make it impossible to do what you've done.

My tent came with pre-drilled holes as well. These holes were for running the bolts through to mount the rails. The dealer at the Tepui warehouse helped me mount the rails. I bet you could call Tepui and order a set of rails, and just mount them yourself. Then you could just patch the existing holes you have.

 

[Suncoast]

Bump for this thread, still looking to pick one up, any pros or cons?

 

[junior_g]

I've used the defender mounts suggested here on several trips over the last 3 years. My truck is a 1999 4runner. The tent is a Tepui Kukenam Sky. No issues, and the setup is pretty easy. I check all the bolts regularly. On my last trip, a couple of them worked themselves loose.

I have made these videos about my experience with the Tepui Kukenam Sky:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/KtzCk7DVAk4

Part 2: https://youtu.be/9qhH9CsM4EA

 

[karl.d.gnarl]

My tent came with pre-drilled holes as well. These holes were for running the bolts through to mount the rails. The dealer at the Tepui warehouse helped me mount the rails. I bet you could call Tepui and order a set of rails, and just mount them yourself. Then you could just patch the existing holes you have.

I'm planning on mounting my tent as you did with the Defender mounts. Just wanted to clarify: The pre-drilled holes would not work to mount the rails in the correct place, so did the dealer help you drill new holes so that once the rails were mounted, they would match up with the Defender mounts? Thanks for all your info!

 

[Stockwell45]

I'm planning on mounting my tent as you did with the Defender mounts. Just wanted to clarify: The pre-drilled holes would not work to mount the rails in the correct place, so did the dealer help you drill new holes so that once the rails were mounted, they would match up with the Defender mounts? Thanks for all your info!

Sorry, I did not see this until now. Hopefully this is still some help to you. The pre-drilled holes in the bottom of the tent to mount the rails are in the correct spot, I did not drill any new holes. When the rails are mounted, they line up perfectly with the Defender mounts on the roof. Unless the Tepui rail design has changed in the 5 years since I've had my tent, this should work for you too without having to modify your tent.

 

[Islandchanel]

This is genius.

 

[kolelt]

After wheeling last weekend. Being around people with RTT. I want one so bad ! And the more I think about it. The more I want a Tacoma 4door short bed. Because the once you mount the tent on the roof. You loose so much storage space !!! And on the Tacoma. You can mount it over the bed. And still have a roof rack over the roof.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey guys do any of you have a working link for where to buy the Defender Rooftop mounts that work with our 3rd Gen 4Runners?

I googled it but found ones that didn't look like a match at all to what is pictured in this thread.

 

[OTR366]

Hey guys do any of you have a working link for where to buy the Defender Rooftop mounts that work with our 3rd Gen 4Runners?

I googled it but found ones that didn't look like a match at all to what is pictured in this thread.

These are the closest to the ones in the original post I've been able to find.

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-A...qid=1549646056&sr=8-1&keywords=smittybilt++am

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

Since I literally just got a RTT last weekend from the REI garage sale, can I ask you guys that have your tents mounts up w/ the aftermarket "L" brackets,
does the roof structure of the 'runner seem to be sturdy enough?

I just have my tent temporarily clamped to the factory X-bars so that I could move it from the store and into storage tomorrow until I figure out a study mounting system.

TIA for any feedback.

 

[trackntrail]

I've got my Tepui Kukenam 3 mounted on the Tepui DIY rack. Seems pretty sturdy and has worked great so far

 

[BrianSD_42]

I've got my Tepui Kukenam 3 mounted on the Tepui DIY rack. Seems pretty sturdy and has worked great so far

Can you please post some pictures of how you mounted it on your 3rd gen. Also of this DIY rack.

Thanks