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

[krinkle]

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

I want to run a Tepui Autana RTT on my 2015 4Runner, ideally I'd like to avoid having to install a Gobi or Baja rack to accomplish this.

I'm aware that the factory cross bars will not support the tent in use.

My question is, will the factory rails mounted to the roof used in conjunction with Yakima cross bars allow the use of an RTT.

Figure the tent weighs in at 150 lbs. 2 adult males at 400 lbs. So your looking at about 550 static lbs when camping.

Can the factory rails support this. I'm pretty sure the Yakima cross bars will be fine as I've seen these tents run with those bars. My concern is the factory roof rails.

Any insight or experience is highly appreciated. First hand knowledge being best of course.

 

[mook21]

Loads of boats...

I have loaded 6 whitewater kayaks and driven 2 hours on Yakima 60" cross bars and factory rails. Each boat with gear stuffed inside is about 50lbs. so around 300 lbs. with no problems. Here's a photo with some smaller play boats where I drove down a half mile goat trail over rock shelfs to the put in and parked right next to the Gauley River in WV, no problems!

 

[Plano26]

I want to run a Tepui Autana RTT on my 2015 4Runner, ideally I'd like to avoid having to install a Gobi or Baja rack to accomplish this.

I'm aware that the factory cross bars will not support the tent in use.

My question is, will the factory rails mounted to the roof used in conjunction with Yakima cross bars allow the use of an RTT.

Figure the tent weighs in at 150 lbs. 2 adult males at 400 lbs. So your looking at about 550 static lbs when camping.

Can the factory rails support this. I'm pretty sure the Yakima cross bars will be fine as I've seen these tents run with those bars. My concern is the factory roof rails.

Any insight or experience is highly appreciated. First hand knowledge being best of course.

Hi krinkle; I'm also in the process of researching this same thing as getting a rack adds that extra costs; here is a great article over at Expedition Portal; very nice tent; bit pricy but the added benefit of being light and not having to get a rack.....yet...

First Impressions: James Baroud Horizon Vision Roof Top Tent | Expedition Portal

 

[mook21]

another photo with 7 boats, 350 lb!

forgot I had this one, 350lb +

 

[krinkle]

So I'm not too concerned about the 150 lbs dynamic weight. It's the 550 lbs static that concerns me.

Seems the rails on the pre-2014 also seem to have some support mid rail that the 2014+ don't. Not sure if that's a factor.

I'll have to check out the info over at Expedition Portal.

I've been told that as long as I place the Yakima bars as close to the ends of the rails I "should" be fine, but I'm looking for something more than a "should."

 

[mazatal]

Yes, Baroud Evasion Evolution on 4 Yakima X-bars on a '13 Limited works just fine.

 

[krinkle]

Yes, Baroud Evasion Evolution on 4 Yakima X-bars on a '13 Limited works just fine.

Any photos of your setup? Also why 4 bars? Seems that would be more for the tent floor than the roof rails. All that aside this gives me good evidence that this will work.

 

[gshadow325]

your RTT should have rails that support the floor.

if you did cross bars it would basically be a pattern like # but you can just bolt it to the load bars like =

am i making any sense?

best internet pic i could find

 

[Swarty]

So I'm not too concerned about the 150 lbs dynamic weight. It's the 550 lbs static that concerns me.



Seems the rails on the pre-2014 also seem to have some support mid rail that the 2014+ don't. Not sure if that's a factor.



I'll have to check out the info over at Expedition Portal.



I've been told that as long as I place the Yakima bars as close to the ends of the rails I "should" be fine, but I'm looking for something more than a "should."

Rock road setup replaces just the cross bars and claims to increase the load capacity to 1000 #s.
http://www.rocky-road.com/5th-gen-4runner-roof-rack.html

 

[GabrielM]

Previous owner of my truck have run 4 years with a RTT. He use Thule bar over the factory rack.

This is a picture of it.

 

[dhylander]

What are the front bar setup you have over the front seat? I'm looking for something like that so I can have my 18' sea kayaks placed more forward over the truck.

Previous owner of my truck have run 4 years with a RTT. He use Thule bar over the factory rack.

This is a picture of it.

 

[adio3x]

What are the front bar setup you have over the front seat? I'm looking for something like that so I can have my 18' sea kayaks placed more forward over the truck.

Look into the Yakima Q towers, I think thats what he has or the older version of it.

 

[GabrielM]

What are the front bar setup you have over the front seat? I'm looking for something like that so I can have my 18' sea kayaks placed more forward over the truck.

The pictures are from the PO, but if I recall he told me it was a Thule setup, but cannot be sure. Check also for the Yakima Q tower like [MENTION=50186]adio3x[/MENTION] said.

 

[dhylander]

Look into the Yakima Q towers, I think thats what he has or the older version of it.

The pictures are from the PO, but if I recall he told me it was a Thule setup, but cannot be sure. Check also for the Yakima Q tower like [MENTION=50186]adio3x[/MENTION] said.

Thanks, looking at Thule and Yakima catalogs, they look more like the Thule Traverse foot packs. I'll give them a try.

 

[GabrielM]

Thanks, looking at Thule and Yakima catalogs, they look more like the Thule Traverse foot packs. I'll give them a try.

If you have a specialized shop near you, they could probably find something that will work and test fitted prior to buying it.

 

[TheLast13]

Yes. Thule 45058

works like a charm, just sits a little high, but nothing to be concerned about.

Ran mine like that for 8 months or so? I just took off the RTT for winter, but will go right back on in April with the same mounts.

 

[krinkle]

Tons of good info in this thread. Thanks to everyone.

The Rocky Road Rack looks interesting and actually their site answers my question. If they have 1000 lbs of confidence in the factory roof rails to attach their rack I think the Yakima RailGrab 4 pack and 2 48" cross bars will work just fine for the RTT I'm looking at. Most likely getting a Tepui Autana Siberian Camo.

I already have the cross bars, locks, and a wind deflector which I got for free, so I just need the RailGrabs which I found for about $140 shipped. Saves me some money. Then I just need the tent, I'll need to save a little to get it. Hopefully have it before Overland Expo West.