villaphoto
New member
Got anymore photos of these? I just threw down for a set of adapters for my Thule Bars that I had laying around... but now you have me thinking...
Can you put a Roof Top Tent on 4 runner factory roof rack
- Thread starter 68GTconvert
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villaphoto
New member
I just want to check in and say after 5,000 miles with a Tepui Ayer attached to the factory rack, we decided to throw down for a Thule Kit to put on my old bars that I had laying around. On our last night on a trip we had some flex from the stock 4runner cross bars that just made it feel a bit weird and since we have the Thule bars already, we figured we might as well have something a bit sturdier.
Also, mounting the Tepui on the stock cross bars was a huge pain in the ass... and truthfully it took way too long to put the thing on, which is why it stayed on for so long.
That being said, the low profile was nice and I'll post some updated pics and a review after next week when we head out for a quick overnighter with the Thule bars on and such.
Here are some pictures with it mounted:
306A7638 by Andrew Villa, on Flickr
Also, mounting the Tepui on the stock cross bars was a huge pain in the ass... and truthfully it took way too long to put the thing on, which is why it stayed on for so long.
That being said, the low profile was nice and I'll post some updated pics and a review after next week when we head out for a quick overnighter with the Thule bars on and such.
Here are some pictures with it mounted:
306A7638 by Andrew Villa, on Flickr
UrbanRunner651
New member
Looks Nice. I'd be interested to see if it works with the sport rack. Is it just the bracket or the whole setup. What is the crossbar material? They are mounted inside the track on sliders correct? I was thinking of having some brackets cut to mount some extruded t slot crossbars just like this.
DCameraMan
New member
I originally planned to put my tent on the stock bars, and decided to build custom cross bars that I knew would be strong enough. This was all until I took the original cross bars off and learned that the stock rails are mounted to the vehicle with PLATIC. There was not a single chance I’d drive down the road, let alone off road, with a 130 lbs tent bouncing around on plastic. I have the sport, people said the roof mount was aluminum with a plastic cover.. nope all plastic
https://youtu.be/Ie4li7Rir7c
https://youtu.be/Ie4li7Rir7c
TXLX1
New member
I haven't had the chance to look at this with a Sport rack with the round bars. Does anyone know what material the Sport Rack rails are made out of?
I sell the whole setup, the hardware needed to mount the load bars, and the load bars (for square style side rails only, I'm unsure if this fits the rounds Sport Rails).
TXLX1
New member
Nice idea and execution. I've heard the "Sport" parts are a bit different. I also make a roof rack that slides between the factory rails (60lb rack), and I'm able to jump my 180lbs body weight on it, with no issue. The factory feet ends look beefy enough, for the square aluminum style rails.
TXLX1
New member
I can send you all the photos I have, message me and I'll get you my email address and we can share. I'm not setup to advertise on here, but I believe my kit is much cheaper than the Thule set that clips to the factory side rails. Thanks for the inquiry!
DCameraMan
New member
Thanks. The parts are different, but apparently the Sport rack is stronger than the sr5/limited. Freaks me out even more lol I was actually never worried about sleeping up there. Static weight is much easier to handle. But drive down the road, hitting bumps and whatnot, I couldn't trust it, even with steel cross bars. I'd love to see your rack though! Does it bolt to the roof or to the factory rails?
TXLX1
New member
Hmmm, I'll have to jump on a sport rack when I see one! The tent I use is the basic 2 man Chinese tent (48x56) and weights around 100lbs. I don't have any worry about the tent riding on the my steel load bars, but since you bring it up.... I will set my gopro up there next time I have tent on the truck and see what the deflection is offroad. Going to big bend later this month, so that will be a good torture test. I will DM you some info about roof racks. Thanks.
UrbanRunner651
New member
I'm pretty sure the rails are extruded aluminum and the footings are some type of nylon. I would imagine the internal track size would be the same for interchangeability but there could be a slight difference in the gap spacing. what is the length (width) of your setup?
TXLX1
New member
That is my guess, probably a slight difference of the inside to inside measurement between the rails. If anyone with a round bar sport rack needs a product, I'm sure I can execute it, but would need to be pretty close on inside to inside measurement, and then I can make the mounting holes a smidge bigger for tolerance.
DCameraMan
New member
I'd be interested to see how it turns out! I have a sport rack for sale since I've made a custom rack. What part of the US you in?
Factory Roof Rack
I'm debating just buying 1" x 3" 80/20 T-Slotted cross bars, which are pretty much what are used on Prinsu Design and FR roof racks, and just attaching them to the my 2007 Limited factory side rails. They should be stronger than the factory cross bars and the factory side rails seem to be beefy enough to hold a lot of weight.
The side rails have to be just as strong or stronger than the 1/4" aluminum side rails I see that come with $1000 roof racks.
Anyone try this or have any specs on how much the side rails are rated for (not the cross bars)?
I'm debating just buying 1" x 3" 80/20 T-Slotted cross bars, which are pretty much what are used on Prinsu Design and FR roof racks, and just attaching them to the my 2007 Limited factory side rails. They should be stronger than the factory cross bars and the factory side rails seem to be beefy enough to hold a lot of weight.
The side rails have to be just as strong or stronger than the 1/4" aluminum side rails I see that come with $1000 roof racks.
Anyone try this or have any specs on how much the side rails are rated for (not the cross bars)?
tibblits920
New member
I just put in an order for these! They seem like a great product. I was never asked to provide my email for confirmation however..
Also check out LFD offroad. They make awesome cross bars that bolt to the factory rails.
LFD Off Road - Home
LFD Off Road - Home
villaphoto
New member
Email Jeremy directly if you need too. I picked up a set of his rails a few months ago and they work great.
Pieszeckipower
New member
This might sound stupid but...
I love the idea of a RTT, but I'm paranoid. I grew up with a dad who told me sitting on top of my first car (a Ford Explorer) would make the roof leak. Probably just an old wives tale, so to speak, but now I'm worried about all the weight of a RTT up there.
Anyone got any pearls of wisdom to put my mind at ease?
I love the idea of a RTT, but I'm paranoid. I grew up with a dad who told me sitting on top of my first car (a Ford Explorer) would make the roof leak. Probably just an old wives tale, so to speak, but now I'm worried about all the weight of a RTT up there.
Anyone got any pearls of wisdom to put my mind at ease?
LTDSC
New member
Ive jumped mine many times and offroaded hard trails with it on top. Zero leaks.
Bunk Myth
TXLX1
New member
Sorry I missed your original message, I don't check this forum very often. We have you all sorted out and in the mail. Thanks again! Best way to reach me is inquiry through the website which directs to my email.
TXLX1
New member
LFD definetly makes a nice cross bar setup. I believe they come predrilled with several holes for mounting other items. The cross bars I make are explicitly for roof top tents, and the mounts I use are modular to the roof racks I make.
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