DIY Easy-removal/Quick release RTT bracket/mount ideas

[pheelmeh]

So is FrontRunner really the only one out there with the idea of easily removing the RTT?! It's a sweet mount but it doesnt work for those who don't have their roof rack and it's been out of stock since its first inception.

Any DIY folks out there want to join in on brainstorming ideas for either quick removal or quick-release of an RTT?! :snacker:

I'm thinking of popping holes on the outter edges of my RTT and mounting these Tite-Lok Rail mount bases on 4 corners and securing it to the outter 1" rail of my Baja rack. With a impact, I could pop of the securing plates from all 4 corners in less than 2 minutes then lift it right off the rack. Securing the actual brackets onto the RTT, i'd use a thicker bolt with fender washers on the inside or go as far as sandwiching a metal plate on the inside of the tent.

 

[sigepbiker]

Two Quick Fist can carry 50 lbs. For those what don't have a grid floor, having 5 bars would hold close to 250 lbs.

Who want's to be the test dummy?

 

[adaml]

My Thule bars are pretty easy to pop right on and off ... They just stay attached to the tent. Don't know how much easier it could get.

 

[fishing_4_boulders]

Wonder if this would fit on other roof racks....I have the SSO rack and getting a tent on and off is a huge pain!! I’ve been looking into ways of getting it on and off without wrecking the top of my runner...

 

[STX4Runner]

Two Quick Fist can carry 50 lbs. For those what don't have a grid floor, having 5 bars would hold close to 250 lbs.

Who want's to be the test dummy?

Hope you're kidding. I would not trust a Quick Fist to hold a tent. Even with multiple ones.

 

[pheelmeh]

Wonder if this would fit on other roof racks....I have the SSO rack and getting a tent on and off is a huge pain!! I’ve been looking into ways of getting it on and off without wrecking the top of my runner...

I ordered the mounts - ill see what I can come up with and do a how-to if it’s successful. I agree it’s a PITA to take RTTs on and off roof racks - I have the Baja utility rack so it’s a ultra PITA trying to get my hands under there esp with an awning on one side of the rack.

 

[sigepbiker]

Hope you're kidding. I would not trust a Quick Fist to hold a tent. Even with multiple ones.

I mean, kinda serious...:behindsofa:
I am serious in the sense that the mechanics are there as to how it should be connected.

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

I guess it depends upon the type of tent and rack you have.

I have a FrontRunner tent, with a Safari Outback rack.

The FR tent has two alum. tracks with bolts that slide inside the tracks. I place two steel tube bars under my rack, feed the four bolts (two front, 2 rear) thru holes in the two bars and then use lock nuts to sandwich the rack between the tent rails and the two tubes.

It takes about five minutes to unbolt, probably 15-20min to install.

I really would like some type of fitting like the FR but they are ridiculously expensive, don't fit my rack, and appear to make the tent sit higher on the rack which I would not like either. I do like the principle of lowering a fitting that just clicks into place and then pulling a pin to release when you want to remove.

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

I think I have a new idea for fabrication....use this design idea....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyAmRCNqehQ

 

[pheelmeh]

I think I have a new idea for fabrication....use this design idea....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyAmRCNqehQ

Yup very similar to the front runner quick release...I was trying to look around for this style of mount in the marine world but couldn’t come across any.

 

[pheelmeh]

Quick update. Ended up going with this type of setup with quick release pins. The rails are 1" aluminum. The pictures are self-explanatory but if you have any questions let me know. Since I took the picture, i tightened up the L brackets against the rail so ignore the slight gap in the picture.

I'm going to put it through a little trial run before I pretty things up by painting the hardware and sanding off the brackets. The tent going on is a Smitty overlander.

Thus far the thing is solid. I tugged the living hell out of this thing with all my weight and it doesnt budge one bit - i'm debating on adding another rail in the middle to create a "H" type setup to reinforce any lateral movements from the rails. As for noise, the only bit of noise is where the L brackets meet the rail. I'm going to pickup some felt pads which will quiet things up. I end up killing a few birds with one stone going with this type of setup. The additional 1" of height allows my RTT to clear my ARB awning hanging off the side and this also adds the necessary height for my snowboard rack to carry 4 boards instead of 2.

All in all, materials were about $80 from local hardware store. I measured and cut it all up in my garage. The only thing i will eventually swap is a quick release pin with a T handle so its easier for me to reach under and yank it out but I picked up what they had in store for the time being.

 

[TRD_UP]

Any long term updates? I've been looking for alternative quick mount ideas for mine. I bought feet for my Prinsu rack, but getting my arm under there to put the nuts on is a pain in the...