Front Runner Rack and RTT

[TerraCrawler]

So I just finished getting my RTT (ARB Simpson III) installed on my Front Runner Rack. A few observations.

I bought he lower height RTT mount kit from Front Runner - BIG MISTAKE! It is very hard to work under the RTT to tighten bolts and just do anything. Once your done, there is barely enough clearance to do basic rack tasks like remove the rear corner to slide on some bolts. The biggest issue with the lower mounts is that its basically impossible to install accessories to the side. Awnings, Jacks, shovels, etc. will not clear the RTT. So my advice is get the taller tent mounts (just ordered them myself). Front Runner now has a quick release kit for $299 on their site, looks interesting, especially if you plan to remove your RTT a lot.

Second thing I did wrong was I installed the Front Runner mounts to the Front Runner Rack, then installed the ARB extrudes to the top of the mounts with the idea that I would slide the ARB RTT onto this. Not easy! Spent ALOT of time cursing and scratching parts. The way to go, is to just attach everything to the RTT, including the Front Runner tent mounts. Then you just simply drop it on top of 8 M8 bolts you have slid into your rails and your done!!

 

[JDM4LO]

Thanks for sharing your failures. I'm getting an FRO Slimline II so this has definitely been helpful.


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[greatape]

So I just finished getting my RTT (ARB Simpson III) installed on my Front Runner Rack. A few observations.

I bought he lower height RTT mount kit from Front Runner - BIG MISTAKE! It is very hard to work under the RTT to tighten bolts and just do anything. Once your done, there is barely enough clearance to do basic rack tasks like remove the rear corner to slide on some bolts. The biggest issue with the lower mounts is that its basically impossible to install accessories to the side. Awnings, Jacks, shovels, etc. will not clear the RTT. So my advice is get the taller tent mounts (just ordered them myself). Front Runner now has a quick release kit for $299 on their site, looks interesting, especially if you plan to remove your RTT a lot.

Second thing I did wrong was I installed the Front Runner mounts to the Front Runner Rack, then installed the ARB extrudes to the top of the mounts with the idea that I would slide the ARB RTT onto this. Not easy! Spent ALOT of time cursing and scratching parts. The way to go, is to just attach everything to the RTT, including the Front Runner tent mounts. Then you just simply drop it on top of 8 M8 bolts you have slid into your rails and your done!!

Agree, I ordered the taller FR mounts last year for my K9 rack when I purchased my RTT. Also, I attach the RTT with the mounts attached, at that point it is just lining up the mounts even on the rack which on mine I have marked. Another huge time saver is using stubby ratchet wrenches...makes everything so much easier

 

[ahbot]

I had a similar experience last night. It took me forever to mount the parts (supplied by Tepui) onto the FR Slimline rack. I'm going to buy the Quick Release mount down the road.

 

[leftyguns21]

its not any easier on a gobi stealth rack. there is 0 room to work underneath the tent.

I made a video of how I load mine. I keep the cross bars mounted to the bottom of the tent and use 2*4's load the tent. this way I am not fussing with bolts under the tent, i remove the 2*4s and tent drops on to the rack. then all i have to do is mount the cross bars.

 

[pfunk4runner]

its not any easier on a gobi stealth rack. there is 0 room to work underneath the tent.

but it does help thats just about the coolest rack there is for a 4runner

 

[ahbot]

I just purchased the Front Runner quick release. I'll post some pics after I've installed it. I'm also looking to upgrade to the full size rack.

 

[TerraCrawler]

What ladder/stool do you short people use?

I am 5' 7.5" and I can tell its going to be a chore to pack the tent up. On the back I have a Gobi ladder and of course the RTT has a ladder. But I need something to get up when necessary for example to pack the RTT around the front. I have not done the pack/unpack routine much since buying it so maybe I will not need it, but I am thinking maybe a retractable ladder of sorts. On one hand I am a bit put off by having 3 ladders in the vehicle, so I am hoping maybe with technique a ladder isn't necessary for packing the RTT.

 

[greatape]

I am 5' 7.5" and I can tell its going to be a chore to pack the tent up. On the back I have a Gobi ladder and of course the RTT has a ladder. But I need something to get up when necessary for example to pack the RTT around the front. I have not done the pack/unpack routine much since buying it so maybe I will not need it, but I am thinking maybe a retractable ladder of sorts. On one hand I am a bit put off by having 3 ladders in the vehicle, so I am hoping maybe with technique a ladder isn't necessary for packing the RTT.

I'd practice some more at see what you come up with..I'm over 6ft and w/a 3 in lift, I still have to stretch standing on the running boards to tidy down the front and the rear usually hopping on the wheels..but they do make some pretty small form factor ladders that you could probably store inside the RTT

 

[ahbot]

Just got the FR Quick Release. I love the fast shipping of FR. I'm going to post pics once I install it later today.

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[TerraCrawler]

Just got the FR Quick Release. I love the fast shipping of FR. I'm going to post pics once I install it later today.

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I live in Florida, and anything from CA to FL takes a while, so I ordered some parts the other day overnight, cost quite a bit. So I order on Thur night, it ships Friday, and the box shows arrival scan to my city early this morning. It never arrives! I called UPS and they said FR did not select Saturday delivery!!!! I paid $$$ and won't be getting it until Monday!

 

[ahbot]

I live 2 hrs away from FR so shipping is always pretty fast. I was expecting to come Monday but UPS made the delivery today.

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[SenorColdOnes]

Anyone running a RTT on a the smallest Front Runner rack? Trying to gauge how many slats will be available (if any) after the tent is up there.

 

[TerraCrawler]

Anyone know if this light would be overkill for a LED inside the Annex?

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...unner-10-250mm-led-flood-light-w-bracket.html

 

[TerraCrawler]

Anyone running a RTT on a the smallest Front Runner rack? Trying to gauge how many slats will be available (if any) after the tent is up there.

slats are 8" apart and for example an ARB Simpson III is 55" long, so it would take about 7 slats. You may find up to 8 are consumed/not usable, it all depends on how exactly you mount it

 

[leftyguns21]

I am 5' 7.5" and I can tell its going to be a chore to pack the tent up. On the back I have a Gobi ladder and of course the RTT has a ladder. But I need something to get up when necessary for example to pack the RTT around the front. I have not done the pack/unpack routine much since buying it so maybe I will not need it, but I am thinking maybe a retractable ladder of sorts. On one hand I am a bit put off by having 3 ladders in the vehicle, so I am hoping maybe with technique a ladder isn't necessary for packing the RTT.

I am a little over 5'9" and have a 3" lift. its a struggle some of the time but I have not needed a ladder yet. I usually climb on top to zip the cover which is the hardest part for me.

 

[ahbot]

Here are a couple of pics of the FR rack and RTT with the FR quick release mounts.

Pros: The quick release is really easy to install and works perfectly. It seriously takes 2 mins to take RTT off the rack.

Cons: The RTT sits up about 5-6, inches higher than before which causes more wind noise. It cost a lot $300. Center of gravity of the vehicle is higher.

Overall, I'm happy with it. It's worth it for me. It won't be a PITA to take off and on.

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[Cymon]

Here are a couple of pics of the FR rack and RTT with the FR quick release mounts.

Pros: The quick release is really easy to install and works perfectly. It seriously takes 2 mins to take RTT off the rack.

Cons: The RTT sits up about 5-6, inches higher than before which causes more wind noise. It cost a lot $300. Center of gravity of the vehicle is higher.

Overall, I'm happy with it. It's worth it for me. It won't be a PITA to take off and on.

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These are so worth the $. After all initial install and measurements it takes less than 5 minutes to take CVT Mt. rainier Summit Series on and off. They are also lockable rig a TSA Style cable lock. Insert into pinhole and it's virtually impossible to get at with anything other than the key to the lock.

 

[unsub1]

Here are a couple of pics of the FR rack and RTT with the FR quick release mounts.

Pros: The quick release is really easy to install and works perfectly. It seriously takes 2 mins to take RTT off the rack.

Cons: The RTT sits up about 5-6, inches higher than before which causes more wind noise. It cost a lot $300. Center of gravity of the vehicle is higher.

Hey! Looks good. Can you explain how the quick release mounts make it sit over 5 inches taller? It doesn't look like it would be more than a couple inches taller than sitting directly on the Front Runner.

Thanks!

 

[RAD4Runner]

Incident Report - Wind Blew Floor Overhang up, Ladder Got Stuck

Had a grand time in Death Valley. Titus Canyon, to Ubehebe Crater, to roadside camp on Racetrack Playa a couple of miles south of the crater. Next day, we drove to Tea Kettle Junction, Racetrack Playa, and got to Homestake Dry Camp early for snacks, siesta and a relaxed evening.

I slept on ground as usual. Late at night strong gusts of wind woke me up, but no worries. Then more gusts and it started to drizzle. As I walked toward my friend's Jeep to sleep under his awning, he called me from his Front Runner RTT.

The wind* had blown the floor overhang and folded it up. The ladder swung against the RTT cover that is left draped from the roof rack and got caught in its folds. In that configuration, my friend could not reach and free the ladder! He could have exited through the zippered window, but since I was already down below, I just helped him free the ladder and bring the floor back to horizontal.

One potential preventive would be to tie a guy-line from ladder hinge to rock slider.

HOMESTAKE DRY CAMP AT SUNSET

IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU, TO ANY ROOF-TOP TENT

* Note that winds in that area are strong enough to move rocks! ARTICLE HERE
The awning held because I guyed it out.