Frontrunner Slimline II + Autohome Maggiolina

[Bay_Runner]

Asking for help! On my 4Runner I have a Frontrunner Slimline II full length roof rack installed, and I completed a purchase today for an Autohome Maggiolina Airland Plus, size Small. The length of the rack is not an issue, however when it comes to width, the tent is about half an inch wider than the roof rack itself. Those of you who have a frontrunner rack know that the outer perimeter of the rack have a slight lip which prevents the tent from sitting flush on the rack:



The Tent:






This leads into the dilemma I'm currently facing. The folks at Autohome suggested flipping the roof rack upside down (not my first choice but feasible solution), upon trying this, we found the rack will not sit flush on the roof mounts due to the "lip" being put on the bottom side of the rack. A fix to this could be to either grind down the "skate" style roof mounts to accommodate the rack. Another option would be to either custom fabricate or try and adapt new roof mounts to allow the roof rack to sit level, but upside down still. While this might work I'd rather try to work out a solution that does not require me to turn my rack upside down to mount the tent. Another solution suggested by Autohome was to ditch the outside frame of the roof rack and just run the tent with 6 cross slats - I would like to avoid deconstructing the roof rack if possible. Since I've drilled into my roof to mount the frontrunner, a new roof rack would be an absolute last resort for me.

* I am aware Frontrunner makes specific mounting solutions for the Maggolina tent, however this hardware kit does not solve the issue with needing clearance over the lip of the roof rack. I am also aware that they sell a tall tent mounting kit, but I am hesitant to use a solution that would rest the entire weight of the tent and it's occupants on 4 mounting points as opposed to having the weight evenly distributed over the rack. Stability will be a concern so I would like to avoid quick-release mounts. *

Upon further researching, I found some information on expedition portal where someone had adapted additional slats into their front runner rack to allow the mounting points for the tent to be raised. I'm currently awaiting Frontrunner to get back to me on this solution, but wanted to take the chance to get this thread out there and see what other people might have done. Has anyone done this?

 

[Cymon]

Asking for help! On my 4Runner I have a Frontrunner Slimline II full length roof rack installed, and I completed a purchase today for an Autohome Maggiolina Airland Plus, size Small. The length of the rack is not an issue, however when it comes to width, the tent is about half an inch wider than the roof rack itself. Those of you who have a frontrunner rack know that the outer perimeter of the rack have a slight lip which prevents the tent from sitting flush on the rack:

View attachment 282041

The Tent:

View attachment 282042

View attachment 282043


This leads into the dilemma I'm currently facing. The folks at Autohome suggested flipping the roof rack upside down (not my first choice but feasible solution), upon trying this, we found the rack will not sit flush on the roof mounts due to the "lip" being put on the bottom side of the rack. A fix to this could be to either grind down the "skate" style roof mounts to accommodate the rack. Another option would be to either custom fabricate or try and adapt new roof mounts to allow the roof rack to sit level, but upside down still. While this might work I'd rather try to work out a solution that does not require me to turn my rack upside down to mount the tent. Another solution suggested by Autohome was to ditch the outside frame of the roof rack and just run the tent with 6 cross slats - I would like to avoid deconstructing the roof rack if possible. Since I've drilled into my roof to mount the frontrunner, a new roof rack would be an absolute last resort for me.

* I am aware Frontrunner makes specific mounting solutions for the Maggolina tent, however this hardware kit does not solve the issue with needing clearance over the lip of the roof rack. I am also aware that they sell a tall tent mounting kit, but I am hesitant to use a solution that would rest the entire weight of the tent and it's occupants on 4 mounting points as opposed to having the weight evenly distributed over the rack. Stability will be a concern so I would like to avoid quick-release mounts. *

Upon further researching, I found some information on expedition portal where someone had adapted additional slats into their front runner rack to allow the mounting points for the tent to be raised. I'm currently awaiting Frontrunner to get back to me on this solution, but wanted to take the chance to get this thread out there and see what other people might have done. Has anyone done this?



View attachment 282045

I have a 3/4 Slimline II and used their quick release mounts with our Mt. Rainier Summit Series. It does elevate the rack above the rails, which would solve your issue, but this is more to comment on using their mounts to have the tent resting on 4 mounting points (as that is what we also have). We have had no issues so far with support with the rack. Our tent is about 175 lbs and with the 4 (my wife and I and our two kids) of us sleeping in it we have a static weight of approx 600 lbs. I have some pics of the mounts in my thread.

Post #180, and I have some pics with the tent in use on the next page.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-12.html

 

[4Running303]

Call Rin at OK4WD. They have a solution they made for the James Baroud tents. The Maggliolina tents use the same rail with u-bolts mounting as the JB tents. Their kit is similar to the one pictured but they use Alu-Cab cross bars mounted on their own fabricated lifting feet. It will put your tent 1/8" above the FR rack's side rim.

I had the same issue, but talking with Rin, he suggested I get the 1425mm wide FR Slimline II rack. Its not the 4runner specific one, but it comes with the same foot rails, just a wider tray. That tray is 56" wide and my JB tent is 55"!

 

[e60ral]

Get some 8020 extrusions, cut some pieces to make spacers and use a piece as a cross bar for the RTT

 

[Bay_Runner]

I have a 3/4 Slimline II and used their quick release mounts with our Mt. Rainier Summit Series. It does elevate the rack above the rails, which would solve your issue, but this is more to comment on using their mounts to have the tent resting on 4 mounting points (as that is what we also have). We have had no issues so far with support with the rack. Our tent is about 175 lbs and with the 4 (my wife and I and our two kids) of us sleeping in it we have a static weight of approx 600 lbs. I have some pics of the mounts in my thread.

Post #180, and I have some pics with the tent in use on the next page.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-12.html

Thanks for your input! I know a lot of people have successfully run the quick release mounts without fail, however I know a buddy of mine who had his shear off while on the trail with the same tent from Autohome. For peace of mind I'll more than likely end up avoiding the quick release mounts, but I'll do some more looking into these when I speak with Frontrunner today.

Call Rin at OK4WD. They have a solution they made for the James Baroud tents. The Maggliolina tents use the same rail with u-bolts mounting as the JB tents. Their kit is similar to the one pictured but they use Alu-Cab cross bars mounted on their own fabricated lifting feet. It will put your tent 1/8" above the FR rack's side rim.

I had the same issue, but talking with Rin, he suggested I get the 1425mm wide FR Slimline II rack. Its not the 4runner specific one, but it comes with the same foot rails, just a wider tray. That tray is 56" wide and my JB tent is 55"!

Funny, I actually shot them an email late last night about that kit after I found some info on expedition portal. I figured a wider rack would also be an option, glad to know you were able to make it work. Thanks!

Get some 8020 extrusions, cut some pieces to make spacers and use a piece as a cross bar for the RTT

Yep, essentially just need about an extra inch of clearance to get the tent over the lip. I figure the frontrunner mounts specific to the autohome with some longer bolts should work just fine.

 

[Cymon]

Thanks for your input! I know a lot of people have successfully run the quick release mounts without fail, however I know a buddy of mine who had his shear off while on the trail with the same tent from Autohome. For peace of mind I'll more than likely end up avoiding the quick release mounts, but I'll do some more looking into these when I speak with Frontrunner today.

I’ve heard of that as well because of how they mount up. Not as concerning with the soft tent mounts. I was more just speaking to the static weight. I’ll be interested to see what you come up with.

:cheers:

 

[mystiqueskillz]

Any update on the install?