How do you store your roof top tents when you are not having it mounted on your T4R?

[jicko]

How do you store your roof top tents when you are not using it or having it mounted on your T4R?

We are doing a group buy of the Tepui Roof Top Tents:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...op-tent-secret-*group-buy*-spring-2015-a.html

I had used one, and I liked it so much that I am getting one..... and also doing a GB for it!

My truck is also a daily driver, probably 60-80mi per day. So, it make sense for me not to have the RTT mounted during off season or when we are not out camping.

My garage door is also not tall enough to allow me to park inside with the RTT mounted.

I think more than a few of us will want to hear from you what's your storage solution, and mounting process etc...

 

[chiz45]

I've been debating this as well. A video from Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftte72pkuJ8

 

[1engineer]

You have been here long enough to search. Heck, you even posted in one of these!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/193077-rtt-full-time-stored-away-print.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/161976-rtt-debate.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/109414-does-anyone-have-roof-top-tent.html

They all talk about storage challenges and driving challenges and mounting and dismounting challenges. There are several other threads I didn't list. I figure there are about 10 people here (5th gen) that run them.

 

[Swarty]

I appreciate the question.

They all talk about storage challenges and driving challenges and mounting and dismounting challenges. There are several other threads I didn't list. I figure there are about 10 people here (5th gen) that run them.

I don't go through everything so I appreciate having specific answers under their subject.

 

[Intruder]

Watch the video.

Roof-Top Tents ? Treeline Outdoors

 

[Jetboy]

This is one of the reasons I don't have one. I love the idea of a RTT, but I haven't yet figured out how to make it equal to or more practical for me than just setting up good quality tent. I think a very light weight RTT is probably a key to being reasonably easy to remove and install. I'm sure I could lift one off easy enough with two a-frame ladders and a cross bar, both of which I have.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Here's my .02
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/100058-ducmonstas-build-thread-very-pic-heavy-23.html

 

[Keith_PDX]

This is one of the main reasons I went with a James Baroud hard shell design. It's better constructed to stay up on the roof from an aerodynamic and construction perspective.

I am fortunate enough to have 8' garage doors and 12' ceilings. I have a hoist setup in my garage for this. Back in, remove it and leave it is on the ceiling. Secondary safety chains for fall prevention and load stabilization.

 

[Swarty]

But how do you get it down?

Here's my .02
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/100058-ducmonstas-build-thread-very-pic-heavy-23.html

I don't think CVT has a tent under 90 lbs... How does it get from the rack to the top of your rig and back?

 

[rvdb]

We move ours from the 4runner to a Land Cruiser to a Tacoma when it isn't on a vehicle it is sitting on its side on a good quality furniture dolly so it's easy to move around as needed and doesn't take as much of a footprint.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I don't think CVT has a tent under 90 lbs... How does it get from the rack to the top of your rig and back?

The Thule cross bars stay mounted to the RTT. When it's time to remove or install it, I use Thule's 80" cross bars like a fork lift. It takes two people to carry it like C3P0 in Return of the Jedi but it's not that difficult to lift.

 

[4Surfin]

this is why I opted to build a trailer with a RTT mounted on that.

 

[Ducmonsta]

this is why I opted to build a trailer with a RTT mounted on that.

That's my long term plan. Actually, I'm meeting with my teardrop builder this weekend to work out details of the build and leave the deposit!

 

[4Surfin]

That's my long term plan. Actually, I'm meeting with my teardrop builder this weekend to work out details of the build and leave the deposit!

you doing an RTT on a teardrop? interesting.

 

[Ducmonsta]

you doing an RTT on a teardrop? interesting.

Yup. Not to derail this thread but that was the plan when I bought the RTT to begin with. I'd like to have the security of a teardrop for my kids while the wife and I are in the "penthouse". It also allows me to do some dispersed camping without the bulk of a pop up or travel trailer.

 

[Swarty]

What are we looking for?

Watch the video.

Roof-Top Tents ? Treeline Outdoors

its a nice tent... Did the have some storage solution in there that I missed?

 

[Intruder]

its a nice tent... Did the have some storage solution in there that I missed?

OP also asked about mounting process. The mounting process in the video is pretty similar to mine - get a friend to help you lift it on or take it off, give friend a beer.

 

[cjacob316]

If your garage ceiling is high enough, I would just put a hoist in and leave it hanging for storage.

 

[Belcher]

I purchased a 12' Harken Hoist from Amazon for around $200 and leave my Tepui Autana hanging from it 24/7.

When we get ready to use the tent I lower it down in the garage onto a dolly, roll it outside and get some friend to help lift. The Autana weights around 150 lbs.

The only draw back to the Harken Hoist is that the lifting process is slow...it has a series of cantilever pullies to raise and lower. Not a big problem though...you might need one more beer.:thumb: