Is a roof rack necessary for a rooftop tent?

[benjamin247]

I'm looking into the Tepui Hybox which measures 84"L x 55"W. Aftermarket roof racks (like the Sherpa Matterhorn) measure 92"L.

If the the tent pretty much covers all of the length of the rack, would I really need to spend another $1000+ for a rack? Are there brackets that would mount directly to the factory rails to mount the tent instead of mounting on a rack?

 

[yota275]

You might need to look into weight limits on your factory rails before you consider sleeping on them. I'm not familiar with 09, but i know on my 11 the factory rails are really only designed to handle the weight of one person even when you aren't moving. I went with Rhinoracks pioneer platform rack and their "backbone" rails. That combo supports 700+ lbs static and over 200lbs while driving.

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

The roofs on our 'runners aren't exactly up to the task of handling much weight. After I pulled a headliner from a junkyard 'runner to grab a few items, I noticed that there is literally just a small "c" shaped piece of metal that works as a doubler for the factory racks mounting hardware ( riv-nuts).

I was ready to get a Sherpa rack system for my Tepui RTT but after seeing how flimsily our roofs are, there's no way I'm climbing my 235# body on top of the stock roof. I honestly wouldn't feel safe hauling the RTT up there, even though some do it. The stock cross bars will barely hold the weight of the tent by itself, no way they're going to support a person inside of the tent. Even with an aftermarket rack system spreading out the weight a bit, it's still only being supported by a thin piece of sheet metal. There needs to be a physical tie-in between the factory rack "doubler" and the side of the roof skin where it curves downwards on the sides of the upper body.

 

[Whakeen]

[MENTION=117483]benjamin247[/MENTION]

Given what was posted earlier about structural strength maybe I need to revisit my setup but I thought I would post some pics of what I did to mount my RTT.

I didn't want a basket style roof rack so I used square tubing for the small mounts on the roof rails as well as the cross bars. I wanted it as close to the roof top as possible to keep the center of gravity lower.

So far so good. I've been on bumpy forest service roads and highway speeds without any movement of the custom mounts, however, the front end of the RTT catches enough wind which flexes the actual 4Runner roof; this results in a bit of bounce from the front end of the RTT.

I'm in the process of extending the rails to install another mount further up front to spread the load.

To answer your question if you 'need' a roof rack, well, it depends on the mounting system of the RTT. My RTT mounting system requires enough clearance underneath it to get nuts on the bolts that hang down below the cross bars. If your RTT has a mounting system directly over the rails you may be able to skip a rack, basket or cross bars altogether.

 

[Edwin562]

Legit set up Whakeen!!!

 

[benjamin247]

[MENTION=128414]Whakeen[/MENTION] I like that! ����

Hmm...I wonder if adding a crossbar with a wind deflector to the front end of the roof would lessen wind from getting under your RTT?

 

[Whakeen]

Edwin562. Thanks!
[MENTION=117483]benjamin247[/MENTION]. I've considered adding a windscreen under the front of the RTT but if it didn't work and the RTT was still moving up and down a bit the windscreen could damage the 4Runner roof. I did also look up the Tepui Hybox but can't find an image of the underside so I can't give any perspective on mounting designs.

For me I feel that extending the roof rails is the solution (partially based on cost). Now if I can only find a cheap set!

I did recently see someone post how they used L-Track to replace the roof rails and extend the usable area. Had I known about L-Track years ago I would have gone this route for mounting the RTT.

Let me know if you buy a tent and I'd be happy to give my 2 cents on mounting options as I've spent way too much time thinking about mine.

 

[derek rosé]

Let me know if you buy a tent and I'd be happy to give my 2 cents on mounting options as I've spent way too much time thinking about mine.

I'm keen for those 2 cents! Looking to pick up a soft shell tent in the next few weeks and would love to know it's secure up there.

I currently have crossbars on standard rails (not sure of the load rating yet).

 

[Whakeen]

[MENTION=407122]derek rosé[/MENTION], so you have OEM rails. Do you also have OEM crossbars? If yes, I wouldn't recommend mounting an RTT on the OEM crossbars. They definitely are not strong enough to support it. FULL DISCLOSURE: i'm not an engineer. I can only speak for what has worked for me so please take that into consideration.

[MENTION=117483]benjamin247[/MENTION], I don't want to hijack this thread so let me know if you prefer us to PM or start a new thread.

 

[barongan]

You might need to look into weight limits on your factory rails before you consider sleeping on them. I'm not familiar with 09, but i know on my 11 the factory rails are really only designed to handle the weight of one person even when you aren't moving. I went with Rhinoracks pioneer platform rack and their "backbone" rails. That combo supports 700+ lbs static and over 200lbs while driving.

nice suggest

 

[derek rosé]

[MENTION=128414]Whakeen[/MENTION] had a look this morning and pretty sure I'm OEM all round. Time to look into some other options!

 

[3bears]

longer channel stock with feet has worked well for some.
I think if you look up cheap roof racks or something on this forum you will see lots of options...
while stock cross bars are only rated at like 160 pounds, I can tell you I have far exceeded that, safe ? but drove form oregon to alaska with a ton of weight in my rack mounted to stock cross bars. Yet I have 3 cross bars on extended factory rails ( you can also see this in the cheap roof rack thread)
the little rubber cross bars that sit directly on the roof can take about as much weight as 3 alaskan mosquitoes each

( our mosquitoes are big and should have tail #'s and landing lights )

 

[MStudt]

You don't need an entire rack, but you will most likely need some cross bars that are stronger than OEM. You need some feet like the ones I have below, and they bolt to the factory channels in the roof. Then you can connect some 1x2 extruded aluminum to the feet to act as cross bars. Much like what I have in the second picture, but without the side rails.

 

[benjamin247]

[MENTION=117483]benjamin247[/MENTION], I don't want to hijack this thread so let me know if you prefer us to PM or start a new thread.

All good continuing discussions here. I’ll take all the info I can get.

 

[3bears]

You don't need an entire rack, but you will most likely need some cross bars that are strong than OEM. You need some feet like the ones I have below, and they bolt to the factor channels in the roof. Then you can connect some 1x2 extruded aluminum to the feet to act as cross bars. Much like what I have in the second picture, but without the side rails.

nice feet...you buy someplace ? Where

 

[MStudt]

nice feet...you buy someplace ? Where

I made them for a roof rack that I designed. They can be for sale if people are interested. I'd even be willing to make cross bar kits. Was not my intention of the post though.

Mike

 

[3bears]

I made them for a roof rack that I designed. They can be for sale if people are interested. I'd even be willing to make cross bar kits. Was not my intention of the post though.

Mike

depending on price...id be good for 6 and 3 cross bars...but shipping would be killer on the cross bars ..so just 6 brackets...they look sweet.
I will be back in Oregon in august...mckenzie bridge, scio, newport...all where family is...so I can wait and pick up...gonna bring a truck load of stuff back up to alaska...like ship a small container ...but maybe ideally drive if I can find a good deal on a taco or a tundra and then flip.
you've been a help in the past when I lived in Oregon...so maybe you can help again ( going for brownie points)

 

[MStudt]

depending on price...id be good for 6 and 3 cross bars...but shipping would be killer on the cross bars ..so just 6 brackets...they look sweet.
I will be back in Oregon in august...mckenzie bridge, scio, newport...all where family is...so I can wait and pick up...gonna bring a truck load of stuff back up to alaska...like ship a small container ...but maybe ideally drive if I can find a good deal on a taco or a tundra and then flip.
you've been a help in the past when I lived in Oregon...so maybe you can help again ( going for brownie points)

No such thing as a good deal on Tacoma or Tundra in the PNW...you should know that! When you get in the area reach out, and we'll meet you for night of camping if you have a free one.

I'll work on pricing, and see what I can come up with. I'd prefer to sell these with feet, anchor points, crossbars, and all the hardware. The anchors points attach the end of the extruded aluminum, and will allow you to use a ratchet strap.

Mike

 

[3bears]

No such thing as a good deal on Tacoma or Tundra in the PNW...you should know that! When you get in the area reach out, and we'll meet you for night of camping if you have a free one.

I'll work on pricing, and see what I can come up with. I'd prefer to sell these with feet, anchor points, crossbars, and all the hardware. The anchors points attach the end of the extruded aluminum, and will allow you to use a ratchet strap.

Mike

I will keep camping in mind...but I wont be bringing down my 4runner and not sure what wheels I will have. But thanks, would love to hit the McKenzie River again.
keep me posted on rack idea

 

[Kanoe]

You don't need an entire rack, but you will most likely need some cross bars that are stronger than OEM. You need some feet like the ones I have below, and they bolt to the factory channels in the roof. Then you can connect some 1x2 extruded aluminum to the feet to act as cross bars. Much like what I have in the second picture, but without the side rails.

Somebody is clever. Those are nice. How do you get this stuff looking so professionally cut/bent/built?