Mounting a full size clamshell RTT - on a 3/4 or 1/2 rack?

[Espresso_OI]

Like a few others here, I'm one of the guinea pigs for the superlite tent from GFC. (80lbs and 50x90", about 4-6" tall when closed.)

I need to purchase a roof rack for the sole purpose of supporting this tent - and I'm after the most minimal / slim setup possible. I think the 3/4 LFD rack or even LFD crossbars on factory rails would support the weight just fine while using the RTT.

My question is - any experiences or examples from those with a clamshell / full size RTT, on a non-full size rack?

• I would basically have a large gap / air pocket under the tent. Might look a little stupid, but how would it ride while driving?

• Gusty winds likely to send me off into a ditch, or just really loud and tanking my MPG?

 

[91foxbody]

I'm completely new to the T4R world, but I'm extremely interested in this. I purchased LFD crossbars for my ORP and want to put an order in for a GFC SL sometime this summer. If I can get away without having to run an entire roof rack 100% of the time I would be stoked.

 

[JSparky]

Does GFC not make the same brackets for the superlite as they do for the standard tent? I know the standard tent has 5th-gen self brackets that essentially replaces your rack, super low profile. Or do you want to maintain an standard rack with the tent?

 

[Espresso_OI]

Does GFC not make the same brackets for the superlite as they do for the standard tent? I know the standard tent has 5th-gen self brackets that essentially replaces your rack, super low profile. Or do you want to maintain an standard rack with the tent?

I asked and they confirmed for me the 'Platform' mounts would not work.

So, yes I'm looking @ options to use either stock rails, or 3/4 rails. The mounting rails under the GFC RTT are about 50", and they themselves advertise it only needs 2-3 crossbars for mounting.

 

[rheosibal]

You'll be fine with either option.

I've mounted soft shell and a clamshell tents using OEM cross bars without problem, so if you were to use the LFD, NiseRack, or Rago cross bar replacements, you'll be good too

 

[91foxbody]

I reached out to GFC to see what they say.

 

[91foxbody]

I got a response from GFC pretty quickly with a diagram explaining their required load/spread. I don't have my LFD bars (yet), but I can take some measurements when they arrive.

 

[Jono.ful]

Highly unlikely that the go fast tent would have enough internal structure to support cantilevering it off a 1/2 or 3/4 length rack.

I can't speak to this tent specifically because I haven't seen one in person, but in my experience rtts are built using thin aluminum flat bar or fiberglass, and foam panels. Definitely not something I would trust to carry a couple hundred lbs of people and gear if it were not properly supported or attached to a full length rack. Even the upward force created by wind from highway travel getting under the unsupported front end of the tent would make me nervous.

Lots of guys mount their ultralight tents directly to the roof using the factory rack mounting points without actually using a rack, and that seems to work well enough if you don't need to remote the tent on a regular basis.

 

[Espresso_OI]

I got a response from GFC pretty quickly with a diagram explaining their required load/spread. I don't have my LFD bars (yet), but I can take some measurements when they arrive.

good stuff - I've watched the (3) youtube videos, the podcast and their forum and that diagram is still new to me

 

[Espresso_OI]

Highly unlikely that the go fast tent would have enough internal structure to support cantilevering it off a 1/2 or 3/4 length rack.

Even the upward force created by wind from highway travel getting under the unsupported front end of the tent would make me nervous.

Yeah I think this is the hard truth I need to hear. As much as I don't want the full rack, doing 80-90 when its windy might at the very least start to warp whatever mounting brackets are there.

 

[Jono.ful]

Yeah I think this is the hard truth I need to hear. As much as I don't want the full rack, doing 80-90 when its windy might at the very least start to warp whatever mounting brackets are there.

Don't write off your idea too quickly.....

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/atta...ull-size-clamshell-rtt-3-4-1-2-rack-gfcsl-jpg

This photo really surprised me, but it seems to suggest that the go fast tent can withstand being mounted to less than a full length rack.

Personally I wouldn't trust it for the reasons I mentioned in my last post, but you should consider the manufacturer's word over my armchair opinion...

This is a tent that I'm considering for myself too, so I'm pretty interested to hear some longterm reviews.

 

[91foxbody]

Highly unlikely that the go fast tent would have enough internal structure to support cantilevering it off a 1/2 or 3/4 length rack.

I can't speak to this tent specifically because I haven't seen one in person, but in my experience rtts are built using thin aluminum flat bar or fiberglass, and foam panels. Definitely not something I would trust to carry a couple hundred lbs of people and gear if it were not properly supported or attached to a full length rack. Even the upward force created by wind from highway travel getting under the unsupported front end of the tent would make me nervous.

Lots of guys mount their ultralight tents directly to the roof using the factory rack mounting points without actually using a rack, and that seems to work well enough if you don't need to remote the tent on a regular basis.

This tent is intended to run with a bare-bones rack and only weighs 80 lbs.

 

[Jono.ful]

This tent is intended to run with a bare-bones rack and only weighs 80 lbs.

For sure, I'm not arguing that point at all, if anything I'm suggesting that in their quest to make it as light as possible, go fast may have not given it the internal structure that would allow it to be cantilevered off a shorty rack, and driven around at highway speeds with the wind trying to lever it upwards where it is not bolted to a rack. Instead relying on the rack to give the tent base more rigidity.

..... But, I don't know that for sure. The photo that you posted seems to suggest that this tent should be fine of a short rack.

 

[Jono.ful]

Imagine the wind (in blue) is going to push up on the under side of the tent as you drive. The force (in red) is going to want to rip it up, off your roof. Because the front mount is so far back, this force has a fair bit of leverage and because the tent is designed firstly to be as light as possible, the force from the wind could bend the tent or damage the mounts.

Pushing the front mount forward (by using a full length rack) will counteract this force and reduce the lever action.

The risk is conjecture on my part because I'm not familiar with how this specific tent is constructed, but the physics is sound. It could be that it will handle the force just fine, but I don't think I would risk it.

 

[TheJokingExplorer]

I am currently running a frontrunner slim line II 3/4 and have been in contact with GFC about whether or not the superlite will work. I decided to switch to a prinsu rack anyways so it doesn't matter. However, from my understanding the tent is designed to work with just crossbars.

 

[arkie_trd]

Any update on using the SuperLite on stock (stock type) rails? Also, curious on how people are liking the SuperLite in general?

 

[91foxbody]

Any update on using the SuperLite on stock (stock type) rails? Also, curious on how people are liking the SuperLite in general?

Superlite went out of production ~1.5 years ago. They're selling off some dead stock now and are supposedly developing V2, but I'm not holding my breath. They told me it could be mounted on stock rails if desired.

 

[arkie_trd]

Superlite went out of production ~1.5 years ago. They're selling off some dead stock now and are supposedly developing V2, but I'm not holding my breath. They told me it could be mounted on stock rails if desired.

Thanks for the reply. I was looking at possibly buying some of their stock (if possible) or getting in the market for a used one. Trying to keep things as light as possible.

Working on a DIY type solution now. I'll post, if it works out.