Rooftop Tent

[thevanillagorilla]

Anyone out there in T4R land running an RTT on the factory roof rack and crossbars? It is getting very close to "that time of year" where I disappear each and every weekend into the hills, and so I'll need to mount up my RTT. This is my first T4R and I'm wondering if the factory roof rack and bars are up to the task, or if I should just bite the bullet and order a Gobi.

Anyone having success with the factory rack?

 

[jfjehle]

[emoji102]

 

[MTN4RNR]

Anyone out there in T4R land running an RTT on the factory roof rack and crossbars? It is getting very close to "that time of year" where I disappear each and every weekend into the hills, and so I'll need to mount up my RTT. This is my first T4R and I'm wondering if the factory roof rack and bars are up to the task, or if I should just bite the bullet and order a Gobi.

Anyone having success with the factory rack?

Hey fellow Bay Area owner!

There are a few threads on here that go over this (hint: search using the above search bar)

To answer the question, yes you can put them on the factory rails, but because the stock crossbars are so low, getting one attached to them is a PITA. I bought my truck in Bend, OR, home of CVT. I went to rent one for a night and couldn't reasonably get it on without risking scratching the roof paint, or destroying my forearms. Solution? Install a set of Thule or Yakima load bars and you'll be set. Check out my build, and you will see what I am talking about.

Good luck! The MGM TRDP looks awesome!

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Here's how its done, I did it this way also up until I got may Gobi and it is a pain!!!!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/187467-jicko-build-thread-7.html#post2048079

Gobi and the Axia mounts is the way to go if your taking it off often, hauling the tent with you everywhere gets old real quick.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/189359-kiruxat4r-build-photos-thread-4.html

 

[thevanillagorilla]

Hey fellow Bay Area owner!

There are a few threads on here that go over this (hint: search using the above search bar)

To answer the question, yes you can put them on the factory rails, but because the stock crossbars are so low, getting one attached to them is a PITA. I bought my truck in Bend, OR, home of CVT. I went to rent one for a night and couldn't reasonably get it on without risking scratching the roof paint, or destroying my forearms. Solution? Install a set of Thule or Yakima load bars and you'll be set. Check out my build, and you will see what I am talking about.

Good luck! The MGM TRDP looks awesome!

Thanks man! Awesome point on the bolts vs. roof clearance. I had thought about that and was going to test fit them today to check clearance, so you just saved me some work!

Nice Bronson! Message me if you ever want to get out and terrorize some dirt!!

 

[thevanillagorilla]

Here's how its done, I did it this way also up until I got may Gobi and it is a pain!!!!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/187467-jicko-build-thread-7.html#post2048079

Gobi and the Axia mounts is the way to go if your taking it off often, hauling the tent with you everywhere gets old real quick.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/189359-kiruxat4r-build-photos-thread-4.html

Awesome, thanks!

I leave the tent on for all 3 seasons and only remove it for winter so I'm not too concerned about the on/off hassle. Those mounts for the Gobi look pretty slick!

Much appreciated!

 

[Ammomac]

I would NOT go Gobi again if the plan is to run a RTT - I'd get a flat rack to allow it to sit lower - if however you disagree then buy my Gobi and I'll buy one that works better! ;-)

 

[coulter6]

I have an Autohome AirTop mounted to the factory rails with Yakima Rail Grab towers. The reason I went this route instead of the new roof rack route was because it's much easier to remove the RTT for storage. I just loosen the 4 bolts on the Yakima towers and lift it off the rails, Yakima bars and all. It's kind of a pain to remove/install the RTT using the RTT mounting hardware since there are 8 bolts and very little room to maneuver your wrenches under the rack.

As it sits now, all I have to do is drive under the RTT, lower it, position it, and tighten the 4 Yakima bolts. Takes about 15 minutes.

 

[thevanillagorilla]

I would NOT go Gobi again if the plan is to run a RTT - I'd get a flat rack to allow it to sit lower - if however you disagree then buy my Gobi and I'll buy one that works better! ;-)

Is it the Gobi stealth, or the standard Gobi? If I go the Gobi route, I'd go with the stealth most likely.

 

[thevanillagorilla]

This is super cool.

 

[Ammomac]

Is it the Gobi stealth, or the standard Gobi? If I go the Gobi route, I'd go with the stealth most likely.

i have the stealth

and in fairness I went with the larger Rainier and it overlaps on the sides and covers all but about 8" front to back

here it is open and closed

 

[thevanillagorilla]

i have the stealth

and in fairness I went with the larger Rainier and it overlaps on the sides and covers all but about 8" front to back

here it is open and closed

I think it looks darn good. I have the Tepui Kukenam so I don't know that I would the same coverage/overhang issues you have. That being said, if we lived closer, I'd probably take it off of your hands. I can't even begin to imagine what it would cost to ship the rack and the ladder out here to CA.

 

[wild_turkey]

Yakima Racks

We are also using the Yakima crossbars and secure the tent with the Yakima snaparounds. This allows me to load and unload the tent using only 4 mounting bolts. I also installed the Racor lift, available on Amazon for about $100.

Roof Top Tent on Yakima

I tried mounting directly to the roof rails, but the tent rails scratched the rails pretty easily and it was more cumbersome to remove the cover to install the annex.

We will be upgrading the the Baja Rack Flat Utility rack, soon.

Good luck!

 

[thevanillagorilla]

We are also using the Yakima crossbars and secure the tent with the Yakima snaparounds. This allows me to load and unload the tent using only 4 mounting bolts. I also installed the Racor lift, available on Amazon for about $100.

Roof Top Tent on Yakima

I tried mounting directly to the roof rails, but the tent rails scratched the rails pretty easily and it was more cumbersome to remove the cover to install the annex.

We will be upgrading the the Baja Rack Flat Utility rack, soon.

Good luck!

Man, I'm jealous of that hoist system!

Looks like I'm picking up a Gobi stealth rack this weekend, so that pretty much takes care of that I guess.