RTT and Rack Noise - Creaking and Clunking

[lawn_gnome]

Hi All, looking for some help with my roof top tent (iKamper mini) and roof rack (prinsu full no drill) on my 2010 Trail. I have the tent mounted using the prinsu feet. There is a lot of noise coming from the rack or tent when driving. It isn't wind noise or whistling, but a sort of creaking or clunking. Any small bump or dip in the road will cause it, sometimes just turning and you can hear it creaking away. You can hear it with the sun roof closed, and when its open its quite loud.

I'm pretty new to the rack and tent so I'm wondering if it's common? If it is common, is there anything that can be done to minimize it? And if it isn't, what could be the cause.

Thanks for the help! Love the forum, been lurking around for years. Was really valuable when I had my '98 4runner.

 

[Jpilot]

Not normal. My RTT makes zero noise, up to 85mph. I would start with any clunking, as that seems like a lose connection. Check all nuts and bolts are secure. This may include the RTT itself, check the tent/rail connectors.
Try lifting and shifting the RTT by hand and see if there is any movement or if you can reproduce the clunk.

 

[Sundy]

I'm going to ask the obvious questions - you've confirmed everything is properly tightened down? There are lots of bolts between the roof / rack / cross bars / tent mounting - if a few were loose possibly that's the culprit?

Otherwise I'm of no help - no aftermarket rack or RTT here :worthless

 

[SnowYeti]

I have noise as well from an iKamper X-Cover (yes everything is tight). Narrowed it down to two things.

Hinges and the rails of the RTT on the aluminum rack rails flexing (Victory rack)

Hinges..not sure how to address that

Rails. I am going to mark where they touch front to back. Then when I remove it for winter I will cut up some bicycle inner tubes and slide them on on each rail (or heat shrink) to create a barrier between the aluminum RTT rails and aluminum rack rails

 

[SEOULBROTHA805]

Just curious if you were able to pinpoint the creeking, clucking noise from the roof rack? I’m having the same issue with my roof top tent on my prinsu rack.

 

[lawn_gnome]

Mine was caused by the ladder moving around bouncing up and down inside the tent. Secured the ladder better and no noise.

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

My noise was caused by a couple loose roof rack bolts. Make sure every single bolt is tight. Bolts that mount roof rack to roof, every bolt on roof rack, mounting bolts between rack and tent, and the bolts that hold the tent rails to the tent. I check those every few thousand miles and a few have loosened up a little here and there over time and dirt roads.

 

[Ventureast_t4r]

I’m currently having the same issue with my ikamper 2.0 and prinsu full non drill rack. I am going to be going over everything today and re-tighten everything down. Does anyone use blue loctite to secure the rack to the truck? Or what about for every bolt on the rack (there’s definitely a lot) oh and make sure not to over tighten the bolts because I already snapped one and that’s no fun!