RTT on a factory rack - new hardware needed?

[bimrunner]

...my other issue with the Thule/Yakima systems is that their max load rating is 165lbs. So I'm only gaining 35 lbs over the factory bars. Is that enough?

As somebody else said in here - the factory roof rack (130 lbs) is only good for carrying a xmas tree. OK, so, what's thule (at 165 lbs) get me? a tree and the ax to chop it down with?

I think it mostly depends on what you will do with your tent mounted. If you are going to wheel it with the tent mounted, you still may have issues (you also may be fine) depending one what type of wheeling you do. Also, Thule bars will deflect much less, which will prevent the bolts from contacting the roof (those stock crossbars are low to the roof and flex... A lot under load. Thule bars will be more rigid and higher, making install easier (have the tent mounted on the bars and simply remove the bars from the rack instead of dismounting the tent). The tent is close to the max dynamic weight limit for stock. The 35lbs may not sound like a lot but will be enough reserve limit that you are much safer. After all, 35 lbs is an increase in strength of almost 30%.

 

[Jetboy]

Jump up and walk around on your roof. You'll get a pretty good idea of how strong it is. Stand near the stock bar ends, or just try to stand on the factor rails.

I would be leery of much weight on the factory rails. Keep in mind they are the exact same roof rail extrusion that our lexus RX350 has. They are intended for skis and bicycles, not really designed for heavy weights. With much weight up there you can see the roof sheet metal begin to flex around the factor rail mounts. I light RTT will probably work. A real safari style roof rack loaded for expedition and attempting to drive across the Serengeti would probably tear the mounts out of the roof in short order. IMO - keep it light as possible. Make sure the ladder on your tent is actually carrying a significant portion of the weight of the bodies when it's open. And you'll probably get by just fine.

 

[mazatal]

Four Rhino-Rack SXB-SILV crossbars are fastened to the factory rails and support this Baroud Evasion Evolution thru some pretty rough trails in AZ.

 

[mazatal]

Closeup of fasteners I made anchoring the RTT, Baroud supplied hardware not wide enough for the crossbars. Minor MPG hit with the RTT, more with the full Budbuilt armor and LT tire adds (that offset the RTT CG hit).

 

[MTgirl]

Found a set of thule feet on CL for a steal. Just gotta get some bars and I'll be set. Figure if I don't like it or want to upgrade to a full rack replacement at some point I can sell the thule setup and recoup most of my cost. Lots of skiers around here....somebody's bound to need a thule rack.
Just hope the added height doesn't totally kill my MPGs and I gotta remember not to try to park in the garage for the next 6 months

 

[MTgirl]

Removed the factory crossbars and put the thule bars/feet on tonight. Was easier than I thought - figured the plastic cover thingy for the end of the roof rack would shatter when I tried to pull it off but I managed to complete the job without breaking anything! Now I just need to get some muscle to get the tent up there....hope to be camping this weekend.

 

[MTgirl]

Everything seems to be working pretty well!

 

[jicko]

I recently found out that the aluminum bar underneath the RTT (Tepui) can be mounted vertically (along the length of the truck) or horizontally (along the width of the truck).

I think if you skip the factory cross bar, and mount the RTT aluminum under-bar directly to the factory vertical rail, that may work! (You would configure the RTT aluminum under-bar to run horizontally, ie. along the width of the truck; most typical install is to run them vertically tho).

I *may* try to configure mine like this until my Gobi rack gets here.

[MENTION=124280]4runnerTRDPR0[/MENTION] what do you think? You are waiting on the Gobi too, right?

 

[4runnerTRDPR0]

I recently found out that the aluminum bar underneath the RTT (Tepui) can be mounted vertically (along the length of the truck) or horizontally (along the width of the truck).

I think if you skip the factory cross bar, and mount the RTT aluminum under-bar directly to the factory vertical rail, that may work! (You would configure the RTT aluminum under-bar to run horizontally, ie. along the width of the truck; most typical install is to run them vertically tho).

I *may* try to configure mine like this until my Gobi rack gets here.

[MENTION=124280]4runnerTRDPR0[/MENTION] what do you think? You are waiting on the Gobi too, right?

I was actually wondering if that would work...I think I'll do that to inspect my tent fully opened and mounted to make sure there are no construction problems, my only issue with using factory rail would be driving and strong winds pushing the tent up there .... The rails do seem strong enough but to be on the safe side, I wouldn't want to chance it with the weight...

 

[MTgirl]

I know of some folks who have turned the rails on the tents without an issue. One downside, at least for me, is that my tent is wider than it is long so if I changed the direction of the rails I'd have to cut them down from 56" to 48" or have them stick out from under the tent.
The Thule setup seems to be working OK, still not seeing a huge difference in MPGs. Still passed that I don't fit in my garage though...grrr...

 

[nrdpmp]

I was actually wondering if that would work...I think I'll do that to inspect my tent fully opened and mounted to make sure there are no construction problems, my only issue with using factory rail would be driving and strong winds pushing the tent up there .... The rails do seem strong enough but to be on the safe side, I wouldn't want to chance it with the weight...

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but did you try it? I have a few trips coming and my CVT is going to beat my Gobi by a few weeks. So would like to still use the RTT, but very nervous with factory rack. I'm a big guy 6'2 300lbs... probably should just wait for the Gobi

New to the forum, purchased a 2016 Trail Premium last weekend. Gobi Stealth Rack is on order, icon stage 4 on order, trd wheels on order, 285/70r17 bfg ko2's on order, and CVT Mt Shasta is on order and I am pretty sure it's going to beat the rest of the items by a few weeks (except the wheels and tires).

 

[guitarsail]

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but did you try it? I have a few trips coming and my CVT is going to beat my Gobi by a few weeks. So would like to still use the RTT, but very nervous with factory rack. I'm a big guy 6'2 300lbs... probably should just wait for the Gobi

New to the forum, purchased a 2016 Trail Premium last weekend. Gobi Stealth Rack is on order, icon stage 4 on order, trd wheels on order, 285/70r17 bfg ko2's on order, and CVT Mt Shasta is on order and I am pretty sure it's going to beat the rest of the items by a few weeks (except the wheels and tires).

I'm a big guy, 6' 270. We attached our RTT to the factory rails with the supplied crossbar hardware. Me and my wife slept up there no problem.

 

[scoplnr]

I used my CVT Shasta on the stock rack before I got my drabbits rack. You have to use shorter bolts and it is not the easiest thing to tighten down due to lack of room. It can be done and we didn't have any problems. My wife and I used it three times traveling from Oregon to Arizona, no problems at all.

 

[guitarsail]

I used my CVT Shasta on the stock rack before I got my drabbits rack. You have to use shorter bolts and it is not the easiest thing to tighten down due to lack of room. It can be done and we didn't have any problems. My wife and I used it three times traveling from Oregon to Arizona, no problems at all.

Exactly this. I forgot to mention its a complete pain to get a wrench between the RTT and roof to tighten it and you have to use shorter bolts but its doable.

 

[nrdpmp]

Thank you very much to all that have replied. I appreciate the input!!!

:banana: