Yakima Skyrise on factory rails?

[comp_engineer]

Curious if anyone has tried to attach a Yakima skyrise RTT to factory 5th gen trail rack?
Not sure if the clamps are large enough to go around the rack, have not seen measurements of the clamps.
Would be nice to keep the tent as low as possible, attaching directly to rack would keep it a few inches lower than using Yakima/Thule crossbars.
Independent of the mounting - anyone have any experience with the skyrise and how it compares to its competition?
Their marketing is geared more towards the crossover market than SUV's, not sure if that reflects what they see as a gap in the market or if the tent not heavy duty enough for years of use?

 

[Spenny]

I don't have the exact dimensions of the Yakima Corebar or Jetstream bars, but they are less than 3" width, so technically the Skyrise's clamps mount to the factory crossbars.

However - https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002659868-My-vehicle-already-has-factory-crossbars-am-I-good-to-go- Yakima thinks they might be too flimsy.

 

[Sig_Fan_55]

I haven't seen the mounting style for the Skyrise but keep in mind you still need to get your hand in there to tighten the mounts. I had a hell of a time getting my Tepui onto my removable cross bars on my Gobi. Ended up just taking them off to mount on the tent then putting the whole thing up there. Even with long gear wrenches I couldn't get it. I never had factory cross bars so I'm not sure if you can mount them to the tent off the roof then do the same. Something to consider. I've seen the Thule aeroblade edge in person and it seems like the lowest profile feet you can get if you go that route.

I saw the Skyrise in person for the first time this weekend at REI and it's pretty nice. I love the clear window skylights on the rain fly. Seems like a sold purchase.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[comp_engineer]

I don't have the exact dimensions of the Yakima Corebar or Jetstream bars, but they are less than 3" width, so technically the Skyrise's clamps mount to the factory crossbars.

However - https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002659868-My-vehicle-already-has-factory-crossbars-am-I-good-to-go- Yakima thinks they might be too flimsy.

I was thinking mounting the tent to the rack oriented along the length of the vehicle where the rails are strong enough - not to the factory crossbars which aren't rated for the weight of the RTT.
The Yakima clamps can be rotated 90 degrees, so they can be attached to cross bars, or possibly(???) to the factory rails.

 

[Spenny]

I like your style. Might be worth a call to Yakima. If nothing else you can always get the Yakima bars to mount across - although I know you're trying to keep it as low profile as possible.

Other option would be the Frontrunner RTT - smaller closed footprint than the Skyrise and the mounts would definitely work on the 4Runner stock rack. Plus its 88 lbs and maybe a little more "built" than the yakima.

 

[SierraMare]

I not sure the Skyrise will fit on the side rails as I understand is your hope. The first two pages on the installation directions are the most useful in this link. http://assets.yakima.com/product/instructions/8007407/1?_ga=1.253207886.618279603.1490387110

Given what that says, I hope you call Yakima and share what you learn. It looks like a good product, and with the 20% REI member discount through April 10 (https://www.rei.com/coupon) you can't beat the price, plus the fact that REI's "return it within a year no questions asked" policy makes it a safe risk. Good luck!

 

[Streams]

I just got one, and will report back with a review after I use it this weekend. Also, REI no longer offers their 20% coupon on it, but
I still got it from them because of their return policy.

 

[sn_85]

Old thread but since you brought it back to life, it is not a good idea to mount a RTT to factory cross bars. They were not designed to hold a RTT and the weight capacity is not enough to properly distribute the weight. You need some sort of aftermarket cross bars when mounting RTT's. There are many threads on this and we have seen the problems that mounting to stock bars does... Do it right the 1st time and you avoid a lot of headache in the long run.

Aa far as the Yakima goes, We personally have not had one but have seen it and talked to others about it. For a little more money, you can get a Tepui or a CVT that seem to be a whole lot better quality and more of a solid build. Just a thought but for those who have the Yakima, welcome to the RTT world. They are a game changer!

Agree with spending more for a name like tepui or cvt. I have seen and felt the Yakima in person. It feels cheap imo. The material doesn't seem all that durable and isn't much thicker than a regular tent. I wouldn't waste my money on it. Spend $300-500 more and get something with a better name to it.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

 

[Sifrk]

Yakima probably still has some bugs to work out on the Sky Rise tents. Last REI garage sale I went to there were two returns sitting there. When I asked the REI employee about them, he said they've had as many returns as they've had sold. I've been eyeing the Sky Rise since they announced them late last year but going to hold out until they have had some time to work out the bugs.

 

[Timberlinhvo]

Agree with spending more for a name like tepui or cvt. I have seen and felt the Yakima in person. It feels cheap imo. The material doesn't seem all that durable and isn't much thicker than a regular tent. I wouldn't waste my money on it. Spend $300-500 more and get something with a better name to it.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

I think this is the route that Yakima is going for. To save weight, they use the same materials in traditional floor tents. When stored, the Yakima is noticeably more compact than the Tepui and CVT counterparts. Not to mention it weighs a lot less. So comparing Tepui, etc to Yakima is not really comparing apples to apples, imo.

I've used the Yakima Skyrise on a 4 day trip and it held up pretty well. The process of setting up and packing was relatively easy. I personally think floor tents are easier to set up and pack. Sleeping in it was super comfortable. Ventilation is what is to be expected.

I loaded my Skyrise using my Thule Aero bars (which were attached to the factory rails) and it held up wit no issues. I hit the trails pretty hard and barely noticed any issues. As for as using the tent on factory crossbars - i would recommend you research the load capacity.

 

[dawudih]

Toyota had stickers on my 2015 Trail saying the total rail capacity is 225#. There are 2 yellow stickers on the rear doors. Hope this helps.

 

[Timberlinhvo]

I have one and went off roading with it on. No issues at all.

 

[SNOWLAW]

A lot of the above is talking about mounting to cross bars. That’s jut a bad idea?! However, it makes no sense that mounting to the rails wouldn’t work. I’m no engineer tho.

Just picked skyrise up for 400 at garage sale. I spent another 500 on a Thule bar system. Would love to return Thule. You mounted on rails and had no problem?!

 

[unsub1]

Just stumbled across this thread researching something else. I've had my Skyrise for 2 years and have had no issues camping in TX, NM, CO, and NC. It's held up great even in heavy wind, rain, and hail.

The Yakima fit guide says the factory crossbars are not approved. No mention of the rails themselves. I use a Yakima baserack consisting of Timberline towers and aero bars. Works great.

 

[Bootleg]

Just stumbled across this thread researching something else. I've had my Skyrise for 2 years and have had no issues camping in TX, NM, CO, and NC. It's held up great even in heavy wind, rain, and hail.

The Yakima fit guide says the factory crossbars are not approved. No mention of the rails themselves. I use a Yakima baserack consisting of Timberline towers and aero bars. Works great.

Looking at this picture it's hard to tell which rack you have yours mounted to. I just picked one up at the REI garage sale for $600 only to find out it won't clamp on my Front Runner bars. FR bars are about 1/2" too wide for the clamps to open up enough to get around them.

can you give me a little info on your setup?

 

[unsub1]

Looking at this picture it's hard to tell which rack you have yours mounted to. I just picked one up at the REI garage sale for $600 only to find out it won't clamp on my Front Runner bars. FR bars are about 1/2" too wide for the clamps to open up enough to get around them.

can you give me a little info on your setup?

My setup is just Yakima Timberline towers on the stock rails with JetStream aero bars. A little taller than I'd like but incredibly easy to get my tent on and off. I can have my tent swapped for my basket in less than 10 minutes with the help of my wife or a buddy.

 

[Trekingaround]

My setup is just Yakima Timberline towers on the stock rails with JetStream aero bars. A little taller than I'd like but incredibly easy to get my tent on and off. I can have my tent swapped for my basket in less than 10 minutes with the help of my wife or a buddy.

How did you get your recovery boards to stay on top of your sky rise tent?