RTT Question

I'm getting a SmittyBilt RTT for next to nothing, and I want to know if its possible to mount RTT's FLAT on top of the bed.

Kind of like a Taneu cover. I dont want it sitting up high at all. I want it as low as possible.

 

If it's like most RTTs they are mounted with u bolts so you'll need a rack/crossbars of some sort.

 

Like this?

 

Lower than that.

I plan on fabbing the rack, I just want to make sure im not overlooking anything, and why everyone elevates them.

 

Mainly because of the overhang and the ladder, depends on how big the tent is

 

Something like

http://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/xrxs-bed-cross-bars-pair-fits-years-2005-2015

Would be how tall I want, Lol..

I want it flush as possible.


But obviously it would need to come off the actual bed rail, not the rack system.

 

Totally possible, provided you are willing to either be content with a slight rise with something like the @kbvoodoo bars, or doing something custom for a flush fit. I don't know exactly how the Smiltybilt folds out, but you might want a small rise anyway so that the bottom piece sits completely flat when extended.

 

You talking about these?
http://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/heavy-duty-bed-brackets-pair-fits-years-2005-2015

That would be perfect. Cool. Time to bust out the welder.

 

Is anyone currently using the kbvoodoo bars for a RTT? I have a tonneau and was trying to come up with something that could be used for a RTT without the removal of the cover.

 

I have a Smittybilt RTT on a 6" rise rack i made myself. You can totally do a bar thats flush with the bed rail. Some 2.5" angle iron, 1.5" square and t-slot nuts would work perfect (i used the same). The mounting system on the RTT uses a 1"-1.25" thick rail so you have plenty of room to pull the tent over the side if your bars are flush with the bed rail. Hell, with some measuring, you can do a drop bar and mount the tent perfectly flush with the bedside or tailgate. The tent opens completely flat, less the mounting rail.

Keep in mind that you need some room to secure the cover when packing up. Dont do a drop bar and mount the tent right up to the edge of the bed.

 

You can fix the flush mount overhang issue by getting a bigger lift!

 

I was looking at those voodoo bars above and can't help but dislike them sitting on a chunk of double sided sticky foam on the bed rail.

Is that because the person used voodoo bed rails as well, thinner profile than stock I would assume?

I'd like all the weight resting on bed rails, zero on the cleats.

 

I just put the foam under there for the hell of it. It isn't necessary, and I don't even supply the bars with it.

 

Interesting, so without it they'll rest on the rails with no weight on the cleat?

 

Correct. The weight is fully supported by the side of the bed.

 

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

Did you ever get it mounted? My wife and I have been talking about getting an RTT and I want to try to get it mounted as low as possible, in some hope of having partial use of my rear view mirror and mounting flush to the bed rails might accomplish.