3rd gens with RTT's, question?

Which do you guys prefer, bed rack or bed bars? I've got a CVT tent from my dad for free off of his LandCruiser. Can't decide how to mount it.
What is the pros and cons?

I've read the RTT fourms and they get all scattered around like the 3rd gen fourms do.

Thank you,
Cody

 

I am considering a rtt. If I understand correctly the oem roof racks can't handle a rtt. So you'd have to get an aftermarket one.

I was thinking about CBI off-road bed bars. I don't really know if I want a bed rack. I don't want to spend the money on a topper. The bed bars seem the cheapest and easiest. (But they are still expensive for what they are imo. I'd have bought them already if they were cheaper. )

I like the bed bars because it keeps the rent from sticking up too much and crushing the gasmileage.

 

I've been leaning towards the bed bars. But I don't want to get one and wish I had gotten the other. Cause like you said they aren't cheap!

 

I made my own bed bars while I was waiting on my Relentless Tall bed rack to be made. The bed bars worked well but you really can't fit much under the RTT in that configuration. With the Relentless tall bars the RTT barely stick out above my cab and I have't noticed any real loss to MPG. Plus, I can actually fit tall stuff into my bed and still put lumber in the back if I need to. Another thing to consider is, depending on how tall you are, on bed rails, you have to walk around the RTT and the giant overhang becomes unusable space when the tent is open. With the tent higher, you can set up a chair under it and basically have an awning. So, I say the bed rack is a better choice and if you really don't care about MPG, go with one tall enough to stand under.

That being said, I'm currently building an offroad trailer to sleep in. Once you set up the tent, you are basically stuck there. I have the bike to explore around but being able to drive into town with my truck or do some more offroading is a necessity. This way I can set up the trailer and have my bike and truck to do whatever I want while i'm in the backcountry.

 

You have a nice set up! after talking to a few manufactures today i've came to the same conclusion on the bed bars being to low.
I definitely want something that i'm able to store things underneath the tent and still utilize the bed space. So I decided on the bed rack. CVT tents is in Bend Or, not far from my work and they stock the RCI bed rack. So i'm going to go down and put a deposit down on one this week. Gas milage wise i'm not too concerned with it. After this summer Lil Red will be sitting on 295's so there goes my milage anyways haha. Thanks for the feedback!
Nice bike by the way!

 

I got the relentless off-road bed bars. For the price they can't be beat. Very strong. I got the tall ones as you can see the tent barely taller than the cab. Saw no change in fuel economy. It allows me to keep factory tonneau cover and I can pack the crap out of the bed and not worry about anything blowing out.

 

I got the KB Voodoo bars because I wanted the tent even with the roof and because they let me keep and use my tonneau with the tent.

 

can you remove the tent and bars and use the cover if needed? or are the bars screwed down pretty solid?

 

Bed bars:

1) lower profile
2) lighter
3) easier removal
4) less space
5) fewer attachment points

Bed rack:

1) more space
2) more attachment points
3) not always easy to remove
4) less aerodynamic (gas mileage frowny face)

Each has its own aesthetic if you're into that sort of thing. @nevadabugle has a pretty intense setup with bars that works really well for him, maybe could chime in.

 

My bed rack is cab height and yes it does kick the gas mileage in the gut by about 2.5mpg. I have been playing around with building a faring to kick the wind over it a little bit better to help with that. I can handle the mileage punch for the extra space I get with my rack. I also have a set of bars I built that I can put it on and have it below the cab for 1k miles plus trips. I like having the tent open over the tail gate when it is on the rack. Makes a good awning to cook under and things of that nature. When I put it on the bars I have it fold out off of the passenger side normally.

Don't have a picture of the rtt on the bars but here is one with my ez-up on them and it has almost the same profile.

 

the wait time is what killed them. They do make a nice one! good looking setup!

 

Yeah I agree I wasn't aware of the wait time when I ordered. Lol. If I would've known about the KB voodoo I probably would've chosen those instead. But the relentless bed bars work very well for my needs.

 

You summed it up. I originally ordered a bed rack feom primsu but the fabrication got messed up. Ended up with @CBI Offroad Fab overland bars and do not regret it one bit. I love that the tent sits flush with my roof rack. You do loose cargo space is the only issue but it's not bad. I'm happy overall and @CBI Offroad Fab has been great to deal with. They built my sliders and rear bumper as well. Check out my build thread for photos.

 

The cool thing is, if you don't like the setup you buy, it's easy to sell and try something else. There is all sorts of things for Tacoma's on Craigslist.

I picked up an AllPro Bed Rack cab high for an awesome deal on CL. If it doesn't work, I might try cutting it down ~5" or sell it and try something else.

 

Here is my cargo set up. I can double this in the front and still have room for a 44qt pelican in the rear along with room for one more pelican case. Cool thing is the boxes can not be removed or opened when in place and are snug to the bottom of the tent so theyou do not bounce or move around much. There is still room between the action Packers for chairs or cots also.

 

Here is one more with another pelican in the front and the pelican cooler in the back. With the bed locked you are not stealing anything from these boxes. Even with the bed bars you should be able to fit plenty of gear for all but the long trips.

 

The bars pop right off. I removed them with the tent still attached the other day. It takes two people but it's not bad. Eventually I'm going to do a hoist setup in my garage so I can just unscrew the bars and then lift the tent up to the rafters.

 

How about for hunting, that's one thing I'm concerned with. The bed bars not allowing enough room for all the gear and if for say a couple deer or elk. Or is there enough room and just need to improve on my Tetris game?

 

Don't do bed bars unless you want to deal with your bedsides separating over time. Get a rack that attaches to the bed floor itself.