Ikamper Skycamp 2.0 on Leer 100R

Hey, first-time poster looking for some advice on using an IKamper Skycamp 2.0 for an RTT. I know there have been multiple threads about RTTs and using topper but from what I saw they were all using soft top RTTS which weight a lot less than the hard shell of the Skycamp and a lot of them didn't have a clear answer or suggestion. This is also a longer post as I wanted to give a lot of background information in the first post.

The tent weighs 160-180lbs depending on the lining and mats used, I'm planning on sleeping 3 adults, let's say average weight of 200lbs. That puts the total static weight to 775lbs lets say. My concern is that the static weight limit of the Leer topper isn't enough to hold all of us. I asked three different Leer dealerships about the static weight limit of the topper and couldn't get a straight answer from them, they all basically said, "It should be fine." I'm also planning on taking it off-road which will put more stress on the topper for its dynamic weight. I just bought the topper and don't want to break it by stressing it off-road and then putting too much weight on it when we sleep at night.

Some more background, I have the roof rack tracks installed by Leer on the topper already and am planning on either using Thule bars or prinsu rack, leaning towards prinsu rack, as it has more mounting points which will distribute the weight, it has a lower profile which will help lower the center of gravity, and will give me the ability to mount more tools and whatnot up top.

I thought of two different solutions for my weight problem. 1) weld together a reinforced rack that would bolt to the bed of the truck and support the underside of the topper. Which then would have the question of aluminum vs steel. Aluminum makes sense for weight but steel would be stronger. I have the ability to weld either material so that's not a problem. 2) Get a prinsu rack for both the topper and the cab. This way I could mount RTT on the cab rack and topper rack. This would allow me to distribute the weight of the tent and passengers over the cab and the topper. The Skycamp 2.0 is 86 inches long and the cab rack from prinsu is listed at 66inches long, functionally it is probably closer to 55 or 50 inches long. Either way, I could put a good section of the tent on the cab, which I believe is rated at 700lbs not sure though. I'm waiting to hear from prinsu if the height of the cab rack and the topper rack. This option seems like the better option as it would evenly distribute the weight and I would have the rack to mount the maxtrax and other gear too, which I might end up getting either way. The racks are also aluminum so I would *assume* that they would weight less than the steel reinforcement.


So to sum it all up, 1) Is the Leer 100R with a prinsu rack able to hold practically 800lbs? 2) If the Leer 100R can't hold the 800lbs would it be better to weld a reinforced brace on the inside or would it be better to distribute the weight over the cab and topper?

Thanks for any help or advice, it is very much appreciated. Also if someone has a better rack suggestion than prinsu let me know! I'm leaning towards prinsu as it is a cheaper option and people seem to like it.

Cheers!

 

I had a similar question when I was trying to decide camper or bed rack. At some point I did find a dynamic rating of a shell but could never actually confirm it with the manufacturer or anywhere else I researched. I knew I was going to wheel the truck pretty decently + my own paranoia = rack instead of shell...even if that meant I couldn't store as many things in the bed. Sometimes it sucks I can't fit certain things under the cover (still wanted weather protection) but other times I look back at the tent knowing 180 lbs is swinging back there and remember why I went this route. Either way, the grass is always greener. I've seen plenty of RTT's on campers that seem to do fine as well.

 

here is a Desert Armor Warrior XL on the owners truck. He hasn’t had any issues with his top and the tent has been there almost a year.

 

@CoTacos It's crazy how you can't get a straight answer from the companies, almost makes me feel they never tested it... I considered a bed rack but I go camping a lot in the mountains during the winter and need to keep my gear dry. You have quite the beauty on your hands!

 

@uploadadventure Thanks for the post! Definitely brings some peace of mind. The last thing I want to do is break the new topper...

 

Yeah sometimes I definitely want to swap my set up to a camper. Selling the bed rack and diamondback would cover a good chunk of not all of a new topper but then I'd need a rack and stuff before getting the RTT back up. If you ever get a straight answer please let me know! That might help sway my decision lol

 

If you are looking for a topper I highly suggest looking at A&A Toppers in Littleton, CO they have a special deal with Leer and have a "Mile High Edition" topper, it was by far the cheapest option I found north of Denver to up in Wyoming. It comes with the headliner, removable front slider, dome light, and is still cheaper than the stock topper at other dealers. I ended up getting windoors on both sides for easier access and the roof rack tracks and the total with installation and tax came to $2,200. Still waiting on the topper to come in has COVID has slowed the factory down. If you go with them ask for Darrin, he's the owner and will give you the best price, other employees gave me a higher price than he did.

 

Wow that's a solid deal! I could sell the cover and bed rack and get that same set up, and still maybe have a few hundred over lol. Maybe swap the tepui for a gfc that's super thin to get under the garage door.

 

Well Leer just released a RTT so be ironic if they said not to use on their cap..

 

After looking into it a bit more tonight I found this thread for mounting the iKamper onto a rack-https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ikamper-x-cover-looking-for-any-insights.662479/#post-23590701

They brought up a good point about the needed flexibility between the cab and the bed, where mounting the tent to both could cause failure. I think I will just get the topper rack and mount the tent only to that, and then weld two 2x4 frames for support inside the shell, under the two bars the tent is mounted to, and then probably connect them at the roof of the topper for added stability while offroading. I think doing 3 frames would be best, but that would defeat the purpose of the windoors, and I feel with some people being fine without any support, two frames are added insurance and peace of mind. Plus I can weld the frames myself, might not be the prettiest welds but it'll help keep costs down.

 

Look at the ARE HD.

 

I did went to 3 different dealers and they all quoted me around 4k. I ended up going with the Leer because I got everything I wanted for 2.2k, big difference in price and if that means I have to weld a brace myself then it is what it is. Thanks for the reply!

 

update:

I've canceled my order of the Leer topper, finally got the DWL (200lbs) and SWL (600lbs). I then looked into building a brace and found many people who have weatherproofing problems, and what's the point of buying a hard topper if it's not even weatherproof. I then looking into an exoskeleton but I don't know how to bend and steel tubing and not the greatest at welding tubing. I got quotes from local fab shops and they were between $500-$1,500, which puts me in the range of either an ARE CX HD, or an even better a full steel topper. Now looking into the RLD designs steel canopy, it has a 700lbs DWL, which is close to the SWL I need so it won't be a problem. The dealer I bought my tent through is also a dealer for the RLD canopy, so hoping they might throw me a discount. Anyone have any negative things to say about the RLD?

 

Its been almost a year and I'm wondering what Rig you ended up with?

It always bothers me when manufacturers don't have weight limits. They must have models to build their designs to, and its easy to calculate a theoretical load. Certainly an engineer works there, opposed to just a bunch of guys really good at using hammers?

 

Thread revival and second question... anyone ever used something like this: https://www.milford.one/LoadMax-universal-roof-rack-support-system-505500

I am surprised (with the number of questions I have seen online about weight) no one has come up with a solution similar.

 

@mariazimmerman Sorry, I never saw your message before but logged in tonight and saw the notification! I'm sorry if this is too late but thought I would reply anyways. I went with the RLD topper and have loved it! The waterproofing is nice, the stainless steel has held up very well, and I have no complaints. The only regret I have is not doing a flat bed with a full canopy. Between the price of the topper and my rear C4 bumper, I would've been a little shy of the cost of a flat bed and would have rather done that. The side access of a flat bed is nice. Granted the RLD has the side wings which I REALLY APPRECIATE. I wouldn't get a topper or rack without side access ever.