Canopy/Camper Shell Strength for RTT

To start, I have a Leer 100XR Canopy. I know there are several threads on the static and dynamic weight for a Leer or ARE canopy (talked to local Leer Dealer and was told 300 lbs and 500lbs) but I’m curious if people strengthen their canopies in anyway before installing a RTT. I just don’t know if I trust the four bolts and small chunks of fiberglass to hold the canopy plus a RTT while driving down the freeway or while driving off road rocking back and forth. Does anyone or has anyone found a way to add more securing methods on top of the four bolts? Or are people just rocking it with those and had no issues with their RTT?

 

I’ve had a 180lb tent and 50lb awning on my 100R for about 3 months now. I feel like if it was gonna get ripped off the truck or collapse from the weight, it would have by now lol. I’ve put probably 3,000 miles on the setup and a good portion of that is highway.

 

What are you using for load bars or rack? Here’s my 3rd gen with a 100R. We just put the front runner tracks and load bars on it and are planning to get a RTT.

 

Pretty much this. Some do choose to upgrade the mounting clamps, or add additional clamps, but I'd venture to say that most do not. I have a Leer shell (not reinforced); I added tracks myself, made a DIY prinsu style topper rack, and added a 190 lb tent on top of that. FWIW, I'm only rocking the 4 cheap bolt/washer/nut style clamps for my camper shell. For the 5ish years I've been rocking the camper shell, I've only ever unbolted and adjusted the alignment of the topper once (it had shifted over the years, making a larger gap on one side than the other), but have never been worried about the integrity. Crawling in the tent with the wife is an unsettling feeling though (adding another 350ish lbs to the mix), but no failures yet.

 

This is good to hear. Getting ready to put an RTT on my Leer but won't make any sort of internal reinforcement right away.

 

Made 2 trips so far down some semi gnarly trails with our OVS Nomadic 2 mounted. No issues

 

I know one guy who cut through his canopy and bolted a steel frame through to the bed bolts but….i just yolo’d it and it has been fine so far (ARE base model). But my tent is superlite (80 ish lb)



edit:realized this thread is from July

 

It's all good. I resurrected it as I am thinking about putting an RTT on my truck. I designed an internal frame out of 8020 but when I looked at the cost of the raw materials, I'd rather just make one out of steel for a fraction of the cost (just more time). Or just "YOLO" it and fix the shell if/when it breaks.

 

Well, superlite was discontinued if you are worried about weight. I think the lightest tent on the market might be one from Desert Armor

edit:
Well nevermind i guess
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/desert-armor-tank-rtt-and-others.723965/page-5

 

What's a few pounds among friends?

 

I built an internal frame out of aluminum extrusions for mine. I don’t have an RTT but I wanted to transport 2 55lb kayaks without having to worry about them.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-topper-rebuild-and-internal-frame.694546/

 

Thanks for sharing. I did see this one. I've been drawing this idea up in CAD to get an idea of the cost. I may go this route. As you said in that post, I can weld and fabricate, but sometimes simple is just nice and relaxing. Plus it adds a lot of potential for mounting items.

 

Here is mine that I am in the process of building. Just tacked in place currently. 1”x1”x1/8” steel square tube. Bolted through the canopy and into the roof rails. Attached with T-nuts to the rails.

 

Welcome to TW! Also thank you for making me feel like the bed of my truck isnt so dirty afterall

 

haha, just dirty snow from me crawling in and out while building the frame.