1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

RTT on shell or bed rack

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by pridgway, May 24, 2017.

  1. May 24, 2017 at 1:13 PM
    #1
    pridgway

    pridgway [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2017
    Member:
    #208123
    Messages:
    118
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 TRD Off Road
    Looking to acquire a roof top tent for their number of benefits and ease while camping. looking to put it on a Leer camper shell with factory installed Thule racks. Ive seen lots of bed racks to support the weight of the tent and its occupants. Was only going to have 2 people up top when parked.

    I understand theres a dynamic weight limit and static weight limit, just not sure whether itll be an issue.

    Should i need to worry about the weight? Trying to be able to keep a shell on while throwing the tent up top when heading off on camping trips. Any experience to share?

    Thanks
     
  2. May 24, 2017 at 1:20 PM
    #2
    cbechtold

    cbechtold IG: @corybechtold

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2014
    Member:
    #121010
    Messages:
    3,982
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cory
    Pleasanton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2001 DCSB SR5 TRD 4x4
    Keep the weight low. If you get an RTT that weights 100+ pounds you'll end up feeling the weight no mater where you put it, but the higher the RTT, the more you'll feel it. I'd get a low profile bed rack and run it that way. Keeps weight low and your center of gravity won't be that high.
     
  3. May 24, 2017 at 1:25 PM
    #3
    pridgway

    pridgway [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2017
    Member:
    #208123
    Messages:
    118
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 TRD Off Road
    Thank you, the center of gravity is important. However, i want to be able to keep my shell on for every day driving and also be able to lock things up in the back while on hikes or at the camp site over night. I want to try to avoid taking the shell on and off whenever i head out.

    I guess my question is really if anyone has experience if a shell can hold a RTT and two people (~400 pounds)
     
  4. May 24, 2017 at 1:34 PM
    #4
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Member:
    #40461
    Messages:
    19,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jerry
    Benicia, CA
    Vehicle:
    02 Extra cab SAS Linked front and rear
    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.

    If your shell is rated for a roof rack I think you would be fine. The fiber glass will get stress cracks over time if your driving fast down bumpy dirt roads with a tent on top.
     
  5. May 30, 2017 at 3:51 PM
    #5
    pray4surf

    pray4surf Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2014
    Member:
    #132750
    Messages:
    492
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rick
    Oceanside, CA
    Vehicle:
    98 PreRunner conv to 4x4
    F&R suspension, OBA, Custom bed rack, RTT, rear frame plates, 4x4 conversion from prerunner, many other
    People have been putting RTT's onto the tops of truck caps/shells since they've became popular, yet this question refuses to die...

    Be smart about it, get a shell with at least some weight rating - all mfrs are going to caution you - Understand static vs dynamic - spread the load out and you'll be good to go.
     
    Fishallday likes this.
  6. May 30, 2017 at 7:15 PM
    #6
    Sna

    Sna Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2015
    Member:
    #151425
    Messages:
    1,386
    Gender:
    Male
    Alberta
    Vehicle:
    ‘15 trd sport 6MT dcsb, mostly stock?
    I debated the same thing but eventually decided that a bedrack (CBI overland bedrack) was the best option for me. I really like my shell/cap/topper for securing things and keeping the weather off whatever is in bed so it was a very hard decision. However, with the plans I have for this truck, I decided the bedrack outweighs the shell....I hope I won't regret my decision.
     
  7. Jun 5, 2017 at 1:04 PM
    #7
    taco_ace

    taco_ace Ace Ackerman

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Member:
    #212118
    Messages:
    111
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ace
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD OR DCLB
    A.R.E. CX-HD Topper, Remote Start, Icon Stage 2 front/rear, OME XL leafs, Denver Outfitters Overroam RTT, C4 Fabrication front and rear overland bumpers, Nitro 4.88 gears, Frontrunner Outfitters Roof Racks, OVTune, etc, etc.
    Mounting a RTT to a shell has always been my plan - wife & I up top and kids and dog in the back under the topper. So did the research and talked to the two larger topper companies around me and they both independently agreed on the A.R.E. HD series. I *think* you can get either an MX or a CX and add the HD skeleton to it when you order.

    [​IMG]

    The HD skeleton is a 1"X3" aluminum frame that mounts to the bed sides separately from the fiberglass - the bars are supported by the skeleton.

    [​IMG]

    It's rated for 500lbs. I was thinking 150lb. RTT + 300lbs. people and gear and it should be fine. I'm adding bed stiffener supports just in case as well.
    The added bonus is that you can mount a shit-ton of things (hammocks for the kids) to the T-Rails of the skeleton if needed.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top