RTT Mounting Options

Hey guys!
So my wife and I have been looking into getting a roof top tent recently, but I can't nail down exactly how I want to mount it. I know the most popular way is to mount it onto a bed rack, but I was wondering if anyone on here has done it onto a cab roof rack? If so, would a Prinsu roof rack have enough dynamic weight capacity to support a RTT? I like the ability to have a tonneau cover and a roof rack so that I have a place to store stuff apart from the cab if it starts raining but can also have a RTT. I know people will suggest camper shells, but I've just never been a big fan of them.

 

They made a bed rack that works with a tonneau

 

Mine is mounted over my cab on a Prinsu, a perfect match because I also have a ARE MX hightop shell. But the previous post is right- there are “headache racks” that work with both Tonneau and RTT. I bet someone here will post a reference for you. If you are not going to put on a shell, I think you would be happier putting the RTT above the Tonneau, and it will have a lower profile than putting it above the cab on a Prinsu like I did. Both are great, but the wind resistance issue is a lot more over cab.

 

Thank you guys! I’ll definitely look into that!

 

I have a few customers that mount their rtt to the new dissent off-road rack.
We also have a quick mount load bars that make it nice for install and removal of the tent!
Plus you have the option to add the matching bed rack if ever desired.

 

That’s pretty sweet, I would have looked at that for mine had I known about it. Nice looking soft top, too.

 

The prinsu will be fine. There's a huge bs thread in their forum here, I am sure people have asked this so there will be pictures in there for you to check out.

I have a tonneau cover, and I got the kb voodoo hi rise bars to eventually use with a rtt. The only issue I have with this setup is I have the trifold cover, and with these bars I won't be able to lift up the last panel very high with a tent in there. But I would rather that inconvenience over the wind resistance of a rtt on the roof rack.

 

Another vote for the KB Voodoo high rise setup with tonneau cover. Still get ample, dry storage of gear, with very little affect on gas mileage. Also, much lower climb in and out of the tent, a huge plus for those of us with bad knees and a drinking problem.

 

What tonneau covers are you guys running with the kB voodoo brackets?
Does it affect the water proofing of the cover?
Also, would the mid height rack not work with a tonneau cover?

 

I have the factory tonneau. Weather stripping conforms over the bracket fairly well, but it's not "water tight". Really not a big deal unless you have water hitting it from an angle to the side with force. You could certainly run some silicone in the opening to better seal it, but it's not an issue to me. I'm not familiar with the mid height rack.

 

I have the OEM tonneau. Even without the hi rise bars, it's not 100% waterproof, but the weather stripping conforms to the brackets so I don't think it's any worse than without the brackets. If you get the mid height rack, I'm pretty sure you have to buy the extra brackets to fit around the covers. The hi-rise comes tonneau ready (i.e. the brackets someone linked are the ones that come with the hi-rise). Also, they are pretty clear that with the mid height rack, you won't be able to fold up the outer panel on the OEM trifold cover. with the hi rise, you can remove the bar pretty easily and be able to flip it up. But there isn't much room on the hi rise brackets to attach a lot of stuff (I got an axe and quick fists for xmas, and I plan on putting them on the outside hi-rise brackets... but haven't tried yet).

Take a look at either their forum here or the 3rd gen market place, KB Voodoo has a few threads on their products. In those they'll talk about what tonneau covers work and don't with their products. I think the basic message is that if you have to move the rail system inside the bed to fit your tonneau cover, then their products likely won't work. but confirm with them.