RTT Topper Rack

I read an article on ExPo the other day and saw the author had an exo rack around the topper on his 1st gen double cab. I've been looking for one of these to mount my roof top tent without destroying my lightweight, fiberglass topper

Anyone know who makes these things?

 

The back looks home built or modified from one of the contractor racks. I built my own, but without the exterior cage, since I don't intend on having a RTT. If you don't know how to weld, it's worth the time and investment to learn. It's a skill you can do A LOT with, not only when it comes to your pickup.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camper-roof-rack.541617/page-2#post-17872275

 

AtlasV, that's a pretty good looking rack!

I would like to use the rack to mount my roof top tent. I'm concerned that it will crack the fiberglass if I mount it directly to my ARE topper since that topper isn't really designed for that kind of weight. Hence, I'm hoping someone out there makes an exo cage like the one in the picture I posted that can hold the weight of the RTT and not crack my topper. So, I'm looking for an exo cage instead of a rack mounted to a topper. Still a nice solution!

 

I don't know why this isnt a thing. I would happily buy this right now if it were available. This is exactly what I need.

 

I also like the idea.

I have seen a 1st gen out there with a exo that was supported by the rear bumper and step bars. It also had a RTT. Let me looks....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whose-1st-gen-dc-is-this.478067/

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/selling-the-double-cab.129182/

So sick!

 

Anybody know anything about that cab rack?

 

There's a guy who was working on modifying his camper shell and building an INTERNAL cage to support a RTT etc... That involves custom fab work (doesn't it always?) and cutting holes in the shell. IIRC, he hadn't come up with a good weather tight solution last time I saw it...

You might be better off selling your lightweight shell and getting a more rugged shell that can support the weight. Would probably (overall) be lighter than all the steel support structure you throw at your rig to compensate for lack of strength from the lightweight shell.

That said, I'd still be hesitant mount a RTT to any shell - they are, after all, just fiberglass... I still haven't seen an "ideal" solution that I'd be comfortable with. I'd love to see an All-Pro style bed mounted steel/aluminum rack with a weather tight outer shell. I though about something like a soft topper to fit over the bed rack, but it would take some work/ingenuity to get it weather proof... I'd LOVE to see a fiberglass shell mated to a rack, with the rack protruding through the shell (sealed of course) to mount your junk to (rather than bolting to the fiberglass).

 

I chased a guy down the other day who had one over his topper. I've been thinking about one. Turns out he drew up a sketch, took it to a local welder and had it fabbed. His was aluminum tubing and cost him just under $500. Any welders in your area?

 

The nice thing about a rack separate from the canopy too is that you can take the canopy off and still have your tent mounted if you want. That would be a huge selling point to me as opposed to mounting it straight to the canopy