RTT Mounting Hardware Alternatives

All,
I've heard rumors but would like to receive a comprehensive answer regarding alternative mounting hardware for CVT tents. Note the attached photos where the bolt has managed to hollow-out the soft metal and as a result the nylock nut will not tighten. This design is a bit mundane and if there is a quicker/more effective solution I am all ears

I'm headed to the hardware store after work today for a short-term fix for the weekend but long-term I would like to find a better sustainable solution.

Maybe this can serve as a place to post your exhaust clamps, antitheft devices, wingnuts, and other creative solutions regarding the mount on your roof top tent.

Thanks for any help,

 

doesn't solve that exact issue, but these just came out, https://www.wheeleveryweekend.com/products/rtt-security-clamps

 

I assume the problem here is that they are aluminum slides rather than steel. Given the torque that is inevitably applied (either purposeful or accidental), the aluminum is going to deform. What about threading the bolt through and tightening down a nut against this slide? Not sure if the additional pressure would keep it from deforming the aluminum.

 

Aren't those utilizing the same aluminum slides though?

 

yes unfortunately... that's why i said it doesn't solve the issue, but it's a nice addition if you can solve the other issue...

i used to put rtv around the bolt head to keep it in place better... last time i had it strip out like that on me, i found some flat metal to slide in there and build up the sides again...

 

Epoxy on the bolt when the aluminum slider is new. Anything to keep it from spinning will be your best bet. Steel is harder to machine/extrude, so i don't anticipate seeing steel sliders any time soon from any manufacturer.

 

Look for some T bolts of appropriate size. They will not be able to round out/spin in the aluminum channel allowing you to still tighten down the tent.

 

Excellent idea. This is why forums are great

 

For a temporary fix.. Drill a new hold like 3/8" of an inch away in the aluminum.

I drilled a second hole in one of mine and used it like that for 2 years.

Check out the Frontrunner quick detach mounts as well. These will be my next upgrade

 

Good evening!

One of the ways to fix this is to always pull down on the bracket until it’s snug do it won’t pop up in that slider and start twisting it out. It’s aluminum. So whenever you tighten or loosen you need to pull down on the lower bracket so the bolt won’t pop up.
We can send you out some new pieces. But no matter what tent brand you have you’ll need to do the same thing.
Send me a dm with your shipping address and we’ll get a few out to you. If your tent is newer they are included in your spare parts bag.

 

I have the same issue OP. Got 3 out of 4 on due to mine hollowing out as well. Would love to know if anyone make a steel version on that piece or possibly a improved method.

The 3 have stayed on with no issues for a couple long trips so it’s not the worst.

 

Those are sweet! Alas, my bars are round..

Thanks for reaching out! I appreciate you chiming in. I went to the hardware store and bought some square head bolts that will serve as my solution for now. I'll look in my spare parts bag tonight!

Honestly I've been running three brackets as long as I remember...lol
I've wheeled my truck all over the Southeast and still haven't lost my tent so I think three is just fine

 

if you have access to a welder, then you can weld up your own T-Bolts, used to do that when adding stuff to my roof rack. I'd cut the head off a bolt, then weld on some flat stock, done. Cheap fast T-bolt.

 

I liked this idea and went to a few hardware stores but couldn’t find any t bolts

As an alternative I found some Elevator Bolts at Lowe’s that have a big round flat head on them. I just used an angle grinder and cut off wheel to make them the perfect width

I have 2” round westcan over canopy rack so I used the bottom half of an exhaust clamp to get a secure hold on the bottom.