Roof Tent advice

Hey guys I am new the the forum.

I do lots of fly fishing and would love a roof tent vs a ground tent.
For a 2011 tacoma is there any go to racks/tents that are the obvious choices? My first round of high level research lead me to the CBI bedrock and I think it was an overlander tent. Style wise I would like the bed rack to only go about halfway up the body of my bed and not level with the roof if possible. I also have a crew cab, not sure if that changes what bed racks to get. Anyway, looking forward to hearing y'alls input!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rtt-owners-thread-with-bs.312269/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tents-why.646191/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-roof-top-tent.623114/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tents-yay-or-nay.602409/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/soft-shell-vs-hard-shell-rtt.685338/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-rtt-for-those-on-a-budget.478273/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tent-on-cab-or-on-shell-and-why.677861/

 

Your roof isn’t designed for that weight. Should get one for over the bed or make a trailer for camping and put the tent on that.

 

Yes my bad, meant to say bed. I just don't want the rack to be equal height with the roof. I think it looks better when its a bit lower.

 

Mybad as well I would’ve noticed that if I read the post all the way through.

 

Going to disagree. You can run an RTT on the cab with the right aftermarket roof rack, which would not include the weak OEM roof rack. See links in b_r_o post above.

 

get a solid roof rack that can be used obviously as a roof rack.

bolt a sheet of plywood (with a reinforced edge) on it when you want to use it for a tent.

pitch your tent up there...

roof tents are only good as roof tents. and are a total waste of space when not being slept in.

a solid roof rack can be customized to have whatever accessories you want.

 

I’m sure people make roof racks that can hold over 1000lbs but would you want that much weight on your roof? I’m talking more about the truck and not the rack. I’ve seen people take their racks off and the weight dented the roof myself included with a kayak(and maybe some over forced ratchet straps haha) Can’t image how horrible it would feel on the freeway too. I can’t find the source right now but I read somewhere the recommended roof weight was 300lbs. Think a lot of the rtts weighs that much with nobody in it yet. At least the ones I was looking at few years back.

 

After having a cbi bed rack for a couple years and also being a fly fisherman too, I recommend you get some sort of camper shell. Bed racks provide no security or protection from the elements, so you're always going put all your gear in your cab.
With something like an Alu-Cab Canopy Explorer, you can mount fishing rod holders to the ceiling inside so those are kept safe but in easy reach, keep your wet/muddy waders out of the cab and rain. Incase your gear and cooler smells like fish, having those kept in an enclosed bed will help keep critters away too.

 

I'd highly recommend RCI mid height bed rack. I got lucky and found my used locally for about half off but it's been great. With my 23Zero RTT on the bed rack it's level with my roof rack of the truck. Can even still pull into and park in my garage! Been super solid with no issues going on 3+ years.

 

I also agree with this statement. I love my bed rack and tent but if I was going to do it again I'd probably go with a canopy and just deal with the fact my tent sticks up way in the air. Not being able to lock up stuff while touring around is kind of a pain.

 

I've put close to 1,000lbs on here.
it's made of about 80lbs of steel

 

I have the 'zero' rise bars from cali raised offroad. I don't know if they still make them but this gives you the visual of how low a RTT can mount above the bed.

 

I would recommend installing it over the bed and lower is better unless you can access the cab side from in the bed. I have one on my shell and have dented my roof from my knee when folding it back up since you need to access the hold down straps and attach the cover. You could carry a ladder but who wants to do that.

 

I have a KB Voodoo 10" rack with a CVT Mt Shasta tent. When closed, the tent sticks over the roof a few inches. My truck is stock suspension, no lift. It has room when opened for the extended fly annex but is sags a bit and I think looks silly. Although not a issue, a taller rack or lift would help.

I think KB Voodoo also makes low rise bars.