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GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

Discussion in 'Georgia' started by BYJOSHCOOK, Oct 29, 2008.

  1. Feb 4, 2025 at 6:07 AM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    I have orderd a Roof Top tent. It's only ten inches tall. The overland vehicle systems sherpa tent. Now I'm trying to decide on the bed rack. I currently have low profile bed bars. I know that would be best for wheeling but a little higher would be better for carrying stuff and maybe able to see out my window better. So which route do you guys recommend? These two photos are what I image it would look like going the different routes.

    Screenshot_20250204_085833_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20250204_085802_Gallery.jpg
     
  2. Feb 4, 2025 at 7:04 AM
    Off Topic Guy

    Off Topic Guy 2023 Trophy Points - Runner Up

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    I've had it all (rtt on bed bars, rtt on mid height rack, and rtt on camper shell), and bed bars was by far my least favorite.

    At bed bar height, I couldn't even deploy the tent without the ladder being at an extreme angle (bc it was too long and didn't have much adjustment; rtt ladders have come a long way in adjustability since then though). It also blocked the entire rear window, so say goodbye to your rearview mirror entirely. Also to note, you can't deploy the window on the cab side of the truck bc the cab is in the way of the window rods. That window has to stay closed all the time. The obvious, you lose pretty much all usable bed space, unless it fits under a toneau cover. The only upsides were it was really easy to install/uninstall by yourself and gas mileage wasn't affected.

    Mid height bed rack was honestly probably my favorite in terms of RTT pro's/con's. It didn't really affect rearview, it was a good height/high enough off ground to feel like I wasn't sleeping in the bed of my truck, it didn't have any noticeable effect on mpg, and I could drive into parking decks with no worries. It was still fairly easy to install/uninstall by myself if needed. Only con was still a little lack of usable bed space, but a huge improvement over bed bars in terms of space to work with. Potential con, you may or may not be able to utilize that cab side window still, just depends on your setup. Sometimes its an issue, sometimes not at that height.

    Camper shell/full height rack, its obviously pretty high up there.. I currently run a rtt on camper shell. I won't speak into camper shell pro's like dry storage/security, moreso on the height itself and those pro's/con's. At that height, you get alot of usable bed space back, and thats probably going to be the only PRO to run at that height. A lot of cons come with throwing 150+ lbs that high up, such as body roll, wind drag, horrible gas mileage, potential loss of parking deck access, etc. Its near impossible to install/uninstall by yourself, unless you have a hoist system. The ease of setting up/tearing down also becomes more difficult the higher off the ground the tent is. I can't honestly say theres any PRO to running this high aside from getting that bed space back and being able to deploy all windows of the tent without hitting the cab.

    In conclusion, mid height is the best all around height imo; however, its not the best solution for everyone. Although I prefer mid height for all the pro's/con's over other heights, I value the dry storage/security of a camper shell more than the con's of running a rtt at that height. My advice, run it on your bed bars for a while. You may be more than happy with it, and if you can't live with the con's of that height, maybe you'll have saved up enough money and researched enough to buy another system by then that you'd prefer.
     
  3. Feb 4, 2025 at 7:09 AM
    BYJOSHCOOK

    BYJOSHCOOK [OP] Mr. Mojo Risin

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    Don't think you'll get a better answer than this tbh, nicely done :cheers:
     
  4. Feb 4, 2025 at 7:29 AM
    Off Topic Guy

    Off Topic Guy 2023 Trophy Points - Runner Up

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    Thanks! I've learned a little by running different setups over the past 10 years lol. Last note about RTT's, don't expect to be taking it on and off all the time. If you don't have a hoist system with a good permanent storage solution system that you can just drive under, its more than likely not coming back off until you sell it. It can be done, but once you've done it maybe once or twice, you likely won't do it again lol.
     
  5. Feb 4, 2025 at 7:33 AM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    Nice
    Man. You sold me on the mid height. Thank you big time. I was hoping it wouldn't affect my mpgs to much more than the low bars and wouldn't affect my center of gravity for wheeling. Those two things were my potential fears. I've been driving around with my bed bars on as a "getting use to having them" and as you see they do limit my space pretty significantly.

    20250204_102802.jpg
     
    Off Topic Guy[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Feb 4, 2025 at 7:37 AM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    I have a garage and previously I had a camper shell. Hurricane Helene dropped a tree on it and destroyed it though. I use to sleep in it. I did like the dry space but I didn't like having it on all the time. Luckily my 17 year old son and I put it on and took it off with no problems so I do have option with the tent too.
     
    Off Topic Guy[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Feb 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
    Off Topic Guy

    Off Topic Guy 2023 Trophy Points - Runner Up

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    Don't let me talk you out of running it on the bed bars that you already have, I was just sharing my experiences. Nothing wrong with using what you've got, seeing if you like it, and upgrading later if needed.
    speaking of having a garage, make sure you consider the height of your garage door and how high your truck would be with a particular rack/RTT. Go ahead and add 4-5 inches on top of whatever the RTT is advertised as, to account for the tracks on bottom, and for the 1-2 inches of extra expansion of the tent (since its probably impossible to pack the material back into the travel cover as perfectly as when you receive it/and bc you'll likely leave some blankets/pillows in it).
     
    banditcamp[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Feb 4, 2025 at 8:34 AM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    It's to late I can't back out now. Already committed to buying the rack. Haha. I went camping with my ground tent during the freeze with a buddy who had a rtt. Ive used this ground tent for 15 years at least. I've used it hiking the AT trail, back backing great Britain, and road tripped the rockies all the way to Bamf Canada. So I have a lot experience with it. Even then my buddy's rtt was just so much faster and easier. He had it ready to sleep in, making the fire, while I was still hammering stakes into the frozen ground. That sold me on getting a rtt.
     
  9. Feb 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
    Radioactiv

    Radioactiv Well-Known Member

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    Super happy with how this dash mount came out. Next project is finishing the Auxbeam gang switch mount and some crazy puddle lights I schemed up for the 2nd gens.
    20250209_121545.jpg
     
  10. Feb 10, 2025 at 11:12 AM
    Scott B.

    Scott B. Well-Known Member

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    Have you test driven it yet? I had a 9" Ipad on a single mount, and it vibrated like crazy.

    I mounted an additional mount ball on the top of the dash, and now use 2 arms to secure it. Much more stable.
     
    Radioactiv[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Feb 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
    Radioactiv

    Radioactiv Well-Known Member

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    I have, I had to make this thing thicker than I orginally wanted so I made some reliefs to fit around the AC controls. Its like 5 layers and 40% infill.

    It was fine with my phone but I dont have a tablet to try it with currently. If it does become a issue I think a bottom arc shape could take out some flex?

    upload_2025-2-10_14-17-10.png
     
  12. Feb 12, 2025 at 3:18 PM
    Built2Ride

    Built2Ride Who wants to ride out?! PM Me.

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    All my rigs are purpose built. From crawling to camping. I also enjoy a nice stock truck for what that’s worth. Toyota’s are the jam!
    What’s happening people! How is everyone doing?

    I hope life is treating you all right. Love you guys. I am getting my place back in order up here slowly. Everyday is an off-road adventure to get to my place….4low is a requirement lol

    BRappppp
     
  13. Feb 13, 2025 at 10:19 AM
    MAG GRY TACO15

    MAG GRY TACO15 Well-Known Member

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    Same crap everyone else got
    Hope you didn't have too much to repair after the Hurricane brother! Hope all is well!
     
    CountryDan and banditcamp like this.
  14. Feb 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    I haven't gotten my midsized rack in yet so I was testing how it would fit on my low bars. The hardware that came with it does not fit the round bars though. I'm not thrilled with it on the low rack so I'll just wait until the other rack comes in and mount it then.

    20250214_135634.jpg
    20250214_131623.jpg
     
    Pwakchop likes this.
  15. Feb 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
    Pwakchop

    Pwakchop Well-Known Member

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    Whole lotta' momentum
    I agree, new bars would be a really nice upgrade. Especially in terms of visibility out of the rear window! Congrats
     
    banditcamp[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Feb 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
    BYJOSHCOOK

    BYJOSHCOOK [OP] Mr. Mojo Risin

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    Could always look into exhaust clamps since they're round :notsure:
     
  17. Feb 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    I could but have the other rack on order and I'm not really happy with it at this height so I'll wait for the other one.
     
  18. Feb 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
    banditcamp

    banditcamp Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! My youngest is very excited about it. She kept wanting to go to the garage and get in it. Shes just turned two. Were gonna have a lot of good camping trips hopefully.
     
  19. Feb 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
    Pwakchop

    Pwakchop Well-Known Member

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    Whole lotta' momentum
    Can’t put a price on that! Hopefully the weather can cooperate and yall can get some good trips in.
     
    banditcamp[QUOTED] likes this.

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