Help with RTT and Shipping Advice

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to get the lowest possible setup to attach a roof top tent to, anyone have any recommendations? I don't have a tonneau cover so that's no issue. I'm currently leaning towards getting these cross bars, and have heard good things about the vendor.



http://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/toyota...-use-with-tonneau-covers-fits-years-2005-2016

Secondly, I need to ship a 2 person Roof Top Tent from Colorado to New Jersey and I don't have the original packaging it came in. Does anyone have experience with this, and what's the most cost effective solution?

Thanks!

 

Can't help you on the shipping, but I bought those crossbars with the plan for a RTT. There's a bit of skuttlebutt going on right now with their products being prone to rusting even with the powdercoating.

Here's KB Voodoo's thread on those bars, which they market as being specifically designed for RTTs:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...u-covers-in-stock-redesigned-for-rtts.458037/

If you don't have a tonneau, you might want to take a look at the midheight options available. I still think that a RTT is mostly flush with the roofline with a midheight rack (if that's your objective to mounting it as low as possible). With the hi-rise bars in your picture, there's not a lot of room to mount anything on them like you could mount stuff on a midheight (shovels, axe, water/gas cans, etc). Plus, with the mid height, you might be able to get an annex on below your tent. With the hi-rise bars, it's kind of useless (too much material bunches up at the bottom).

 

You've heard good things? Maybe start with this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kbvoodoo-racks-paint-coming-off.538188/

 

Mayer try U-Ship? If you're lucky a carrier could just throw the RTT on to a pre-existing load for cheap. Alternatively Greyhound buses offer a shipping service (Bottom of their buses though, not sure if an RTT would fit). A lot of guys use Greyhound to ship kayaks across the country

 

oof. I actually read the whole thread, and the one prior provided by @Hextall and I think I'd rather pass on them now. Glad to hear things are moving in the right direction for the "ish" but I'd hate to throw $300+ at it, just to have a rust/paint issue to deal with soon after.

What kind of mid racks would you recommend? I was leaning towards the cross bars because the truck is my daily, and I'd like to easily remove the bars/RTT when not on a weekend trip.

 

Not really sure.. I do have the tonneau cover and that limited my search quite a bit. I didn't find many vendors that had a similar product to the hi-rise bars regardless of use with a cover.

My KB Voodoo rack hasn't really experienced the rust that others have. My guess is that there's a lot of people who aren't complaining about it as they aren't experiencing any problems. but the powdercoating issue exists (and there's two issues going on... they specifically had a batch that was not done correctly, but there's a collection of people who don't have materials from this bad batch that are experiencing issues), even if I guess it's not widespread. I'm not familiar enough with powdercoating steel to know if it's a problem that is expected and is a likely issue regardless of vendor.

 

Perhaps Mobtown Offroad? He has great products and excellent customer service.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mobtown-offroad-full-bolt-on-bed-bars-2005-tacoma.415145/

 

We have totally revamped our laser cutting and powder coating, and hundreds of TW members will attest to our excellent customer service.

That said, if you're from Jersey, and you're worried about rust, you should probably look for a solution that is totally made from aluminum or stainless steel. Anything painted or powder coated will eventually have rust issues in the northeast.

 

This is what brought me back. KB Voodoo's presence here and in other threads regarding this, coupled with the change in powder coating process let me pull the trigger on a Tacoma rack on Friday. I suppose we will see how it holds up, but I'm not anticipating any issues.

 

I have the same KbVoodoo rack and it has been both structurally and functionally awesome with both my RTT and tonneau cover. The only issue I’ve had is with the finish peeling on the edges but I’m currently working with Chad from KbVoodoo to get it resolved since it is a known issue.

The top of my RTT is pretty much flush with the cab since I mounted the tent directly to my rack instead of the rail system. This option gives it a clean look with less parts involved.

Edit: Chad from KbVoodoo got back to me via email and is sending replacement bars with their updated coating process.

 

Honestly have you thought about selling the tent here in Colorado then buying a new one when you get into New Jersey? Most RTT hold there value and I know people are always looking for rtt

 

I appreciate you replying directly to this thread. I'm not really looking to be driving around with the bars mounted fully, mainly just for the camping trips during the summer/warmer months. I like the beefy all black design of your mounts and the height seems to be just what I'm looking for, however, it doesn't hurt to get other's opinions.

I'm going to do a bit more research and I'll contact you if I'm ready to pull the trigger. Thanks!

That looks awesome! Thanks for the visual man.

A good buddy of mine purchased the RTT and then unfortunately got into an accident where his vehicle was totaled, he never even had a chance to use it. (Tent was not on the vehicle at the time of the accident blah blah.) Anyway, he was fine and now has a Mercedes 4x4 Van that he converted into a camper for his long trips. He has since offered the tent to me at only the cost to ship it! Hence the purpose of this thread haha.

 

Oh wowzers!!! Lmao well to help you. Have him wrap it in cardboard or just Saran wrap it and it'll probably be a few hundred bones..

But if he wants to sell.it I live in Colorado and can ship you can to buy it

 

The "UShip" site looks like a range of $200-$300 which is about what I expected. What are you saying in your second sentence? haha sorry man.

 

PM'd