Over canopy modular bed rack intrest?

And those are the prototype dissent offroad bumpers, coming soon!

 

I need one to go around a hard canopy similar to above. I picked up my topper on CL and it has been fantastic for extra lockable space, keeping the dog warm and dry but now that I'm thinking of a RTT, I'm not sure the non-reinforced roof of the canopy can hold the weight of the tent and 2 adults so I have been trying to find a solution short of selling this canopy and getting one of the commercial grade reinforced ones.

 

Yeah, when designing it I was a little bummed how high it had to be to clear the fin but in the end a rack is more of a tool than accessorie so function has to come before form IMO.
Do you have there tube or new model?

 

Due to the difference from manufacturers it would be near impossible to have a production option for over a hard canopy.
Custom is probably your best route.

 

Your idea is bitchin man, if I went with a soft-topper, I'd be all over this......

Still might be....

 

I had similar thoughts to you as I too wanted the security of the topper as well as the strength for two adults as you stated. I picked a welder friends brain about and we came up with a design to do create strength and security to support two adults and carry an RTT. So far its been great. In my build thread there are more pictures, I also added a swing out for a full size spare and on each side there is room for Maxtrax, Rotopax, ect.

 

Yes, we found that the topper is not 100% straight on the roof so if you were to do a production of this product it would have to be around +2'' about the topper to hopefully fit around all hardshell toppers.

 

Yeah, I have built a couple custome over fiberglass canopy racks. For it to look right IMO it needs to fit the shell perfectly and the clearance needed for production rack would be to much, not to mention some shells have a lip that goes over the bed side a bit which would make the mouting plate different. The outer edge of the bed is wider at the cab and tapers at the back so this would complicate things as well. For a modular rack it really needs to be uniform to work. A custome Tube rack is the way to go for an over hard canopy rack.
Here the one I built on my 1st gen

 

This was the other option I came across in my research - an internal cage that accommodates the built in roof rack of the canopy so the weight is transferred to the cage and not the topper. I may just have to bite the bullet and get a reinforced topper, might be cheaper than all of the custom alternatives.

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/81892-Weight-limit-for-roof-of-Camper-Shell/page2

 

Dude that is awesome!

 

I've seen this! I can't believe this is yours! I love this rack so much, do you still have it?

 

Thanks.
No, I sold a couple years ago.
I still see it driving around once in a while.

 

Awe! Would love to have that!

 

Subbed - this looks like it'll be a great option for those of us with Softtoppers.

OA

 

I like this idea. While I'm not in the market for one. Something I would look for is to have it a bit lower around cab height and the ability to install Yakima/Thule tracks for accessories or racks.

 

The height is needed for the longer items to clear the shark fin.
I will be doing 3 height option.
High top, cab height and below cab.

 

Got started on the locking flip up side doors/accessories mount design. Should work out great!
Also took it out for a shake down run last weekend. Very little movement in the rack if any.
Hoping to have the finalized rack with doors, logo and all the accessorie holes and slots in the next 2 weeks! Hopefully have it ready to show off at cruise Moab.

 

If you are still looking for a way to match the rear angle- you could take one of your uprights- but a bit longer and cut it on an angle to mount to what you already have. Could cut it so you can open up the box tube to provide mounting flanges to hit the existing holes on the end or the rack or separate brackets if thats easier.
You could also incorporate a handle by using a dimple die at either end and tubing in between. Would also make a good spot for red LED taillight strip. Lots of guys have their tail light obscured with spare tires, fuel cans, bicycles, etc.

It would add 2 more parts (plus possible brackets) that would take a bit of fabrication but would give it a nice finished look.

Impressive- makes me want a first gen.

 

I run a softopper on mine and have been eyeing the all-pro exo cage. This design is a lot slicker and I like it! Low profile and looks sturdy. I'm still hesitant to pull the trigger on this or the all-pro cage bc people get the softopper bc they want to be able to remove or lower the cover to use the bed. Putting on a bed cage that is rigid defeats the whole purpose to me since the rails would have to be removed to then remove the bed rack. I believe the key for a true bed rack over softopper is being able to remove the rack quickly to pair with the softopper.

 

The rack bolts to the rails so the rails do not need to be removed to remove the rack, the softopper can be removed and reinstalled with the rack in place as well. You could have the rack and top removed in 5-10 min while leaving the topper rail and rack rail in place.