Roof Top Tent inside a Soft Topper

this idea is genius!

 

I don’t own a RTT and no longer own a Softopper, so I cannot backup my opinion with real world data. But conceptually I think those racks could work, particularly in the inverted position. If the racks where left in the position pictured, the Softopper frame may not lay deep enough in the “trough” to give the RTT enough clearance to deploy.

Look at the first picture in the OP to understand the “trough.” Even with the OP’s design there is still some positive (upward) angle on the Softopper frame when collapsed, but it appears it still provides ample room to deploy the RTT.

My biggest concern with this rack and running a RTT would be that the entire load seems to be carried by the bed utility tracks. The OP’s design had the load dispersed onto the top of the bed rails, and secured into position via the utility track.

Those are just my non-expertise/experienced opinions, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

Has anyone had one fabricated that would be willing to share / sell the plans? The shops I've contacted to have one built need specs.

 

How come it seems like everyone who had a similar set up or even a Softopper has gotten rid of them? Did you switch to something else?

 

I sold the truck that I had at the time, and the new owner wanted the Softopper so it became part of the sale.

I can’t speak for others, but I loved my Softopper. I’ve had both hard shells and the Softopper, and really enjoyed both for the respective strengths and likewise disliked their respective weaknesses.

Eventually I will purchase another topper, but I’m undecided as to whether it’ll be hard vs soft (let’s not take the wrong way ). My bed storage needs have changed and currently I’m kind of enjoying being topless full time for the first time in over a decade.

 

Can't beat the clean topless look.

 

I ended up selling the truck and setup as well, Family grew out of the RTT and into a 4wheel camper

This was by far the best RTT setup i had out of 6 rigs and some with multiple setups

Was thinking of building a sider for the tent to come out the side of an aluminum A.R.E Shell.... anyone want one built???

Picture of the shell for reference, would be the best of both hard and soft shell

 

What do you mean by "this"? As in a Softopper RTT or what?

 

"This" being the rack and setup for the RTT I built in the OP

I had it on:
Tundra, on top of a shell, on an pack rack
80 Series Land Cruiser on the roof
82' Pickup on above the cab height pack rack, then lowered pack rack
97 Tacoma bed bars
95 Tacoma on Flat bed folding of to the side
and this (in the OP) setup Inside the soft topper

It's out of sight, lockable both gear and tent, low profile out of the wind, easy to set up a and take down, not too tall

I'm a big fan of low center of gravity. Almost rolled the 82' with the tent high on a a pack rack. Immediately cut it and was shocked at the difference, I'll never put a RTT above the cab again.

 

Ok so you liked it inside the softopper the best? That's what I want to do. I was only going to put it on the roof for a short period. I don't want it up there either due to drag and high center of gravity.

 

By far

 

This with a short bed?

 

No but will still work with a short bed

 

Run into any issues with this in a short bed? Im looking to do this with a Softopper on my DCSB

 

No issues in a short bed. Tucking the sides of the rtt in is a lil tight along the cab side but isn’t bad.

 

This rack is going go up for Sale if anyone is interested...


Gave it to a friend who has since sold his tent


Send me a PM for more info, $150 Located in San Diego

 

think it would work on a double cab short bed with low bed bars?

 

It won’t

See above post regarding the “trough”

 

How does the 3 person fit in the short bed? I bought a 2 person thinking it was required for clearance after taking measurements. I have a short bed with a Softopper... Curious for your feedback.

 

It fit. With the bestop, i pull the rear pins and fold over the top onto the cab. That is the only way of being able to open the rtt. My rack is just high enough to clear the bed sides also.