Roof top tent on cab or on shell? And why?

Wait till your body's healed before going out on the road.

 

With the hi top shell I prefer it on the cab, it would be up pretty high if it were on the shell and look a little awkward i think. I used the ARB mounting kit and it was a super easy install, there are thread certs in the top of the cab from the factory under the black trim so it just uses those for mounting points and keeps the tent as low as possible. Even the slim racks like Prinsu etc. raise the tent a couple unnecessary inches in my opinion. It is a bit of a chore to get the tent bolted down with how close it is to the cab but a gear wrench makes the job a lot easier. I rarely take my tent off the truck so it isn't much of a worry. Also you need to cut down the shark fin antenna or get a lower profile shark fin cover.

I would argue gas mileage would be worse on a hi rise shell than it would be on the cab, because the tent would be 4" or so higher than it is on the cab depending on the shell height. I had my RTT on the canopy on my old 1st gen taco and the gas mileage change is about the same on either truck. As far as opening the tent over the doors I have to say i love the coverage i get over the doors with the tent open. It's like having an awning over the doors and the tent/ladder doesn't interfere with access to the doors at all. I'd have to measure for sure but on my truck with about 3" lift and 35's there's atleast 6' of headroom under the tent when it's open.

 

My wife prefers this:

 

Since my double cab has a hi-liner shell on it, Thule and Yakima are telling me that the rack system on the cab will not work with a thule tent. I get that they need to say that for insurance reasons, but is there any way I can put a freaking rack system on my cab to get a softshell tent up there with a hi-liner shell in back? I'm feeling so defeated, I finally found the tent I want and the racks won't work. Anyone have any experience with a prinsu cab rack and rooftop tent on that? HELP

 

I have had my Westcan Over Canopy Adjustable Rack for 4 years. Works great tough as heck. To accommodate the inside attaching of rail bracket you need to notch the lip of the canopy. It can hold 600 lbs dynamic (in motion). I have total choas heavy duty bed stiffners and a ratchet strap inside the bed to keep the bed from spreading apart while wheeling.

 

Roof (ARE MX hightop shell with custom gear rack)

 

Anyone running their tent on the cab have any long term issues?


I just picked up a Leer 100XR for my DCSB and have to make the decision to either order tracks (drill a bunch of holes) and order a Prinsu for the shell, OR just put it on my Prinsu roof rack.

I had it mounted to CBI Overland bed bars and it was great, but I'm happy to have the topper now.

The height doesn't bother me as I've had a RTT on the top of my last JKU for tens of thousands of miles and that was a brick on 35's with another smaller brick bolted to the top.

Here are a few pictures of my setup(s) because threads are 10x better with pictures.

If I put it on the roof, I'll still eventually get a rack of some kind for the shell and move my awning back there to have almost full length coverage once the tent and awning are both open.

 

My rooftop tent on the cab has been amazing- I recommend it for those of you who have a camper shell or something that you don't want to drillinto. I just use the factory rack holes to put on the offroad rack (ARB) and then I popped an ARB tent up there. I love it. Going strong for months!!

 

This is what I wanted to hear! I've got a few trips already planned as the camper shell deal came out of nowhere, so throwing it on my roof rack might be the best option for now time wise!

 

This thread is two years old, I hope his body has healed by now.

 

After about 8 years of no camping, wife and I restarted this year. Going with tent, queen air bed, easy-up, personal shelter and a porta-potty (for the Mrs.). I like to be able to leave camp in my rig.
Having a blast so far. Have RV'ed for years and even owned an RV lot at the beach. Kids are grown so now we get to be kids again. Still using old stoves, lantern, and other camp gear.

 

@kasberry hell yeah- it is really such a great setup for me. Just some advice which I'm sure you already know- but make sure that the dynamic weight capacity of the rack exceeds the weight of the tent everything so that when you're bombing down the freeway or off-roading and really off-kilter, nothing shears off and no damages/issues happen.

 

Just wanted to update and say the tent is great on the roof.

 

@kasberry it looks awesome!!! I've had mine up there for about 5 months now and I absolutely love it- great call putting it on the cab. Enjoy all of your upcoming adventures!!!

 

I know this is an old thread…any updates? I have prinsu racks on my cab and canopy and trying to decide which way to go.

 

No worries man! I always try to check my old posts. Other than looking a little goofy at certain angles, I'm happy with having it on the roof.

It's been up there since ~ August of last year and still going strong. I've since added Front Runner rails, Sherpa Equipment mounting feet, and Prinsu LoadBars to my camper shell so I could mount my Plano cases and my awning at the back.

With the tent and the awning deployed to the same side, I have almost the full length of the truck for shade/coverage.

 

Very nice and thank you! Truck looks great! I have a 270 awning on the drivers side so I’m going to have to open my tent to the passenger side if I want to use the awning at the same time. I think I’m going to cab mount the tent like you. Thanks again!

 

No problem!

I used Prinsu tent mounting feet to keep it as close to the roof rack as possible, but have some ratchet wrenches handy and be ready for a fight. It's tight quarters getting everything tightened under the tent using those mounts. I wish I had looked at the Front Runner quick release tent mounts, but I don't intend to take it off often, and they make the tent sit higher.

 

Don't start with a Tacoma.

 

Double Cab? On the cab.

Access Cab? On the shell, and only certain shells. Mine wouldn't be strong enough.