Roof Top Tent (RTT) Questions

A lot of times weight ratings (if you aren't given more than one) refer to the dynamic weight, or the weight while in motion. Static weight is much higher. For example, my bed rack has a dynamic rating of 200 lbs, but a static weight rating of 500 lbs.

 

I think a lot of the clamshell RTT's are mounted on racks that sit as high as the cab. Because these just hinge up (not flip over like CVT) then the box (when cloesed) has to be longer than the bed of our trucks to give enough room to lay down inside of them.

 

I'm also looking for my tent solution. Do many people successfully mount their RTT's on top of their camper shells without any problems?

 

If it's ABS like the Yakima/Thule cargo boxes, drill a small hole at the end of each crack to stop it from spreading then, if small enough, glue the crack and fill the drill holes with ABS glue (available in the plumbing section of Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) Get the ABS stuff, not the PVC/ABS combo or whatever). If the crack is larger, drill the end holes to relieve stress then use a bur bit to open it up enough to inject some of the two part epoxy designed for use with ABS. Clean the area with alcohol, not acetone, before applying the glue/epoxy. The slower curing stuff is stronger. If the crack is too large or in a structural area such as near a hinge, on a corner, etc. then get a thin piece of ABS (you can buy it at plastics places, on Amazon, etc). Again relieve the stress at the ends of all cracks by drilling a small hole then cut your repair piece to shape, heat and mold with a heat gun (wear gloves), glue the crack with ABS glue or epoxy then glue the patch into place using the ABS cement. Allow to cure per the manufacturer's recommendations. You can add rivets while gluing if absolutely needed for maximum strength; the glue will cure and seal around them. I've repaired a couple of cargo boxes this way including my own old Space Booster

It's not going to look brand new but you can always have it sprayed with bedliner or do it yourself if it bothers you.

 

I currently have the smaller Smittybilt...weighs 115# ish

Easy to install...fun to use..cozy for two people

Currently mounted to my Chevy crew cab...below cab level

Have a new teardrop trailer ordered...so this RTT is F/S (central Utah)