Support for topper (for RTT)

Anyone ever had a support (rollbar type) made to rest against the top of the cap(front and back) and be bolted in the bed floor itself to keep the bedsides and the cap from carrying all the weight? I would like to build one but can't find anything.

 

Welcoming to the forum. I'm planning to build something similar. I like the idea of building it off the bed floor instead of the bed rails. If you search the site there are a few that have done internal supports but I haven't seen anything built off the floor, only the bed rails similar to this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/over-canopy-modular-bed-rack-intrest.483934/page-2#post-14811756

 

The new A.R.E. CX HD topper

 

I started building my own here. I finally ordered the remaining pieces to finish it, but I still need to make some custom brackets to bolt the uprights on.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-topper-rebuild.694546/#post-24667678

modeled it so I could design some spacers:

 

Why the spacers? Why not the frame on directly on bottom of the roof, drill through and attach the rack directly to the frame.

also your frame isn’t attached to the bed? The whole point is to transfer the weight to the bedroom

unless that’s the plan and your just getting there and I’m a dick lol

 

Spacers because the roof is not flat. The ARE MX is a compound curved surface. I also wanted to get the frame level with the bed, and the topper roof tapers down towards the back.

Attaching directly to the aluminum extrusion using tnuts is extremely difficult to line up. This is why I ended up using L brackets off the side.

Yes the whole point is to tie it down to the bed rails. Since I am trying to get these vertical supports to be as close to the topper as possible, it takes some precise measuring. Mine will not just be inline with the roof frame, it will be angled outward to match the topper walls, but always towards the back (or front). So essentially angling in 2 directions. This is much more complex then the ARE CX reinforcements.

I will probably add some 1010 bars across the top at some point, but my goal was to get the frame in first so I could get my measurements right.

Here's a picture, hopefully that helps explain it.

 

I bought my camper with rack rails so I could do just this. I’m going to make a frame go to them in the inside.

 

Yea I see now. And makes sense re the space! Thanks for explaining.

what are the spacers made of?

 

Printed in PETG (polyethylene)
They bolt into the top of the 1020 rail with a 1/4-20 bolt and tnut. That's just to hold it in place for aligning the whole thing.

There are long stainless bolts that go through the roof with a 2" fender washer and nut up against the fiberglass on the inside to make them act like studs. Then the whole frame assembly gets lifted into place and those other holes on the spacers (as well as the L-brackets) line up with these studs. They then get bolted onto the studs with another nut and washer. This was really the easiest way for me to get it all aligned and mounted. I left extra space on the spacer to accommodate the nut that is up against the fender washer. Even if it becomes loose, the bottom nut will take over with the tension once everything is tightened down.