*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

I'm assuming the tents are about 10" high when closed? Is there a lot of variation between manufacturers?

 

Seems like most of the fold-over canvas type tents are 12-15" closed. Not very familiar with the hard shell type.

 

That's what I'm seeing with my google search.

The cab is roughly 20" higher than the bed sides. So if I made the mid height rack 8" above the bed sides, that would make a lot of people happy, I think??

 

I like the high version for it's nice inside clearance. You could still put a lawnmower, couch, recliner or anything large in there if you want.

The mid height version will have to be removed if you want to put anything large in the bed.

 

The couple of bedracks I have made I liked the height of 13-15" from the top of the bed rails to the top of the bedrack. This keeps the tent low enough that it would sit just above the cab, or flush with a roof rack. It also allows for some visibility out the back of the truck still under the rack.

 

Everybody's doing the same thing

There are alternatives to fixed height mounting...

 

Yeah but most adjustable height solutions come with some compromise of strength; or an increase in parts, cost, and labor. There are some cool solutions with gas struts to lift the rack while in camp (they can bind or require multiple people to operate, not to mention the extra cost). Thule has the height adjustable bed bars (had them and they were nice but they are nearly impossible to raise and lower when loaded) . I have tried a number of different things and the simple solutions with less chance of failure are usually the better option.

 

Yeah, his system and @Blackdawg 's system on his truck were the two I had in mind. Definitely awesome solutions but even with those there is extra cost and maintenance involved in building them and using them. Not a problem if you keep on top of things, but lots of people just want to install it and forget about it.

 

I welded a mounting point to the end of some yakima bars. I didn't feel like the L-brackets would be strong enough.

 

Anyone use a pulley system in their garages to store their RTT? If so, where did you buy it and do you like it?

 

@DoorDing and I both have pulley setups of sorts.

I started with a rope and pulley set up. It worked decently but was a bit of a pain for raising in lowering as the hand winch was against the wall so "landing" it was difficult. This one cost wise was around 100 bucks (cant remember exactly...might have been less)


I got tired of that pretty quick and switched to using a harbor freight winch. Much nicer to use! its hard to see the winch cable but you can see the cut out in the ceiling where the cable goes up to the winch (which is mounted in the attic). THis set up was ~130 for the winch and ~20 for the straps.

 

@KBVOODOO

I want mine close to cab height as possible. If it was just above the rear window it would be about perfect. I don't want my tent any higher than my roof rack. Understood it my roof rack is custom, but I think you would get a bunch of us on board if it was at least tall enough to see clearly out of the rear view window.

That would put my rtt just lower than my roof rack.

 

I need to get mine level with the Prinsu rack I'm gonna get next year so then kayaks will be level from the rack to the tent

 

It sounds like you want the mid height version that is in the works. It will be 8" above the bed side rails.

 

What shell is that? Looks sweet.

 

Thanks! It is a Snugtop rebel that I have customized. Fiberglass rotopax holders, Yakima top and side rails for mounting accessories, LED interior light strips, and 4 cross bars to support my RTT and awning.

 

I think we are seeing why multiple height options are needed! Everyone wants something different lol.

I know whatever i go with id want the tent either cab height or slightly above

 

Damn. I just sub'd to your build. Might steal some canopy ideas. Just got one a month ago.

 

Nice, let me know if you have any questions. It's not stealing, it's free knowledge.

I will, more then likely, be selling the canopy next summer and building a bed rack with a skin.