Roof Top Tent with Rack...

[brittan]

I am almost done preparing for a trip to Moab and thought I'd share with the community. I sourced the tent for $400 on a close out. I think they are redesigning the tent and pushed the old model out the door. I had to find a place to put it and until I get a trailer built this will have to do...
(http://homepage.mac.com/brittansmith/PhotoAlbum17.html)
To answer some questions I know are coming:
-The main hoop is angled toward the cab to get every extra inch out of the bed. The tent is longer than the bed by 10" sitting on the rack.
-The tent supports that extend the length of the bed look angled in the pictures...they are. I have heavy duty springs in the back and I needed to angle them for a loaded truck. If all goes as planned the tent will be level when the truck is loaded.
-I wanted to use the bed of the truck without the RTT. To that end I fabed up sleeved brackets that the rear cross-member fits into. It will be pinned to secure it.
-The rack is attached to the bed by gravity...no there are C clamps that will hold it down. In addition I have angle iron at the corners.
-The tent is high on the truck so I can carry more gear. As you can see I gave up a lot of room in a small bed for a set of drawers.
-The tent sticks up above the cab by +-5". Acceptable wind drag to gear holding ratio for me.
-Round tube is 1.5"X.90 wall.
-Cross members are 1.25 square
-.125"X2" flat stock provides the foundation

Tools for the job:
JD2 #3 bender
Miller 210 welder
Tube notcher
Hitachi drill and grinder
Angle finder
Measuring tape
A little know how...

Cost:
Tent $400
Steel +-$60
Hardware $30 -I am sure I could have sourced it cheaper
Materials $15 if I paint it
I may have it powder coated...$50

Difficulty:
This is by far the easiest fab job I have done to date(look at the bumpers and sliders on the same site). It took me a few hours to get it done. I know...I have the tools...and that partly makes it easy. I'd say its a :beer: :beer: job.

Enjoy...

[flyingwil]

Looks great! I love how the rear crossmember is removable! Any whistling from the front portion where it is similar to a headache rack?

[brittan]

Looks great! I love how the rear crossmember is removable! Any whistling from the front portion where it is similar to a headache rack?

Good question...It shouldn't if I put a textured finish on it. I won't know until I do a good trip with it.

[Scott Brady]

Just a quick FYI. Don't sit outboard of the ladder. That is the reason for the redesign. The corner of the tent can break off (crack) under weight in warm weather (the particle board glue was not up to the heat of the Southwest).

Nice job on the fabrication too.

Oh, and when do you leave for Moab? I leave on the 20th of Sept.

[Desertdude]

worth repeating - you have skillz dood :D

real nice work - I look forward to watching those skillz in action in person :coffee:

[brittan]

Just a quick FYI. Don't sit outboard of the ladder. That is the reason for the redesign. The corner of the tent can break off (crack) under weight in warm weather (the particle board glue was not up to the heat of the Southwest).

Nice job on the fabrication too.

Oh, and when do you leave for Moab? I leave on the 20th of Sept.

Thanks for the heads up on the tent. I am still in the market for an Eezi Awn 1600...For $400 I figured I couldn't loose.

I will be in Moab on Oct 6. How long are you staying?

[brittan]

worth repeating - you have skillz dood :D

real nice work - I look forward to watching those skillz in action in person :coffee:

Thanks dude...

[Grim Reaper]

What company did you buy the tent from? Do you know if they have any more left?

Knowing whats wrong with the design I can add a brace and correct the flaw.

[brittan]

What company did you buy the tent from? Do you know if they have any more left?

Knowing whats wrong with the design I can add a brace and correct the flaw.

Here is the site (http://car-top-tent.com/default.asp)...

I think you'd have to disassemble it...and getting Humpty Dumpty back together again might be a trick. If you get one and are successful with the modifications I'd be interested in the write up.
Brittan

[Grim Reaper]

Here is the site (http://car-top-tent.com/default.asp)...

I think you'd have to disassemble it...and getting Humpty Dumpty back together again might be a trick. If you get one and are successful with the modifications I'd be interested in the write up.
Brittan


I was figuring I could just add a peice of aluminum stock to the outside edges either a Angle peice of a peice of 1x2 box along the outer edge.

Thanks for the link!

[p1michaud]

I am almost done preparing for a trip to Moab and thought I'd share with the community. I sourced the tent for $400 on a close out.

Very nice work and killer fab skills! :victory:
Out of curriosity, are you getting rid of your shell or keeping it to change out when you need it?

Cheers :beer:,
P

[brittan]

Very nice work and killer fab skills! :victory:
Out of curriosity, are you getting rid of your shell or keeping it to change out when you need it?

Cheers :beer:,
P

Shell has been gone since my last tirp to Moab...where it failed me.

[Dave]

Shell has been gone since my last tirp to Moab...where it failed me.

Can you eloborate? I'm headed to Moab the same time you will be there (we arrive the 8th)...with a fiberglass shell. :yikes:

[mountainpete]

Shell has been gone since my last tirp to Moab...where it failed me.

Also curious - what failed?

[p1michaud]

Also curious - what failed?

x3!

Cheers :beer:,
P

[brittan]

x3!

Cheers :beer:,
P

OK...clarification...
I purchased an ARE shell for the Taco a few years ago. I put a Yakima rack on top to hold a rack with bikes on it. While in Moab the Yakima load bars came loose from the rails and wore holes in the top of the shell. Technically the shell didn't fail me. Sorry for the confusion.

[mountainpete]

OK...clarification...
I purchased an ARE shell for the Taco a few years ago. I put a Yakima rack on top to hold a rack with bikes on it. While in Moab the Yakima load bars came loose from the rails and wore holes in the top of the shell. Technically the shell didn't fail me. Sorry for the confusion.


Ahhh... gotcha.

Off topic, but you know I am having problems with my Yakima's lately too. I am running three crossbars when I carry my 16 foot canoe. One over the cab in the centre of the front doors and two spaced out as far as they can go over the rear canopy (on tracks). The far rear bar is always coming loose. It doesn't move forward/back, but rather side to side. The hex key screw that pushes up the cam on the bar keeps coming loose. Even with locktite on it I still have to tighten it every fuel stop when the canoe is on. I'm thinking that once Yakima's get older (these bars are probably 8 yrs old now - had them on other trucks) they loose their ability to clamp on to the crossbars well.

Pete

[BajaTaco]

OK...clarification...


Where the heck have you been??!! Good to see you around ;) This is wild. I was just wondering about you last night and thinking I should give you a call.

[brittan]

Where the heck have you been??!! Good to see you around ;) This is wild. I was just wondering about you last night and thinking I should give you a call.

Baja,
I have been busy. Sorry to be a stranger...I just have a lot going on.
Do give me a call. Let me know when you will be in town.

[BajaTaco]

Baja,
I have been busy. Sorry to be a stranger...I just have a lot going on.


10-4, copy that. I'll give you a call.

[brittan]

Can you eloborate? I'm headed to Moab the same time you will be there (we arrive the 8th)...with a fiberglass shell. :yikes:

What will you be in...where will you be staying...I will look for you. You know what my truck looks like...

[Dave]

What will you be in...where will you be staying...I will look for you. You know what my truck looks like...

White '02 extended cab with an ARE shell (minus canoe):

http://www.ilikecoconuts.com/gallery/d/7018-1/truck.jpg

We're staying at the camp ground in Arch's NP the 8th and the 9th, hiking the Fiery Furnace guided hike on the 9th. After that, we're going to be exploring points farther south (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=30467&postcount=4).

[brittan]

Dave...I'll look for you.

[mightymike]

How about a few pics with your rack painted and the tent installed?