Roof Top Tent

[Knightspirit]

Has anyone got experience putting a roof top tent on their standard Safety Devices roof rack? I have the opportunity to get one (the rack) close by and while I really want to go get it - I am a little unsure if the tents they make these days will even fit on one. Bottom is not even for one - and the side rails might be in the way? Anyone tried this? Might require one of the more expensive pop ups that don't fold out. Thanks!

 

[Tugela]

If you want I can measure the dimensions of my SD rack and post them so you can compare to the dimensions of your tent. My hunch is that your RTT won't fit inside the load basket of the rack. To make them compatible you could cut off part of the rack. Which would be a shame to do. Then there's the two-level aspect of the SD rack, which may or may not be an issue for your particular tent.

 

[Knightspirit]

If you want I can measure the dimensions of my SD rack and post them so you can compare to the dimensions of your tent. My hunch is that your RTT won't fit inside the load basket of the rack. To make them compatible you could cut off part of the rack. Which would be a shame to do. Then there's the two-level aspect of the SD rack, which may or may not be an issue for your particular tent.

That would be awesome if you don't mind doing that - I am thinking that one of those Maggiolina tents would fit - they have like 4 different sizes. Each one is a billion dollars - but hey. This particular rack is tha taller version (goes over the rails) and is in good shape for $750. Worth it?

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[logan_gibson]

I've mounted a smittybilt overlander rtt, which is the smallest/most common size tent.
Both on a SD rack and on a Voyager - it will mount on the top rails just fine.

You will probably want to chop the back of the rack though so it can mount to the lower portion - unless you want the tent up in the air and some slim storage under it. here are some photos to give you an idea.

 

[Tugela]

That would be awesome if you don't mind doing that - I am thinking that one of those Maggiolina tents would fit - they have like 4 different sizes. Each one is a billion dollars - but hey. This particular rack is tha taller version (goes over the rails) and is in good shape for $750. Worth it?

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Happy to, it will be later today. $750 for a SD rack (assuming in good shape and with complete hardware) is definitely worth it. One factor to bear in mind is weight. I think the SD rack is about 80 pounds. A tent is probably another 100. That's a good chunk of mass up high on what is already a tall vehicle.

 

[Knightspirit]

Yeah - it's true. I'm in a D1 with medium spring 2" lift. Not a great set up for trail running with that much weight up top - so we'll see. I don't have a tent yet - so maybe I'll just get the rack and see whether the tent is a good option or not later on. Thanks!

 

[Tugela]

The measurements I took from inside edge to inside edge of uppermost bars on my D1 SD rack:

width: 48.75"
length: 77"-78" (this dimension is less precise owing to flex of the measuring tape)

 

[Knightspirit]

The measurements I took from inside edge to inside edge of uppermost bars on my D1 SD rack:

width: 48.75"
length: 77"-78" (this dimension is less precise owing to flex of the measuring tape)

Great - thanks!

 

[ahron]

I've mounted a smittybilt overlander rtt, which is the smallest/most common size tent.
Both on a SD rack and on a Voyager - it will mount on the top rails just fine.

You will probably want to chop the back of the rack though so it can mount to the lower portion - unless you want the tent up in the air and some slim storage under it. here are some photos to give you an idea.
View attachment 61742
View attachment 61743

We'll check out that smittybilt overlander soon when we start working on the Disco. Got to finish installing the headache rack and bed cover from 4Wheelonline onto the pick-up truck this week before we can clear the garage.