Topic: Roof Top Tent on Stock Roof Rack

[0317]

For those in the group who have RTT's and are using the stock xterra roof rack. Do you find the two stock roof rack cross bars to be sufficient in securing your RTT? 

[steve c]

On my 2nd gen, yes.  That is how I have been running my RTT.
Is that relevant to your question? Not really

[0317]

It is if the 2nd gen Roof Rack cross bars are made of the same material as the 1st gen. The 1st gen cross bars appear to be aluminum with plastic C cups that secure to the main roof rack bars. I have read elsewhere that those plastic C cups may crack or break with the added weight of a RTT attached to them.

[knightrider]

you don't secure the tent to crossbars, it attaches directly to the side rails that go front to back.  you will need longer bolts since the rack rails are large diameter.

[steve c]

you don't secure the tent to crossbars, it attaches directly to the side rails that go front to back.  you will need longer bolts since the rack rails are large diameter.

Oh yeah. That's correct.

[0317]

you don't secure the tent to crossbars, it attaches directly to the side rails that go front to back.  you will need longer bolts since the rack rails are large diameter.

My RTT’s mounting rails run the same direction as the two stock rack bars, they all run front to back.

[knightrider]

what RTT do you have?  the cvt (and every other manufacter ive seen) can be mounted either direction.  the mounting holes for the rails are a square pattern.  if mounting the short way on a 48x56 tent the rails must be cut down to 48".

[0317]

Smittybilt Overlander XL

[knightrider]

Yep, that uses the same rail extrusions that CVT/Tepui/TuffStuff uses. You need to cut them to around 48" or just a bit shorter than the tent and mount them so they go the short length of the tent and buy longer M8 bolts that will allow you to attach it to the stock roof rails that run the length of the truck.  Follow the "Off the Back" instructions even though you will be off the side.  The instructions are assuming you have cross bars like yakima load bars or similar that can handle the weight but the stock xterra crossbars are not designed for that much weight because of the plastic ends.   

[0317]

Thank you, I will give it a try. Is there anywhere to buy additional rails?

[JeffBett]

So I have a hardshell RTT that has the mounting track built into the bottom fiberglass and they run the same direction as the side rails of the roof rack.  I would like to avoid another set of rails adding more height and another connection point so I would like to mount to the cross bars.  I have not looked into this yet, is it well know that the cross bars are not strong enough to support the tent, wonder if I got a third crossbar if that would spread out the load enough?

[FixItGuy]

We had our tent mounted to the stock rack for a hot second. The plastic mounts cracked after one trip. We've since gone with a Frontrunner rack. Expensive, but worth the added stability and useful rack area. It also dropped the profile a bit.

[0317]

We had our tent mounted to the stock rack for a hot second. The plastic mounts cracked after one trip. We've since gone with a Frontrunner rack. Expensive, but worth the added stability and useful rack area. It also dropped the profile a bit.

thx for the reply, unfortunately Frontrunner does not make a rack for the Gen1, at least not that i found.