Thanks a bunch for posting this video. I came across it using a google search for how to mount a RTT to my Rhino Rack Platform on my Jeep 2-door, and this looks like it'll be a great tent and setup procedures. Also a veteran (retired USMC & USAF) so thanks for your service. Keep posting good content.
Great tip....as a contractor I would advise if you ever decide to take your tent off the jeep to replace those Zinc bolts with stainless steel. I realize that the inside of the tent won't be exposed but the underneath side of the threads that enters the strut channel nut will be. Zinc will rust...yes it will take some time more so than galvanized but you get what you pay for. As a deck builder we never use Zinc coated hardware. It's not designed for exterior applications. I have the same set up as you but will be going with a Tepui Autana XL. New sub here.
GREAT video! I have been sweating trying to figure out how to mount an RTT to my Pioneer without having it sit so high. Will absolutely be doing this. As a side note, you want to seal as much as possible, I will be plugging the pre drilled holes as well as using silicone to seal the screws on the inside of the tent.
Man I was nervous about drilling into my tent to mount to my pioneer platform but after watching this I’m 10x more confident with it. Awesome idea using the 2x4 as the pilot and demo! I’ll be doing the same. Don’t have a jeep but subbing as a thank you! -JJ
It is not only great to see you post a video of the setup I am putting on my JL. But to see a fellow brother in arms add great videos in the Jeeper world has my vote.
New sub... thanks for sharing - great way to connect to Rhino Rack platform. THANK YOU for your service and protecting my family's freedom to be able to enjoy things like rooftop camping with the Jeep! Ordered all parts from your Home Depot links and will pick up tomorrow. Thanks again!
Awesome video and awesome ingenuity man! Bought a JK Unlimited Rubicon with the Rhino Rack Pioneer already on and have a RTT coming for it and was trying to figure out how in the world to mount it. Thanks for the video and most of all for your service!!
Just ordered this and I have been wanting to find a video that explains install, not even trail recon can properly Explain install. Thank you for your thorough video on proper installation. You can also use Fuze it to cover the existing holes. Home depot sells it, stronger and more flexible than silicone so it won't crack or peel under any weather. Thanks again!
Many thanks for this. I have the Maximus-3 rhino roof rack and Tuff stuff foldout tent on order for my two door JL Rubicon. I had planned to order the cross bars from rhino (~$100) to mount the tent on but I think your method is much better. Well designed solution and great install details.
that maximus 3 + rhino rack setup is so Fn clean. Been eyeballing that for my 2-door for a while now. Not sure it'll fit in my garage if I do it though ...
Thanks! Just got a used rhino platform and was wondering if there was something local I could use in the tracks! Good video and I thought the 2x6 template was a great idea. Can’t wait to get my tent set up. Thanks again for doing the leg work on this one.
Great video! Found yours and tagged you on my video as a shout out! I just did a video for the fellow jeepers in Europe when I came across yours 🤙 Great channel 👍
You could have used the aluminum channels that came with the tent and used different hardware and a different bracket to go under the Rhino-Rack planks. I purchased a 3' piece of 1/8" steel C channel from home depot and made brackets wide enough to fit around the planks. This configuration sandwiched the steel C channel under the plank with the aluminum extrusion provided with the RTT over the top of the plank. I also replaced the original stainless fine thread hardware with much shorter zinc coated coarse thread hardware. We ran our Tepui for 3 years on the backbone of our JKU with no problems. We had ours set up to open off the back of the Jeep. Every comment I had seen previously said to drill through the planks since they're aluminum and won't rust.. that wasn't good enough for me.
Finally got around to my Pioneer Platform / Smittybuilt RTT install. This really helped me out. I used the same install method you did. Took a lot longer then I was expecting but got it done. Really appreciate your help with this. I know you got a new Jeep but did you ever notice any issues that I should be aware of?
Hi!! What state are you in?! Kidding, I answered my question with your plates. Lol. New to the channel. I'm in Massachusetts, also in the Army, but I digress. I have a JL that I've done quite a few upgrades to, and the next install will be the Pioneer Platform and a rooftop tent for camping (can't decide on a tent, but leaning towards a Skycamp or Tepui but won't pull the trigger until it gets warmer out)! I love my current group of outdoors buddies, but it's not often that I've come across black Jeepers also serving! Would be awesome if we ever got a chance to link up!
I love the Skycamp style rooftop tents and I think im going to be switching to one like it. I'm hoping this corona thing passes because it's really messing up my camping plans for the summer. And yeah don't come across a lot of black jeepers let alone also in the army. Link me on insta at Sketchy Jeep.
Nicely done. The detail is very helpful. Had thought about mounting my Yakima the same way but hadn't worked through the install in the detail presented. Thanks for the links. Are you going to do a follow-up issue on how the connections performed?
I just installed my platform after getting rid of the exterior cage. I wish I had seen this first I would have gotten the low profile legs. Just out of curiosity, how is your platform tied to your hard top? My backbone system has three mounting points along the edge.
I no longer have the set-up. But I did run it for a while and it held up great. I took it off roading and had no problems. The only thing is that you're going to scratch the paint on the rack from sliding the tent on and off but that's noting a spray paint can can't fix.
Hey thanks for the video @sketchyjeep Didn’t the tent line up on Center with the roof when you used the 36.5” Just curious if they’re was any difference left to right standing front on to the Jeep
SKETCHY JEEP Thank you so much for the fast reply I have the exact same set up that you had you just made my life that much easier by providing the dimensions and hardware specs Thank you for your service Cheers from northern Canada
Great video. Q. Have you seen any issues with repeated install / uninstall of the tent? I am thinking that the dirt may get into the tracks and perhaps it was harder to slide out?
How tall is from the roof of the Jeep? I’m trying to figure out if I could still pull in to the garage. Can you still remove your freedom panels with the rack and tent on it?
Thanks for your service, and for this awesome video!!! Just curious, why did you decide to have the tent open to the side versus the tailgate "awning" off the rear that you mentioned?
Hey mate I like the idea, I'm thinking of doing the same thing on my tent my only question is the strength of the 4 bolts holding it to the platform, how have you found it?
its held up well. there is an easier way to install it rather than going from the back and sliding it forward. Just sit the tent on top of the platform and get one end in the slide it forward / backwards to get the other.
Any concern with the bolts vibrating loose enough that the tent is allowed to slide backwards on the rails to the back (or all the way forward if you had to slam on your brakes)?
Hey! You got foam packaging with your roof top tent to keep it protected. Nice. My Tepui, piece of shit roof top tent came in a cardboard box with nothing in it to protect it. Just flopping around in there. Damn hippies!
Tried it with my Tepui Auntana 3 and discovered that the bolt heads for the bolts that hold the hinge in place hit the rack so the tent doesn't open all the way. That, and there's no way to slide the tent from the back in the slots because the god damned brackets that hold the straps in place are prevented from sliding thanks to the cross rails on the rack.
I checked on my Tepui Ayer 2 and saw the same obstacle. So, I reinstalled the aluminum rails perpendicular to the Pioneer rack using the original holes. Then, I drilled a 3/8" hole though the floor and through the rail. Insert bolts and the retainer nuts. Works just fine that way.
Thanks a bunch for posting this video. I came across it using a google search for how to mount a RTT to my Rhino Rack Platform on my Jeep 2-door, and this looks like it'll be a great tent and setup procedures. Also a veteran (retired USMC & USAF) so thanks for your service. Keep posting good content.
Great tip....as a contractor I would advise if you ever decide to take your tent off the jeep to replace those Zinc bolts with stainless steel. I realize that the inside of the tent won't be exposed but the underneath side of the threads that enters the strut channel nut will be. Zinc will rust...yes it will take some time more so than galvanized but you get what you pay for. As a deck builder we never use Zinc coated hardware. It's not designed for exterior applications. I have the same set up as you but will be going with a Tepui Autana XL. New sub here.
GREAT video! I have been sweating trying to figure out how to mount an RTT to my Pioneer without having it sit so high. Will absolutely be doing this. As a side note, you want to seal as much as possible, I will be plugging the pre drilled holes as well as using silicone to seal the screws on the inside of the tent.
Man I was nervous about drilling into my tent to mount to my pioneer platform but after watching this I’m 10x more confident with it. Awesome idea using the 2x4 as the pilot and demo! I’ll be doing the same. Don’t have a jeep but subbing as a thank you!
-JJ
Its been years since you shared this video and it's still providing a road map. Thank you for your efforts and sharing!
It is not only great to see you post a video of the setup I am putting on my JL. But to see a fellow brother in arms add great videos in the Jeeper world has my vote.
New sub... thanks for sharing - great way to connect to Rhino Rack platform. THANK YOU for your service and protecting my family's freedom to be able to enjoy things like rooftop camping with the Jeep! Ordered all parts from your Home Depot links and will pick up tomorrow. Thanks again!
This is the best set up ive seen yet, m been struggling with mine on my Rhino Rack for 3 years, Thank you
Good job... now I just have to pick out a tent. BTW, the constant wardrobe changes rocked... and a BIG thanks for your service!
thanks bro, you decide on a tent yet?
Watching the installation made me feel like I accomplished something. Very smart install. Thanks.
legend! thanks mate, have been wondering how to mount to the rhino platform
Awesome video and awesome ingenuity man! Bought a JK Unlimited Rubicon with the Rhino Rack Pioneer already on and have a RTT coming for it and was trying to figure out how in the world to mount it. Thanks for the video and most of all for your service!!
Just ordered this and I have been wanting to find a video that explains install, not even trail recon can properly Explain install. Thank you for your thorough video on proper installation. You can also use Fuze it to cover the existing holes. Home depot sells it, stronger and more flexible than silicone so it won't crack or peel under any weather. Thanks again!
Did I just get compared to Trail Recon?? Lol. I'm glad the video help and thanks for the idea with fuze it. Might have to give that a try.
Battle you solved my problem, I will definitely add using the med Loctite and sealant, awesome fix!
Been searching high and low on this flush mount option. Thank you, well done
Nice work Stud! I'm getting reading to mount my tent and this was extremely helpful. Thanks for your Service!
Many thanks for this. I have the Maximus-3 rhino roof rack and Tuff stuff foldout tent on order for my two door JL Rubicon. I had planned to order the cross bars from rhino (~$100) to mount the tent on but I think your method is much better. Well designed solution and great install details.
Thanks for this man, just put my Rhinorack Pioneer on last wknd...this hardware link is legendary save, Rhino charges out the a$$ for hardware!
yes they do. Its ridiculous
That's a great mounting option if you have a roof rack with a rail. Better weight distribution over the rooftop too. Awesome!
Great video! Will install mine FSR over Rhino Rack tomorrow!
Thank you for the video!! I'm going to do the same way you have installed your tent.
that maximus 3 + rhino rack setup is so Fn clean. Been eyeballing that for my 2-door for a while now. Not sure it'll fit in my garage if I do it though ...
Thanks! Just got a used rhino platform and was wondering if there was something local I could use in the tracks! Good video and I thought the 2x6 template was a great idea. Can’t wait to get my tent set up. Thanks again for doing the leg work on this one.
Awesome video thank you for your service SGT.👍🏾 I also have a jeep JLUR 2020 looking to do something like this in the future.
Great video! Found yours and tagged you on my video as a shout out! I just did a video for the fellow jeepers in Europe when I came across yours 🤙
Great channel 👍
Excellent period of instruction! Great work.
Looks great! TrailRecon ran the same tent. I like your mounting solution way better!
You could have used the aluminum channels that came with the tent and used different hardware and a different bracket to go under the Rhino-Rack planks. I purchased a 3' piece of 1/8" steel C channel from home depot and made brackets wide enough to fit around the planks. This configuration sandwiched the steel C channel under the plank with the aluminum extrusion provided with the RTT over the top of the plank. I also replaced the original stainless fine thread hardware with much shorter zinc coated coarse thread hardware. We ran our Tepui for 3 years on the backbone of our JKU with no problems. We had ours set up to open off the back of the Jeep. Every comment I had seen previously said to drill through the planks since they're aluminum and won't rust.. that wasn't good enough for me.
Nice job, I've been thinking about doing this same thing to my RTT. I also have a Rhino Rack like that on my Land Cruiser.
Great work, thank you for all of the detail you put into this!
Hopefully it helps
Excellent idea! Gonna do mine the same way! Thanks for providing the hardware links too.
Brilliant. Thanks for this video. Thanks for your service.
Super helpful video, thanks for sharing. Glad how mine is mounted now
Bro best installation for rhino rack! Will do this thank you for the idea and thank you for your service! 👊🏻
Awesome, i have the same rack and tent so stoked to find this vid. Thanks mate
Badass brotha! Thanks for the update!
Super helpful video. Thank you for sharing.
Finally got around to my Pioneer Platform / Smittybuilt RTT install. This really helped me out. I used the same install method you did. Took a lot longer then I was expecting but got it done. Really appreciate your help with this. I know you got a new Jeep but did you ever notice any issues that I should be aware of?
not really, the setup worked great for my needs and held up to abuse on the trails. I'm glad I was able to help.
Cool video! Them rooftop tents are awesome! Sadly I’m rocking a trex top... so I can’t use one 😂
thats the only draw back of those tops. How is the noise difference between it and the hardtop?
Honestly it’s hard to tell the difference.... unless it’s raining... then it sounds like ur sitting in a tent lol
Great job brother !
Hooah :) Good video man. I just ordered my Rhino Rack for JL like 3 minutes ago
Hi!! What state are you in?!
Kidding, I answered my question with your plates. Lol. New to the channel. I'm in Massachusetts, also in the Army, but I digress. I have a JL that I've done quite a few upgrades to, and the next install will be the Pioneer Platform and a rooftop tent for camping (can't decide on a tent, but leaning towards a Skycamp or Tepui but won't pull the trigger until it gets warmer out)! I love my current group of outdoors buddies, but it's not often that I've come across black Jeepers also serving! Would be awesome if we ever got a chance to link up!
I love the Skycamp style rooftop tents and I think im going to be switching to one like it. I'm hoping this corona thing passes because it's really messing up my camping plans for the summer. And yeah don't come across a lot of black jeepers let alone also in the army. Link me on insta at Sketchy Jeep.
Nicely done. The detail is very helpful. Had thought about mounting my Yakima the same way but hadn't worked through the install in the detail presented. Thanks for the links. Are you going to do a follow-up issue on how the connections performed?
yeah ill definitely get a video up. I wanted to use it for a while so I cant get a good detailed review
Freakin genius! Thanks for the video and thank YOU for your service. 🇺🇸
hey thank you for taking the time to support the channel
I just installed my platform after getting rid of the exterior cage. I wish I had seen this first I would have gotten the low profile legs. Just out of curiosity, how is your platform tied to your hard top? My backbone system has three mounting points along the edge.
Like the install looks like it's been on for a year now just curious and how it's holding up looking at doing the same way
I no longer have the set-up. But I did run it for a while and it held up great. I took it off roading and had no problems. The only thing is that you're going to scratch the paint on the rack from sliding the tent on and off but that's noting a spray paint can can't fix.
Great idea on your install.
Hey thanks for the video @sketchyjeep
Didn’t the tent line up on Center with the roof when you used the 36.5”
Just curious if they’re was any difference left to right standing front on to the Jeep
It was perfectly centered on the rack left to right.
SKETCHY JEEP
Thank you so much for the fast reply I have the exact same set up that you had you just made my life that much easier by providing the dimensions and hardware specs
Thank you for your service
Cheers from northern Canada
Great video. Q. Have you seen any issues with repeated install / uninstall of the tent? I am thinking that the dirt may get into the tracks and perhaps it was harder to slide out?
So, I like this idea. If you had to do it over again would you do this again? How long does it take to install and remove?
I would do it the same way. I takes a fraction of the time compared to traditional setup. I'd say about 15 min to remove and the same for install.
Genuis! Good job
How tall is from the roof of the Jeep? I’m trying to figure out if I could still pull in to the garage. Can you still remove your freedom panels with the rack and tent on it?
Thanks for your service, and for this awesome video!!! Just curious, why did you decide to have the tent open to the side versus the tailgate "awning" off the rear that you mentioned?
it would've been a wider profile on top of the Jeep and rack.
great vidéo ! thanks
Hey mate I like the idea, I'm thinking of doing the same thing on my tent my only question is the strength of the 4 bolts holding it to the platform, how have you found it?
I've done some pretty intense off roading with the set up for 3 days and had no problems. Everything held up great
really appreciate this vid. Awesome solution, I just ordered this exact setup. How has this help up so far?
its held up well. there is an easier way to install it rather than going from the back and sliding it forward. Just sit the tent on top of the platform and get one end in the slide it forward / backwards to get the other.
Any concern with the bolts vibrating loose enough that the tent is allowed to slide backwards on the rails to the back (or all the way forward if you had to slam on your brakes)?
I put over 1k miles on the set-up along with some off-roading and had zero problems.
The link that you provided for the channel nuts are with springs, did you take the springs off?
i did cut them off
Good job guys!!! if you come to East TN ping me and i will show you some of the local camping spots!
How'd this hold up in the long run? Off road?
Looks sketchy as hell 🤘. I know its an old video, but looks exactly as I'm planning to to install myself. How has it held up?
well done man !
The only thing I would do is get some sort of lighting system to use in doors.
you mean as far a camera lighting?
Tent comes with a lighting system.
SKETCHY JEEP my bad for not making that clearer. Yes, lighting for your videos. They tend to be a bit dark and as a result it’s hard to see you.
Dope!!!
Hey! You got foam packaging with your roof top tent to keep it protected. Nice. My Tepui, piece of shit roof top tent came in a cardboard box with nothing in it to protect it. Just flopping around in there. Damn hippies!
Tried it with my Tepui Auntana 3 and discovered that the bolt heads for the bolts that hold the hinge in place hit the rack so the tent doesn't open all the way. That, and there's no way to slide the tent from the back in the slots because the god damned brackets that hold the straps in place are prevented from sliding thanks to the cross rails on the rack.
that sucks. I don't really have that problem with the smittybuilt
maybe you can look into a spacer solution between the tent and the rack
I checked on my Tepui Ayer 2 and saw the same obstacle. So, I reinstalled the aluminum rails perpendicular to the Pioneer rack using the original holes. Then, I drilled a 3/8" hole though the floor and through the rail. Insert bolts and the retainer nuts. Works just fine that way.