How to Run a Rooftop Tent on a Budget! - GET OVERLANDING!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- We get asked pretty often what kind of rack system we put our Jeep to carry our rooftop tent on overlanding trips. Well here it is! We quickly realized that rooftop tents are super expensive, and we tried to cut costs wherever we could! We successfully run a rooftop tent for much less money than the average setup! Watch the video to find out how you can run a rooftop tent on a budget!
If you like this video, please drop a like, comment below, and subscribe to our channel!
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K everybody. I’m very aware the tent doesn’t weight 50 lbs. I lift the thing up all the time. That was just the info available on amazon at the time. Tent weighs probably 120lbs. Still fine for the purpose of the video.
but what about with both of you IN the tent.... I think you'd be pushing 500 lbs, your roof isn't designed for that. probably need a frame drop roof rack.
Phil Thornton that’s not the static weight rating. He explains this further into the video.
A couple of Thule bars mounted to your hardtop is asking for trouble in this scenario. The static load rating for these, I'm sure, is not rated at the combined weight of them and their tent.
I run the Thule crossbars on my 4Runner to avoid a massive roof rack cost. I love them! Driven about 3000 miles with the tent on going 70 mph. It's solid for sure.
Thank you VERY VERY much! You have solved all the puzzles and concerns in my mind on how to set up a safe rooftop tent on my wrangler. 👍👍
I put my wife in tent while driving, that way dog can ride inside truck with me.
Of course. You have to prioritise.
@Clay Pylant do tell, how is this a dumb comment?
My wife said I was immature,
I told her to get out of my fort lol
Ok boomer
Clay Pylant it’s a joke
Great vid! Many get carried away with all this stuff. This simple set up is exactly what I'm after for my needs.
I think its funny the people that dont like the idea of a roof top tent leaving comments. This video is in no way saying this is a better option than a ground tent. If the roof top tent is not your forte, then dont go with it, simple as that, dont try and convince someone who would rather have a roof top tent that they should not go with that option. Its all preference. There is pros and cons to both options. The weight rating is for static weight limit, just as he said, while the vehicle is moving. Do your research on this thing called the internet, and you will find a ton of info on every make/brand and style of racks. Its a pretty cool concept right at your finger tips. Btw, awesome video. I have been talking to a ton of people who have went this way with this type of rack and not one person has stated that they have damaged their fiberglass from the removable top. I have had mine for going on 4+ yrs and use it regularly (using Yakima brand, basically same set up) with 400+lbs on my jeep and not a sign of damage, not even hairline fracture. This was a huge concern of mine since those tops are not cheap. Thanks for posting and have fun and be safe out there.
Jacob Robert but the rtt is way above ground tents😉👍
Running the same setup. I have a 2.5 in lift and 33" tires. The ladder extends enough, however, this is one pain the butt to up and down on the side steps and tires to get this put away, cover included and I am 6'5. I set up the side awnings from inside, which isn't too bad, but overall love it. Bought 1.5 in memory foam to add to the comfort level. I am investing in a 2 foot step ladder to make things easier.
Thanks for the video very informative. I was going back and forth through forums trying to find a rack system that wouldn’t break the bank to install a roof top tent
Great Info... you have the right idea, save the money and get out there... I was lucky to have met a guy who sold me his Tepui RTT with annex for $1000 only used twice. so i spent the extra money on a Rhino Rack. Worked out great... The biggest Con for me was every time i need to go anywhere i had to pack up camp. Which doesn't Gel to well with the wife when i like to get up at 4am to go to a photography spot, lol. So i bought an Off-road Trailer & Modified it how i wanted it and moved the Tepui RTT over to that, so now i have a base camp sweet happy wife. Only Con is now i'm hauling a Trailer... It's always a compromise when camping and four-wheelin.
I went with the Smittybuilt as well. It's well made, and I have had no issues with mine. It's a bit of a brick as far as wind resistance goes, and I am running a fairing on my roof rack which helps. It's really only an issue on highways. There is no real issue on country roads, which is what I try to stay to anyway. You know, the road less traveled.....
Thanks the answer about the bar strength was what I was looking for.
Great video, I think I’ve watched it a half dozen times! (Along with several others as well) trying to get ideas. Suppose you Could make a short video showing how you mounted the SB tent to the Thule racks?
My iKamper is built like a tank. Worth the money. Love it. Set up 2 minutes break down 3 minutes. 150 lbs,
I have the same setup on my xj haven’t had a problem works great
honestly i really like your set up for weight consideration and financial too.i have rhino rack which came with the jeep . highway noise is because of the tent no matter what rack you have , if anything you have smallest foot print with that rack so its most quiet rack out there. good luck hope see you out there one day
Bro!!!! This is AWESOME!!!!!
Some very helpful info. Thanks!
Just the video I'm looking for. Thanks.
Awesome video man I learned a lot today ! Thank you
Thanks for video I feel more secure mounting mine on the bars also I’m very glad I found this
Very informative. Thinking about a roof-top tent installation for my 1974 CJ5 with it's metal hardtop.
I subscribed. Please keep posting more experience with the setup. I'll probably go this route in 2019. No holes drilled!!!
Glad you like it! No holes drilled and nothing permanent! Check out some of our trail videos, you'll see that we run the tent like this on some pretty intense trails with no problems!
Very informative information. And the dog is cute.
Love the video, been wanting to do a rooftop setup but wanted a cheaper option...this makes the decision a little easier. Subscribed!
Jordan Baker glad you enjoyed it! This setup definitely helped us pull the trigger and get out there with our tent a lot sooner. If I was waiting to get a permanent roof rack, I may not even have my tent yet!
Awesome video! Thanks to you, I now know I can afford a roof top tent 👍
Thanks buddy for the video
Cool video, cool truck, cool tent! winner!
Good video, keep them coming ✌
Awesome. Thanks
Even with the video sped up, looked like putting the tent away was a quite a chore for you both, even with the help of the rock slider steps. Like others, I too wonder about the rain gutters. It appears to be working for you though.
Well done. Exactly what this insane hobby needed.
Agree. People going waaaay over board. And all the judgments from guys running $150K set ups. Nice stuff, but I'm not a prepper and don't expect end of days anytime soon, so my stock jeep with this set up is great for several trips a year.
I have a JLU and is very interested to run a RTT using the Gutter Rack setup like yours, so that I can easily take the hardtop down if needed. However, the tent + 1 Adult with 2 kids probably means a static weight of 450-500#, I wonder if it'll work? Would you share how everything is going so far for you? And how much static weight have you tried so far??
I never want to be driving behind you. Safety first... for you and everyone else on the road. Glad you saved a few bucks. I had gutter mount racks for skis. Tents are heavy.
Thanks for the feedback but it ended up being just fine. It was only temporary and caused no damage.
I like that. I think I am going to fab my on rack for my jk 2 door soft top. I'm trying to decide if I want to make it out of aluminum or steel tubing.
Thanks for posting this. I just got a new JT, and will be building my "half rack" to put my tent on. Am looking at the same Smittybuilt tent as well because of the cost.
How do you like your tent so far? Is it holding up okay for you guy's?
Nice rig by the way!👍👍👍
Razor!
Nice video! I puchased the teraflex nebo rack and the same tent. The basic rack only comes with rails for $500, and the tent position has to be pretty close to the rear.
Aholliman0 yeah, we looked at the nebo rack too! We went with Thule in the end because we didn’t know if we wanted a roof rack long term, and the removability/no drilling aspect of this one was what sold me on it. We just wanted to get out there with our tent, but without the commitment to a roof rack!
Great content man
I have a JL. My concern isn't so much the bars. My concern is the rain gutter on the hard top snapping off. The new DeeJee rack looks promising.
Great video. Good idea for a budget conscious and if you are not overlanding much. I wonder how much is the total weight that rack can take. I am thinking if i should try your approach but with 2 adults and 2 kids close to 600 pounds,i wonder if if it will handle the stationary weight of 4 people assuming i go for a bigger tent.
I'm putting a rooftop tent on my Honda Scooter......WOW!!
Great idea you have there.Good job.Save money,and go Camping.Good video.How is the smithy tent?
Would you know if this roof top tent will mount on the Thule air blade rack?
Great video. Thanks.
How did you confirm the fiberglass top rain gutter had the strength to hold the bars and tent? That top is made using the SMC process. Just wonder. Thanks
Super awesome
Nice, I found the same tent on Facebook market place for $700 flat also made my own rack that I welded on my 1990 Ford ranger. Let's talk about budget now lol
Nice! We shopped around some classifieds but couldn't find anything at the time. The cool thing about rooftop tents is that people will probably use them much less than they think they will, which means lots of used ones should pop up for sale and help you save even more!
Definitely the guy I bought it from only used it once lol
If you want to save another 200$ you can order smittybilt defender roof rack mounts for your model jeep. I paid 89$ to mount my tent and it is rock solid
Good video. I've been balking at the cost of adding a rack and RTT to my 4Runner but the cost of this setup looks reasonable. Have you had the tent in any cold or rainy/snowy weather?
So just to clarify, you went with 58 inch for the Thule Roof Rack Load Bars?
The tent being located in the center between the 2 axles is probably better weight distribution then putting most on the rear.
Did you have to change the orientation of the bars on the roof rack? Do they run parallel to the Thule bars or not?
How long did it take to receive when you ordered? Like the video
what if you put 4 bars? would that be stronger i assume?
LOVE this! Just bought a 2001 TJ last week... and i am in love with all the options... mine may be a little small for this, but I am trying to think of something more modular.
Nice, welcome to the Jeep life! Love those TJs. I'm sure you can fab something up!
I have an 03 TJ and I have the same tent on it. Works great!
good idea. I'm just not a fan of how high these racks sit. I purchased some lower profile gutter brackets and ran some steel channel and painted them with rock guard. the bar sits like 2 inches from the roof.
Cool so I guess with 4 Thule bars to better distribute the weight it should be a decent solution. Mine has the sky one touch roof and there are very limited options. But tell me something, did you guys actually sleep in the tent during those 2 trips?
Any drilling required with the Thule system? One thing about the Thule is that it weighs less than a roof mounted rack.
I agree the Smittybilt is a great tent for the money but it's 116 lb not 50 I got my rack for about $250 it was on sale from 370 from extreme Terrain set up works really good I'm glad yours does too
What rack did you get?? I’m trying to find a rack that’s not too expensive and doesn’t involve drilling
The weight issue isn't that the rack has a limit, it's that the Jeep hardtop has a weight limit of 150lbs. The rack could be rated for 1000 pounds, but the roof only does 150 (and don't forget about the weight of the rack! ) . It sounds like you haven't had issues, but a RTT should never go on an unsupported roof.
Any idea if I can put these on my 2 door 95 jeep Wrangler?
Awesome channel 👍👍👍👍👍
Nice Video
Thanks for sharing this post. After seeing the video I became a subscriber and started watching. I don't have a Jeep, I own a GMC 2007 Envoy SLE 4X4
...any suggestions
Hector Alicea check out trailvoy.com and offroadtb. Com for gmt360 asked platform camping and off roading. I have an 05 Saab 97x that I converted to trailblazer roof rails and cross bars that I glued in place at around 40 inches spacing. Our rails are rated for 200 lb dynamic load with safely 800 lb static. Not to take away from this guy but there's little help from a jeep to a gmt360 in regards of what mods
I’m looking for a light tent. You mentioned it weighs 50lb’s in video? I looked up same exact one and it’s 116lb’s. Where can I find the 50lb one that you have and also is that the correct weight you stated?
I have an xj and I bought a tuff stuff tent on preorder sale for $700 and then I bought 4 van drip rail cross bars rated at 200lbs each for $100 total on Amazon. So I'm at $800 total.
Great video !
Glad you enjoyed it
Awesome idea. You might try removing the light bar to quiet things down. IMO the cons of light bars, out weight the pros.
Jason Dahlstrom good idea. It’s still pretty loud though. The tent with no light bar is still quite a bit louder than the light bar with no tent. I figure either way it’s loud, might as well keep my light bar and crank the tunes, haha
tilt the light bar down and 90% of the noise goes away. And it you use your lightbar in the dark the pros are huge.
Hiya , how long will it take to set it up or take it down ?
I'm sure the bars can handle the weight, my doubts is on the rain gutters supporting the weight.
what claps did you use to secure the tent to the crossbars?
Glad that I saw your video. I have the same roof rack made by Inno which I use to carry my kayak and was concerned that it might not support the weight of the tent. Now I’m ready to order this roof tent. BTW have you consider using flaring or is it even possible to attach one to limit the drag and noise?
That's awesome, glad to hear you're pulling the trigger on the tent! It's honestly one of the funnest things we go out and do. For flaring, nope, I haven't really considered it. In my opinion, it's a Jeep. it's gonna have drag and noise no matter what I do, haha. I just turn up the music real loud!
Great video, thanks for hosting it. Mind if I ask where you purchased the rhino decal on your Rubicon? Thanks!
Jamie Mink hey, I actually made the decal myself with a vinyl cutter. It comes from Suzuki I believe. I ended up redesigning my own (the one you’ll see in more recent videos) because I didn’t like the idea that I stole it from Suzuki, haha
The Offroad Rhino thanks for the reply. Love the latest side decal design. I am interested in one like this, I live in Michigan but travel to Africa often and have a special love of the rhino. And, I have a new JL Rubicon I can express my appreciation on. I am also a graphic designer, I’ll have to come up with a similar idea in illustrator. Thanks again! Happy wheeling.
Awesome insight for people who dont want to waste thousands on overpriced rooftop tents.
Smart!
will the same setup fit a 2door jk?
This would be perfect for the Gladiator and one person.
Couldn’t you ad an additional gutter fitting and one more bar or two even? I would think that it would help with the weight on top...
Looks awesome buddy! I’m totally doing the same set up on my rig! I’m a little heavier then you folks so... I may have to do 3/4 bars on top... LOL!
Thanks for the advice y’all!
Good luck!
D
Nice, glad you found a setup that works for you!
I thought you were gonna make your own, I'm thinking of how I could build one, get some type of hardshell plastic somehow or build diamondplate or plywood box, and do a hardshell with hudraulic hitch arms to keep it up
Scottie Manners that’s pretty hardcore, good luck! When it comes to budgets, I count my time as a resource too. In this case, I don’t know a whole lot about manufacturing, so the materials + my time would probably cost me more than buying the tent.
The Offroad Rhino gotcha, I'm pretty confident in my carpentry, design, and building skills since I make things all the time and hack ways to do things cheaply but just as good as their expensive counterpart. I think part of the fun for me is spending so much time and love into making something for a purpose, so my time is valued when it comes to building on my own! Hopefully see you out on some trails, just joined Overland Bound, now I need a rig lol, cherokee, 4runner, landcruiser, xterra, pathfinder, or maybe a 2001 4x4 kia sportage I used to have with granny gears! Been looking on craigslist for a while for a deal
Plus doesn't the ladder support half of the weight too when it deployed? Thats one reason the roof rack can support the static weight, cause its only supporting half.
Good point.
Think this is possible with a 2D?
How noisy is the wind on the highway?
if you added another foot pack or two I doubt you would EVER have issue.. spreading the load is the key.. even one more would likely save you from ever needing to worry about breaking the rain gutter until you decide what you want to do for good
SamJosh Cohen if we added a third foot pack I’d probably never inspect it again! But we’ve got a solid roof rack on the way.
What model tent are you in, I know we are looking at the XL, @145 Lbs. we will run on stock gx 470 roof rack, fingers crossed. SKipping the rock crawling for now.
We're in the standard size. Hope you enjoy what you go with!
Love the idea and am strongly considering it. Can you show me where it says that the weight limit (165) is a restriction only while moving?
Those kind of tent are really expensive..but at the same time is the only thing cheap enough to sleep with if you go off road in the mountain..I’m really into it ... but since just like you I’m planning to buy one..wouldn’t be better at this point to spend money just once without regrets ?? I’ve seen an australian brand coyote, sleeping 4 really awesome !
Alessandro Terracciano the tent is awesome! But there is a lot of extra expense when it comes to being able to mount it on your vehicle, and that’s where I tried to cut some costs down.
I gotta ask, are you still running this setup? If so, how is it holding up? I've heard that the hard top itself is only rated for a hundred pound-ish load. Are your freedom tops still sealing ok, and rain gutters holding up OK?
Yep, still running this way. I give the freedom panels a good inspection before and after every time, still going just fine. No sealing issues or signs of wear in the rain gutters.
Great info. Is it still working good even now?
We only used it for a couple trips but it ended up being just fine!
What rack system would you reccomend for an FJ Cruiser?
Nicholas Glover Warrior Products makes about the lowest cost rack for an FJ. I've been running one for 3 years now with tent attached the entire time.
What if you're moving in the tent? Have you had any roof rack failures?
baginatora I’ve been able to move around in the tent with no issues. No failures either!
👍
...any ideas
I have the smittybilt roof top XL tent. Do you think the racks would hold that as well? Should I add an additional bar?
I have the smaller version and used a 3 bar rhino rack gutter system. It works great. I recommend a third bar for added strength especially for the larger unit. This video headed me in the right direction.
family5athletes awesome! Thank you!
You can get the same tent on alibaba.com for $400.
Static load is non moving, dynamic load is a load in motion. Having said that. If the load rating of your roof rack is 150bl then it is rated for you to put that much weight on it and drive with it. Even though that weight would be dynamic. As far as you being able to get in it and use it safely, I have no doubt it'll be fine. Most of these type of ideas will have a working load and a breaking strength. The breaking strength is multitudes higher then the working load to keep you safe. I'm using a similar setup and mine hasn't budged a bit. I do plan to upgrade at some point but it seems to be fine with my Smitty built overlander on my gutter cross bars like what you have. For all the haters (did you die tho?) Friggin send it bro
What’s the weight limit for people to sleep on top of the rack ? What if ur more then 350 lbs plus for 2 people?
Jose Aponte good question! I don’t know. I can only speak from my experience... I’ve never had that much weight up there, but if you decide to try it let me know if you’re successful or not!
Why do people prefer rooftop tents over 2 second pop up regular ground tents that might actually be quicker to set up and pack away, much cheaper , don't require a roof rack and therefore you'll get better mpgs aerodynamically driving? Genuine question.. just got my first Jeep and looking into my options
so people know they are overlanders 🤔
Can you give an update on how well this tent held up? Thanks!
It held up pretty well but we did end up getting a roof rack that mounted on the hardtop.
@@offroadrhino3063 so, to be clear, was it the tent or the mounts that made you decide to move to a platform? Was their an issue with the gutter mounts/rain gutters themselves?
@@offroadrhino3063 Nevermind, I found the following up video. Thanks!
th-cam.com/video/4NRngEj7ULU/w-d-xo.html
So a 50-pound (now corrected for 120 lbs) tent with two people ( and stuff in the tent during the night) is way more than 150 lbs that Thule rack holds? They must be counting on a large safety factor or marginally safety here with lots of disclaimers.
Rich M static weight and dynamic weight stats differ. My cheap fleet farm rack static are got for 400lbs, dynamic 175.
Ok, basic question: what do you think about the tent. How is the quality holding up?
Hunter Cynova quality has been awesome! There’s not a ton of moving parts, so wear and tear is pretty minimal.
How much weight can the rain gutters take ?
OVRLNDM the tent weighs about 120 lbs and my wife and I together are about 300. So 420 is what we have up there on a regular basis. The weight rating is different for when the vehicle is moving vs not moving. When the vehicle is moving, I wouldn’t put more than 150 lbs on there.