Rooftop tents
09-14-2008, 09:25 PM
#61
My hat's off to you, Corey, for finding that. Thanks.
Another question: how do you manage to not overload your factory rack with that tent and with people sleeping inside it? Isn't the factory rating 150 lbs or so? Just curious, because a buddy of mine has an FJ and I'm trying to convince him to get a rooftop tent and come camping.
Another question: how do you manage to not overload your factory rack with that tent and with people sleeping inside it? Isn't the factory rating 150 lbs or so? Just curious, because a buddy of mine has an FJ and I'm trying to convince him to get a rooftop tent and come camping.
There is a misconception about the factory rack, and I have answered it on this forum and a few others.
Most factory racks including the FJ Cruiser are rated for 150 lb, but while moving.
Sitting still is a different matter.
The FJs rack will support I would say over 500 lb.
My tent weighs:
128 lb
220 lb Me
010 lb sheets, down comforter
015 lb duffel bag full of clothes
025 lb Camping Labs awning
-------
398 lb total give or take
I have four Yakima cross bars spreading the load over the rack so it is not concentrated in one spot.
There are many FJ Cruisers with the factory rack with the AutoHome tents like I have, and also the all canvas ones too.
Have not heard of any horror stories of any racks braking.
The only complaint I have is the tent is up a little high which makes for fun driving in the wind on the freeway.
Here is the solution.
Storm makes an adapter that goes in the racks holes to hold a cross bar.
Some do the crossbar on all three holes per side, but this guy did just the front.
He then did the FJ "half rack" mod which someone on IH8MUD came up with.
You take apart the rack, and just use the lower rear portion, and it puts the rack down much lower, at least 4" or so if you look at the stock rack and compare the difference between the upper portion and the lower portion.
This is my goal for 2009 to do this mod.
09-15-2008, 09:10 AM
#63
Welcome Rob.
In my search of other products out there, I just ran across this posted over on IH8MUD.
The poster had his doubts it would hold up in a windstorm, and I have to agree with him.
This unit runs on 12v.
[YOUTUBE]gxa_OklmSnM[/YOUTUBE]
Under the related videos on the above site is a time lapsed setup, pretty cool.
My roof top tent vid in my sig is also listed on the related links at the first video above.
[YOUTUBE]jo9-GsjjrkQ[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]iVE75kPfSLo[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]hX3vQ7v5Grw[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]xApYPIhThNM[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]Otm50oCCgRI[/YOUTUBE]
There are tons way more of videos on YouTube about roof top tents.
PS, found two more of one model I have not seen before.
[YOUTUBE]EBy3I50-_AE[/YOUTUBE]
In the second video, he has his Love Shack setup
Look at the bedding and pillows.
[YOUTUBE]YAghqtTZ2l0[/YOUTUBE]
In my search of other products out there, I just ran across this posted over on IH8MUD.
The poster had his doubts it would hold up in a windstorm, and I have to agree with him.
This unit runs on 12v.
[YOUTUBE]gxa_OklmSnM[/YOUTUBE]
Under the related videos on the above site is a time lapsed setup, pretty cool.
My roof top tent vid in my sig is also listed on the related links at the first video above.
[YOUTUBE]jo9-GsjjrkQ[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]iVE75kPfSLo[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]hX3vQ7v5Grw[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]xApYPIhThNM[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]Otm50oCCgRI[/YOUTUBE]
There are tons way more of videos on YouTube about roof top tents.
PS, found two more of one model I have not seen before.
[YOUTUBE]EBy3I50-_AE[/YOUTUBE]
In the second video, he has his Love Shack setup
Look at the bedding and pillows.
[YOUTUBE]YAghqtTZ2l0[/YOUTUBE]
09-16-2008, 07:40 AM
#64
This is just to sweet.
Was surfin' the Portal just now, and ran across viatierra's buildup thread on his '07 Tacoma.
He started out with a CAD design for a rack to hold his Maggiolina tent like I have.
Here is the end result.
If for some reason I had to start over again in the future and I went with a Tacoma, I would have to decide on whether to use a Canback topper and mount the roof top tent to it, or go with a custom rack like this guy did.
Both ways are nice, but the Canback or other shell gives you the added security of keeping thieves from your gear.
Was surfin' the Portal just now, and ran across viatierra's buildup thread on his '07 Tacoma.
He started out with a CAD design for a rack to hold his Maggiolina tent like I have.
Here is the end result.
If for some reason I had to start over again in the future and I went with a Tacoma, I would have to decide on whether to use a Canback topper and mount the roof top tent to it, or go with a custom rack like this guy did.
Both ways are nice, but the Canback or other shell gives you the added security of keeping thieves from your gear.
09-16-2008, 09:55 AM
#65
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I like that Tacoma set up, very nice and solid looking... I would have mounted the CB antenna to the rack though myself, I'm not a big fan of those magnet base ones they can abrade the finish...
09-16-2008, 10:20 AM
#66
Did you see some of the other trick stuff he did in his thread?
He has LED lights mounted to the inside of the racks tubing to give light for when it is dark.
I still think I would go with a topper though.
I would like to see a tent like mine mounted to a Canback.
PS, here is one earlier I posted with a tent like mine mounted to a shell.
Both ways are nice.
He has LED lights mounted to the inside of the racks tubing to give light for when it is dark.
I still think I would go with a topper though.
I would like to see a tent like mine mounted to a Canback.
PS, here is one earlier I posted with a tent like mine mounted to a shell.
Both ways are nice.
09-18-2008, 01:42 PM
#67
Cool Flash video from Autohome's site.
Lots of rigs in it that we do not have here stateside.
The vid plays smaller on their site, so here is the raw URL for the bigger vid.
http://autohomeus.com/video/video2.swf
Lots of rigs in it that we do not have here stateside.
The vid plays smaller on their site, so here is the raw URL for the bigger vid.
http://autohomeus.com/video/video2.swf
09-22-2008, 10:28 AM
#70
Yeah, I know, it is not a roof top tent per say, but I have seen these before.
Saw it linked in a sig file over at Expo.
http://www.bajataco.com/vikingvince/...pPac/index.htm
Saw it linked in a sig file over at Expo.
http://www.bajataco.com/vikingvince/...pPac/index.htm
10-02-2008, 06:38 AM
#74
Registered User
Rob, which way would you mount it?
Like this guy did?
Like this guy did?
10-02-2008, 06:51 AM
#75
Yes, I am working on getting my tent lower too.
It works great on my factory rack, but it sits up a little higher than I like.
I can get buffeted around some in a wind on the freeway.
Many have done the FJ half rack mod where you take the factory rack and take it apart, and just use the lower section.
Then up front another company makes an adapter for Yakima feet to go in and you mount a crossbar and tower.
I am picking up a factory rack this week for $100 that an FJ owner took off to install a Gobi one on his rig.
I will probably then sell my factory rack as a whole unit since I will have the new one modded into the half rack.
Here is an example
It works great on my factory rack, but it sits up a little higher than I like.
I can get buffeted around some in a wind on the freeway.
Many have done the FJ half rack mod where you take the factory rack and take it apart, and just use the lower section.
Then up front another company makes an adapter for Yakima feet to go in and you mount a crossbar and tower.
I am picking up a factory rack this week for $100 that an FJ owner took off to install a Gobi one on his rig.
I will probably then sell my factory rack as a whole unit since I will have the new one modded into the half rack.
Here is an example
10-19-2008, 09:10 PM
#79
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Hi all,
Just came across this forum and thread when I was searching for more info on my own rooftop tent setup.
Anyhow I thought I'd post a bit of info and a pic up for you as it may be of interest. I should add that I'm in Perth, Western Australia so I don't think you guys get the current 79 series out there.
John
Vehicle
2007 79 Series Toyota Landcruiser Trayback
4.5litre V8 turbo diesel
Custom aluminium canopy/box with storage drawers, kitchen, etc.
Maggiloina Airlander rooftop tent.
Just came across this forum and thread when I was searching for more info on my own rooftop tent setup.
Anyhow I thought I'd post a bit of info and a pic up for you as it may be of interest. I should add that I'm in Perth, Western Australia so I don't think you guys get the current 79 series out there.
John
Vehicle
2007 79 Series Toyota Landcruiser Trayback
4.5litre V8 turbo diesel
Custom aluminium canopy/box with storage drawers, kitchen, etc.
Maggiloina Airlander rooftop tent.
10-20-2008, 05:55 AM
#80
Hello John and welcome to YotaTech.
Indeed, you guy's get all the nice Toys there
That is a great looking truck and setup.
We need more pics of the setup.
What kind of antenna is that too on the bumper?
I am getting into ham and looking at various antennas for 2 meter and 70 cm that I can mount to the ARB up front.
Indeed, you guy's get all the nice Toys there
That is a great looking truck and setup.
We need more pics of the setup.
What kind of antenna is that too on the bumper?
I am getting into ham and looking at various antennas for 2 meter and 70 cm that I can mount to the ARB up front.
