XL RTT - Extend over cab or stick out the back?

[bhadfield]

I think I have a solution. The rack portion is installed and I'll be testing the tent on it this week (finally!)

• FrontRunner Outfitters 1400mm Universal Track Set attached to the top of the JCR Full Rack
• FrontRunner Outfitters Foot Set (2) 40mm-50mm
• FrontRunner Outfitters 1425mm slats to use as load bars

I discovered that even if I WANTED to have the Skycamp attached straight to the JCR rack and just hang way off the back of the truck, the crossbars for the JCR rack are too thick to be used with Skycamp tent mounts. It turns out I need different non-JCR crossbars that are thinner, at which point I might as well raise them up a little so I can stick the tent out over the truck's cab. That's what the FrontRunner Universal Track and Support Feet do -- they raise the load bar up high enough. (I think, to be tested when the wife finishes work in a few days and can assist in lifting it onto the truck). You can contact the company directly by opening a support ticket and they'll create a custom quote of just the parts you need. They generally respond next business day.

Of course, I bought the FrontRunner Load Bars but now I'm already wondering whether I should replace them with a FrontRunner SlimLine II Rack so that I can have the support I'd need to mount an awning on the opposite side. Just Empty Every Pocket....

Looking forward to seeing how this works, been trying to figure out how to solve this problem with something functional that also looks like it belongs there. Thanks for trying this out! Would also be interested in seeing any pics of what you have now even without the tent. Thanks!

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[NHyde]

I wonder if this would work...4 of these on the corners of rack, raising the tent just an couple of inches. It’s simple, sure. I would still mount the tent to the JCR rack and this would give it the lift it needs.

(Note I know these are not tall enough, just a sample.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQVXVNB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qSShFbN7MT1BQ

Edit; The more I measure and think about this, I may just let it overhang if need be, perhaps for this year only and see how i ‘like it’. I am not getting the iKamper, I have the 72” from 23Zero ordered and this would only overhang the bumper by 4-5 inches, total. Not the end of the world.


edit #2 Could use something like https://8020.net/3030-s-black-fb.html, three of those across the rack L->R and then rest the tent on top. I dont have my rack yet, so I dont know exact height/width/length but this is far more reasonable in pricing, looks like only $50-75 pending On what you get

 

[jsyn]

So a COVID scare slash home quarantine has delayed me putting the tent on for now (we're all good, but my wife was exposed and had to quarantine herself for 10 days, leaving me handling fulltime childcare and without another set of hands to help lift the tent), but I have managed to test whether the FrontRunner Outfitter solution I mentioned earlier will work on the JCR full height rack.

I installed the parts listed in the previous post, then laid a 10' piece of unistrut across the top to see how high the tent will be above the cab of the truck. As you can see, the spacing seems perfect -- not much, but enough in case of flex on trail.

I did have to drill one hole in each 1400mm Universal Track piece so that the mounting holes would line up with the holes on the JCR Rack, but that was the only modification required. The Skycamp should mount sticking out over the cab now without a problem.

Also, when I do eventually get an awning and end up needing a full SlimeLine II rack to support it, FrontRunner Outfitters can sell a complete rack minus the two pre-existing slats, so I won't actually have wasted money buying the load bars first.

In the end I wish I'd just splurged up front and bought an RLD truck cab, but what I have now allows:

• Use of the pickup as a pickup
• Soft tonneau covering that can be opened even with the bed rack
• Bed rack that supports RTT that extends over the cab
• Full use of the Freedom Panels

Combine with my Latch-It Rack for when I'm carrying my mountain bike, and the whole setup works reasonably well.

 

[jsyn]

I can officially confirm that the FrontRunner Outfitters load bars worked perfectly to keep the RTT just high enough above the cab of the truck to not scrape even when bouncing up and down some seriously rough and weathered fire roads.

(That's Zion National Park we're looking down at from 10,000' above sea level, along with a bit of Dixie National Forest)

 

[NHyde]

I can officially confirm that the FrontRunner Outfitters load bars worked perfectly to keep the RTT just high enough above the cab of the truck to not scrape even when bouncing up and down some seriously rough and weathered fire roads.

(That's Zion National Park we're looking down at from 10,000' above sea level, along with a bit of Dixie National Forest)

Glad it worked out. Care to link to exact load bars?

 

[jsyn]

Glad it worked out. Care to link to exact load bars?

Of course! I actually just spent the last 2 days detailing everything installed on the truck, with some walk-throughs and with links to all the products. The load bars post is here, with links.

Basically, FrontRunner Outfitters SlimLine II racks come as separately purchasable pieces. There are end pieces (the front/back of the rack) which are left-to-right slats but with a raised edge. There are side pieces (the sides of the rack) which are raised edges that all the left-to-right slats bolt to. And then there are slats. Any of their slats also work as load bars, you just install them without the rest of the rack. They have "spare slats" available for purchase in a variety of lengths.

Just so you know (since I had to ask), their slats are 90mm wide, 20mm tall, and then whatever length you choose to purchase. They have "load bar end caps" you can purchase to officially convert your slats to load bars, but I didn't really see the point.

I chose 1425mm, and that seems to be a good width for me.

 

[NHyde]

So here is my solution;

I went to my local Fleet Farm and purchased 4’ Aluminum square tubing. They’re about 1.25” high. I then mounted these, with 1“ steel spacers to my JCR Full Height Rack. This gives me a 2.25” lift to my JCR Full Rack, giving me just enough space to clear the cab.

Now, I don’t have my tent, however, I have tested this out with my daughters gymnastics mat and I have about 3/4” clearance over the back of the cab, and once it finally gets to the center peak, it touches.

So, I will simply have a ‘hybrid’ where I overhang the back a couple of inches and I overhang the cab a couple of inches, fitting my 72” RTT just fine.

All in; $56 for my ‘homemade’ solution.

Sorry, I have no idea why the site is uploading my pics sideways...

 

[Blade1668]

NHyde
That space given with spacers might make a good storage spot for out of way seldom use items. On rack but under RTT things that come to mind traction boards out of sight and sun or skis, tent poles or fishing rods
Good call on the fenders washers under the spacers you might want to find larger plates to help spread load on rails about the width of rails and few inches long.

 

[NHyde]

NHyde
That space given with spacers might make a good storage spot for out of way seldom use items. On rack but under RTT things that come to mind traction boards out of sight and sun or skis, tent poles or fishing rods
Good call on the fenders washers under the spacers you might want to find larger plates to help spread load on rails about the width of rails and few inches long.

Yeah we will see how it all goes. If it doesn’t work out, oh well, only out a few bucks.

I was thinking about what I could store in there, I am sure I will find something

 

[JfishKing]

I have my Alucab tent extending over the cab. It is roughly the same closed size as the Ikamper. I am very happy having it over the cab. It even keeps the back seat cooler during the summer time. I DO NOT hear any wind noise. That surprised me but the tent cuts right through the wind. I also did not notice much MPG loss.

That looks awesome what are you using a spacers it looks like there’s some thing up there are those the JC are brackets?

 

[JfishKing]

So here is my solution;

I went to my local Fleet Farm and purchased 4’ Aluminum square tubing. They’re about 1.25” high. I then mounted these, with 1“ steel spacers to my JCR Full Height Rack. This gives me a 2.25” lift to my JCR Full Rack, giving me just enough space to clear the cab.

Now, I don’t have my tent, however, I have tested this out with my daughters gymnastics mat and I have about 3/4” clearance over the back of the cab, and once it finally gets to the center peak, it touches.

So, I will simply have a ‘hybrid’ where I overhang the back a couple of inches and I overhang the cab a couple of inches, fitting my 72” RTT just fine.

All in; $56 for my ‘homemade’ solution.

Sorry, I have no idea why the site is uploading my pics sideways...

What size and length bolts are you using?

 

[NHyde]

What size and length bolts are you using?

I think I went w/ 3.5 or 4 inch.
The bar is 1 inch, the spacer is around 1.25 inch then washer, bolt, bed rack....I think 4 but i dont 100% remember.

 

[NHyde]

Sorry I dont have a good photo, but you can see how i set the tent up on top (it’s winter and the tent is now off).

It worked out really well - we’ve since adjusted the cover and now you dont even see the extra bars unless you’re ‘looking’ for them.

again, i was able to go over the cab 2-3 inches, over the upright tailgate 1-2 inches, this is a great solution given the bed rack I have.

 

[JfishKing]

So a COVID scare slash home quarantine has delayed me putting the tent on for now (we're all good, but my wife was exposed and had to quarantine herself for 10 days, leaving me handling fulltime childcare and without another set of hands to help lift the tent), but I have managed to test whether the FrontRunner Outfitter solution I mentioned earlier will work on the JCR full height rack.

I installed the parts listed in the previous post, then laid a 10' piece of unistrut across the top to see how high the tent will be above the cab of the truck. As you can see, the spacing seems perfect -- not much, but enough in case of flex on trail.

I did have to drill one hole in each 1400mm Universal Track piece so that the mounting holes would line up with the holes on the JCR Rack, but that was the only modification required. The Skycamp should mount sticking out over the cab now without a problem.

Also, when I do eventually get an awning and end up needing a full SlimeLine II rack to support it, FrontRunner Outfitters can sell a complete rack minus the two pre-existing slats, so I won't actually have wasted money buying the load bars first.

In the end I wish I'd just splurged up front and bought an RLD truck cab, but what I have now allows:

• Use of the pickup as a pickup
• Soft tonneau covering that can be opened even with the bed rack
• Bed rack that supports RTT that extends over the cab
• Full use of the Freedom Panels

Combine with my Latch-It Rack for when I'm carrying my mountain bike, and the whole setup works reasonably well.

Hey Brother how much all in on the parts... i jsut came up with a similar setup using 80/20 and its going to come out to $305 for the material.. wondering if better off running your setup... thanks

 

[ssrgeoff]

Added a riser kit to go over the cab. It would have worked without but the channels under the RTT for mounting were .5" or less from the cab. Wasn't sure how much flex between the cab and bed so didn't want to risk gouging the roof.

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