RTT - Roof Top Tent Stuff

[TacoXpo]

Okay so I am getting down to the 'nuts and bolts' of mounting my RTT.

I have one of these in the house and need to get it ready for a good work out...

I am thinking of this type of setup and have scheduled time with a fab guy to fab something like this:

I really don't know how much it's going to run me but I was thinking $250-400 by the time it is all said and done.

Tonight I saw one of these again. Not that sexy but it would be fully adjustable!!! Which would make it nice. I could wheel and drive with it down and lift it when I get to camp.

Does anyone have any experience with the Thule system?

 

[TacoXpo]

This is a bracket specific to 05+ tacos ~$50

$540 fior the adjustable one

$500 for the fixed height one

Still not that simple or sexy... I wish I had a tube bender and a better welder!! :o

 

[yotarob]

you could buy a nice tube bender for the price of that Thule rack, maybe break even on this project but do really well on the next one.

 

[TacoXpo]

So here's the beginings of my fab stuff... Hopefully I can get this guy to give me an idea of how much lighter my wallet will be on Monday night!

 

[TacoXpo]

you could buy a nice tube bender for the price of that Thule rack, maybe break even on this project but do really well on the next one.

Yeah, I hear you! If I just had a 3 or 4 car garage!!! And a couple of more days before I push off! :o

 

[yotarob]

If you don't mind me being honest, I would say $400 on the conservative side. I think a good fabricator is gonna end up with a full days worth of time to build that properly. Someone who has made a few RTT / bed mounts before might be able to do it in 6 hours.

 

[TacoXpo]

If you don't mind me being honest, I would say $400 on the conservative side. I think a good fabricator is gonna end up with a full days worth of time to build that properly. Someone who has made a few RTT / bed mounts before might be able to do it in 6 hours.

Yeah I hear you. I have worked with this guy before and we do work together. He made some very styling sliders for one of my buds (with kick outs and square main tubes (like shrockworks) for 300 so... I'm hoping...

 

[TacoXpo]

If it approaches 600, I may just get one of these and cut the front post down to allow for the height I want....

 

[TacoXpo]

 

[TacoXpo]

I continue my ramblings...

Here's an example...

If I was to keep this kind of set up, I would be tempted to paint or powder coat the stationary vertical uprights and trim the top bars to stop at the vertical uprights.

 

[TacoXpo]

Okay a bit more defined...

 

[Silverback]

Choices choices... I really like your final design! Very simple yet functional. I might think about making the "feet" a little wider, spread out the load on the bedside and rail a little better.

The Thule racks are great quality, and the ability to raise and lower as needed is a huge plus, my only concern would be the side rails that stick out past the vehicle. I can see a tree or rock taking it off for you.

 

[yotarob]

Yeah I hear you. I have worked with this guy before and we do work together. He made some very styling sliders for one of my buds (with kick outs and square main tubes (like shrockworks) for 300 so... I'm hoping...

$400 sounds like a good number to me, I wouldn't expect it to be much over that, especially if you have worked with him before and plan to help. I know how much trial & error goes into fabing things and that good fab work is not cheap. I still vote that you buy a tube bender, Look at the JD Square benders. You don't have to have hydraulics (though they are nice) and it won't take up that much room in the garage.

 

[TacoXpo]

$400 sounds like a good number to me, I wouldn't expect it to be much over that, especially if you have worked with him before and plan to help. I know how much trial & error goes into fabing things and that good fab work is not cheap. I still vote that you buy a tube bender, Look at the JD Square benders. You don't have to have hydraulics (though they are nice) and it won't take up that much room in the garage.

I appreciate the pressure - I do need to do that. For right now, with my time table and this guy's willingness, I don't mind flipping this guy some cash. He's a good dude and he just moved in to a shop. As far as I am concerned, if I have to pay a bit more to get it done and help out a guy... It's a good form of tithing!

 

[TacoXpo]

Choices choices... I really like your final design! Very simple yet functional. I might think about making the "feet" a little wider, spread out the load on the bedside and rail a little better.

The Thule racks are great quality, and the ability to raise and lower as needed is a huge plus, my only concern would be the side rails that stick out past the vehicle. I can see a tree or rock taking it off for you.

The 8 inch wide feet was an an attempt to keep my tire carrier where it is - it holds my Gerry cans nicely in place... I may have to re-think that one. I hear you on the side rails - my thought was to cut them back and re-cap 'em. Too bad they didn't 'lean in.' Oh well, just like with school, finals time is here so something will be done.

Thanks again for everyone's input!!!

 

[TacoXpo]

Speed rail could be an option too...


http://www.hollaender.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC24FDAE-CC9C-BA86-D8D542E83A8C403F

 

[TacoXpo]

Last night we made this: Spent 5 hours on fabbing it (couple of revisions to design and he didn't have his drill press and we didn't get to have the trip to the metal supply!). He wanted $200. I gave him $250. Going to do a little beta testing and then go back and make revisions.

 

[yotarob]

NICE! looks like he does good work for a very reasonable price!

 

[TacoXpo]

NICE! looks like he does good work for a very reasonable price!

He's a good guy and he just leased a shop with about 2500 sq ft (20' ceilings) and I didn't want to be cheap with him. He was shocked that I would pay more. He's good and I still feel like I'm buying wholesale!

 

[Silverback]

Last night we made this: Spent 5 hours on fabbing it (couple of revisions to design and he didn't have his drill press and we didn't get to have the trip to the metal supply!). He wanted $200. I gave him $250. Going to do a little beta testing and then go back and make revisions.

That looks clean! What size tubing is that? 1.5"? Great price as well!