Gear Always Mounted?

[EP34FR]

For those with a truck bed rack system, with accessories mounted (namely a RTT), do you leave your gear mounted all the time, or install it before a trip and remove it afterwards?

My truck is my daily driver, but I'd like to get a rack system installed (leaning towards a KB VooDoo rack, since it works with tonneau covers) along with a RTT.

I don't have a garage or carport to park in or to rig up some kind of hoist for the removal and storage of the RTT. I do have a storage building, but trying to manhandle the RTT on and off the rack all the time may prove to be too much of a pain.

 

[Correus]

I am wanting to mount gear as well. My concern isn't as much about it being a pain, it's more about security.

What are you planning on using to prevent theft?

 

[EP34FR]

Not sure if I'd mount a lot of gear to the rack, other than the RTT, just for the fact of not wanting to take it on/off all the time. I rekon things like rotopax (if I were to get them) have the lockable mounts. They make lockable mounts for axes and shovels too, but I'm sure a pair of bolt cutters would make quick work of any padlock you used.

While I doubt anyone would take the time to unbolt the RTT from the rack, I supposed it is a possibility. Maybe some bolts with special heads, that require a special tool to remove them, would be beneficial?

I realize that you can't make anything theft-proof. All you can do is slow them down, or make it so hard and time-consuming for them, that they'll just move on to someone else.

 

[Correus]

Not sure if I'd mount a lot of gear to the rack, other than the RTT, just for the fact of not wanting to take it on/off all the time. I rekon things like rotopax (if I were to get them) have the lockable mounts. They make lockable mounts for axes and shovels too, but I'm sure a pair of bolt cutters would make quick work of any padlock you used.

While I doubt anyone would take the time to unbolt the RTT from the rack, I supposed it is a possibility. Maybe some bolts with special heads, that require a special tool to remove them, would be beneficial?

I realize that you can't make anything theft-proof. All you can do is slow them down, or make it so hard and time-consuming for them, that they'll just move on to someone else.

You hit my concern right on the head - bolt cutters. Not many people carry these things around yet there's always the person with the desire and intent who will.

You can't live your life being afraid of such things.

I hadn't heard of rotopax so I'll take a look at them.

As to the original question...

I'm not sure how the guy did it, or if it was even posted to the OB forum, but I read about a guy who created an alarm system that turned on four lights (one per roof rack side) and honked the horn. It used motion sensors on the light based IIRC.

He did it to deter bears and thieves while camping. He could remove it when not out camping.

That's a possibility.

 

[geekyadam]

For those with a truck bed rack system, with accessories mounted (namely a RTT), do you leave your gear mounted all the time, or install it before a trip and remove it afterwards?

My truck is my daily driver, but I'd like to get a rack system installed (leaning towards a KB VooDoo rack, since it works with tonneau covers) along with a RTT.

I don't have a garage or carport to park in or to rig up some kind of hoist for the removal and storage of the RTT. I do have a storage building, but trying to manhandle the RTT on and off the rack all the time may prove to be too much of a pain.

Great question for a thread. Interested to hear others' answers as well. Just a heads up, be mindful of weight on those voodoo racks. The way they're manufactured to allow tonneau covers means they can't maintain as much weight as other stronger bed racks. Just FYI. Also, if you use one of those that means you cannot open your tonneau anymore.

 

[Lindenwood]

I am fortunate to have a garage and to work on a military base. So, the risk of stuff getting stolen is pretty minimal for me. But, I am likely to move across the country soon and I think we might get a condo. So, especially if we dont get a garage, I am going to have some real theft concerns to wrangle, specifically with my hi-lift and winch!

Right now, without spending a lot on fancy putpose-built locking mechanisms, cable locks seem to be about the best option. Though, I have personally cut through a 5/8" steel cable with a pair of regular wire cutters in about 15 minutes (years ago when we forgot the key to the lock for our dirt bikes :P ). So, like was said above, I think it is mostly about making it too much of a hassle to bother relative to the risk of getting caught.

All that said, lights and noise are probably your nest friends. (Lights first, so the neighbor's cat jumping on your rig doesnt piss everyone off in the middle s he night...)

 

[systemdelete]

All my gear mounted externally is locked, as are a few of the things in the vehicle.(fridge for example is security cabled to a seat mount) I have security/dash cams that run while parked front and rear. Sure a thief with bolt cutters could get the stuff on the roof, but they can't cut all the locks off or empty the cases without getting up on the rack. I also park under a low hanging sprinkler supply pipe when I can in my work parking garage. The cases up top only clear it by about 2" so it doesn't leave much room to open them. :)

 

[EP34FR]

Great question for a thread. Interested to hear others' answers as well. Just a heads up, be mindful of weight on those voodoo racks. The way they're manufactured to allow tonneau covers means they can't maintain as much weight as other stronger bed racks. Just FYI. Also, if you use one of those that means you cannot open your tonneau anymore.

Thanks for the tip. I figured some weight capacity would be lost with the tonneau brackets. I can never find anywhere that KB VooDoo says how much the tonneau brackets reduce the weight capacity of the racks...just that they are "strong" . I have a Retrax tonneau cover, so I'll still be able to open it. I did at least plan that one out - so that if/when I got a rack, I could still open my tonneau


While theft is always a concern, I'd probably mostly just leave a RTT mounted all the time. Any other accessories (recovery tracks, tools, etc.) wouldn't be as much of a pain to take on/off as the RTT would be. Trying to manhandle a RTT by myself, with no garage or hoist, would be a pain, I'm sure. I'm mostly concerned with weathering of the RTT cover or any other considerations with leavin git on and out in the elements all the time.

I'd like a rack that is the same height as the cab - RTT would be higher up (I never had a tree house, so... ) as well as visibility out the rear window and the ability to add an awning at some point. But a lower rack (10" or so high) might make it (a little) easier to load/unload a RTT.

 

[Horse Soldier]

For those with a truck bed rack system, with accessories mounted (namely a RTT), do you leave your gear mounted all the time, or install it before a trip and remove it afterwards?

My truck is my daily driver, but I'd like to get a rack system installed (leaning towards a KB VooDoo rack, since it works with tonneau covers) along with a RTT.

I don't have a garage or carport to park in or to rig up some kind of hoist for the removal and storage of the RTT. I do have a storage building, but trying to manhandle the RTT on and off the rack all the time may prove to be too much of a pain.

I put my rtt and kitchen and shower on a trailer. I had a tarp company make a cover for it when not in use and payed 25.00 a month for storage. My tj hard top is in the garage.

 

[geekyadam]

Thanks for the tip. I figured some weight capacity would be lost with the tonneau brackets. I can never find anywhere that KB VooDoo says how much the tonneau brackets reduce the weight capacity of the racks...just that they are "strong" . I have a Retrax tonneau cover, so I'll still be able to open it. I did at least plan that one out - so that if/when I got a rack, I could still open my tonneau


While theft is always a concern, I'd probably mostly just leave a RTT mounted all the time. Any other accessories (recovery tracks, tools, etc.) wouldn't be as much of a pain to take on/off as the RTT would be. Trying to manhandle a RTT by myself, with no garage or hoist, would be a pain, I'm sure. I'm mostly concerned with weathering of the RTT cover or any other considerations with leavin git on and out in the elements all the time.

I'd like a rack that is the same height as the cab - RTT would be higher up (I never had a tree house, so... ) as well as visibility out the rear window and the ability to add an awning at some point. But a lower rack (10" or so high) might make it (a little) easier to load/unload a RTT.

Just remember, the higher up above your cab's roof the RTT is, the worse your gas mileage will be. When I think about the idea of a bed rack with a RTT on it, I think I'd prefer the RTT to be fish with the cab roof for a stream lined look and not such a big hit to the MPG. But I couldn't give up the bed access and security. I use my bed all the time for our new house; lumber, materials, mulch, etc. Plus my trifold tonneau is weather resistant and I love that. Maybe a fancy roll up one like you have may change my mind later...

 

[Horse Soldier]

Just remember, the higher up above your cab's roof the RTT is, the worse your gas mileage will be. When I think about the idea of a bed rack with a RTT on it, I think I'd prefer the RTT to be fish with the cab roof for a stream lined look and not such a big hit to the MPG. But I couldn't give up the bed access and security. I use my bed all the time for our new house; lumber, materials, mulch, etc. Plus my trifold tonneau is weather resistant and I love that. Maybe a fancy roll up one like you have may change my mind later...

I agree, nothing on my trailer is taller than my soft top.

 

[EP34FR]

I concur. My Ram 1500 already gets mediocre gas mileage...don't need to make it any worse. If I get a bed rack, it'd be the 10" high rack (with the tonneau brackets, it'll add another couple of inches). That'd put the RTT at or a few inches above the roof line. I'm sure I could rig up some sort of L-bracket for an awning, to get it high enough to stand under.

I've thought about a trailer (been going back and forth between a rack, camper shell, and trailer). Trailer would be nice to just keep everything mounted to all the time. Always ready to go and might prompt me to get out more. But, I'm not sold on the idea of trailer...yet. I kinda like the idea and the simplicity of the truck being the only asset... easier to maneuver on trails, back into campsites, and I'm just not a fan of towing a trailer (maybe cause I just don't do it enough haha). Plus, back to my original concern about leaving the RTT out in the elements all the time. I do like the idea of a tarp to cover it though.

I just need an ol'ing trailer, a dedicated ol'ing rig, AND a daily driver! oh, and a garage!

 

[geekyadam]

I concur. My Ram 1500 already gets mediocre gas mileage...don't need to make it any worse. If I get a bed rack, it'd be the 10" high rack (with the tonneau brackets, it'll add another couple of inches). That'd put the RTT at or a few inches above the roof line. I'm sure I could rig up some sort of L-bracket for an awning, to get it high enough to stand under.

I've thought about a trailer (been going back and forth between a rack, camper shell, and trailer). Trailer would be nice to just keep everything mounted to all the time. Always ready to go and might prompt me to get out more. But, I'm not sold on the idea of trailer...yet. I kinda like the idea and the simplicity of the truck being the only asset... easier to maneuver on trails, back into campsites, and I'm just not a fan of towing a trailer (maybe cause I just don't do it enough haha). Plus, back to my original concern about leaving the RTT out in the elements all the time. I do like the idea of a tarp to cover it though.

I just need an ol'ing trailer, a dedicated ol'ing rig, AND a daily driver! oh, and a garage!

Yeah same thoughts here; I love the IDEA of an OL trailer, because everything is self-contained, you just hook up and go for the weekend. However I don't feel nearly as "agile" when towing a trailer (even a small lightweight OL trailer). Plus, if you could potentially fit all your gear on your truck alone, then towing a trailer is extra unnecessary weight of you think about it. Kills MPG etc.
I also struggle with the thought of RTT height if I bought one...idealy you want it above your head so when you unfold it's also an awning and you don't have to duck underneath etc. But yeah the wind resistance isn't ideal. If only someone would make a roof rack attachment that is just a spoiler/wing like semi trucks have. It could push the wind up above the RTT. Crazy idea but I bet it pays off. Invention idea for the OL community right there.

 

[Ben Cleveland]

Not a truck, but I've got a roof rack, so same thing basically. We purchased the RTT planning on removing and reinstalling for each trip, and that happened once. Its just a pain. And I like being ready to go so we can just put some food in our totes, throw them in the car, and hit the road.
The RTT mounting brackets are impossible to access, and the crossbars are attached with security torx heads.

I just mounted a pelican rifle case on my roof rack for recovery gear, that's permanent as well, and its locked. I'm mounting a hilift soon too. I'd love to keep my rack empty, but its just not practical. It takes a long time to get all of that gear adjusted and tightened down. So I keep it all up there, and don't park downtown overnight. Fingers crossed I don't get robbed.

 

[geekyadam]

This is a good thread. These are issues that people don't think about or really chat about until they're ready to make the leap to a RTT. At the very least, after thinking more about it, I don't necessarily think the guy I see on the highway with the RTT on his daily driver is just trying to show off by leaving it on... It's more likely because it's the easiest/best method for him.

 

[EP34FR]

Exactly. If I left my gear mounted all the time, it's not cause I'm trying to be like, "HEY...LOOK AT ME...I'M AN OVERLANDER...AREN'T I COOL!!??" It's more cause I don't want to hassle with taking everything on/off all the time.

No doubt a separate, dedicated OL'ing vehicle or an OL'ing trailer would solve this issue, but I'm trying to keep my budget in mind.

 

[Ben Cleveland]

Exactly. If I left my gear mounted all the time, it's not cause I'm trying to be like, "HEY...LOOK AT ME...I'M AN OVERLANDER...AREN'T I COOL!!??" It's more cause I don't want to hassle with taking everything on/off all the time.

No doubt a separate, dedicated OL'ing vehicle or an OL'ing trailer would solve this issue, but I'm trying to keep my budget in mind.

Yep totally agree. I’m sure there are people out there who think that when they see me driving around, but that’s fine. I would actually much prefer to keep my rack empty when I’m not out somewhere, but if I did that I’d be looking at half a day just to get everything loaded up, just to go camping for 1 night. And THATS not happening.

I do plan on adding some cable locks as I add things like hilift to the setup. Just to help keep passersbys honest.

My wife and I also very much want a trailer because it would be way simpler and easier. But budget, money etc is not unlimited.

 

[Nomadik Nova]

Yep totally agree. I’m sure there are people out there who think that when they see me driving around, but that’s fine. I would actually much prefer to keep my rack empty when I’m not out somewhere, but if I did that I’d be looking at half a day just to get everything loaded up, just to go camping for 1 night. And THATS not happening.

I do plan on adding some cable locks as I add things like hilift to the setup. Just to help keep passersbys honest.

My wife and I also very much want a trailer because it would be way simpler and easier. But budget, money etc is not unlimited.

I’m in the same boat! All about convenience. [emoji12]

 

[Horse Soldier]

I concur. My Ram 1500 already gets mediocre gas mileage...don't need to make it any worse. If I get a bed rack, it'd be the 10" high rack (with the tonneau brackets, it'll add another couple of inches). That'd put the RTT at or a few inches above the roof line. I'm sure I could rig up some sort of L-bracket for an awning, to get it high enough to stand under.

I've thought about a trailer (been going back and forth between a rack, camper shell, and trailer). Trailer would be nice to just keep everything mounted to all the time. Always ready to go and might prompt me to get out more. But, I'm not sold on the idea of trailer...yet. I kinda like the idea and the simplicity of the truck being the only asset... easier to maneuver on trails, back into campsites, and I'm just not a fan of towing a trailer (maybe cause I just don't do it enough haha). Plus, back to my original concern about leaving the RTT out in the elements all the time. I do like the idea of a tarp to cover it though.

I just need an ol'ing trailer, a dedicated ol'ing rig, AND a daily driver! oh, and a garage!

The trailer is the back half of 2 tj tubs so I have access to the front and the back. It has a diy exo roll cage for protection and to mount the rtt.