Help on types of roof racks.

[Jose]

Hey guys need some help on what types of roof racks work for a RTT on a Jeep. Looking to get a 4 person RTT for a family of four also something that would be low profile that can fit in garage. Sorry for the noob question but just got in the scene and would to here you feed back and advice. Thanks

 

[stoney126]

http://overlandbound.com/forums/threads/garvin-wilderness-expedition-rack.997/

This was my Lil write up. In my honest opinion I'd think long and hard before adding a rack for a rtt. I was pretty Gung ho and I happen to find this one for half the price of new. I've been in a few spots where I was glad not having the extra weight on top. Though this could be my newb pucker factor.
I'd still like to have one but maybe once my experience level has me more comfortable.
Not trying to talk you out of one at all,I'm just a big sissy lol . Have you seen ursa minor tops? I'm really digging those but $$$

 

[stoney126]

BTW a.e.v. and gobi are strong pics. Few other brands are ran too on here with great success

 

[MOAK]

I recently commented on a roof rack review on Expedition Portal. The author of the review went on and on about what a great rack he was reviewing. I will not mention brand names, as if curious, you can go take a look. In essence I said.. Stay the hell away from steel racks unless you live in the southwest USA. I had a steel rack for over 15 years and it was a constant battle against rust, pulling the rack off, wire brushing, or brush-blasting, priming and repainting it. At one point we dumped another $250 into it and had a rear hoop fabbed out of stainless steel. People often commented on how they liked our steel rack. I kept it to myself that it cost, over 15 years, an additional $600 or so to keep it maintained.. Once we sold the Rubi and stepped up to an 80 I vowed never again to go with a steel rack. After a couple of years of research I chose the Frontrunner Slimline II. Yup, you gotta assemble it, so if you don't like building things don't get one. However, because shipping is free, the price was less than most any other quality rack out there. I also like the idea of bolting stuff down instead of using straps. Up top we have a solar panel, our treds, a bottle rack for our propane, an awning, and our Oztent 25X. ( the tent is ratchet strapped down). I added two extra slats to accommodate the tent a little better and added the expo rails to the front to protect the leading edge of the solar panel. (the awning simply bolts on) .. Over 20,000 miles and probably 2 to 3 thousand of that on two track trails and 0 rattles. I haven't even had to re- tighten anything. We use a ground tent, (obviously) but any RTT will work on this rack.. I hope I have added more confusion to your decision making process, but hey, when we make bad decisions, and I've made plenty over the years, we gotta live with them. I don't work for Frontrunner, but I do purchase a lot of their products and it's nice to finally have discovered an expo parts and supply company that I have confidence in. Their tech support is 2nd to none. Good luck !!

 

[Jose]

Thank you both for your input on the racks. I'm going to be researching at the two aluminum roof racks that both of you mentioned and both are priced nice! I live in Florida and got to agree with the steel rack rusting up and having more maintenance especially living close to the coast. I've been talking to the wifey about it and she likes the idea but keeps hinting at getting a trailer, but then I told her we wouldn't be able to head out deep into the trails and woods to really camp out and explore, so that's when she mentioned look into one of those OffRoad trailers you showed me before you got the Jeep and that's when my eye lit up like a little kid at a candy store. Lol. I really like the idea of having that slim line roof rack though to carry extra camping equipment if I were to get a trailer.

 

[1Louder]

I don't own a Jeep. I know racks can be challenging on them. Personally I would recommend getting a trailer. Even the most basic tub style with a setup for an RTT. You can pull them nearly anywhere and you don't have to setup and teardown your tent every time you want to use your Jeep while camping. Say you are base camping but want to do a trail run. Well you have to pack everything up to do it.

Also, it is a pain to install and remove an RTT on most racks. I have a trailer. In rare instances I have opted not to take it and sleep in a ground tent.

Head over to the Adventure Portal website. They have compiled a huge detailed list of Offroad trailer manufacturers. Only issue with some of the more basic trailers is they won't have the ability to get the RTT high enough to allow you to use an annex. Of course if you don't have garage space that can be problematic as well.

My neighbor has one of the Jeep racks that does not attach to the roof anywhere but he leaves his RTT on 24/7. He also pulls a small trailer with an RTT for his kids.

Good luck with you decision making process.

 

[Jose]

That's what I was thinking about also 1louder when my wife mentioned the OffRoad trailer she said the kids can stay higher on the jeep roof and we could be on the trailer. But it does make sense if you want to go explore you would need to take the RTT off then put back on. Lol this is getting really hard to make a decision. I was looking at dinoot trailer a while back before I got the Jeep. Here is the website if you want to check them out a well.

www.dinoot.com.



Also thanks for the website info I'll be checking it out with the wifey.

 

[MOAK]

RTTs on the vehicle are way high on the cool factor. Here in North America though, just how practical are they? For some, especially out west, IF you are constantly on the move, they fit the need very well. If you are NOT constantly on the move, and prefer to set up a basecamp and explore from your basecamp for multiple days, then an RTT on your vehicle easily becomes a major PITA. An RTT on a trailer? Just my humble opinion here, but those offroad trailers can get really expensive really quickly and getting the tent up high enough really effects the center of gravity. I'd much rather build my own trailer, ( as we did, check out my walk arounds in the trailer section ) get an excellent ground tent, ( as we did ) and save 5 or 6 thousand dollars so we can actually get a bit of overlanding in. If money is no object, then have at it with one of the many expo trailers on the flooded market today. good luck. !!

 

[Jose]

RTTs on the vehicle are way high on the cool factor. Here in North America though, just how practical are they? For some, especially out west, IF you are constantly on the move, they fit the need very well. If you are NOT constantly on the move, and prefer to set up a basecamp and explore from your basecamp for multiple days, then an RTT on your vehicle easily becomes a major PITA. An RTT on a trailer? Just my humble opinion here, but those offroad trailers can get really expensive really quickly and getting the tent up high enough really effects the center of gravity. I'd much rather build my own trailer, ( as we did, check out my walk arounds in the trailer section ) get an excellent ground tent, ( as we did ) and save 5 or 6 thousand dollars so we can actually get a bit of overlanding in. If money is no object, then have at it with one of the many expo trailers on the flooded market today. good luck. !!

Thanks for your input and advice and since I'm a newbie to the overland experience I really need to sit down with the wife and go through the pros and cons on all the info and advice that you and the rest of the members have given. I got to agree on the cool factor of the RTT but like you said take in consideration of getting up and exploring then packing and unpacking gets to be a pain every time you want to do a trail. I'm going to check out your trailer build thread and hopefully get some ideas if you don't mind plus the saving of 6-5 thousand sounds really nice especially to the wife lol. I guess since I see all these cool pics of jeeps and overland vehicles with a RTT I feel the need to have one, but probably wouldn't be practical for a family of 4 or I might be wrong. Thanks again for your info and all the members inputs and advice really appreciate it and this forum rocks. I'm glad I found this site and became a member of this group.

 

[stoney126]

Depending on your area both rtt and trailers are available for rent. There not to pricey for a rental and you can sample and get an idea of what works.

With a a family of four I say definitely get a rack. I remember going the Overland rally last year. Total of 4 people in the jeep and we were packed full, so much so that had to put some stuff in my friends Toyota. Foundo the rack I have on Craigslist list a few months later and jumped on it.

Research is good but first hand experience trumps all. Can't wait to see what you come up with

 

[Jose]

Depending on your area both rtt and trailers are available for rent. There not to pricey for a rental and you can sample and get an idea of what works.

With a a family of four I say definitely get a rack. I remember going the Overland rally last year. Total of 4 people in the jeep and we were packed full, so much so that had to put some stuff in my friends Toyota. Foundo the rack I have on Craigslist list a few months later and jumped on it.

Research is good but first hand experience trumps all. Can't wait to see what you come up with

Thanks Stoney and that's what I'm worried about not having enough storage space for a family of 4 especially in a JKU-Rubicon. I've been doing some searching around showed my wife this idea I had and she said go for it. [emoji120][emoji106][emoji106].

So this is what I came up with, with all you guys info, advice and help. I will be getting one of the 2 trailers from harbor freight and reinforcing it by welding all the seams and taking out the folding tongue out and welding a solid tongue on plus I'll be building a frame on top of it for the RTT. Also will be beefing up the axle to a 3500lb and either get 33s or 35" tires. The walls, floor, and storage in front of the trailer will be made out of sheet metal once that's done I'll then rhino line it inside and out. This is going to be a little project but I think it will be worth it in the long run plus I'll be able to store more stuff in the trailer and have the RTT on top of it off the ground. I really excited about this now. Lol

P.S. Oldfooladventures Moak thanks for your video build on your trailer it looks pretty sweet and gave me a lot of ideas and saving some money for some other goodies. Lol. [emoji106][emoji106]

Small size trailer

Large size trailer

 

[MOAK]

You are very welcome. Have fun with your build, and move up to the dexter ez-lube 3500 lb axle asap. I burned up 3 sets of bearings before I learned that lesson. Believe me, it's no fun stuck out on I-70 in the middle of Utah, then a year later on I-70 in the middle of Kansas, trailer laying on it's belly, axle up on the racks, and on the hunt for a new replacement axle. Ah,,, but wait,, each time it was a great story for the grandkids. !!

 

[Jose]

You are very welcome. Have fun with your build, and move up to the dexter ez-lube 3500 lb axle asap. I burned up 3 sets of bearings before I learned that lesson. Believe me, it's no fun stuck out on I-70 in the middle of Utah, then a year later on I-70 in the middle of Kansas, trailer laying on it's belly, axle up on the racks, and on the hunt for a new replacement axle. Ah,,, but wait,, each time it was a great story for the grandkids. !!

I bet they were great stories and the grandkids enjoying them. Thanks for the heads up on the axle would you recommend torsion or straight 3500lb axle? Thanks.

 

[Philbobagginz]

Check out http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/ for both the rack and rtt. Contact overlandjeepgear.com and tell him Tri-State Overland sent you.

 

[Jose]

Check out http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/ for both the rack and rtt. Contact overlandjeepgear.com and tell him Tri-State Overland sent you.

Thanks a lot brother. Very much appreciated I'll check them out and let them know you sent me. Again thanks.

 

[Philbobagginz]

Thanks a lot brother. Very much appreciated I'll check them out and let them know you sent me. Again thanks.

You're very welcome!

 

[1Louder]

Not sure if you are on Expedition Portal or not. Tons of build threads on there including my own, http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/135034-M116A3-Trailer-Build-Takeover

I know Dinoot has a forum where people discuss these specific builds.
http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/review/dinoot-offroad-trailer-review-53728.html

https://compactcampingconcepts.com/compact-camping-trailers/

What you are building is not my style. Doesn't mean it is wrong. Everyone has different needs, skill sets, time constraints, and budgets. Just don't rush into anything. Try to go to an overland rally somewhere where you will be able to see lots of DIY and production builds. I have a Mt Rainier tent from CVT. It can sleep 2 adults very comfortably up top and 2 below on the ground on cots or ladders. Good luck with your build.

 

[MOAK]

Thanks for the heads up on the axle would you recommend torsion or straight 3500lb axle? Thanks.

I'm old school so I would do leaf springs again if I were doing it over. Keep It Simple S@%*@d is my motto.

 

[1Louder]

and mine has a torsion axle. Another guy on here is using the Tibren! Oh so many choices....

 

[Jose]

Not sure if you are on Expedition Portal or not. Tons of build threads on there including my own, http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/135034-M116A3-Trailer-Build-Takeover

I know Dinoot has a forum where people discuss these specific builds.
http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/review/dinoot-offroad-trailer-review-53728.html

https://compactcampingconcepts.com/compact-camping-trailers/

What you are building is not my style. Doesn't mean it is wrong. Everyone has different needs, skill sets, time constraints, and budgets. Just don't rush into anything. Try to go to an overland rally somewhere where you will be able to see lots of DIY and production builds. I have a Mt Rainier tent from CVT. It can sleep 2 adults very comfortably up top and 2 below on the ground on cots or ladders. Good luck with your build.

Thanks for the input 1louder, I just went through your thread and got to say that's one beast of a trailer you got and looks awesome. But you right on that budget thing I wouldn't be able to build something like that right now. But I will keep doing research on different builds before I start mine and will be posting up pic of the build. Again thanks for the info on the sites also.