Bed rack for mounting a hardshell, wedge style rooftop tent that won't break the bank.

[pablo94sc]

I decided it was time to upgrade to a rooftop tent and the Topoak Stellar seems like the right fit for the kiddo and I. I'm having trouble finding a rack setup that will let the tent clear the cab, maybe allow some accessory mounting on the side, and allow me to keep my current soft, tri-fold tonneau.

NOTE: tonneau doesn't need to open for now, just keep the bed covered. I'll replace it later if we decide the RTT is going to be a permanent fixture for our travels. I'm also trying to keep this reasonably priced, as the tent is almost $2k and I need to budget for replacing the tonneau or, if I'm feeling froggy, going with a camper shell.

I've spent the last few days looking at what's out there, but nothing seems quite right. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but thought I'd ask here just in case I'm missing something obvious, or simply ignorant to what I actually need (very likely). Thanks.

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[Havasu RR]

I decided it was time to upgrade to a rooftop tent and the Topoak Stellar seems like the right fit for the kiddo and I. I'm having trouble finding a rack setup that will let the tent clear the cab, maybe allow some accessory mounting on the side, and allow me to keep my current soft, tri-fold tonneau.

NOTE: tonneau doesn't need to open for now, just keep the bed covered. I'll replace it later if we decide the RTT is going to be a permanent fixture for our travels. I'm also trying to keep this reasonably priced, as the tent is almost $2k and I need to budget for replacing the tonneau or, if I'm feeling froggy, going with a camper shell.

I've spent the last few days looking at what's out there, but nothing seems quite right. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but thought I'd ask here just in case I'm missing something obvious, or simply ignorant to what I actually need (very likely). Thanks.

American adventure lab

I decided it was time to upgrade to a rooftop tent and the Topoak Stellar seems like the right fit for the kiddo and I. I'm having trouble finding a rack setup that will let the tent clear the cab, maybe allow some accessory mounting on the side, and allow me to keep my current soft, tri-fold tonneau.

NOTE: tonneau doesn't need to open for now, just keep the bed covered. I'll replace it later if we decide the RTT is going to be a permanent fixture for our travels. I'm also trying to keep this reasonably priced, as the tent is almost $2k and I need to budget for replacing the tonneau or, if I'm feeling froggy, going with a camper shell.

I've spent the last few days looking at what's out there, but nothing seems quite right. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but thought I'd ask here just in case I'm missing something obvious, or simply ignorant to what I actually need (very likely). Thanks.

@am

I decided it was time to upgrade to a rooftop tent and the Topoak Stellar seems like the right fit for the kiddo and I. I'm having trouble finding a rack setup that will let the tent clear the cab, maybe allow some accessory mounting on the side, and allow me to keep my current soft, tri-fold tonneau.

NOTE: tonneau doesn't need to open for now, just keep the bed covered. I'll replace it later if we decide the RTT is going to be a permanent fixture for our travels. I'm also trying to keep this reasonably priced, as the tent is almost $2k and I need to budget for replacing the tonneau or, if I'm feeling froggy, going with a camper shell.

I've spent the last few days looking at what's out there, but nothing seems quite right. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but thought I'd ask here just in case I'm missing something obvious, or simply ignorant to what I actually need (very likely). Thanks.

@AdventureLab

 

[pablo94sc]

I'm not sure that's going to work for me. Close, but not quite.

 

[AdventureLab]

I'm not sure that's going to work for me. Close, but not quite.

Would you mind sharing more details of what you need? I'm always curious to hear ways we can meet market demand. Thanks!

 

[pablo94sc]

Roughly, something like this rack I found on Amazon that will allow me to slide a tonneau cover back onto the bed to use it as a semi-secure and dry storage.

 

[AdventureLab]

Roughly, something like this rack I found on Amazon that will allow me to slide a tonneau cover back onto the bed to use it as a semi-secure and dry storage.

We actually already started on a bottom bracket for this type of setup. I'm sure you know, but it will have a reduced load capacity in this configuration.

The thought is we can just swap out our single bottom mount component. That's why it's drawn as a different piece - to support these different requirements.

What tonneau cover do you have?

Would you want the 10" tall rack or the low profile rack? It won't really matter. Just curious.

 

[pablo94sc]

I only saw the full size bracket on your site, but thats on me if I missed it.

Weight capacity: many of the tents I've looked at are slightly under 200lbs and can support another 100lbs with their provided cross bars for mounting bikes, kayaks, etc. So I'm going to guess a 300lb dynamic, off road, rating and >700lbs static rating (minimum) should work for most people.

I have a similar style soft, tri-fold as the bottom picture. About an inch thick. Mine isn't perfectly centered, but there is about a 1" inset from the outer edge of the rail cap to the cover at the rear pockets, and 5/8" at the front. The front and center stake pockets are pretty much fully covered, and the rear has roughly 1/4" exposed. I'm guessing the bed rails are slightly trapezoidal.

 

[AdventureLab]

I only saw the full size bracket on your site, but thats on me if I missed it.

We have 2 versions:

• "Low Profile" - https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-rack/
• 10" tall - https://americanadventurelab.com/pr...ger-raptor-10-inch-tall-bed-rack-rail-system/

I have a similar style soft, tri-fold as the bottom picture. About an inch thick. Mine isn't perfectly centered, but there is about a 1" inset from the outer edge of the rail cap to the cover at the rear pockets, and 5/8" at the front. The front and center stake pockets are pretty much fully covered, and the rear has roughly 1/4" exposed. I'm guessing the bed rails are slightly trapezoidal.

Yes, the rails are not square. We would build the bottom mounting brackets to push as far outside as possible to the edge of the bedrail. There would be some welding required for the bottom brackets as it's not physically possible to bend flanges that long with one piece.

 

[Mystic]

This is kind of a ramble, but here goes..

Are you dead set on a wedge style tent? If not there are other high quality but cheaper options. The older fold-out styles are still popular for a reason. I personally run a Yakima Skyrise HD, and it's fine for the wife and I (for now, until kids...hopefully soon).

If you are dead set on the wedge, there are lighter models now in the 80-120lb range ( https://inspiredoverland.com/products/standard-lightweight-rooftop-tent ), if that matters to you. I don't keep my truck fully kitted out for camping at all times, so the Yakima was perfect at about 110lbs where I can put it on and take it off by myself.

I also run a lot of Ironman stuff, and full disclaimer I don't have this tent, but their fold-out is currently $1300 and looks really good for taller sleepers. https://www.ironman4x4.com/products/uber-lite-rooftop-tent

The mounting method pictured in your post above doesn't pass the eyeball test for sturdiness (for a tall spec to clear the cab), but I'm no engineer. I have a Retrax rollup tonneau with T-slots, and it's worked out pretty well.

Billie Bars has a rack with what looks like the same mounting method, but it's a low-profile setup and won't clear the cab. https://billiebars.com/products/billiebars-ford-ranger

I would probably be running a full AAL setup if I hadn't bought all this crap already, but Billie Bars has worked out really well. All their stuff is Made in USA in PA I believe

The advantage to a T-slot rack is you just take it off when you want your truck back for truck stuff or daily driving. I'm at the point where it takes me about 20 minutes to put on or take off the rack, tent, and various molle panels and crap.

Edit for clarity:
- I don't run the low profile Billie Bars, I run these:
https://billiebars.com/products/bil...ce-edwards-t-slot-rack?variant=40436452065325

Which can be had in various heights, including 24" which clears the cab...you would just need a new tonneau.

 

[AdventureLab]

This is kind of a ramble, but here goes..

Are you dead set on a wedge style tent? If not there are other high quality but cheaper options. The older fold-out styles are still popular for a reason. I personally run a Yakima Skyrise HD, and it's fine for the wife and I (for now, until kids...hopefully soon).

If you are dead set on the wedge, there are lighter models now in the 80-120lb range ( https://inspiredoverland.com/products/standard-lightweight-rooftop-tent ), if that matters to you. I don't keep my truck fully kitted out for camping at all times, so the Yakima was perfect at about 110lbs where I can put it on and take it off by myself.

I also run a lot of Ironman stuff, and full disclaimer I don't have this tent, but their fold-out is currently $1300 and looks really good for taller sleepers. https://www.ironman4x4.com/products/uber-lite-rooftop-tent

The mounting method pictured in your post above doesn't pass the eyeball test for sturdiness, but I'm no engineer. I have a Retrax rollup tonneau with T-slots, and it's worked out pretty well.

Billie Bars has a rack with what looks like the same mounting method, but it's a low-profile setup and won't clear the cab. https://billiebars.com/products/billiebars-ford-ranger

I would probably be running a full AAL setup if I hadn't bought all this crap already, but Billie Bars has worked out really well. All their stuff is Made in USA in PA I believe

The advantage to a T-slot rack is you just take it off when you want your truck back for truck stuff or daily driving. I'm at the point where it takes me about 20 minutes to put on or take off the rack, tent, and various molle panels and crap.

I like that you pointed out taking the rack off when not in use. That was something that was evident in the R&D feedback we received here on the forum.

Most of this video focuses on the BASE rails, but our bed rack can easily be removed in 10 minutes. This would be similar for the cantilever brackets we were discussing for the tonneau covers above, with the addition of a few (probably 8) more bolts. However if you were to leave the base portions of the cantilever brackets installed, the rack removal process would probably take about 2 minutes. I can explain more when/if we produce those.

 

[pablo94sc]

Are you dead set on a wedge style tent?

A hardshell with ample sized awnings are the requirements. I'm not 100% against a clamshell style, but those have flip out platforms and can be bouncy, so I picked wedge for the solid base. I could pivot, and might have to unless I find something or can get it made.

I appreciate the suggestions, but I've got a few backups in my pocket. Finding the tent (and which factories are making them) was actually fairly easy, and kind of fun. BTW, they almost all come out of like 4 or 5 factories in China.

Anyway, the tent will probably stay on the truck permanently. It's not the best option, but storage is limited and it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make for being able to have everything ready for bed in like 3 minutes after parking the truck.

Edit: those Billy Bars are nice, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the bakflip style tonneau yet to get the t-slots. I mean, I may have to, but I'm trying to avoid it.

 

[pablo94sc]

We have 2 versions:

• "Low Profile" - https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-rack/
• 10" tall - https://americanadventurelab.com/pr...ger-raptor-10-inch-tall-bed-rack-rail-system/

Yes, the rails are not square. We would build the bottom mounting brackets to push as far outside as possible to the edge of the bedrail. There would be some welding required for the bottom brackets as it's not physically possible to bend flanges that long with one piece.

Sorry, I meant the cantilever style bottom bracket. Didn't occur to me that's what it was called, but now... DOH! The ones you linked look like they sit right in the stake pockets. I actually have your spacers in my cart, in case I ordered a camper shell.

 

[adrouin64]

I like that you pointed out taking the rack off when not in use. That was something that was evident in the R&D feedback we received here on the forum.

Most of this video focuses on the BASE rails, but our bed rack can easily be removed in 10 minutes. This would be similar for the cantilever brackets we were discussing for the tonneau covers above, with the addition of a few (probably 8) more bolts. However if you were to leave the base portions of the cantilever brackets installed, the rack removal process would probably take about 2 minutes. I can explain more when/if we produce those.

Can confirm - I have my RTT mounted on their low profile racks and I can remove the crossbars and the attached tent in minutes. It's like 8 bolts.

 

[pablo94sc]

We have 2 versions:

• "Low Profile" - https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-bed-rack/
• 10" tall - https://americanadventurelab.com/pr...ger-raptor-10-inch-tall-bed-rack-rail-system/

Yes, the rails are not square. We would build the bottom mounting brackets to push as far outside as possible to the edge of the bedrail. There would be some welding required for the bottom brackets as it's not physically possible to bend flanges that long with one piece.

I sent y'all an email about making a custom top bracket for your stake pocket spacers for mounting a t-slot rail or 15 series extrusion bar.

 

[AdventureLab]

I sent y'all an email about making a custom top bracket for your stake pocket spacers for mounting a t-slot rail or 15 series extrusion bar.

Thanks! Where did you send it? We have a pretty full product release plan at the moment, but I'm always interested in hearing ideas.

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