This is cool... I've thought of doing something like this, many times. I'm just not nearly as creative.
You know, I would buy just a tent base... of course it would have to be for the OEM roof rack. But, I'm with you, those retail RTT's are way too expensive. Plus they are way too heavy. A simple (light) popup tent is usually sufficient for my camping excursions. We don't have poisonous (or even dangerous) critters around here... But, i'm still a kid (at heart), and like tree houses too.
Anyway, great idea and mod... you come up with some great ideas!
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TrAiLbUs1 previously said:
THe rack it self is from SLee offroad...its expensive argg I didn't realize this in my original post but man I need something a bit more utilitarian with my business I'm starting up so its damn tempting to just splurge and get the rack..... but for that price I'm closer to getting an inchworm and dealing with the scorpians! NOt to discredit this cool mod AL did, but YIKES...
$1000-1200 or so ekk!! Slee should drop the price on that thing who are they kiddin? Slee - Roof Racks
Way too much... they also list the ARB rack right below it for $870 bucks. That's kinda funny. Of course, the slee rack has a nice flat base for building an RTT. But, looks like less money to build than the ARB right below it. I guess they have the market on a flat rack.
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Last edited by VT_RainMan : 04-17-2009 at 05:24 AM.
Reason: correction
Now I'm not tryin' to slam anyone that has bought a comercial rtt, but that is by far the best idea for a rtt. The cost of manufactured rtt's, not to mention the shear bulk on the rr was enough to turn me away. When you can store an seven man tent in 1/8th the space a comercial rtt takes, or purchase four or five well made expidition tents for the same cost, to me it's a no brainer. Plus I'd end up taken a drunken header after a night of drinkin' and bust my skull. I like your idea for a rtt best due to space savings and cost, but when tenting I think I'll just pitch mine on good ol' terra firma.
First thanks everyone for the nice comments...I really appreciate that this idea wasn't taken in negative light...I really put thought into this, wanted to go inexpensive, but safe and secure.
I only did this mod, because I did not want my son or Prego wife to get stung by scorpions at night...We have a big ground tent, so why spend a crap load of money on something I really don't need...even if wife would allow
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Fjamming previously said:
Hey, that's pretty cool. Tell us more about the rack itself?
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fingas74 previously said:
I like the rack, how do you like it so far. Anything you don't like about it?
Just think when you aren't using your tent the slide outs would be perfect for an awning.
Awning ... I see Ghetto Awning coming soon .. I'll post up a seperate thread on the rack and give my thoughts there this evening.
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TrAiLbUs1 previously said:
$1000-1200 or so ekk!! Slee should drop the price on that thing who are they kiddin? Slee - Roof Racks
Jake, the rack is made of Aluminum..thus higher price. And it has channels to run square nuts and bolts(6mm & 8mm) on....no drilling or ghetto clamps to hook things up. Super easy to add light tabs that can be re-adjusted. Even has channels on the bottom side.
It has infinite mounting possibilities...For me that flexibility and low level light rack is worth it. I will post up more pics of the rack itself and its install in a separate thread.
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VT_RainMan previously said:
This is cool... I've thought of doing something like this, many times. I'm just not nearly as creative.
You know, I would buy just a tent base... of course it would have to be for the OEM roof rack. But, I'm with you, those retail RTT's are way too expensive. Plus they are way too heavy. A simple (light) popup tent is usually sufficient for my camping excursions. We don't have poisonous (or even dangerous) critters around here... But, i'm still a kid (at heart), and like tree houses too.
Anyway, great idea and mod... you come up with some great ideas!
Way too much... they also list the ARB rack right below it for $870 bucks. That's kinda funny. Of course, the slee rack has a nice flat base for building an RTT. But, looks like less money to build than the ARB right below it. I guess they have the market on a flat rack.
ARB is coming with an Aluminum rack this year and it will cost more then $1085 .. The price I paid for this super versatile aluminum rack.
I have to take better pics of the rack ... you will see why it is worth the extra coin.
cool idea I have thought of doing the same thing. But I have an idea you may want to consider. you should make the base plywood a tad smaller than the base of the tent. In your current configuration when it rains the water is going to run down the tent side and then under the tent and you are going to get soaked. If you have the base smaller the water will run off the tent. Just keep little ears on each corner of your base for the pole attachment JMO... great work in todays tight times.......Thomas
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Yeah ...no that awning is a bit too Ghetto for my taste But thanks for the link...definitely is cheaper then the ARB...but hey respect to the guy that made it.
I have a different idea that is simple, clean and stable w/o legs or cables
I'll try to make the Ghetto Awning, this weekend and post up
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cowboy4x4 previously said:
cool idea I have thought of doing the same thing. But I have an idea you may want to consider. you should make the base plywood a tad smaller than the base of the tent. In your current configuration when it rains the water is going to run down the tent side and then under the tent and you are going to get soaked. If you have the base smaller the water will run off the tent. Just keep little ears on each corner of your base for the pole attachment JMO... great work in todays tight times.......Thomas
Thanks...
I though about making the base a bit smaller, but really all I have to do is shift the tent over a bit.
The length of the base is 7'...the tent is 7', so by shifting the tent out, I should be good. The rack itself, gets no base, so no water can collect. The slats on the rack are spaced close enough that I would not notice the gaps with an air mattress inside the tent.
^^^ and Cowboy has a great point about the rain. Just like you would tuck a tarp under a tent so water does not collect on top of the tarp, your plywood should be smaller than the base
^^^ and Cowboy has a great point about the rain. Just like you would tuck a tarp under a tent so water does not collect on top of the tarp, your plywood should be smaller than the base
Thanks Bill...see my edited response above about the base...
The pics I took, I was parked with sun shining on slide out side...but ideally I would want the slide out side to a bit lower...Just need to have drivers side higher.
argg I didn't realize this in my original post
but man I need something a bit more utilitarian with my business I'm starting up so its damn tempting to just splurge and get the rack..... but for that price I'm closer to getting an inchworm and dealing with the scorpians! NOt to discredit this cool mod AL did, but YIKES... 
I like your idea for a rtt best due to space savings and cost, but when tenting I think I'll just pitch mine on good ol' terra firma.
Tim
But thanks for the link...definitely is cheaper then the ARB...but hey respect to the guy that made it.
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