FEEDBACK REQUESTED: Car camping (or overlanding) rack options

[NTXTremor]

i know towing something can also be a pain and brings up new issues. but for around the cost of a rtt setup and the goodies to go with it you could get something like this =

you can get it with off road friendly suspension and tires so they can go where the truck goes. bed is already made when you get to the spot, can have ac / heat and on board water, storage and all sorts of comfy items, electronics. That ones from a company north of us in Oklahoma. I talked to them once and they were pretty nice and welcome input for customer requests and up grade options.
https://www.ukancamp.com/
no im not endorsing this guy, just one of many small campers i have checked out.

That is interesting! My original solution to not sleeping on the ground was to buy a trailer like this, but all of the ones I have seen seem to be much more expensive once you equip them. They also seem to be on backorder, and you have to consider the price of storage, etc.

I have never seen that brand. That is definitely an option.

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[halligan1201]

Thanks for the info on Elevate racks. I will check them out, but I am a bit of a diehard Yakima fan after 30 years of use. I really like their designs, and their RTT looks like the easiest one to install and remove.

I agree that the extra support of the RetraxPRO is not a feature that is really compelling to me, but do you think that there is much of a security difference between the two models? I would not think so.

Well the One is composite (read: plastic) so it's definitely going to be easier to cut through, especially with a sawsall or other power tool. The Pro being aluminum would be much more difficult for sure.

 

[9zero1790]

That is interesting! My original solution to not sleeping on the ground was to buy a trailer like this, but all of the ones I have seen seem to be much more expensive once you equip them. They also seem to be on backorder, and you have to consider the price of storage, etc.

I have never seen that brand. That is definitely an option.

ukancamp has a deal going on one called the spring break edition or something like that. comes pretty well optioned and a good price.
the lowest price i have found for a new one is a company called road toad . they are no frills bare bones and folks add what they want. ive seen some that cost more than the truck and i thought they have lost it lol. we roll and runaway are popular middle price options.
storage when not in use is an issue. I cant fit in my garage and dont wanna leave it out to get weathered. dont wanna pay a storage place either lol. so many compromises to make and boxes to check for camping. if i ever hit the powerball lotto i may get one of those earth romers etc lol.

 

[NTXTremor]

Well the One is composite (read: plastic) so it's definitely going to be easier to cut through, especially with a sawsall or other power tool. The Pro being aluminum would be much more difficult for sure.

Agreed, although a hole saw or sawsall would probably make short work of either of them.

 

[Able466]

I have the Retrax with T slots, Elevate Cross Bars, CVT Medium Hard-shell RTT, and Rock Mount Swing away bike rack.

I love the RTT, It deploys and closes fast and super comfortable. I am 6"1 and have plenty of room and it would be comfortable with a second person. The elevate rack works great and I have it set to the lowest position.

The Retrax work great, and I like the looks of it, my only concern is I would be afraid to get into any technical off road situation with that set up. I fear the T slots would not be strong enough to support anything more than a light to moderate trail. You can see I also have a Fly rod mounted to the side and I do like to chase the rivers, so I may end up selling the Tonneau Cover and Racks and Move to a Smart cap or a more purposeful Overland rack that I wont feel restricted as to where I can go and how hard I push the rig.

I live in Colorado and the trails can technical really quick. If you live in a flatter area, or do not plan to push your rig Off Road, this is a great set up.


Hope that helps.

 

[NTXTremor]

I have the Retrax with T slots, Elevate Cross Bars, CVT Medium Hard-shell RTT, and Rock Mount Swing away bike rack.

I love the RTT, It deploys and closes fast and super comfortable. I am 6"1 and have plenty of room and it would be comfortable with a second person. The elevate rack works great and I have it set to the lowest position.

The Retrax work great, and I like the looks of it, my only concern is I would be afraid to get into any technical off road situation with that set up. I fear the T slots would not be strong enough to support anything more than a light to moderate trail. You can see I also have a Fly rod mounted to the side and I do like to chase the rivers, so I may end up selling the Tonneau Cover and Racks and Move to a Smart cap or a more purposeful Overland rack that I wont feel restricted as to where I can go and how hard I push the rig.

I live in Colorado and the trails can technical really quick. If you live in a flatter area, or do not plan to push your rig Off Road, this is a great set up.


Hope that helps.

That is a pretty truck and a really nice setup! Thanks for the response.

I don't intend to go on anything but light to moderate trails, but you never know.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

I did not even know what the term "Overlanding," meant

I just call it "paying crap ton of money to pretend to be homeless"

I wish I could recommend a GFC but they are cheaply made. but I love the concept of the wedge style camper. All the benefits of a RTT plus a topper AND you can stand up in the bed

 

[halligan1201]

Agreed, although a hole saw or sawsall would probably make short work of either of them.

Yeah. Really any cover will do little to stop someone with tools. The hope would be that someone would think it's strange to see a person cutting a hole in a tonneau with power tools and call the police or intervene.

 

[halligan1201]

I have the Retrax with T slots, Elevate Cross Bars, CVT Medium Hard-shell RTT, and Rock Mount Swing away bike rack.

I love the RTT, It deploys and closes fast and super comfortable. I am 6"1 and have plenty of room and it would be comfortable with a second person. The elevate rack works great and I have it set to the lowest position.

The Retrax work great, and I like the looks of it, my only concern is I would be afraid to get into any technical off road situation with that set up. I fear the T slots would not be strong enough to support anything more than a light to moderate trail. You can see I also have a Fly rod mounted to the side and I do like to chase the rivers, so I may end up selling the Tonneau Cover and Racks and Move to a Smart cap or a more purposeful Overland rack that I wont feel restricted as to where I can go and how hard I push the rig.

I live in Colorado and the trails can technical really quick. If you live in a flatter area, or do not plan to push your rig Off Road, this is a great set up.


Hope that helps.

I got into some technical stuff in Wyoming with a hundred pounds strapped on top of the tonneau and strapped to the cleats in the rails - no issues. While I wouldn't worry about the Retrax rails holding up, the Rangers bed wall top is pretty thin; it will definitely break or bend long before the Retrax rails do. I'd also think that the height would be an issue clearing trees and such.

 

[Able466]

I got into some technical stuff in Wyoming with a hundred pounds strapped on top of the tonneau and strapped to the cleats in the rails - no issues. While I wouldn't worry about the Retrax rails holding up, the Rangers bed wall top is pretty thin; it will definitely break or bend long before the Retrax rails do. I'd also think that the height would be an issue clearing trees and such.

Thanks, Good to know! we have a lot of brush and rocks, not as much tree lined trails here, but other areas, that's a great point.

 

[Able466]

That is a pretty truck and a really nice setup! Thanks for the response.

I don't intend to go on anything but light to moderate trails, but you never know.

Thanks. With light to moderate trails there are a lot of options and if your leaning towards the Retrax and Thule, you will be happy with the setup.

 

[halligan1201]

i know towing something can also be a pain and brings up new issues. but for around the cost of a rtt setup and the goodies to go with it you could get something like this =

you can get it with off road friendly suspension and tires so they can go where the truck goes. bed is already made when you get to the spot, can have ac / heat and on board water, storage and all sorts of comfy items, electronics. That ones from a company north of us in Oklahoma. I talked to them once and they were pretty nice and welcome input for customer requests and up grade options.
https://www.ukancamp.com/
no im not endorsing this guy, just one of many small campers i have checked out.

I agree that by the time you buy a good rack and needed accessories and then a quality RTT, you're very close to some of the squaredrop trailers, especially ones like the Runaway type.

 

[halligan1201]

Thanks, Good to know! we have a lot of brush and rocks, not as much tree lined trails here, but other areas, that's a great point.

I believe there are some on the forum that have stiffened that top bedrail by adding braces along the underside that are supported by uprights along the inside of the bed wall. It's on my list of things to look into. You can twist the top of the bedrail with your barehand if you apply enough force, especially the inner lip.

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

Cool. I would love to see pics.

I am not too excited about drilling into my bed rails, but I am not going to eliminate any options yet.

I would drill through the rail for mounting the bed rack. I tried it with the clamps first, and did not feel safe with that option. If you were only doing a cover maybe, but it you want a rack, and RTT I would drill. I go offroad all the time with my set up, and it is solid as a rock. I have the RCI 12" aluminum rack with 2 extra cross members. The RetraxONE MX (their cheaper option) I would have liked to spend a little more, and gotten the aluminum version. You do lose some space with it there is about 10 inches underneath to put stuff. I have it mounted on a Supercab so I still have plenty of space in the bed.

 

[Canuckian]

Thanks for the info on Elevate racks. I will check them out, but I am a bit of a diehard Yakima fan after 30 years of use. I really like their designs, and their RTT looks like the easiest one to install and remove.

I agree that the extra support of the RetraxPRO is not a feature that is really compelling to me, but do you think that there is much of a security difference between the two models? I would not think so.

I got the Retrax pro with t slots and love it. There is a definite difference in the security of the plastic roll top and the aluminum roll top. The aluminum also has a much longer lifetime guarantee that the polycarbonate. The only downside I see of the retrax over roll up or flip styles is the canister size at the top front of the box. Otherwise, It is better in every regard IMHO. Doesn’t even block rear window. Locks at any position. Looks great.

I haven’t moved forward on a rack yet, but if I do I will probably go with the Xtrusion Overland or build my own aluminum extrusion version. It is much cheaper than the elevate or overhaul and more flexible. Basically you can do anything the t-slot aluminum profiles.

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