RTT cnversion

Submitted: Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 08:21
ThreadID: 138660 Views:4111 Replies:5 FollowUps:10
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Im swapping to a fold out RTT from my pop top. I want to make it sit a lot lower for better fuel economy and so i can chuck a tinny on the top...

Ive been offered 500 for a custom low sitting rack...maybe i could juat stick roof racks on my tub and mount the tent on it?? Anyone done this.

or is it possible to modify my current racks? i have the tools to cut it, just dont know about welding or anything. Not sure what the current rack is made of but its very solid.


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Reply By: rumpig - Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 08:39

Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 08:39
If that first pic is your vehicle and RTT, how far will it overhang the rear of the tub by the time you drop it behind the cab of your vehicle?....currently it overhangs your roof of your vehicle and looks to overhang the tub at the rear already a touch. The tub already has a decent overhang behind the rear wheels, canterlevering the RTT even further isn't a great idea IMO.
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Follow Up By: Damian G1 - Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 08:46

Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 08:46
Im swapping this pop to to a fold out RTT which is a lot smaller
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 16:44

Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 16:44
Ahhh yes, you wrote that in your first sentence I see after rereading your post...whoops...lol.
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Follow Up By: Damian G1 - Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 21:11

Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 21:11
lol thanks anyway. i love my current roof tent so for sure id do that. but i think your right
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Reply By: Member - silkwood - Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 14:04

Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 14:04
Keep in mind a fold-out RTT can take significantly longer to take down. If you regularly move places daily (using the RTT only for sleeping, then packing up and moving on) I'd reconsider the swap and look at other options.

If you mount the RTT lower, how are you going to get a tinnie on top and still fold out the RTT? Use a pivoting rack for the tinnie?

Cheers,

Mark
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Follow Up By: Damian G1 - Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 14:14

Saturday, Jul 06, 2019 at 14:14
Thanks mate. No i didnt know that but i usually stay in one spot for a while. I love my pop top coz i can leave everything inside when i pack it but i dont like it sitting so high and i wana putt my kayak or a tinny in the future on there.

Im leaning towards getting some heavy roof racks to stick on my tub instead of cutting this one
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Reply By: Member - Billy - Sunday, Jul 07, 2019 at 08:47

Sunday, Jul 07, 2019 at 08:47
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Follow Up By: Member - Billy - Sunday, Jul 07, 2019 at 09:51

Sunday, Jul 07, 2019 at 09:51
I did put 2 pics of the tent up one up and one when it is folded, but only the one tuned up.
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Follow Up By: Damian G1 - Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 21:15

Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 21:15
beautiful setup. how longs it take to packup the tent?
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Follow Up By: Member - Billy - Tuesday, Jul 09, 2019 at 08:05

Tuesday, Jul 09, 2019 at 08:05
Damian G1
If it is in summer then about 15 minutes, and that is taking my time, But in winter when the frost is on it sometimes 20 minutes, it could be done quicker if I tried.the actual folding the tent over is 30 seconds, putting the cover on takes the time.
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Reply By: Hoyks - Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 17:51

Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 17:51
I have a fold out that is just above roof height, top of the tent cover is level with the roof racks. It wasn't exactly planned like that, but now I can fit on 2 sea kayaks and they sit on the racks and get a bit of support from the tent cover and sit either side of the stowed ladder.

The slowest bit of packing it up is getting the cover on and that is generally down to the tent being a high on a wagon roof.

If you are dropping it down to roof level, then the zipper will be at around eye height and it will be so much easier to stuff the canvas in and zip the cover on.
You don't want to drop it too low down as the big door flap on the non folding 1/2 will be propped open with steel springs and if it is too low, then getting the springs in will be hard and they may hit on the car roof and not pull the fly tight.

I can pack my tent up in about 10 minutes. If you take the time to fold the sleeping bags in 1/2, flatten them out and hook up the bungy cords inside in slow time when you wake up, then it can save more than a few minutes in the pack up time.

If setting up for boating, then look at getting some small stainless steel saddles to rivet onto the 4 corners of the under side of the folded out floor bit. Then you loop some bungy cord around the perimeter, maybe crossing it in the middle.
Pull it tightish and it gives you a convenient place to hang towels, clothes, socks and shoes that is sort of under cover so they can dry.
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Follow Up By: Damian G1 - Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 18:52

Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 18:52
awesome setup. yeah the plan is to eventually chuck a tinny up there, otherwise id keep the pop top coz it takes bloody 30 seconds to packup and its only about 50kg? but yours would fit perfect in my tub...10 minutes aint too bad.

u dont need to add any kind of racks to the tent to fit the kayaks? i guess a ratchet strap and 1 roof rack over the cab would be fine?
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Follow Up By: Hoyks - Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 19:57

Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 19:57
I have roof racks and they are what really holds the kayak, but my plastic kayak tends to bend a bit, so it sits on the tent cover. The glass hull is stiffer, so it supports its self.

If you were adding a boat rack, then you'd have to add something to stop the tent cover copping a hiding. For a boat, then I'd suggest that a trailer would be the much better option. It would be much easier to live with, probably better on fuel and won't upset the vehicle handling.
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Follow Up By: Damian G1 - Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 21:21

Monday, Jul 08, 2019 at 21:21
yeah.my mate just puts his tinny on a trailer and stores all his camping crap in there, heaps of room.

but getting a trailer would be the last option...as i do heaps of exploring and 4x4ing so itd probly limit me, but so would a tinny on my roof i guess
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Reply By: Damian G1 - Friday, Jul 12, 2019 at 12:16

Friday, Jul 12, 2019 at 12:16
would those black pipes be weld-able? if i chopp it in half? i assume their some kind of heavy steel...its thick and heavy.

but im probly gonna cut it in half tomorrow and take it to a welder
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