Thread: Just bought a roof top tent, but which roof rack?

FWIW...Given the net weight of the RTT, adding a roof rack sends the total weight up considerably. On this basis I'd recommend a set of heavy duty roof bars... easier to transfer between vehicles as well.

Well, after looking on ebay and on some online shops, I got in the D2 and drove to some local car accessories places, on the off chance they had some and would do a good price.

The guy at Auto One told me I couldn't have the gutter type Rhino bars because I had rails. You can't do it 'the book says so'. So I walked out and went to Repco, not expecting much, but they had a Defender set of Rola HD bars for $40 and a Disco set for $140, so I grabbed both. They were listed at $372. I'll fit them this weekend if the rain stops.

Jeff

I have a full length steel roof rack with a RTT and an Awning.. I would say that the Rhino racks would be the pick of the bunch mate.. Need to save as much weight there as you can... I have mine opening over the back because I do like to have that covered. But it is a bit of a pain in the back side with the discos large rear door.. I dont think that this would not be such a pain on the defender

Hannibal do a really good rack. Coincidently I was with them this arvo, they have a 2.8m rack that I got the impression was going at a reduced price because of paint damage. Otherwise i don't think there's anything wrong with it. Suits the Defender. Try giving them a call about it.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Is rear opening or side opening better?

Jeff

My Howling Moon is on Rihno racks on a D2 with rails, but the rails rub lightly.

I am setup for side opening mainly because I primarily use it when travelling interstate towing a glider trailer so rear isn't an option.

It does rock a little with the soft coils and rear opening could reduce that.

Now I just need to find an Ebay seller who does a 2x2.4 or bigger so I can move the 1.4x2.4 onto the top of the trailer.

Originally Posted by peter5111

My Howling Moon is on Rihno racks on a D2 with rails, but the rails rub lightly.

I am setup for side opening mainly because I primarily use it when travelling interstate towing a glider trailer so rear isn't an option.

It does rock a little with the soft coils and rear opening could reduce that.

Now I just need to find an Ebay seller who does a 2x2.4 or bigger so I can move the 1.4x2.4 onto the top of the trailer.

Thats what I shall do next I think... Take a bit of weight off the truck.. Got a trailer lined up.. I think one of the few people that make that size is Ezi Awn?

After the rain finally finished I got to fit the roof racks, then the roof top tent, I actually fitted the Defender racks to the Discovery 2, as the Disco set was missing some bits, and it sits lower. The only worry is how close the bolts are to the roof. I might fit a third bar when the bits arrive from Repco.

There were some bits left over, but we worked out eventually where they go, and how to fit the annexe. Just need a weekend free to try it out.

Jeff

How much clearance do you have between the ladder and the barn door ?


Finding a tent bigger than 1.4x2.4 at a reasonable price is proving to be a lot harder than I expected.

Had a chance to check out most of the major Ebay sellers in Melbourne over the weekend. It looks like most of them are getting their product from the same manufacturer as ARB. I still need to have a close look at an ARB tent to prove that though. ANd just because it comes from the same factory does not mean it meets the same QC checks.

Their canvass and mozzie net is a little lighter than the Howling Moon but it looks to be up to the task.