Roof top tent on factory rails and crossbar

[somedude]

Has anyone tried putting a roof top tent on the factory rails and cross bars?

From what I gather the dynamic weight rating is 220lbs based on the 2002 gmc envoys owners manual. https://my.gmc.com/content/dam/gmownerc ... owners.pdf

Excerpt from section (2-62):

Loading cargo that weighs more than 220 lbs.
(100 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle.
When you carry cargo on the luggage carrier of a
proper size and weight, put it on the slats, and
distribute the weight evenly. Then slide the
crossrail up against the rear of the load, to help
keep it from moving. You can then tie it down.
Cargo containers must be loaded on the
crossrails only.

[Flyingfischer5]

I don't use the factory roof rack but I have had no problem with my tent up on the roof. There are a couple other members that I believe use the the factory rack for their RTT with no problem.

[somedude]

Thanks for the info Craig. Do you know if the factory cross bars are sufficient to mount the RTT to as well?

I have seen noticed several people use the factory rack, but use Surco crossbars bolted directly to the rack. I believe that is the route I want to take eventually, but was thinking I could get away with the RTT mounted to the factory cross bars which are connected to the factory rack.

[Flyingfischer5]

I wouldn't know if the factory ones would work. I took my factory rack off about 10 years ago and can't remember how sturdy they were. If it's rated for 220lbs then they should be good as most of the weight limits are rated for while you drive on most vehicles. Most tents are 75lb to about 150lbs for the big ones.

[somedude]

Okay, I appreciate you getting back to me. I will try it out, and see how it goes while I wait for my surco cross bars. With the surco cross bars, I have to figure out the best way to mount it to the rack. Lots of good info at the link below. I just started modding my gmc, pretty late to the game but finally have a lift.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=858

[The Roadie]

I used Surco crossbars on factory rails for a while, but before I had a tent, I had a very overloaded roof basket. Started bending the factory rails where there's an opening. Ripped them all off when I added a tent and now use Unistrut for rails and crossbars.

[Grimor]

I used 4 factory crossbars under my RTT

[somedude]

I decided to try out the 4 factory cross bars. Used it once so far, so far so good.

4 cross bars

Roof top tent

[Diacom]

Looks good.

Let us know if you find any issues such as it working loose or excessive crossbar deflection.

[DirtyBacon04]

14 gauge super strut as mine, simple, variety of accessories and available at Lowe's

[somedude]

14 gauge super strut as mine, simple, variety of accessories and available at Lowe's

Hey DirtyBacon04, for clarification, are you using the super strut just as the cross bars, on factory rails? If so, what kind of mounting bolt system are you using?

[DirtyBacon04]

Yes. Super struts as cross members on factory rails. The superstrut fittings fit inside the factory rails, so mounting is real easy.

[somedude]

That is great information, thank you DirtyBacon04, I was just looking at those exact mounting hardware.

[Smartin11]

Seems like itd be uncomfortable!

[mad212]

Yes. Super struts as cross members on factory rails. The superstrut fittings fit inside the factory rails, so mounting is real easy.

I wanted to make superstrut cross bars yesterday. I bought these cone nut fittings (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Adamax/5002818491) but they don't fit in the factory cross rails. They look exactly like the picture you posted. I can slide them in vertically but the factory rail channels aren't wide enough to turn them horizontally when they are in the rail. Are these the same fittings you used to mount the superstrut to the rails?

[DirtyBacon04]

I think i took the plastic cone off. They didn't turn completely sideways, but they turned sideways enough for me to torque them down. My tent has been up there for at least 6 years now and having gone airborne many times, driven coast to coast with the tent up there 4 times, it's never even come loose.