Roof top tent on stock suspension

Good afternoon,

I dug around the forums but couldn’t find what I was looking for, if someone has a link for this question that’s already answered just let me know!

I have a 2012 DCSB TRD OR, all stock suspension and I plan to add a bed rack + RTT. My question is if anyone has experience running a RTT with only stock suspension. I plan to eventually upgrade the suspension, but am tempted to upgrade camping capability now and save the suspension for later if/when we start tackling tougher trails.

any thoughts are appreciated, thanks.

 

You’ll probably have some sag but i know a few people with bed racks/rtt’s on stock suspension with no issues. You could always throw an AAL in the stock leaf pack to help with the sag if you plan to leave the tent on all the time

 

ya good points for sure. We are avid campers and typically get out 1-2 times a month. Always used ground tents and don’t have any issues with them, but the convenience of a RTT is calling our names haha.

I’m just both impatient and strapped for cash available for cool upgrades, so trying to get my priorities straight as I build out my truck. If a RTT on the bed is ok on stock suspension I plan to pull the trigger on that first, but I don’t have enough experience with it to know if I’m hurting the truck doing that without upgrading the suspension.

 

that sounds like a solid recommendation and a good Sunday afternoon project! Thanks.

 

It'll be fine og pic from 2015



At the time I still had stock suspension, was only rocking sliders and skids so still pretty light

 

Are you planning on keeping the tent on all the time.

 

I haven't noticed any issues on my 3rd gen with the stock suspension. I was honestly more concerned about the bed stiffeners than the sag. I'd say most RTT's weigh less than the average adult and the weight is spread more so try standing in the bed and see what you think.

 

I’d like to take it off during the week, it’s still my daily driver.

 

As far as convenience is concerned, keep that in mind.

 

I have had no issues on stock suspension with my 2010 DCSB. As far as storage...I found eye bolts at the hardware store rated for 225lb each, placed 2x4’s across ceiling joists In the garage. 2x4’s under the RTT with eye bolts...4 appropriate ratchet straps and I can easily lift and store the RTT in the garage and out of the way by myself. Not super easy to lower but very inexpensive and doesn’t take that long to get it on and off the truck for work the next day

 

I ran my RTT on stock suspension for almost a year. I only ran bed bars though, not a whole rack.

 

I ran stock on my 2012 Off Road and now my 2018 Pro, although on both I added Firestone RideRite airbags for when fully loaded. The rack and tent alone are fine, but when you load up 500 lbs of gear and provisions along with it, it gets a bit much.

 

Thanks the responses everyone, very helpful. I think we are leaning towards just sending it with the RTT for now and hopefully upgrading the suspension this time next year. Thanks for the advice

 

I wouldn't upgrade the suspension just because of the RTT. But if you want to for other reasons, go for it!

 

3rd Gen on stock with a CBI rack and Roofnest condor RTT. For. 3 -4 day camping trip after I load the cooler, gear, bike and what not I sag a bit if not level. Nothing crazy unless I add the Yak. Saving for the full suspension shooting for 2in lift all around. To keep factory rake. The fear of saving shouldn’t stop you. Just make sure if your throwing 3k around you really want a RTT vs a camper or suspension upgrade and regular tent.

 

It's a conditional answer:

1) If you're only going to be driving on-road to camp grounds and maybe some basic forest service roads, the stock suspension should be fine.

2) If you plan on wheeling and doing some more aggressive stuff with the RTT on, upgrade leafs first.

RTT's are expensive, though. I'd upgrade suspension and tires then buy a nice ground tent for the time being. Since the truck is your daily, you'll get much more utility out of that than the occasional RTT use.

 

A few things to consider.
1) Don't buy a heavy rack, instead use bed bars which are far lighter. 2 bed bars will support a mid-size RTT and weighs only 20-22lbs vs 80lb racks. I recommend these bars, which have large feet to better distribute the load and run them in the tall bar, which puts the tent body about equal to the roof height. Keeping the tent nearly equal to the roof line (ladder will be taller than the roof with tall bars) means you can usually still park in garages and it keeps it out of the airstream for driving so MPGs don't take nearly as big of a hit. In short you might leave it on more than you would otherwise. For clamps, swap the normal flat mounts to an 1.75” exhaust clamp, which will match the bar diameter for better surface area contact and a more secure mount.
https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/products/05-tacoma-bed-cargo-cross-bars-set-of-3
2) Don't forget bed stiffeners to prevent cracking your bed. I recommend Total Chaos, they have the best design by far that doesn't impede the usefulness of the bed, provides great tie down points and supports all the way up the bed wall.
3) Roof top tents are not really that convenient. I have one, I use it, and would buy one again. But they are a PITA. Installing the bars/rack, packing this mammoth tent in and out of storage and getting someone to help hoist it ontop of your truck and then fastening it all down and the reverse for taking everything off is way more work than tossing a stuff tent in your truck. Tent setup is certainly easy, but your vehicle is also stationary once it is setup and tear down isn't that much quicker than a traditional tent when you factor stuffing the side, strapping it down and putting the cover on. I'd consider it much more of a luxury camping item than a convenience item.

 

Saw this thread and thought I’d also ask the same question to see if OP or anyone else has any updates?

I have a 2013 Tx Pro 4x4 with BF Goodrich K02 265/75R16 and want ordered a TacomaPacolypse mid height bed rack and want to get a CVT RTT and CVT awning.

Also looking at carrying a ARB fridge, normal camping gear and 4 gallons of water and 4 gallons of gas for a trip this summer.

I installed Total Chaos bed stiffeners as well.

Think I’ll be ok running the stock suspension and my current tires?

 

Will I be ok to run a tent without bed stiffeners for a short while while I wait to get the ones I ordered but stuck in the states when i cant cross boarder right now?

 

You'll likely be ok for that short time, especially if you are mainly sticking to regular roads. Off roading and rough roads are the main concern.