Small Truck, Big RTT suggestions, questions

Hello All, I am researching a new Rig I'd like to set up and I'd like you all's opinion.

I have a DCSB, 2018 Gen 3 TRD Pro (in calvary blue). Currently its outfitted with a soft-topper.

I need a big RTT. The 5ft bed+softtopper was good enough just for me(5'5 female) with a plywood platform and the gate open, but it doesn't fit my 6' tall boyfriend and my dog. And No I am not considering a ground tent (just too cold when camping outside of the ski resort). I would likely get 60+ days of camping a year out of this rig, and I think it worth it buying a hard Shell RTT .

Proposed setup: Leitner Shortbed ACS rack (classic) + iKamper 2.0. There would be significant amount of overhang in the front over the Cab.

Questions:

(1) Am I cutting it too close with the weight requirement? The Leitner Rack has an offroading weight capacity of 250 lbs. The RTT is 160 lbs. This gives me ~90lbs of water, skis, bikes, and climbing eqiupment I can attach to the outside. I don't want to weigh my stuff. How seriously should I take this weight requirement?

(2) Should I be worried about the overhang over my roof? Do you think I should put something below it?

(3) does a big tent on a small truck look dumb?

Thank you all in advance for your opinions.

 

If 60+ days a year was a possibility for me I’d be looking at something like a GFC instead.

 

There’s a big difference between static and dynamic weights. That’s a lot of weight on the roof of a Tacoma, a bed rack mount would be a better option. Is there a budget you are trying to stay under? Because the sky can quickly become the limit in an overland build.

 

I have never heard of this option! I will research it!

 

Budget: <10K would be nice.

Sorry for not being clear. The Leitner is a bed rack. Since the ikampers footprint is larger than the bed, the Ikamper would have to hang off one of the sides. I perfer it to hang over the front, with a gap between the bed and the roof. Kind of like in the picture below.



Notice there is a bit of a gap (I think) between the roof top tent and the top of the roof

 

Send it!

No worries, the over hang will be fine as long as the tent is properly secured. Unless you have a full rack over the cab I wouldn’t bother trying to fill the void as you’ll end up with paint rubs or scratches on the roof. Who cares if an extra large tent looks a little out of place, it’s function over form. Sleep comfort and ease of setup are not compromisable when it comes to long travel durations. Comfort and restfulness have a direct correlation to safety.

 

There are quite a few different styles of Truck Bed Racks available such as Leitner Active Cargo System, RCI Bed Racks, CBI Offroad Bed Racks, upTOP Overland Truss Bed Racks, and many more! BedRacks (direct link to our site). For iKamper, here is another direct link RoofTopTent. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.

 

Get an offroad trailer with an RTT. So much more flexible. Trust me, I've had both on my Land Cruiser, even at the same time at one point. Will never have an RTT permanently mounted on a rig again.

 

What didn’t you like about it? Uh oh

 

OP, good luck to you on your build. Sounds like fun!

For what it is worth, I have a friend who has that exact same set up (Leitner and iKamper). He absolutely loves it. And that set up is as solid as a rock. This is just my opinion -- and I am no expert -- but the Leitner system is the best one on the market. Two reasons. First, it bolts to the bed floor of your truck, not the bed sides. There have been a number of people who have had issues with their truck beds bending from the weight. Second, the Leitner has a much higher weight capacity than other bed rack systems. For the record, the weight capacity on the Leitner is as follows:

> Off-Road Dynamic Weight Capacity | 400
> On-Road Dynamic Weight Capacity | 800
> Parked Static Weight Capacity | 1400

You should be fine. Also with both the Leitner and the iKamper you should be well under your budget.

If you want to step back you have three options for the kind of camping that you are looking to do. My own personal opinion (keep in mind, this is just me, of course) I think for that many days a year you might be better off with a pull along trailer. I've spent some time in a roof top tent and love it. Love being off the ground, etc. Great for 5 days. Maybe 10. 60? I would think that would be too much. But then again that is just me.

So the three options you have:

1) The RTT. Yes, there are many out there but the Leitner and iKamper is as good as it gets. It won't look weird at all. It will look rugged and be very functional. Secured to the Leitner (I think they make accessories to attach roof top tents) you should have no issues.

2) Slide in bed camper. Next level up. Not a terrible option at all, especially for 60 days of winter camping. Not this but something like this:

https://fourwheelcampers.com/all-models/

3) Pull along, rugged trailer. Not this but something like this:

https://www.opuscamper.us/off-road-models/

Just throwing that out there in case you want to expand your options. Personally, for 60 days, I might go with a pull along rugged trailer.

Keep posting your thoughts. It will be interesting to see what you decide!

 

100% if your talking 60+ nights a year go with a GFC styled or some of the other similar styles. That’s a lot of time spent in mostly shitty weather (from your winter hobbies it sounds) and having an open bed sucks if it’s nasty or dusty out. I have a 2019 ans put a rack and rooftop tent on the back in that first year, spent a ton of nights in it. Horrible when it rained cause everything in the bed was wet and when it’s not raining it’s all dusty from the roads/trails.. I put a diamond back cover on and mounted the tent to that. Has its own set of cons but everything is dry dust free and secure.

 

Do it and stop thinking about it. Enjoy the camping days!