Mounting and dismounting your roof top tent by yourself

[@michaelr9292]

Thanks for taking the time to show your idea. Took away some lessons!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Happy you got something out of it.

[@kwelhand]

Probably the best video regarding the RTT one man job. Excellent work!!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Thank you sir. Most appreciated.

[@bpsurveyor]

Nice work that’s pretty slick.

[@fatmanoverlanding]

Brilliant single-handed solution. 👍

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Thank you sir. Hope you got something out of it.

[@Min-gj8ri]

I got everything the video lift needs, try out tomorrow

[@my3sonsnh]

Great step by step video. I think I have enough clearance in my barn for a lift system but this approach seems manageable.

[@petebessas1074]

Best KZbin video I’ve seen in a long time. Thanks for sharing your brilliant solution.

[@Swerly01]

This is a great lift system! I'm going to have to do this!

[@livetravelwithMaryandMom]

This is just awesome. Shouldn’t be hard for a woman. Thanks Subscribed

[@brewster84067]

Great video and very creative! This helped me figure out how I'm going to do something very similar. Loved the 'Not Trash' marking on the scrap wood 🤣

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Happy it helped you out. As far as the "not trash" I have a bad habit of throwing things away so I had to make sure. LOL

[@digicat247]

I spent hours getting my Roam tent on my 4-runner last night. I was angling towards this as a solution. Brilliant sir.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

One definitely needs to find the least path of resistance when putting on a roof top tent. Hopefully this helps you reduce those hours you spent putting on the ROAM tent.

[@yourstruly5687]

Hey dude! Thanks for sharing your invention! Now I know how to get my roof tent off my lifted Jeep!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Your welcome. Good luck and I hope that works out for you. Works like a dream for me.

[@Colom990]

Best one I’ve seen so far.

[@bailey07071]

Great designed very clever.

[@MattStormsSEO]

That was a great video, I love the idea.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@Clockeman]

Wow, thanks for posting this, i have been making my own roof rack and the only thing i havent come up with a great solution for is getting the thing on top! This is great.

[@rvboss2911]

Brotha…this is awesome! I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how to mount and dismount my tent. Can’t wait to try this out. Thanks for sharing 😄👍🏽

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

You are welcome. Hope it works out as well for you as it has for me.

[@rbdworks4342]

Thank you for this idea. I’ve been trying to think of a way to load my rtt.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

You are welcome. Hope this helps you out. Used it about 10 times since this video. Works like a champ.

[@allenqiu8608]

I love this! I think most of the garage don’t have the enough height for it I have a tundra as a work truck normal day I even have to put on a bed rack and take out the tonneau cover everytime But the RTT is the most headache part for me😂 I got inspired from you sir Wish you all the best

[@paul-57]

Excellent video and a well thought out solution to mounting and un-mounting RTTs. I just bought a Darche Panorama this morning so this will be useful. Not sure whether to go for wood or steel construction though. I think steel might be easier to make it so I can disassemble it when not in use. Light gauge 2x2 box section should be plenty strong enough and not too heavy. Gotta get an electric winch too, great idea.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

I would love to see the steel frame when you are done. Please be sure to share here when you are done. :)

[@paul-57]

@@HoustonBrownPhotography I don't have any videos on my channel but I will do this one. I have just finished removing my flat rack and making the cross bars to support the tent which I purchased yesterday, a Darche Panorama 1400. I am painting them now and I will install them and pick up the tent this afternoon. The shop will put it on the bars for me to make it easier but I need to get it on and off to get into my garage. I am off for a few days camping at the end of the week so I will build it when I get back and upload it.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

@@paul-57Excellent, excited to see what you have designed.

[@gk9453]

Life saver! This is genius!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Hope it helps for you.

[@offthecouchproductions8999]

Nice "homeEngineering" My solution was get a "Roofnest Meadowlark" Thing weighs 90 pounds! I can get it on the roof myself and I have also just put it in the bed, slid it under my Tonneau cover. So glad i waited and watch the RTT market for years before buying.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

There is no doubt lots of solutions out there. Happy that worked out for you. Sounds like a simple setup which is what is necessary in order to make heading out on the road as frictionless as possible.

[@serendipityguy]

brilliant, This method has other applications as well. Thank you kindly!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Happy it helped.

[@junyoungim5923]

Awesome!!!

[@OFFICIALUND]

Thanks for the video - I was glad to see that the Racor lift system you linked to is unavailable - hopefully that's permanent. I had one years ago (my comment is on amazon with photos) that nearly killed me, and if I had been standing 12" from where I was, it would have. The system has a design flaw in that it puts a lot of tension on a plastic "wheel". If that plastic wheel has a defect (it can bend and warp under the pressure) and gets caught up, the "lift" portion will unwind, but the "rack" portion (the outside cables) will not . . . until they do, and then it comes crashing down. My only injury was when the rod that you use to unwind it kicked back and hit me between the eyes,, but I shudder to think of a kid standing under that system. At the end of the day, I pushed them to write me a settlement check - as much for the injury (though it hurt like an MF) as it was the time to install, uninstall and pack up to ship. Plus, I wanted anyone who was injured in the future to be able to discover that Racor knew they had a problem and had cut settlement checks in the past. I haven't looked at the reviews in years, but even at the time I was not the only one to have had a similar problem. I hope they finally killed that product and that no one was too badly injured.

[@robertelias9447]

Is the failure pretty soon after installation? I pushed a racor system and installed it a little more than a year ago. It holds my alpha tent and I never worried about it. Now I'm wondering if I should?

[@OFFICIALUND]

@@robertelias9447 Mine was definitely within a year. NEVER NEVER stand under it while you’re lowering it. I personally would remove it and install a static rack and figure out a way to get the tent up there OR use a system with all metal components.

[@robertelias9447]

I appreciate the information. I may start looking at other options.@@OFFICIALUND

[@curtiskirk584]

Very clever, thank you for sharing

[@landandseaadventures]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Jpt01amr]

Bought 120 in wood 100 plastic and 120 hoist . Love the idea but need something just as good but cheaper . Thank you for getting the creative juices going

[@hunterluxton5976]

Very well thought out. Ingenious in fact. Thank you for sharing it. 👍

[@landandseaadventures]

Glad you liked it!

[@bonifaciocaballero2731]

Well thought out. Very nice design, indeed.

[@OFFICIALUND]

3:54 Yeah, I probably should have done that, too. But after watching your video and a few others, I decided to go the opposite direction and get a Rhino Pull 1000 😅

[@grgoss1]

Great vid. I had to chuckle as my system is quite similar - as I pulled from various other forums and vids to do mine. Differences - I load mine from the back not the side. I fashioned 2 2x4's to fit in the load clamps so that I could slide the tent up and down the ramp and into the storage area. It required bevelling out the wood so that it approximated a good size for the clamps. I use a boat trailer winch and go through a pulled 90 degrees to give me lift. However, I really like the quiet and ease of the 110v winch.. I'll look into that, thanks. I have an iKamper too and can reach the front clamp from the back - not sure if that would work better for you vs. the tip down spoiler method. All in all, excellent vid and system.

[@ackgs]

Great video!

[@AlipioEsguerra]

Well done & well executed Good Job👍🏼👏🏼

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Thank you. Much appreciated

[@KeqiangZhu]

great idea!

[@benmims1949]

Putting some boat trailer bunk material will help. I use a game hoist.

[@curtrobinson6883]

Excellent! You answered one major question on how to tighten the front. Do you also have the 1” foot that the tent sets on.? Or is this why you have to use the pads?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

I have to use those little square furniture pads so that the tent braces do not reach the roof of the vehicle. They act as a spacer.

[@floydk2813]

Great video. It's nice to show both installation and removal of the RTT. Luckily my iKamper and rig fits in my garage so I don't ever have to remove it.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Hey Floyd, thanks for the kudos and comment. That is a great luxury. Even if mine fit I would still probably take it off as this truck is also my daily driver and that RTT does cause some drag on my rig, so for that reason, along with peace of mind, I would probably still have a way to remove it.

[@macgezzy10]

Thank you for sharing this very nice video. It is excellent idea that every one having a rooftop tent should have. It is useful to me. God bless you.

[@cmgtafan]

Great video for 1 person loading and loading your rtt. Maybe you could look into those quick release mounts to make the wind deflection part unnecessary.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

The quick release mounts have to stay on the bottom side of the RTT which prevents me from being able to SLIDE it on so that does not work either. The quick release is really only any good if you have some type of rig that allows you to LOWER the RTT into place.

[@satunou]

great idea 👍👍👍

[@betterl8thannvr]

I've been thinking of something similar, but I don't have any place to lift from, so I was thinking of just leaving the ramp down but using a comealong to pull the tent up high enough that I can easily lift the end and hold it up with maybe an airplane wing stand or similar

[@linchpin6761]

really love this video thank you ! I have the same problem and may try to reproduce what you did.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

I have used it many times now and it works flawlessly now. Had a few kinks to work out. Good luck with it.

[@ctk3873]

What a brilliant idea. It seems to be a common issue with rtt as to how am I going to mount and dismount the tent by myself. This will definitely do the trick! Do you have a blueprint that we could use to duplicate this system? Thanks, keep up the great videos!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

No blue prints, the video is all I can offer you.

[@L-A-Chargers]

I agree with the comments. You did a great job. Very ingenious. I’m assuming you take it off for theft purposes, gas consumption or height restrictions?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Thank you MC. No so much theft purposes, I mean if you have the time, tools, strength, and skill to remove it than so be it. Like you say, I do it more for gas consumption and just for the simple fact that when it is not in use than there is no sense in having it up there. The fact that I can now take it off in 20 minutes or less makes it so much easier to make that decision. If you have a garage that you can fit in with the RTT mounted than you should get the lifting system mentioned in the video which would make it even easier.

[@salegado71]

I was wondering where you bought the screw in bracket to mount the roof top tent to the rack. That is a very clever idea.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

They came with the iKamper RTT. I think you can buy them on their website

[@Prolific_Troll]

Slick!

[@nebulousJames12345]

I need those clamps! I have a cali raised roof rack and it’s almost impossible to tighten the bolts. And will be once I add lights

[@landandseaadventures]

See notes for link

[@gevorgnazaryan8720]

This is a great ensign with the exception that now you tent is resting on only two crossbars vs the entire rack. Those rubber bumps should go or add the rubber bumps to every crossbar to evenly distribute the weight across all the crossbars

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

That is a good point Gevorg. However, since the tent only weights 123 lbs that equates to roughly 30lbs. per point or 60 lbs. per crossbar, which is way under the load tolerance of those crossbars. I feel pretty confident ab out the mounting points. I have also talked to others who have had to do the same thing and they did not report any issues.

[@gevorgnazaryan8720]

@@HoustonBrownPhotography what about when you and and another person get in there to sleep. Would the cross bars be able to hold the weight?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

@@gevorgnazaryan8720 Extruded aluminum has a high enough tensile strength that I would not even be concerned with it. These racks and rooftop tents are extremely popular and I have never seen a story of a roof rack failing with a rooftop tent on it. I'm sure there's a story out there but I'm not going to worry about it..

[@grgoss1]

@@HoustonBrownPhotography Agree... dynamic loading is one thing. The static load for the tent and crossbars is much, much higher.

[@betterl8thannvr]

I also saw some kayak racks once that work like this except they're on rails permanently mounted to the rack.

[@blackdiamondrob]

Genius! I copied your idea except I used 14 foot long boards because my jeep sits higher and i set the "sliding" 2x4s standing up and looks like wont flex as much as laying on their sides. Do you or anyone know if your ikamper clamps will work on any or most other brand RTT bottom side mounting rails?? Those seem like they would make it so much easier

[@landandseaadventures]

I am not sure if the iKamper clamps will fit or not. Guess you will need to compare your rail size to that of the iKamper. Front Runner makes some quick clamps for faster mounting and dismounting of a RTT. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6LXdIt-oamZp9Esi=mJXpoLsMhiQiHc3M&t=22 The reason I did not go with this is that it would not be a smooth surface to slide the tent off and on.

[@dominicktotino3003]

Could you provide a link to where you found those mounting brackets/clamps? Those seem amazing

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

are you referring to the bike hooks? If so, those you can find at just about any hardware store.

[@peterhonnen-z3n]

Very good ... Come on over !

[@AaronVanderzwan]

Love this! What are those clamps? They look phenomenal! Did you get them with the iKamper mini? Any idea if those would work on other tent tracks? Also, how long are those top 2x4s? Thanks!

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Yes, they cam with the iKamper.

[@JakeAye]

I thought you'd like to know your Rope Hoise link leads to a Univ Buffalo Teaching Lesson. Valuable, nonetheless!

[@landandseaadventures]

Thank you Jake. It has now been fixed.

[@drewnc2009]

What's the width on the system you built? Looks like you had 10' 2x4s... Would you go any longer or shorter if you had it to do over again? Any wider or narrower?

[@mac1637]

Which brackets are you using to attach your tent to your Prinsu rack?

[@Rob81818]

Can you provide the link to the rtt clamps?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

They came with the iKamper. Maybe you can get them there.

[@wayawolf1967]

Yanmar tractor. Front end loader. Forks and straps. One man process.

[@FrnksVideo]

Hi, how long are those 2x4s that you use? Thanks

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

10'

[@davetee3589]

That's a very clever way but since my rig is a little taller and my iKamper is a fullsize 2.0 its more difficult.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

The Full size iKamper 2.0 one is only 45lbs more than the 3.0 mini and this rail system will hold that no problem. I guess you can add some length to it depending on how much taller your rig is. Hope this helps you though.

[@davetee3589]

@@HoustonBrownPhotography Thanks, I'm going to give it a try. By the way where did you buy the hooks, I tried looking online but can't seem to fine heavy duty hooks with a flat back to bolt into 2x4.

[@landandseaadventures]

@@davetee3589 I put the link in the description but I got them at home depot

[@davetee3589]

@@landandseaadventures Thanks for the blueprint, it worked flawlessly. I can now put on my RTT by myself.

[@Nazhine]

What are those clamps your using to to hold the Tent on?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

They cam with the iKamper.

[@adamengle9131]

What length were your 2x's?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

10'

[@nebulousJames12345]

How have these been for you? A lot of reviews say they loosen up

[@landandseaadventures]

What are you referring to when you say "these"?

[@nebulousJames12345]

The ikamper clamps

[@nebulousJames12345]

@@HoustonBrownPhotography the brackets are labeled on the website as "Mounting Brackets 2.0". You're saying that these are the first gen?

[@landandseaadventures]

@@nebulousJames12345 No issues whatsoever with the iKamper clamps. Keep in mind I have the 3rd generation version of these. The ones they have on their website is 2nd gen. I can not speak for those.

[@landandseaadventures]

@@nebulousJames12345 My bad, I didn't realize. Please contact iKamper. I am not a rep.

[@crxk20r59]

Thank God my RTT weighs 80 lbs and I can put in on top of our Honda Element by myself (without any type of equipment).

[@Jaysmuzic]

Hi what type of tent mounts are those?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

iKamper. Came with the tent.

[@Andy-LucyGSD]

Would an engine hoist lift it high enough?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

I don't know that much about engine hoist, but I doubt you could go high enough considering once you tie the rooftop tent to the hoist, it's going to dangle at least 3 feet, so that means you'd have to go up above the roof, which would be almost 11 feet. Do you know of an engine lift that goes that high, not to mention that seems a bit overkill unless you already have one, of course

[@Sanjuk0522]

how heavy is that tent?

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

123lbs

[@flyingcat2054]

Nice, though I’m not comfortable with you standing under the assembly. 😮

[@t.o.f.t.s.]

why not just put ratchet straps around the tent. And use the hoist to lift the tent up and drive under the tent, then lower the hoist/tent onto the truck? no need for the wood contraption.

[@PlumpPossum]

I’m sure his garage door opening is not tall enough to do this. Bc I would love to be able to do what you mentioned here, but my truck+tent is too tall to fit under my garage. So I’m having to go this route as well.

[@vitalyvdb3543]

Here's a bit easier sistem: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2WpY3l5aZx6hs0

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

I mention 21 seconds into this video I say that if you have a garage that is tall enough to fit your vehicle with the RTT mounted than you should use that. The link you sent is definitely a better way to do it but if your vehicle and RTT don't fit then this is a good alternative.

[@JCreole]

Mickey Mouse system going to get some dummy hurt….😂

[@GreatLaker69]

funny how he calls his 4runner a "truck"

[@phasick]

I mean it is? wtf. 😂 it has a similar frame as a tacoma and tundra. It’s dna comes from the pickup. If we’re getting technical here… no a 4runner is not a pickup truck, but it has a truck body frame. Same with land cruisers.

[@GreatLaker69]

@@phasick ya its a body on frame but you can’t do real truck stuff with a 4runner. Try to haul a 6000 lb trailer and you’ll smoke the little transmission. The 4runner is a hippie with a man bun granola car. Only thing they haul are Biden Harris bumper stickers and smelly liberals.

[@davidw4664]

Great comment /sarcasm

[@GreatLaker69]

@@phasickits a body on frame, yes. But you can’t do real truck stuff with a 4runner. It’s a “truck” for hippies with man buns.

[@phasick]

It’s a “truck” frame. Wtf is a definition of a truck then? Since you’re the gate keeper of semantics and apparently stereotypes of people depending on what they drive. Your ass probably failed English anyways. 😂