Truck Camping: My Roof Rack Setup

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I was asked to shoot a short video on my roof rack setup. Here are the components...
Yakima Q-Towers - total of 6
Yakima 56" cross bars - total of 3
Yakima MegaWarrior Cargo Basket
ARB 2500 Series Side Awning
5-Gallon Road Shower
Please comment below with any questions and I'll get right back to you. Thanks for watching!

[@KilldeerMedia]

When my Tacoma grows up, it wants to be like yours. Great videos!

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Thanks Dave!

[@JosephTate]

Thanks for the tip on the shovel. Was using a folder, but you are right... easier to strap a full size on the rack.

[@sourdough72]

Sweet setup, your videos have given me direction to go in with my truck.

[@BRiebeling]

Love the videos. Keep up the quality work!

[@djbigdavethefyrm]

Awesome review of the rack and all the gear you have/carry. I've been putting mine slowly together as well.

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Thanks for watching! Hope you have a good weekend.

[@PuertoRicanSoja]

love it so much .

[@chrissanders5491]

Great review, love the setup

[@gz989898]

Great video. Thank you!

[@Shashaylah]

Great video - very informative so thanks.

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hi Cindy, thanks for watching!

[@Earth_Chi_Art]

Nice! Thanks for the mention.

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hey Joel! LOVE your product, man! I sign your praises to anyone who asks about the Roadshower, you have a customer for life with me. I did another video specifically talking about the Roadshower, here is the link if you want to check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqfddZ-Kibt-jsU Happy New Year!

[@R72vegas]

Very nice and organize.

[@reginarowe1217]

Wow I really like your set up! I need that on my ford. : )

[@msafirimhehe]

Looks great!

[@ScotWalt858]

Very nice!

[@tolismargiolas8355]

Very good truck

[@AdventureTouringMoto]

I would love to hear what hasn't worked the way you thought. Things you have changed, and things you will be changing. Maybe some things you can't change, but wish you could.

[@SUVRVing]

Great video. I've been thinking about getting a rooftop basket so I could put my little collapsible camp shower up there for the water to warm up while I drive, but I've also been thinking about what else I could put up there. The wood is a great idea. Do you cover it with a tarp when it's rainy or snowy? And how do you like the Road Shower? I agree that the DIY ones look junky, and I've been eyeing the Road Shower for a while.

[@prepared2thrive101]

Awesome set up; very helpful as I plan my Tacoma build.

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hi Prepared 2 Thrive, thanks for checking out the video! If you have any questions when you are doing your buildout, don't hesitate to shoot me a message. I'd be glad to share any additional info I didn't cover in the video.

[@prepared2thrive101]

Thank you. Do you recommend a good company/vendor/website for aftermarket Tacoma parts?

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

I've been able to find quite a bit of upgrades on ARBusa.com (bumpers, awning, awning drop down room, suspension, leaf springs). I also have good luck on RealTruck.com. Hope those two sites help with your research!

[@shanemilehi]

Thanks a lot

[@marybarton8987]

i like these videos a lot as they are full of information that i can use, thank you for making these videos. Im looking to convert my pickup into a camper and am looking for info on how to either acquire or make a secondary battery system so I can use power without having to run my vehicle, do you have any ideas on that? ty.

[@eventhejunglewantedhimdead480]

In the Mid-West we're not supposed to move wood because of the emerald ash borer.

[@brymanley]

Exactly.

[@ronhart4166]

Brian , What brought you to choosing your rig ? Pro's and con's. Maybe a good video for you !!!

[@adamaustin3373]

I just purchased the Yakima crossbar(round) like yours. Would love if you could do a video or tell me what mounts you used to mount the ARB awning to the Yakima bars. I don't want to just use U bolts like other people do.

[@Oldcoinsandstuff1]

I think you're the first I've seen that carries a saw. I always have one to. What echo is that , mines the400. I think I would have got a long bed though lol

[@nathanielhuff3627]

Hey Brian, love your channel. Can you please detail what Yakima landing pads you're using with the Yakima Q towers? Also, what bar length did you purchase for the round bars? I'm guessing you have the 66" ones, but if you could clarify, that would be great!

[@fatlace8949]

Super nice set up bro

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Thanks man, it's served me well over the years. Still rocking the same equipment all these years later. ~ Brian

[@fatlace8949]

Did a some thing u did to attach my owning this a good idea for simple setup for tacoma camping fishing rig and also a bit offroad

[@rangerdoc1029]

I primarily got a roof basket cause I was sick of carrying Firewood in a tub in back.

[@adamaustin3373]

What mounts did you use to mount the ARB awning to the Yakima bars?? I have same bars and need to know how to mount the ARB Awning. thanks

[@seanbeaudreault3198]

is the truck bed flexing during transit a factor with the arb awning. it seems like it would get bent on off road terrain. these are great videos. I am getting a lot of info that I need. thanks

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hi Sean, the awning has enough flex in it where it doesn't bend. Thanks for the kind words with my videos, hope you are having a nice summer!

[@Groundrat]

Where do you purchase the stickers that are on your topper?

[@georgekrug2071]

How much weight rating do you have on on the topper ? With all the wood ?

[@presidentwehoa1]

Do you ratchet strap your load or just rely on the bungee net?

[@jdepry]

Awesome set up! What do you use for your tent? I have a truck bed tent and then my rack is on my cab.

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hello, I was sleeping diagonally in the back on a platform bed but switched my setup last spring to have a slide out extension which turns the 5 foot bed into a 7 foot bed. Once I’m done sleeping in the morning, I just slide the extension back into the topper, close everything up and hit the road. I love it!

[@howdypardner4128]

I noticed you have the 5ft short bed. Based on your height do you sleep on a diagonal and do you find that enough to stretch out?

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hi John, yes I sleep diagonally and although there's limited space I'm still pretty comfortable. I'm 6 feet tall and think that's about the max height in order to still be able to sleep comfortably diagonally in the 5 foot bed. I'm planning to do a different buildout in the next few weeks so I'll be sure to video document that process and post it to the channel. Let me know if you have any additional questions, cheers!

[@gregarioussolitudinist5695]

that wood on top seems like an accident waiting to happen. Whatever you have stored inside would be better stored up there, keep the wood dry and your center of gravity low.

[@paulformaioni37]

i bought a roof rack so i can fill the tub with wood and carry containers up top for food and camping equipment, how does that wood stay in place?

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hi Paul, when I'm driving I use a series of bungee cords to hold the pieces in place. I also make sure the logs are large enough in circumference so they won't slip through the cross bars on my roof basket. ~ Brian

[@Speedy2222]

how do you acquire fire wood while out traveling? ill be in colorado in a couple weeks and obviously cant truck stuff from Indiana with me.

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

Hi Mitchell, you can find a firewood broker in each mountain town so I would suggest just looking up a few companies to call and see what sort of wood they have for you. If you're visiting the Salida area then there's a great wood broker west of town at the corner of Highway 50 and Highway 285. Enjoy your trip out here!

[@briansheldon1886]

How are the q towers mounted to the shell? What are those rails?

[@RK-kj8di]

The rails are an option when order a new shell from ARE. The rails are made by Yakima and 2 Q towers (and cross bars) are included. Go to the ARE website to see a drawing of the optional Yakima setup.

[@Qmedjoe]

How much weight can you safely hold on your camper shell?

[@OffGridBackcountryAdventures]

I don't go over 100lbs, but the topper weight limit is rated at 145lbs.

[@LoneWolf-em3pc]

How do you keep the wood dry while travelling?

[@Boot76]

Lone Wolf typically if the wood has already seasoned and dry on the inside, it will not saturate to the core and once split properly it will work fine.

[@jimbeekman4863]

I loved the video!! But, I think all those stickers make it look junkie .

[@ThatCleanMT]

That is not the Q Tower. At all. Lol. You have the newly introduced Q tower replacement.

[@briansheldon1886]

How are the q towers mounted to the shell? What are those rails?

[@RK-kj8di]

The rails are an option when order a new shell from ARE. The rails are made by Yakima and 2 Q towers (and cross bars) are included. Go to the ARE website to see a drawing of the optional Yakima setup.