Where to mount RTT on D/C Hilux?

[Wegbreek]

I need advise from the manne that know? I have a D/C Hilux, with Alu-cab canopy. Can we mount the RTT straight onto the canopy or must it be mounted on load bars first? Question 1

Question 2: where is the best position to mount the RTT? On the canopy or over the cab? Some people say distribute your weight evenly on the vehicle. As its is I have a second fuel tank at the back (extra 55-60kg, with fuel): Alucab canopy (58kg); fridge approx 30kg. Then that does not take into account any additional water and all the boxes that go in the back. I'm just worried that we will be too heavy at the back with the RTT on the canopy.

Advise please!

[Donkey]

For the sake of weight distribution as you, you may consider mounting it on load bars (Frontrunner stock them) on the cabin roof, but depending on how high your bakkie is, you may battle to pull into your garage and wind drag. Also low lying tree branches might be a pain,

Not sure what others think.

[Mud Dog]

I'm not an RTT fan myself, but I think that mostly they're mounted on the roof because the standard canopies aren't sturdy enough without extra bracing. You should have no problem with mounting it on the alu canopy, but yes, I think weight distribution is a factor worth considering. it would also depend on what all else you will want to load, like jerry cans / spare wheel etc. It could be that the other stuff may be heavier than the RTT in which case you might well want to mount the RTT on the canopy for better weight distribution.

If it were me, I would keep the heavier stuff loaded low down and the lighter stuff higher up for a better COG. In that case the RTT would be the heaviest and better on the roof. Furthermore, if your alu canopy already has a rack on top, I would use that rack for the odd bits that one might want to load up there instead of getting another rack for the roof .... Load bars are a lot cheaper than RR's, so it could save you a few pennies too.

[Donkey]

It's a tricky one hey oom Andy?

[Mud Dog]

It's a tricky one hey oom Andy?

Not really Tumelo. Wayne has the option of either the roof or the canopy .... it depends on his personal requirements / preferences. It does sound like he anticipates a lot of extra weight at the back already, so it may well be best on the roof. As I said, that also leaves him the option of using / not using the top of the canopy depending on what is being loaded for the specific trip and if he keeps the heavier stuff low, then the RTT will be the heaviest load on top .... better if it's central so as not to overload the rear axle.

[Hoppy]

Mount it as far back as possible for lower wind resistance

[ThysdJ]

a few things to consider.

If you mount it on the canopy you dont need the load bars, cutting down on height and wind resistance.

I found that mounting it on the canopy, as close to the front as possible, the wind resistance is a lot less because of the way the wind is deflected by the windscreen.

Too far back adds to "gat-hang" when your hilux is fully loaded, and increases the back area of the vehicle,causing a bigger vacuum/vortex sucking more dust and causing drag.

On the roof is better weight distribution between the axles, but you need loadbars raising the whole contraption by 5 inches. And usually the front of the tent cover is plastered with dead muggies, butterflies and other tor-sop when you want to pitch tent at nite..

[Wegbreek]

Thank you for the advise guys. Much appreciated. There is a lot to think about.

[Haboob]

Put RTT on vehicle roof opening to the front, with the ladder fitting onto the Bull Bar. This way you only use half the ladder which also cuts down on time & space. You can the also maneuver the vehicle with the tent up, as it is not resting on the ground. You then also take up less space in camps that are too small for more than one couple, as you only utalise the space on your vehicle. You then can also utalise the space on your canopy to load wood & other neccessaties. This load always fluctuates as you use your wood & then add to the load when you top up again.
Good luck on your decision.

[Jaws]

This is my RTT setup:

[Jaws]

Even fully loaded the bakkie stands very level, but I do have a winch up front that may balance things out. I fitted Front runner load bars on the canopy with 75mm mounting because I have a SS table that slides in between the canopy and RTT.

I have travel at least 20k km with this setup through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe without any problems I tend to stick to the roads less traveled.


As for wind resistance, I have 4 jerry cans up front so they are the main cause the RTT make no additional difference. Under 100km/h the extra drag is negligible, over 120km/h it is considerable.

[IISARGE]

here is my set up over the bonet

botswana trp 354 (Small).jpg (60.49 KiB) Viewed 2205 times

botswana trp 016 (Small).jpg (80.25 KiB) Viewed 2205 times