Has anyone used the factory cross bars with a rooftop tent?

Heading out on a trip very soon and if everything works out, I'll have rtt for the trip. The concern is that the OEM cross bars have a dynamic load rating of 74kg (163lbs) and all the clamshell rtts are around roughly 160lbs. So that seems fine, though it's cutting it close. However, I may be adding an awning and the rtt itself has a set of crossbars for additional storage. So adding and awning or additional storage would be over the 74kg load limit. I think the rhino rack rack cross bars have something like a 80kg limit, but can't recall.

I debated going straight to the Voyager rack since I don't currently have roof rails, but their lead time is 5-6 weeks. So that won't work. I could do a Frontrunner rack, but honestly, I don't see myself ever using the rack aside from when the rtt is attached. So a full rack setup seems a bit unnecessary and expensive for my needs.

 

Same problem I have on the tent. Plus these tent prices have gotten out of hand. It's getting hard to make the financial reasoning with my wife. We're up north of 30 hotel nights to make the rtt pay.

 

FYI, chatted with some rtt dealers. One did not recommend the OEM rails and said to use the Rhino Rack option instead if going the crossbar route.

Ended up grabbing the Front Runner Slimline II rack instead and a ton of fun accessory toys for now. Also grabbed a Sea to Summit comfort plus dou sleeping pad that should fit nicely inside the D5 if we don't feel like setting up the tent.

Will have to figure out the RTT situation come spring. Maybe throw the RTT on top of the rack or possibly remove and use Rhino Rack crossbars to reduce overall roof weight. Issue is mounting the tent to the rack is more secure than crossbars.

 

Hi all,
Thanks for all the info shared on this forum! Just picked up my new D5 and exploring roof rack options. Debating Front Runner v. Thule.

Aztris - a couple follow up questions if you don't mind:
- reviews I have read all sound pretty positive. Have you been happy with the Front Runner?
- I hear popping the caps off the roof rails is the worst part about the install. Any luck removing without breaking / damaging them and any guidance you can provide?
- with caps removed while rack in place and innards exposed, any concerns with water coming in?
- impact of rack on noise / gas mileage?
- if I got all the specs right, it looks like the LR roof rail weight capacity is 176lb, and the Slimline II is about 70lbs, which allows for about 100lbs. Any other weight considerations?

Thule users - the Thule online configurator does not offer an option for the new Discovery but does offer options for the Discovery Sport. Anyone know if the Sport option fit kit would work with Discovery rails?

Thanks!

 

So does anyone run a RTT with the Thule bars or Rhino? I'd love to see some pics if so, did you go with a 2 bar setup only or 3 for support? Plan on going hardshell/fiberglass tent.

 

I’m also interested in hearing more about people’s experiences with mounting a RTT on either the Frontrunner rack or crossbars.

 

I have the Front Runner and I quite like it. For context, I just completed a 3k mile round trip to the east coast and back over the holidays with it on.

-popping the caps off is, yes, a pain. And I don't think there is really a way to do it without breaking the tabs that hold them in. In fact, I think I broke three of the four. I, too, was concerned about this in the beginning. However, the caps are just plastic and if you removed the rack and wanted to replace them it would be easier to just buy new caps.

-with the caps removed and "innards exposed" there is no chance for water ingress. If you look closely there are drain holes in the roof rails and the "sockets" into which the bolts go are sealed.

-with the rack on I feel like I saw about a 2-3 mpg hit. And mine is a diesel. The biggest hit is when it's windy. The Disco isn't as slippery through the wind with the rack. Noise is also noticeable. Not crazy, but it's there. Also, in windy conditions it can get more noisy and the vehicle feels like it gets pushed around quite a bit more. However, I've always found the Disco to get pushed around anyway in crosswinds.

Hope this helps.

 

I'm planning to go Thule or Rhino crossbars and not a full rack just due to the fact that the tent will take up the entire roof more or less. I am hoping I can just unbolt the factory rails and then use the feet/hardware from the crossbars to fill-in the mounting points, probably clear silicone the bolt holes, etc. Are there 3 mounting points per side or just 2? If it's 3 then I'll have to get 3 crossbars rather than the blank covers from LR seeing that'd probably cost more than it's worth.

 

Why go through all the trouble of removing the roof rails if you're going with crossbars? Simply attach the crossbars to the roof rails and you'll have a very versatile system.

 

Well, in most experiences factory roof rails/racks are weak and aren't rated to hold much. Aftermarket fixes that; my RTT will be roughly 150-160lbs constant weight. When you add the weight of 2 adults plus gear parked and camping, you're nearing 600lb +/- lets say. Could the factory hardware support it?