RTT Mounting question

[TRD270]

I haven't started a thread on it yet, but I recently picked up a 06 Tacoma that came equipped a nice leer fiberglass tonneau cover.

My question is I've seen people mount roof racks to these and put quite a load on them. Anyone know if they would support a RTT with occupants. I figure if I can mount the rack right over the bed rails, they would support most of the weight.

Only reason i'm considering this, the cover would be nice for long dirt roads to keep all the gear dust free, and secure when the truck is parked. It would also mount the tent below the roof line, keeping the vehicle relatively streamline compared to a roof mount.


Let me know what you think.

here is a link to the model

http://www.leer.com/Truck-Tonneaus# it's the 700

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I would check with Leer or a Leer dealer and see what they recommend for load capacity. Many that have RTT's on fiberglass shells do an internal frame to support the weight because the shell itself is not designed for 500 lbs of load.

 

[bryson]

Once the RTT is on the cover, how will you get to the contents of the bed? Don't you have to lift the tonneau cover to even open the tailgate?

 

[TRD270]

Once the RTT is on the cover, how will you get to the contents of the bed? Don't you have to lift the tonneau cover to even open the tailgate?

Was thinking of a board or something to keep the contents to the rear of the truck, so I would only have to lift it a couple inches to get the tailgate up and down. With just the RTT on the top it shouldn't be to hard to lift to gain access, i'm just more concerned with the weight of occupants.

 

[bryson]

Was thinking of a board or something to keep the contents to the rear of the truck, so I would only have to lift it a couple inches to get the tailgate up and down. With just the RTT on the top it shouldn't be to hard to lift to gain access, i'm just more concerned with the weight of occupants.

Sounds to me like you need to do a better job of screening your bunk-mates.

Could you modify the tonneau with a piano hinge or something so you can open just the rear of the cover? Similar to the cover in this pic, but instead of the hinge in the middle, just make it 12 inches or so from the tailgate...

 

[TRD270]

I'm sure I could, not sure how water tight it would be though.

I'm kind of thinking about just finding a shell for now, but I hate pulling them on and off to get the dirtbike in. But on the same not, the tonneau cover isn't that much easier.