Suburban original roof "rack" and roof tent

[cbob64]

Hello,
I'm the owner of a 85" Burb that has the factory roof rack installed (Aluminium). I would like to add a roof tent on my rig, but I'm a bit afraid of the roof rack (does not look sturdy).

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I thought adding steel roof bar close to the end of each pillar to add rigidity and then bolt the tent on these steel bars.
Any recommendation on that topic?

 

[bucket]

You will want to look at how your roof rack was installed. Depending on which dealer installed it, it may be held on with sheet metal screws. If that's the case, I don't think it will be up to the task. But if it was installed properly, with rivnuts and machine screws, then it might be OK. I've carried a couple hundred pounds on mine before and it didn't stress the mounting points.

 

[TotalyHucked]

No way I'd trust one of those to support a roof tent and people/stuff as well. If it were me, I'd be building my own roof rack system to hold that.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

It's more of a "keep stuff from sliding off" rack.

Mine was held on by rubber nut inserts.

 

[Grit dog]

Leave the old one for looks if it ain’t in the way. Mount real rack and tent for your use.

 

[WFO]

I'd get a pop-up, or some other type of camper trailer.
Sure makes it easier when you're camping, and need to make a beer and ice run.

 

[Grit dog]

I'd get a pop-up, or some other type of camper trailer.
Sure makes it easier when you're camping, and need to make a beer and ice run.

But they’re tent camping. If they were camper camping he wouldn’t have a question. Totally Different gear for different reasons.

 

[legopnuematic]

Could go à La Aztek with the tent.

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Where’s Jay @RetroC10Sport to extol the virtues of the Aztek.

 

[skysurfer]

The factory rack will support a *fair* amount of weight. I mounted a basket rack to it and carried 275-325 lbs. on a regular basis, but that was about all I was willing to push it since I was off-roading. The weight is distributed out to the curved portion of the roof, which is much stronger than the center, and as long as you keep your, ahem, nighttime activities to a reasonable level, you should be fine. The hardware holding it on isn’t really an issue, especially since a roof tent will be carrying the most weight when parked. Just for reference, my ‘89 came with 8-32 NC screws at each corner (4) and the rest are #10 x 1/2” sheet metal screws.

 

[cbob64]

The 4 corners are quite sturdy, the 2 central mounts are wiggling. But I don't know how they are fasten on the roof. I bet that the 4 corners are bolts on roof structural cross members.
Expected load : 180 lbs for the tent. 350lbs during night (static load).
Thank you for your answers. I think I need to remove the roof ceiling to investigate further.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

They don't go to the braces, stupidly enough. They just go to straight sheetmetal.

 

[bucket]

They don't go to the braces, stupidly enough. They just go to straight sheetmetal.

Every factory luggage rack I've ever dealt with, from any make, they were just fastened to the roof skin.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Every factory luggage rack I've ever dealt with, from any make, they were just fastened to the roof skin.

Really dumb when there's roof braces right next to the mounts

 

[WFO]

But they’re tent camping. If they were camper camping he wouldn’t have a question. Totally Different gear for different reasons.

I was just suggesting some options.
A pop-up is about as much tent camping as a tent on a roof, and a lot easier to relieve yourself of said beer.

To me, tent camping is on the ground.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I was just suggesting some options.
A pop-up is about as much tent camping as a tent on a roof, and a lot easier to relieve yourself of said beer.

To me, tent camping is on the ground.

I know the rooftop stuff is the big fad right now, I see it everywhere. I am with you, bring a tent, a pop-up, something that isn't attached to the vehicle so you can be mobile to go hiking at a trailhead a few miles away, go fishing at various spots, get beer, get food, get supplies, get the eff out where you are quickly. Tent camping isn't bad, just bring a suitable pad or mattress so you're not sleeping on the ground. Rooftop camping is just tent camping on top of your rig.