Roof Top Tent install

[2017YuknDenali]

I'm looking to buy a RTT for my 2017 Yukon Denali. Possibly a https://topoakoverland.com/products/galaxy1-0, which weighs 165 lbs. I'm unclear if my stock racks, (i'm pretty sure they are these https://accessories.gmc.com/product...modelId=558&wheel=116.0&wheelId=104&year=2017) are sufficient to hold the tent and occupants. I'm seeing some forums say you need aftermarket racks, but the rack seem to be rated for 220lb dynamic weight, which should be a static weight rating of at least 660, which is plenty for me a my family of three. I'm I missing something? Are these racks sufficient, or do I need something aftermarket?

 

[DoubleDingo]

I don't know the answer your question, just commenting, and nothing against you personally.

Having camped in tents my entire life, I prefer picking a spot, setting up the tent, airing up the mattress, laying out sleeping bags, etc, and then using the vehicle to drive around to areas to explore, even if it's remote camping. I know the vehicle-attached tents are popular, I just don't understand the hype.

 

[Sparksalot]

I'm looking to buy a RTT for my 2017 Yukon Denali. Possibly a https://topoakoverland.com/products/galaxy1-0, which weighs 165 lbs. I'm unclear if my stock racks, (i'm pretty sure they are these https://accessories.gmc.com/product/removable-roof-rack-cross-rails-in-black-84683395?body=Sport Utility&bodyId=11&bodyNumDoors=5&bodyNumDoorsId=5&make=GMC&makeId=48&model=Yukon&modelId=558&wheel=116.0&wheelId=104&year=2017) are sufficient to hold the tent and occupants. I'm seeing some forums say you need aftermarket racks, but the rack seem to be rated for 220lb dynamic weight, which should be a static weight rating of at least 660, which is plenty for me a my family of three. I'm I missing something? Are these racks sufficient, or do I need something aftermarket?

The oem crossbars are most likely not sufficient. The rails are questionable. They might be fine for the static load, but the dynamic load is another matter.

Each rail is held by four bolts like this one. They require dropping the headliner to access.

I went with a rack from Baseline Overland. It’s been installed for 2 years now.

 

[2017YuknDenali]

The oem crossbars are most likely not sufficient. The rails are questionable. They might be fine for the static load, but the dynamic load is another matter.

Each rail is held by four bolts like this one. They require dropping the headliner to access.

View attachment 466728


I went with a rack from Baseline Overland. It’s been installed for 2 years now.


View attachment 466729

View attachment 466730

Thanks for the info. That looks like a great rack!
Question back to you: Why would a 220lb dynamic load rating not be enough for a 165lb tent?

 

[2017YuknDenali]

I don't know the answer your question, just commenting, and nothing against you personally.

Having camped in tents my entire life, I prefer picking a spot, setting up the tent, airing up the mattress, laying out sleeping bags, etc, and then using the vehicle to drive around to areas to explore, even if it's remote camping. I know the vehicle-attached tents are popular, I just don't understand the hype.

Personally I like the convenience of having a tent/bed ready in under 5 min without having to move a bunch of stuff in and out of the vehicle and taking a half hour or more to set it all up, and not having all that gear flopping around the inside of the vehicle on those rougher roads.

 

[SpareParts]

Van, Just saying.

 

[2017YuknDenali]

Van, Just saying.

Vans are great! We have toyota Sienna we often take camping. But in this case I'm doing more offroading than it can handle, and there are other times when I want to take the Yukon instead of the Sienna.

 

[Sparksalot]

Thanks for the info. That looks like a great rack!
Question back to you: Why would a 220lb dynamic load rating not be enough for a 165lb tent?

I’ve not seen the load rating for the oem rack. I took a look at my crossbars, and decided nope.

 

[Doubeleive]

I would not mount a tent on these, not without some hefty modification.

 

[2017YuknDenali]

I’ve not seen the load rating for the oem rack. I took a look at my crossbars, and decided nope.

The rating is linked on the Instruction Sheet on the link I provided. Not sure if we have the same rack (crossbars) or not.

 

[Padraig]

Hotels are even easier.

Padraig

 

[Sparksalot]

Hotels are even easier.

Padraig

You can’t fly fish from a hotel balcony.

 

[k_arnold72]

I was considering the same idea but ran into the same concerns once I factored in the weight of occupants. Tent I went with is a Smittybuilt 4 person. Now mind you, I haven't executed this plan yet, but the solution I brainstormed was to use 3 crossbar instead of just 2 in order to better distribute the weight. I have a 2018 Tahoe and my oem rails have the pre-drilled provisions for crossbars at variable spacing. So I'd imagine yours has the same, but check just to be sure. Over a year ago I got the idea, I picked up two pairs of the oem crossbars, but I just haven't planned the camping trip yet.

Just wanted to throw that out there in case you're dead set on the rooftop tent.

I'm looking to buy a RTT for my 2017 Yukon Denali. Possibly a https://topoakoverland.com/products/galaxy1-0, which weighs 165 lbs. I'm unclear if my stock racks, (i'm pretty sure they are these https://accessories.gmc.com/product...modelId=558&wheel=116.0&wheelId=104&year=2017) are sufficient to hold the tent and occupants. I'm seeing some forums say you need aftermarket racks, but the rack seem to be rated for 220lb dynamic weight, which should be a static weight rating of at least 660, which is plenty for me a my family of three. I'm I missing something? Are these racks sufficient, or do I need something aftermarket?

 

[PG01]

You can’t fly fish from a hotel balcony.

Ya can, but hotel staff frowns on that sort of thing….

 

[SpareParts]

Not specifically for GMC, but maybe dimension wise you might have a workable solution.

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[2017YuknDenali]

Hotels are even easier.

Padraig

I was considering the same idea but ran into the same concerns once I factored in the weight of occupants. Tent I went with is a Smittybuilt 4 person. Now mind you, I haven't executed this plan yet, but the solution I brainstormed was to use 3 crossbar instead of just 2 in order to better distribute the weight. I have a 2018 Tahoe and my oem rails have the pre-drilled provisions for crossbars at variable spacing. So I'd imagine yours has the same, but check just to be sure. Over a year ago I got the idea, I picked up two pairs of the oem crossbars, but I just haven't planned the camping trip yet.

Just wanted to throw that out there in case you're dead set on the rooftop tent.

Interesting idea. I do have a third set of holes, though I don't think the RTT has three sets of mounts so I'm not sure how the weight would get on the third rail.

 

[2017YuknDenali]

Hotels are even easier.

Padraig

You win for least helpful/relevant comment.

 

[k_arnold72]

Yup, I suppose the means of attachment matters as well. Do you have a picture?

My tent mounts to the crossbars via two 76" long rails and the crossbars are about 51" apart max. So I'd have about 12" over hang past the first and last crossbar.

Interesting idea. I do have a third set of holes, though I don't think the RTT has three sets of mounts so I'm not sure how the weight would get on the third rail.

 

[2017YuknDenali]

Yup, I suppose the means of attachment matters as well. Do you have a picture?

My tent mounts to the crossbars via two 76" long rails and the crossbars are about 51" apart max. So I'd have about 12" over hang past the first and last crossbar.

I haven't bought a RTT yet so no pictures, but I see what you mean on how it might work. Thanks for the idea!

 

[2017YuknDenali]

Yup, I suppose the means of attachment matters as well. Do you have a picture?

My tent mounts to the crossbars via two 76" long rails and the crossbars are about 51" apart max. So I'd have about 12" over hang past the first and last crossbar.

I just looked at the side rails on my roof. They appear to be a bit curved, so I don't think the three cross rails would all be level.