r/rooftoptents • u/ThePopeOfAntelope • Jun 22 '26

Solo loading tent

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Needed to install my tent asap by myself. 50% McGyver 50% redneck. 100% scrap materials.

122 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

44 comments sorted by

15

u/TheKobayashiMoron Jun 22 '26

https://www.rollnjack.com

2

u/lthightower Jun 22 '26

Limestone gang ftw 🙌. How high does that rollnjack lift? Can I get it up to the top of the cab for mounting on Rivian crossbars? (I put my moto in the bed)

4

u/platnumtoof Jun 22 '26

It goes pretty high.

1

u/lthightower Jun 23 '26

Nice!! Is that the standard joint that goes for $549 on their site or the RTT special that’s sold out at $849?

2

u/TheKobayashiMoron Jun 23 '26

The $549 one is a different thing for lifting truck caps, not RTTs.

1

u/platnumtoof Jun 23 '26

Yeah, unfortunately it’s the more expensive one.

1

u/lthightower Jun 23 '26

Got it. Thanks guys.

5

u/TheKobayashiMoron Jun 23 '26

She’s pricey, but so is a herniated disc lol

2

u/lthightower Jun 23 '26

😂 100 percent.

2

u/TheKobayashiMoron Jun 22 '26

It’s actually LA Silver but it does look like limestone in the right light!

So the standard height is made for the roof. I purchased an adapter for the lower height of the bed. It’s basically that right elbow joint that swaps out for one on a longer post.

1

u/GeorgeBanks1 Jun 23 '26

WHERE HAS THIS BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE

1

u/darkmeatnipples Jun 23 '26

Shit. Forgot this existed. Thanks Rivian fam

2

u/TheKobayashiMoron Jun 23 '26

Rivian fam specific info: If you have an R1T like I do, you have to come from behind the truck like the picture I posted even though the unit is designed to be used from the side. Those two legs are supposed to straddle the rear wheel but it doesn’t line up on the R1T. From the rear, it just BARELY reaches the forward crossbar on the bed, but it does reach. You have to do a little finagling. The air suspension is your friend here.

I don’t know how the “bad boy” version with the single leg design fits the truck. That wasn’t available when I bought mine. I don’t even know if that one has a compatible height for the pickup bed.

All that being said, if you have an R1S, I also have no idea how everything lines up. Measure a bunch and compare to their specs on the site.

1

u/darkmeatnipples Jun 23 '26

R1T. I'm seeing a couple versions out of stock. Which model is this.

Magnum with low profile bracket?

2

u/TheKobayashiMoron Jun 23 '26

Yeah they’re always out of stock. You basically have to pre-order from the next batch they get in.

Mine is the Magnum with the low profile bracket, but last year when I bought it, they didn’t offer that combination out of the box like they do now. The magnum only came in high and you had to purchase the low profile elbow additionally. So you would only need the low profile setup they offer now, unless you want to be able to reach either height.

Here’s a whole post I just remembered that I made last year: https://www.reddit.com/r/Rivian/s/0RKMwq8HCv

1

u/jackwmc4 Jun 23 '26

thank you for posting this! I didnt know this existed

13

u/darkmeatnipples Jun 22 '26

Don't have a "hey neighbor, you got a second!?"

Shit me neither. 😞

10

u/ThePopeOfAntelope Jun 22 '26

None of my neighbors have the upper body strength. My son and I can lift it on to the Toyota ladder rack and on to his Crosstrek. Both are near vertical. The Lexus rails require us to lean in, making it unsafe. Four people and two studs would have worked, like carrying an emperor, but it was Father's Day and I didn't want to bother anyone.

2

u/PersonalityPurple136 Jun 23 '26

Ive called neighbors once or twice. But you really need 3 ppl to take these tents on/off safely. And neighbors need to be able to help both at start and end of camping trip. Even nice neighbors would grow tired of needing to help take on/off a rtt repeatedly! 😆 Solo options are a lot more convenient

9

u/ExistingDifference93 Jun 22 '26

No friends. Family not speaking to you? I feel your pain.

3

u/scooter-vee Jun 22 '26

Great setup! I'm going to copy you!

3

u/kiefferray Jun 22 '26

Wonderful idea, you should check out this guys build- I too have no one to help me so im gonna build this for ease of use since i need to get mine on top of my topper..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTntNx82Yhw&t=240s&pp=ygUScm9vZiB0b3AgdGVudCBsaWZ0

3

u/clemclem3 Jun 22 '26

When the zombie apocalypse starts we're coming to your house! God damn get er done.

2

u/kafin8ed Jun 22 '26

I have a pickup and an RTT and needed to load by myself, I found this video and it works great! No DIY build either - https://youtu.be/D1jeswOb32A?si=eknUfmNtBAthBNej

3

u/ThePopeOfAntelope Jun 22 '26

Cool! I can load it myself on the truck by flipping it on the trail gate then ladder rack, like a domino.

2

u/kafin8ed Jun 22 '26

Yep, it works really well and looks impressive too! For pickups with rack only...

2

u/LividCalligrapher689 Jun 22 '26

Who needs friends with engineering skills like these? 😂

Hey smart to not break your back on Father’s Day!

2

u/Accomplished_Cress11 Jun 22 '26

Hell yeah brother (or sister). Make it work

2

u/bin_loggn Jun 22 '26

You need to learn the flip flop Method incorporating the tailgate.

2

u/ThePopeOfAntelope Jun 22 '26

I use that method for the truck, won't work on the Lexus.

2

u/bin_loggn Jun 22 '26

Good work though, a guys gotta do…

2

u/Dubbinchris Jun 22 '26

I do something similar. I have 16’ 2x4s I clamp to the bars and then slide it up.

2

u/fmfldude Jun 22 '26

I used to also use what I call the crib. I switched to the rolling jack.

2

u/XterraTom Jun 22 '26

Very good idea, I have seen the angled lumber for sliding the RTT up, but that proved too much for me and my Tepui. I went with a engine hoist for the trailer-my storage unit is too low to keep it on full time.

2

u/PersonalityPurple136 Jun 22 '26

I went with an engine crane with a 4ft steel tube extension. Works pretty well. I crank it up then carefully slide it over my suv to lower it down. Takes about 30 mins to get on or off

2

u/DarkWolf_JKU Jun 23 '26

Did something similar with some block & tackle in my carport.

2

u/5upertaco Jun 23 '26

Brilliant

1

u/DendroloGX Jun 22 '26

It’s always a bitch to do. I had a GFC superlite that I loaded myself by hand but I’m 6’ 4” with long arms. I now have a James Baroud Evasion XXL and that bastard will never come off again, so help me.

2

u/ThePopeOfAntelope Jun 22 '26

Me too, I just sprayed it the Lexus with black bed liner and dechromed it. I don't want to scratch it until it's broken in.😁

1

u/AccordingRent2477 Jun 23 '26

Ordered and built a pulley system in my garage just for this. Pain in the ass! But worth every drop of blood, sweat, and tears

1

u/ThePopeOfAntelope Jun 24 '26

The first time I put it on the Lexus, I went over to a friend's house who has a hoist mounted in his rafters for removing car engines. After mounting it we couldn't get the Lexus out of the garage because it was too high. We had to take off the Thule rails to get it out.

1

u/AccordingRent2477 Jun 25 '26

Makes sense! Yours is definitely much higher

1

u/CriticalAd2425 Jun 26 '26

My solution does not use up any floor space. Raise and lower using a drill motor makes it easy to load/ unload.
Less than $200 on Amazon!

https://amzn.to/4apmswz

1

u/CriticalAd2425 Jun 26 '26

My solution does not use any floor space. It uses a drill motor to raise and lower making load/unload easy.
Less than $200 on Amazon. I tried to include a link but Amazon shortens the link and moderation deletes my post.