Truck bed rack for roof top tent

Rooftop tents have become tremendously popular with explorers all over the world.  These types of roof-mounted tents allow campers and travelers to set up a tent within minutes without having to clear a campsite or struggle to get tent pens hammered into the ground.

 

Rooftop tents offer many benefits such as increased security and the chances of your tent getting flooded are very low.

 

But not all truckers are very fond of the idea of carrying a huge tent on the roof of their precious trucks.  If you dislike the idea of attaching a tent to your rooftop or simply prefer to add a bigger tent to your truck then you need a truck bed rack for a rooftop tent.

This device allows you to put your rooftop tent on the back of your truck instead of having it mounted on your roof.

 

How Do You Put A Rooftop Tent On A Truck?

Traditionally, rooftop tents are fitted to the roof rack of a truck or SUV.  Not all truck roof racks are compatible with rooftop tents.

 

A truck bed rack is installed on the trucks back.  This rack is usually removable and many can be demounted so they won’t take up much space in your garage.  When the bed rack is securely fitted to your truck, the rooftop tent, or other types of items, can be fitted to this frame and the weight of the tent and the campers will be carried on the back of the truck instead of the rooftop.

 

How Do You Make A Truck Bed Rack?

The design of a bed rack isn’t very challenging.  If you are skilled at welding and have the right metal at hand, you should be able to build your own bed rack.  It is whoever probably better to leave this DIY task in the hands of experts if you have never done it before. The last thing you want is to come crashing down in the middle of the night when you are out there in the wild. 

 

How Do You Make A Rooftop Tent?

Making your own rooftop tent is a bit more challenging than making a truck bed rack.  This can, however, be accomplished if you have a bit of skill and a good quality tent that can be converted. 

 

Most DIY enthusiasts invest in a quality tent and create a base frame to which the tent can attach.

This base should include bars or a flat surface on which the mattress can be added.  The tent can then be attached to this frame and you can add the entire frame to the bed rack. 

 

It is, however, better to simply buy a rooftop tent.  Professionally designed rooftop tents are light, they offer the needed protection and they are super easy to assemble and disassemble so you can be on the go in minutes.

  

Truck Bed Rack for Rooftop Tent

 

There are quite a few different types of truck bed rack concepts on the market.  Here is a quick look at two of our favorites that you can look out for right now;

 

The Tuff Stuff Rooftop Tent Truck Bed Rack

https://www.amazon.ca/Tuff-Stuff-Rooftop-Adjustable-Powder/dp/B07NDL7MWC

 

This rooftop tent rack is our top pick because it has a universal design.  The rack is compatible with most truck and tent types.

 

It is also made of high-quality materials and its unique design allows it to carry a lot of weight without feeling flimsy. 

 

This rack is ideal for adventure lovers because it can be used for hauling more than just a tent and it can easily be removed from the truck and demounted for easy storage. 

 

Specifications

Size – 41 x 14.5 x 68”

Materials – powder coated .090 steel with steel bolts

Style – universal bed rail

Included – All installation hardware

Suited for – Most types of trucks

 

Pros

  •         Made of durable materials
  •         Powder coat finish protects against rust
  •         Raises your rooftop tent 14” above the truck back
  •         Compatible with most rooftop tents
  •         Compatible with most types of trucks
  •         Fairly easy to set up
  •         Can be removed with ease
  •         Can be used for hauling items other than a tent

 

Cons

  •         Some alterations might need to be made to the rack or your vehicle to make it fit

 

The Rola 5799 Haul-Your-Might Rack

https://www.amazon.ca/59799-Haul-Your-Might-Nissan-Toyota-Tundra/dp/B00V9T0HZ4/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=Truck+Bed+Rack&qid=1585942311&sr=8-13

 

This rack by Rola is also a very good solution if you are shopping on a tight budget.  The rack is made of high-quality materials and is suitable for most types of rooftop tents.

 

You can only use this rack for certain types of vehicles like the Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra and Tacoma Pickup Trucks.  It might not be compatible with other types of vehicles.

 

 The rack is very easy to install and super easy to remove.  It also comes with anti-theft lockable covers to keep your belongings safe while exploring the unknown.

 

Specifications

Weight – 13.6 kg

Size – 170.2 x 33 x 10.2cm

Materials – Aluminium, powder coated steel and stainless steel

Type – bed rack for truck

Included – Assembly hardware and anti-theft covers

Suited for – Nissan Titan, Toyota Thundra, Toyota Tacoma

 

Pros

  •         The rack is very light and portable
  •         It is very easy to remove
  •         It is made of durable materials
  •         Compatible with most types of rooftop tents
  •         Anti-theft lockable covers are included to keep your items safe
  •         Can be used for hauling items other than a tent

 

Cons

  •         Only suited for Nissan Titan, Toyota Thundra and Toyota Tacoma trucks
  •         No middle support beams. It can be a bit wobbly.

 

Buying Guide

 

Both of these truck bed racks can be practical solutions for your truck and tent.  The tent rack by Rola is only suitable for a few vehicle types. 

 

Even if you do have one of these trucks, we still recommend the rooftop tent truck by Tuff Stuff.  The design of the rack is sturdier and as such can bear more weight and larger structures. The rack is also universal which makes it a better long term investment since you can continue to use this rack long after you might have sold your old vehicle. 

 

The Takeaway

 

DIY enthusiasts are welcome to construct their own tent racks.  We do however feel that this is a superb design, not just because it is universal, but also because it can be demounted and stored away with ease.  The cost and effort of making your own rack might also not be worth the few pennies you save. 

 

The Rola bed rack for trucks is our top pick for your off-terrain adventures.  This rooftop tent rack is made of quality materials and offers a much sturdier design.  It is also compatible with most vehicle types.