I was very tempted to go with a hard shell from BA tents. The 5" height was super compelling and would have looked great on this modified rack. I just couldn't pull the trigger since I'm 6'1" and wasn't confident I could comfortably fit in one of their tents.
Looks way better!After extensive searching I determined that my ideal roof rack wasn't available on the market. I wanted a low profile roof rack for my 2 door Badlands, but most options were designed to allow the front panels to be removed with the rack still on, adding unnecessary height. Since I plan to add a rooftop tent, I didn't care about removing the roof panels and wanted to keep the final height of rack + RTT under 10 inches or less. I ordered an FSR Aspen Lite which is about 7.5" tall, so to meet my goal the rack needed to be as slim as possible.
This really limited my options. Prinsu offers a lower profile rack, but only for the 4 door, and the pro version isn't available yet (prinsu customer service said they're testing this now). I wanted a rack with 90 degree bent rails for strength, so the Prinsu was out. I knew the TrailRax was well regarded, and they have a 2 door version - it was just taller than I wanted. So when the TrailRax went on sale for Black Friday I ordered one knowing I would be modifying it.
All I did was cut the side rails to more closely fit the profile of the roof. I drilled new holes for the front and rear mounts, then cut a couple inches off the wind detector. Finally I had a local shop strip and redo the powder coating. I'm much happier with the final product and wish this was how it came originally!
*Disclaimer*
-Yes I know this voids the TrailRax warranty
-Yes I know I have too much time on my hands
-I probably won't get the Pak Tax side panels (the FSR tent is only 100lbs), but I'm sure I could still make them work with my modified rack if I wanted
I went the other route and got the thinnest RTT I could find, which was the Inspired Overland RTT 2.0.
I have that installed on quick release mounts so I could take it off whenever I need to.
The RTT standing on it's short end against a wall takes up almost no floor space so it wasn't a big deal for me... until I broke my ribs in 8 places on Sept 1st and haven't been able to get the RTT back up since then.
Here's a pro tip for everyone that has the TRMR; You can leave the wind deflector on when removing the roof rack for the summer. Just unscrew from each side and the bolts on top of the Pakrax (and remove the Pakrax also).
I went with these, but I'm pretty sure 4 would've been enough.
What is mounted on the bottom side of your TRMR rack? Is that a table?I went with these, but I'm pretty sure 4 would've been enough.
It's a real PIA to install, but once you get it, it saves so much hassle later.
There are actually two 25"Wx25L"x28"H tables in there, from GCI Outdoors.What is mounted on the bottom side of your TRMR rack? Is that a table?
Sick build! I was just checking out your other posts for some more ideas. I would have to relocate my awning to the side but I like the concept of utilizing that wasted space under the rack for stowage.
Oh man, I've been dying to find a Defender style ladder. Care to share any details on this?Sick build! I was just checking out your other posts for some more ideas. I would have to relocate my awning to the side but I like the concept of utilizing that wasted space under the rack for stowage.
I need more info on those k9 mounts, looking to utilize the space under the rack on my setup
Although Trailrax has stated that their version is coming out later this year, I've been hearing that for 2 years so I understand if you can't wait.
Amazingly the defender ladder fits almost perfectly without mods. 259 on eBay. The bolts that go in the bottom of the rails for the TRMR line right up. I just drilled a couple holes in the top plate of the ladder for the bolts.Oh man, I've been dying to find a Defender style ladder. Care to share any details on this?
I saw in your other posts that you got your Waterport mounted up top! I did the same thing after months of contemplating. Getting everything to fit on a 2 Door has kept me up plenty of nights, and I dread thinking of how I'd get the ladder to fit. Love it!
Different seller but this is what I got -Oh man, I've been dying to find a Defender style ladder. Care to share any details on this?
I saw in your other posts that you got your Waterport mounted up top! I did the same thing after months of contemplating. Getting everything to fit on a 2 Door has kept me up plenty of nights, and I dread thinking of how I'd get the ladder to fit. Love it!
Once I figure out where to put the gear that goes on one side of the Pakrax, I am getting this. Thx again1
