RTTent on ladder racks

Damian
Only you will know if the centre section flexes/bends/deforms downwards with your weight. We can't estimate that not seeing the build construction, you can see the base. Fit a bearer underneath if it does!
Do yourself a favour and fit a roof with a full width sloped backwards air deflector, so it scoops the air up and over, instead of hitting the front of the tent structure. I have one fitted to a Dax which smooths airflow over the roofbars and solar panels. Makes a difference to fuel economy.

See if you can find the installation instructions for your particular tent - they should tell you if it can be installed on two bars as you appear to have done (wouldn't be any different to installing on roof bars, providing the spacing is similar) - you may be able to find a PDF version online if the seller didn't provide them with the tent. Have you used the original mounting points - this would give an indication of how the manufacturer expected it to be installed.

Also, have a look at the floor structure under the mattress and see if you think it's sufficient - can you feel the floor flexing when you are in the tent, or does it feel reasonably firm. Get someone else to climb in while you have a look underneath and see if you can see how much it flexes with a person inside.

As for the wind deflector, I'd suggest this is not required with the style of tent you have - the fibreglass shell is already shaped to deflect wind (unlike the Howling Moon tent I used to have, which was shaped like a big block, and I could feel the difference it made to the car at highway speeds, particularly when trying to maintain 100km/h up hills)

Dam are they like kings quality? How much are xtm's new? I sort of took a gamble with this one but heard they sold em at BCF so thought theyd be alright

Kings kwiky roof top tent review

The main thing is are you happy with it ?

I hate to say it, but I've found the Kings stuff to be comparible to anything you buy elsewhere, just cheaper. And I'm not a fan, just something I've noticed from examining other people's gear.

Micheal : i think your right in most cases there but i understand its ethics that are under scrutiny . Good value for money but not necessarily quality ??

That sounds good. Can i get it from bunnings? So i dont need to drill, the bars just clamp to the current racks? I dont mind taking the tent off to do it obviously

Nope. Dont go to bunnings and pay triple the price for half the thickness. Go to Capral and get a length of say 30x 50 4mm ...cut to length and clamp/bolt on to supports.

Only triple? They are getting generous these days, I was thinking probably closer to 5x.

Yes, Capral or an aluminium merchant will be a fraction of the cost of the Big Red Hammer Shop.

The down side is that you may have to buy a 8m length, but then you can put an extra brace in for nothing. Or put the offcut in the shed for another project, its not like it goes off.

thanks for the advice. sounds like a plan. i was also thinking of just cutting it in half myself and placing a roof rack on it like this.
could i use the extrusion bars to join the racks back together after i chopped it?

You could drop it a bit, but trying to tuck it behind the cab? I don't think it would work out too well.

You could cut the racks down to drop the height of the tent, but the tent you have is longer than the tub, so will stick out the back a bit. Not insurmountable, but a bit of a PITA if you want to get stuff out of the back of the ute. The tent in the picture is folded in 1/2 and has a full canvas roof, so sits a bit taller than yours when stowed.

I'm guessing the existing rack is steel? Then no, aluminium is not much chop for stitching it back together, just find someone that is competent with a MIG welder and get them to weld it back together.

Thanks. Im thinkin of just swapping for a fold out roof tent like pictured (if i go that way)...not sure if my racks are steel but their really solid so likely.
Ill check with a welder wether they can weld extrusion bars or weld the original pipe back to the top after in done with it