What's your method for putting on/taking off a Roof Top Tent (RTT)

[LackenbyH]

Hi folks,
We got our T6 4Motion Caravelle in November and have just planned a European Road Trip in the summer. We've done plenty of these before in our old T25 Westfalia, but this will be the 1st without a pop-top bed...we've bought a used iKamper Skycamp 2.0 and despite it being one of the more aero RTT's, I still don't want to drive around with a brick on the roof all the time, so my question, for those with RTT's is how do you get yours on/off the roof when not using it?

I've looked at the pros/cons of roof bars VS a full size, low profile rack (e.g. flatdog, ARB, etc) but getting the 75kg tent on and off is the challenge I'm looking for help on! I've looked at:
- an engine hoist with an extendable arm,
- a Droprack (although these look great as it avoids the need for a rack or bars, they are no longer operating as a business as far as I can see),
- John Stobbart's Kombi-Rak which is similar to above and am considering this as an option
- the 50gradnord who do a storage trolley with built in motorised lift that connects to Thule roof bars
- the garage mounted lift would be the best/easiest solution but our garage doesn't have enough door clearance to getthe van out with the tent on

I'd really welcome ideas on what people use and the pros/cons of each. Ideally this would be a 1-person solution, or 2 at most as my wife is slowly recovering from back surgery.
Thanks in advance

 

[Vanderlust]

This was my solution, but would depend on your location. Rack welded up from steel tube.

 

[LackenbyH]

This was my solution, but would depend on your location. Rack welded up from steel tube. View attachment 324637View attachment 324638View attachment 324639

This is a great solution, unfortunately, we don't have a driveway at the side of the house. How do you keep it secure on the side of the houes?

 

[Vanderlust]

I made the rack with the rails spaced the same as the roof bars on the van. The roof tent was slid across on to the rack and then secured with the same fixings that hold it on the roof bars. The standing legs on the rack were a push fit and once removed allowed the rack to hinge down against the wall. The weight of the roof tent kept it in place in the wind. I used a cable lock round a fixing on the roof tent to lock it to the rack and covered it with a tarp for protection. After converting the van sold the roof tent and rack now used to store our sea kayaks. I could give some more info on the rack if it was an option.

 

[LackenbyH]

I made the rack with the rails spaced the same as the roof bars on the van. The roof tent was slid across on to the rack and then secured with the same fixings that hold it on the roof bars. The standing legs on the rack were a push fit and once removed allowed the rack to hinge down against the wall. The weight of the roof tent kept it in place in the wind. I used a cable lock round a fixing on the roof tent to lock it to the rack and covered it with a tarp for protection. After converting the van sold the roof tent and rack now used to store our sea kayaks. I could give some more info on the rack if it was an option.View attachment 324661View attachment 324662

Looks like a great idea, sadly, we have a garage to the side of the house so nowhere to fit such a rack.