Can you put a rooftop tent on a fiberglass topper?

I have a leer fiberglass cap on my Tacoma. Do you think this will be strong enough to support a roof top tent and go wheeling? I actually got a smittybilt defender roof rack for free. Long story. Has a little dent in it. Could a RTT be mounted on top of that? I would talk with Leer about your intentions, were it me, I'd be tempted to build an interior structure to support it, some of the fiberglass caps are pretty thin and may last for the short term but will blow apart at the most inconvenient time.
YMMV. Dan

PS, I have a '98 Tacoma 3RZ too, I like that truck, mines a pre-runner though.

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I have a leer fiberglass cap on my Tacoma. Do you think this will be strong enough to support a roof top tent and go wheeling? I actually got a smittybilt defender roof rack for free. Long story. Has a little dent in it. Could a RTT be mounted on top of that?

A lot of RTTs are mounted on tacoma caps. You need to verify with leer that it can be done. I have a Leer with a roof top tent (Maggionlina) mounted on it and it is solid. I am running a Rhino Rack heavy duty bars that are on a track mount that I installed on the topper. I would just make sure whatever rack system you have or install is up to the task. I installed tracks from Yakima on my A.R.E. shell, then I mounted up a Prinsu Designs Top Rac to hold my RTT. My CVT Mt. Cayley has done fine up there on long interstate trips, daily driving, gravel and forest roads, and even a few short stretches of rough trail. My shell has the thicker section molded into the top and the tracks are bolted in by 6 bolts each with all but one going through the thicker section. I could be wrong but I think the thicker section has some sort of board inside. So far I haven't found any issues with the system. If you really rock it you can see some flex, but part of that probably comes from the rack. Hope this helps. I have RTT on my top and it started to crack on the front part. So i ended up building a internal cage for it. i got the front one build and working in the rear one shortly.

you can kinda see the crack here. there are on both sides.



so i build a internal cage to help support it.


also added flush mount LEDs on it to help light up the bed.
Anyone build a glass boat or plane before? I cant see any typical glass topper built with chopper gun glass holding up under the weight of a RTT. Especially on rough roads. I would fully expect to put a frame under it to avoid crushing the topper. I have never seen a glass topper built with laid glass, and vacum bagged with a core for a much stronger lighter structure. All of them have been chopper gun sprayed chopped glass and resin mix into a form. Quick, cheap dirty way to make glass products. Just is what it is. I'll see if I can find a model# or serial # on the cap. It's an older cap and it weighs a ton. I have a seen a few rigs with a frame on the outside of the cap. Anyone know who makes them or are they custom built? I've seen allpro makes one but not sure if it would work with my cap. .

I would talk with Leer about your intentions, were it me, I'd be tempted to build an interior structure to support it, some of the fiberglass caps are pretty thin and may last for the short term but will blow apart at the most inconvenient time.
YMMV. Dan

PS, I have a '98 Tacoma 3RZ too, I like that truck, mines a pre-runner though.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

3rz ****** lol

Rooftop tents are called priceless by serious travelers and overland travelers around the world. If you are a fan of rooftop tents, the biggest dilemma will be whether the camper shell can handle the weight of a rooftop tent.

Sunday Campers supply professional and honest service.

Generally speaking, ordinary fiberglass camper shells cannot support the weight of a rooftop tent and the people sleeping in it. There are heavy duty aluminum and steel camper shells that are strong enough to hold a rooftop tent.

Before purchasing a rooftop tent for your camper shell (or vice versa), it is important to know all the dimensions and weight dimensions and limitations of both. We will walk you through the basic things you need to do to turn your truck into the ultimate land rig.

Camper shells dictate tents

Most camper shells are made of flexible fiberglass. They are perfect for protecting your gear and can even be a nice place to sleep. Some come with large windows that can be opened for light and ventilation. You can also find camper shells made of metal or canvas. 

A typical rooftop tent weighs about 225 pounds and has no people inside. Depending on how many people you are traveling with, there could be an additional 500 pounds in the tent. This weight can easily collapse the camper shell like an old soda can. That's why it's important to choose a camper shell that can support the weight and a lightweight roof tent on top.

There are two types of roof tents: soft-shell and hard-shell. 

Soft-shell tents feature a folding structure that can be assembled more quickly and provides more maneuverability after unfolding. However, assembling a soft shell is labor intensive. Securing the poles and brackets to the tent's lid is time consuming. 

A hardshell tent has many advantages over a softshell tent. Its internal assembly mechanism is fully automated. The hard shell consists of fiberglass and synthetic siding. To set up these tents, you simply undo the four buckles and the tent pops up into place on its own. Assembly usually takes about 60 seconds. 

Hardshell tents are also lighter. They help reduce the fuel consumption of the cars that carry them. Because they are not as flexible as soft shells, taller campers should not expect as much sleeping space.

Want more information on Fibreglass Roof Top Tents? Feel free to contact us.

Sunnycampers makes a line of rooftop tents specifically designed for campers with shell roof camping. They have some great open vent designs and can be mounted on almost any vehicle, even camper shells.

If you are new to the rooftop tent game then there are some considerations you should be aware of.

Size

The tent should be sized to meet your camping needs. You need to allow enough space for everyone in your party and for your equipment. But remember, the larger the tent, the greater the drop in gas mileage. The extra weight makes it more difficult for the engine to keep it running properly. Size is a double-edged sword for overlanders. More space is great, but there are drawbacks.

The size of your vehicle is just as important as the size of your tent. The larger your vehicle, the larger the tent it will support. If you have a huge truck, it can accommodate a larger tent.

Price

Rooftop tents use a metal frame and floor that can be attached to the roof rack. As you might guess, the cost of metal is much higher than plastic and fiberglass. 

Also, it's always a good idea to have a professional install the roof tent, so be sure to include it in the total price. If you want to save money and install the roof tent yourself, check out our roof tent installation instructions.

Set up/take down

Roof tents will become a summer breeze. Some models open like a flip-top, while others unfold into an elaborate shell around your vehicle's entire footprint. If you are landing solo, make sure you can do all the setup and tear down yourself.

Installing a roof rack tent system can be a daunting task for those without a mechanical tilt. Asking a body shop to install a tent isn't expensive, but finding someone who is handy and willing to help you will be the best option. Fortunately, once your tent is installed, you will rarely (if ever) need to take it down.

Can you add a rooftop tent to your camper shell?

The answer is yes; you can add a rooftop tent to a camper shell, but there are some major limitations. Regular camper shells are not designed to hold that much weight. It is critical to do your research to find a camper shell that is strong enough to support the weight of the tent and all the campers inside. Otherwise, you could experience a rather expensive collapse in the middle of the night.

The company is the world’s best canvas roof top tent supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.