Posted 16 July 2024 by Vanultra
Welcome to the next chapter of Vanultra’s innovation story! If you’re passionate about overlanding and searching for the perfect roof top tent (RTT) mounting solution for your 4Runner, Bronco, or FJ Cruiser, this one’s for you. We’re excited to introduce our latest development—a low profile roof rack RTT mount designed specifically for SUVs with tight roof-rack clearance.
The Challenge: Low Profile Roof Racks
We know how much you love low profile roof racks—they look sleek, improve fuel efficiency, and enhance vehicle handling. But let’s be real: they can be a pain when it comes to accessing your RTT mounts. If you’ve ever wrestled with reaching into narrow spaces or removing crossbars just to get your tent secured, you know what we’re talking about.
That’s where Vanultra steps in. Our mission? To create an RTT mounting solution that enables you to remove or install your roof top tent without having to reach in between your tent and roof rack.
Our Testing Ground: Berthoud, CO with Sherpa Equipment Co.
This past December, we headed to Colorado’s Front Range, where we teamed up with our friends at Sherpa Equipment Co., leaders in 5th Gen 4Runner roof racks. With a 4Runner ready and waiting, we got to work testing our new prototype mounts—a solution crafted for those who want a low profile setup without the hassle of disassembling your roof rack to detach your RTT.
What Makes This Mount Different?
Our new RTT mounts are designed to tackle the unique challenges of low profile roof racks. Here’s how:
- Innovative Design: One side of the mount stays fixed, while the other side moves, thanks to a threaded rod that slides in and out. This allows you to open and close the mount from the back of your SUV without needing to remove crossbars or struggle with tight spaces.
- Versatility: We’ve engineered these mounts to work with a wide range of SUVs, ensuring that whether you drive a 4Runner, Bronco, or FJ Cruiser, you’ll have a secure and accessible mounting system.
Learning and Improving
Testing our first prototype was an eye-opener. We discovered that our initial 4-foot threaded rod needed to be longer for better spacing, and we tested two different mount angles—90 degrees and slanted. The 90-degree cut proved to be the winner, providing better mating of the roof rack cross bars.
But we didn’t stop there. We realized the bolt head was a bit tricky to reach, so we’ve already made design tweaks to bring it closer to the rear of the vehicle for easier access. This is all part of our commitment to continuous improvement and delivering a product that meets your needs perfectly.
Why This Matters to You
If you use your SUV for daily driving and overlanding, then you know that convenience and functionality are non-negotiable. Our new low profile RTT mounts are engineered to offer both. No more compromising on roof rack clearance or struggling to mount your tent—just a seamless, stress-free clamping solution that lets you focus on your adventure.
What’s Next?
This prototype test was just the beginning. We’ve already made several enhancements and can’t wait to share more as we perfect this game-changing product. Keep an eye out for our upcoming videos and blog posts as we continue to push the industry standard of RTT mounting solutions.
Thanks for following along with Vanultra as we strive to make your overlanding experience better than ever!