Can Adarac Ladder Rack Support Roof Top Tent

Updated 09/01/2020 | Published 02/01/2019

Question:

Can I haul a roof top tent with the ladder racks if the weight of the tent is below the rated weight?

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

The Adarac Pro Series Custom Truck Bed Ladder Rack # A4000950 that fits your 5-foot bed 2017 Colorado has a total weight rating of 500-lbs between the two bars so it can be used to support a roof tent so long as the total load of the tent, gear and occupants remains within the rack's capacity.

The specific tent's installation hardware will also need to be compatible with the Adarac crossbar dimensions (which are 1-1/2 x 1-1/2-inches) and with their spacing.

The page I linked for you shows our range of roof top tents, such as the Yakima SkyRise HD # Y07437. This tent has a 600-lb rating and requires a bar spread of 26- to 36-inches. The tent itself weights 115-lbs. You can see more on this tent in the included video.

expert reply by: Adam R

Charles

8/11/2020

When I asked ADARAC about the weight rating of their low aluminum M series rack, and that I wanted to put a tent on it, similar to what was in their own pictures on the website, this is what they said: "Thank you for your inquiry. The 500 lbs. evenly distributed or 250 lbs. per load bar is a static weight rating. There is no dynamic. We would not recommend leaving the roof-top tent installed or setting on the ADARAC while driving." Don't drive with the roof top tent on the rack!?!?! Seriously! And no dynamic rating? This is seriously concerning, and makes me think the low rack can only be used to carry bikes, the the high rack might be able to hold a ladder or two. Can you guys help with this? I'm waiting to hear back from their technical department, I'm hoping they have real answers.

Jon G.

8/25/2020

The whole static vs dynamic load rating listings didn't really start becoming a thing until recently and it's really due to the rise in roof top tent usage. I'm pretty sure whoever you spoke to didn't know about this kind of stuff because all ladder rack weight ratings are the dynamic rating (unless of course they state it's the static rating) because you are expected to drive down the road with the ladder rack loaded up. The static rating is new to the industry and really only the companies that deal with more recreational things, like Thule and Yakima, are prepared to give an answer regarding the static load rating. I would think that you'd be okay using this rack but Adarac has the final say in all honesty so if they reply and say they don't recommend it then you'll need to use an alternative.

Charles

8/25/2020

@JonG Here is what I got back from Adarac, take it for what it's worth I guess. It does however confirm that 500lb is their static rating,so depending on the tent, and size of the occupants, 500lbs is barely enough. Some tents are easily 160lb. "We have done our FEA on our Adarac truck bed rack, there are way too many variables to provide a dynamic load rating. At the end of the day if the load is secured properly and is within our static load rating there won’t be any concerns."

Jon G.

9/1/2020

Thanks for the update!