Rhino Rack Heavy Duty Roof Rack Fit and Crossbar Spacing for a Vista Truck Shell with Rooftop Tent

Updated 05/28/2026 | Published 05/23/2026

Question:

I have a 1991 Toyota 4x4 with extra cab with the 22RE engine and it’s going to go forever! with the 6 foot bed. My fiberglass shell is a Vista, no longer in business but my shell is in great shape as is my truck. Wanting to go with the Rhino heavy duty roof rack. The crossbars are 54” long. Can I get the support feet/clamps as close as 35.5” to fit minimum width of my Vista truck shell on top. The shape is a little different than most truck shells. I’m wanting to support a shell top tent.

asked by: Glenn

Expert Reply:

HI Glenn,

Your Vista shell should work well with the Rhino Rack Heavy Duty track system part # Y01-120B, and getting the feet positioned around 35.5 inches apart side to side should not be a problem with the 54 inch crossbars. The important thing to know is that the crossbar length and the foot spacing are two separate measurements. The Rhino Rack RTC track system allows the legs to slide along the tracks, which gives you a lot of flexibility for older shells with unique shapes like your Vista.

Rhino Rack does recommend mounting the tracks as close to the outer edges of the canopy as possible because that gives the fiberglass shell the best strength and load distribution, especially when supporting a rooftop tent. So if 35.5 inches is the widest usable mounting area on your shell, that should be fine as long as the fiberglass underneath is solid and reinforced where the tracks will mount.

Also, Rhino Rack recommends keeping the crossbars between 27 9/16 inches and 39 3/8 inches apart front to back once installed unless your rooftop tent manufacturer specifies something different. That spacing range is specifically for properly supporting the tent load once everything is installed.

Honestly, that old 22RE Toyota with a Vista shell sounds like an awesome platform for a rooftop tent setup. The Rhino Rack Heavy Duty system is a great choice because the track system adapts much better to older canopy designs than fixed foot racks do.

Where are you planning to take the tent first in that Toyota, the beach, desert, or mountains?

expert reply by: Heather A

Glenn

5/27/2026

Heather, Thanks for the answer. I go everywhere in my 4x4 truck: beaches, mountains, and deserts, mostly remote locations. Not sure which will be first. But having a tent on top will make impromptu trips far easier and more comfortable for sure. Looking forward to it. Again thank you,