Why are all mounted tents over the bed and not the cab?

[u/Exotic-Plenty5256]

I've seen a lot of overlanding truck builds and they all have the pop up tent over the bed of the truck on mounts. Why don't they put it over the cab and maximize the bed space vertically? Im looking at it from the perspective of a daily driver/ overland build

[u/tpf52]

People have done it. The main challenges are it looks unbalanced, the ladder would be in the way of opening at least one door, and some cabs have a relative low weight capacity.

Most trucks do not have to carry very tall items very often. For the few times you do you can just remove the RTT.

For the small contingent that is trying to do a RTT and haul motorcycles or snowmobiles, people usually switch to a trailer.

[u/xxcatfishjohnxx]

Aerodynamics and weight

[u/JimmyMcNultysWake]

Wind resistance, height for getting in/out and parking garages, locks in you gear if low to the bed, can still use the roof rack, looks better lf not overhanging the back, etc

[u/CalifOregonia]

Air resistance is the big one, also lowers the center of gravity a bit and puts the added weight where it is supposed to be with a truck over the rear axel. A mid rise mount also means a shorter climb to get into the tent.

Most people with RTTs aren’t hauling refrigerators or gravel all the time so it isn’t a huge loss in functionality. That said integrated pop-up canopy campers are usually a better choice overall, but that’s a different discussion.

[u/SideFlaky6112]

Do you mean still attached to a bed rack but the overhang over the cab? That’s how my first set up was on my Tacoma. Having full access to the bed was night until I got my shit stolen out of it on a trip. Now I run Billie Bars so it’s harder to get in the bed if I got everything closed up

[u/05FLLJ]

That’s the worst place to mount it, daily or otherwise. Way more top heavy, mounting solutions mean permanent holes through the cab (not that I’m opposed to it but it’s not for everyone) and on top of that roof racks usually have a far lower weight rating than bed racks, depending on the rig many drive thru services would be unavailable, parking garages unavailable, may impact cab accessibility when deployed (or bed access depending on the style and how you set it up), it’ll have the most significant impact to MPG, it looks ridiculous, exposes the tent to more potential damage on the trail (depending on where you live), and for better or worse having a permanently installed roof rack on your cab has an impact on resale (due to needing to drill holes all the way through the roof).

Bed racks are usually the opposite of all of that.

[u/whosehorse10]

I do it, run it like that so I can use my full truck bed for bikes or camping gear. I originally did this because I had a fiberglass shell and was worried about the weight sitting on it. I also like this set up because i have a little space out in front of the tent set up like a balcony. I have a wedge style tent. I also have the prinsu full roof rack. Others are correct about gas mileage though.

[u/Carollicarunner]

A shorter mount over the bed for CG and clearance

[u/KaleScared4667]

I do that! I do it so that I can get my motorcycles in the back. But it definitely compromises fuel economy- so I take it off in Winter

[u/Shmokesshweed]

1. Trucks are lifestyle vehicles first and work vehicles second for consumers.

2. The rear has almost no weight on a truck. Better balance.

3. Less wind noise.

4. The bed and rack are stronger than the roof.

[u/Hersbird]

It's easier to get in and out of when camping. Easier to mount and dismount. The truck will get better fuel economy on the highway going to and from.

[u/just_eh_guy]

Weight limitations (most truck roofs are not rated for very much dynamic weight), wind resistance/gas mileage, accessibility (harder to climb in and out of), weight distribution (matters a ton when offroading/Overlanding), space/size (most truck can roofs are smaller than the truck bed)

[u/Average-crisis]

The only people that I have seen do this are hot shot drivers with bigger dually pickups towing gooseneck trailers and campers. Otherwise as other people have said the drawbacks regarding weight and mounting options outweigh the benefits.

[u/Marchtel]

I have my RTT on top of the cab of my truck and I love it! It works fantastic and I can use the bed to my hearts desire. It's a Got Dang F-350, I better be using the bed!

[u/kafin8ed]

If I put my RTT over my cab then my truck wouldn't fit in my garage.

[u/NeedCaffine78]

I'm in Australia. Mine's mounted over the flatbed but starts at roof height, sits on top of a canopy and frame. Noticeably worse fuel economy, not good having the weight up so high when offroad. I'd drop it if I could

[u/Greedy_Street_891]

No choice on my end. I live in a condo and have to clear the garage door. So this was my only option.

[u/nikdahl]

You know what, I’ve never thought about it. I imagine because there isn’t typically rails on cab roofs.

[u/Atticus1354]

Why do you need to maximize bed space vertically? Mounting it over the bed allows you to mount it easier and more securely with a bed rack that supports the load in an area designed to take the load and even lower it below cab height for better aerodynamics.