Dynamic Weight Capacity - Roof Load

[{LG}]

I'm sure this is on here somewhere but after a lot of searching (and many fun trips down rabbit holes on super cool threads) I can't find it here or anywhere else.

Did Toyota ever provide a dynamic weight for the roof of our vans?

Assuming not so my follow up question is has anyone tried out a standard weight, hardshell roof top tent? 150 ish lbs seems a little top hefty to me but then again it's evenly spread out. Our '88 4wd has had some, ah, inappropriate weight distribution up top and driven well enough but I don't want to do anything stupid long term. There's a co. fairly local to me that makes a very light RTT but they're backed up until Fall and I'd like to slip in some extra campouts this Spring and Summer.

Thanks and cheers!

[originalkwyjibo]

The roof itself has no real support and should really not have anything mounted to it. It is just the sheet metal skin with two VERY light gauge support bows that are basically only to keep the sheet metal from flapping in the wind. You will need to use gutter mounted roof rack bars.

[{LG}]

Of course. 3x gutter mount Thule bars up there, might even do a 4th if mounting a tent.

[pigneguy]

did you ever figure this out ? i'm also contemplating a rooftop tent on gutter mounted bars.

[TheAlaskaVan]

I'd also love to know if anybody found any info or tried it out. :yes:

[timsrv]

The gutters on these vans are super strong. I don't know about rated weights, but on my 87 2wd cargo van I'm using a gutter mounted 2 bar roof rack and I regularly put 600 + lbs up there (think 2 big guys lifting an RV air conditioner onto the roof of an RV........and we aren't gentle). The van I just retired (86 LE 2wd with 300k miles) we used that same rack the same way for ~ 10 years with no sign of gutter fatigue. If you put additional bars it would be even stronger. There is a slight arch to the gutters though, so if you use more than 2 bars you may need to alter/adjust the height of 1 or more to compensate (so your platform sits flat and all bars carry an even load). On my 89 cargo 2wd I put a center bar up there and cut ~ 3/8" off the center bar mounts (each side) so all the bars would be on the same plane. Tim

Also check out these threads:

https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?3186-Roof-rack-and-cargo-expansion-info

https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?1814-Retractable-awning-or-tent

[TheAlaskaVan]

Thanks Tim,

Great info about the bars and gutter strength.
And wow that's some good weight! :dance2: