Gobi Stealth Rack with Smittybilt overland tent

[cdeeds2005]

Hey guys I'm new to overloading and finally got my first jeep. I'm looking at getting the GOBI steals rack since it doesn't require me to drill into the hardtop. That being said I'm also looking at getting the Smittybilt Overlander tent. For those that have that combo, is it difficult or do I need any extra mounts to attach the tent to the rack? Also for those that have a Gobi with a hardtop Jeep, how hard is it to remove and put the rack back on? Thanks in advance for any help/info you more seasoned pros at this can provide.

 

[RubiBluCru]

Welcome. I am fairly new to overlanding as well. I have a Gobi Ranger rack for my JKU. It is definitely
a two person job to put on and to take off. I have yet to take off rack to take the hardtop off, but it can be done.
As far as the rooftop tent, I personally cannot answer. your Gobi rack will come with two crossbars which should be sufficient for mounting a tent. I however am purchasing a 270° awning with side walls
So I can use that extra area to sleep. I am too old to be climbing up steps. I hope this helps.

 

[cdeeds2005]

Well I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of pictures and it appears that the smittybilt tent will work with the gobi rack. After looking at it I think an extra crossbar would be handy to use just for added stability but otherwise I should be good to go. I was thinking about a same-sized awning with side walls as well. Mostly just so the girls can have a little bit of privacy while they do their thing. Which one are you looking at getting?

 

[RubiBluCru]

I’m looking at the Nomadic 270 by Overland Vehicle Systems.
I am also waiting for Gobi to get back with me re: their batwing awning brackets to see if they are compatible with the Nomadic awning. Otherwise I will purchase a third crossbar to mount awning. OVS states their awning will work with Gobi racks.

 

[cdeeds2005]

I just looked at that awning and man it's a beast. That should provide shade for days. I do like how the side walls are on that one. While I was looking at those, I happen to come across their car side shower room which is perfect for what I was looking for. Perfect size footprint so that's nice and OVS prices aren't too bad. Back to the roofrack, how was the install on that rack? I'm going to be doing it solo and from looking at it, the ranger and stealth racks install very similar if not the exact same.

 

[RubiBluCru]

The install is time consuming, but definitely worth it. The hardest part will be putting the top of the rack on, especially by yourself. There may be a couple of videos of people installing the rack by themselves. Both racks will install the same.

 

[Geary]

Hey guys I'm new to overloading and finally got my first jeep. I'm looking at getting the GOBI steals rack since it doesn't require me to drill into the hardtop. That being said I'm also looking at getting the Smittybilt Overlander tent. For those that have that combo, is it difficult or do I need any extra mounts to attach the tent to the rack? Also for those that have a Gobi with a hardtop Jeep, how hard is it to remove and put the rack back on? Thanks in advance for any help/info you more seasoned pros at this can provide.

I have the Gobi Stealth rack on a 2017 JKU with the Smittybikt RTT. I added an extra crossmember support. I think each support is rated at 175 lbs. With 120 lbs tent and two adults, I chose to add this additional support.

 

[cdeeds2005]

I have the Gobi Stealth rack on a 2017 JKU with the Smittybikt RTT. I added an extra crossmember support. I think each support is rated at 175 lbs. With 120 lbs tent and two adults, I chose to add this additional support.

That's pretty much what I was thinking in terms of the extra crossbar. I'd rather pay a little extra for piece of mind. Did you have to get any special mounting brackets or anything to attach the tent to the rack or did you just use the hardware that came with the tent? Also if possible do you have any pics of the tent on the rack just so I can get a better visual idea?

 

[cdeeds2005]

The install is time consuming, but definitely worth it. The hardest part will be putting the top of the rack on, especially by yourself. There may be a couple of videos of people installing the rack by themselves. Both racks will install the same.

Good to know. I appreciate the info. I think I'll just bribe a buddy of mine to help me with a 6 pack and a steak.

 

[Geary]

That's pretty much what I was thinking in terms of the extra crossbar. I'd rather pay a little extra for piece of mind. Did you have to get any special mounting brackets or anything to attach the tent to the rack or did you just use the hardware that came with the tent? Also if possible do you have any pics of the tent on the rack just so I can get a better visual idea?

It was a very straight forward install. No special hardware needed. It did help to have my son to help me mount the bars and raise the tent. Without help, you'd need very long arms to put the mounting bolts through the tent floor and attach the washer and nut on it under the tent. Pick the side you want the tent to open to. Connect two of the cross bars to the bottom of the RTT before you mount it. Once the RTT is on the rack, lift one end of tent an place the third cross bar between to the attached to the tent. The middle bar is only attached to the rack, not the tent. It is there to bear the weight. It's getting dark now. I will take some pictures tomorrow of the cross bars and mounting brackets.

I also have the SmittyBilt awning. It is well built and I have the below tent annex. Regarding the awning, the brackets it comes with are L-shaped and are so-so strength wise. I replaced the SmittyBilt brackets with the Gobi brackets. The Gobi brackets are super solid but VERY expensive. Personally, I think they were worth it.

I saw a loss of 2 - 3 mpg with the RTT. With the rack, tent, 4" lift, 35" tires I get about 13.5 - 14 mpg.

 

[GearyB]

It was a very straight forward install. No special hardware needed. It did help to have my son to help me mount the bars and raise the tent. Without help, you'd need very long arms to put the mounting bolts through the tent floor and attach the washer and nut on it under the tent. Pick the side you want the tent to open to. Connect two of the cross bars to the bottom of the RTT before you mount it. Once the RTT is on the rack, lift one end of tent an place the third cross bar between to the attached to the tent. The middle bar is only attached to the rack, not the tent. It is there to bear the weight. It's getting dark now. I will take some pictures tomorrow of the cross bars and mounting brackets.

I also have the SmittyBilt awning. It is well built and I have the below tent annex. Regarding the awning, the brackets it comes with are L-shaped and are so-so strength wise. I replaced the SmittyBilt brackets with the Gobi brackets. The Gobi brackets are super solid but VERY expensive. Personally, I think they were worth it.

I saw a loss of 2 - 3 mpg with the RTT. With the rack, tent, 4" lift, 35" tires I get about 13.5 - 14 mpg.

Here are some pics of the Gobi crossbars and the RTT mounting brackets. I also have a pic of the Smittybilt (above) vs Gobi (below) awning brackets.

 

[cdeeds2005]

Thanks for all of the pics. They really help seal the deal in terms of going with the gobi rack. You're absolutely right about the awning brackets. The stock ones look a little flimsy and the gobi ones look quite a bit beefier. Have you had to take the rack off at all since you've gotten it? I've seen some conflicting things about it. Ideally, I'd like to be able to take the hard top off during the summer months when it's nice outside but I'm not sure how much of a hassle it would be to take the rack off and put it back on when you need it.

 

[GearyB]

Haven't had the rack or RTT off. I don't have the means to remove/store it.