Thule Tracker2 + Maggiolina Grand Tour roof-top tent
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:19 pm
It turns out the answer to which Thule gutter-mount footpack is the best fit for a 710K is no gutter-mount footpack at all. The best solution, with additional benefits I didn't realize until after the install, is the Thule Tracker2 system. Beyond simply being a cleaner overall installation the major benefits of this system over a gutter-mount footpack are:
1. Lower max height
2. Fits within the width of the body's side walls
3. Distribution of weight over length of track (54")
4. [BONUS] Quick-release of feet+crossbars (+ whatever's mounted to them) from track!
**If you decide to go this route for a rack solution keep in mind that in order for this particular Thule Tracker2 configuration to be fully compatible with itself you must pair Tracker2 Half-pack (2) feet with the Thule track. For some utterly stupid reason the Tracker2 full-pack (4) feet do not include the necessary hardware to adapt to their own track, but assume the kit is being direct mounted to the roof of the vehicle sans track (wtf???).
Anyway, the upshot of this whole rack installation was to mount a Maggiolina Grand Tour roof-top tent which is phase 2 in getting the Pinz expedition ready. The medium size Maggiolina is just a couple inches narrower than the width of the Pinzgauer's roof and is an excellent overall fit. Combined with the Thule Tracker2 footpack if the need arises I'll be able to simple quick-release the entire system and stash it in the garage. The unit is on the pricey side of the tent market but for the quality of the product and the functionality if adds to the Pinz (or any other vehicle) I'd say it's well worth it if you actively travel and camp with your truck.
1. Lower max height
2. Fits within the width of the body's side walls
3. Distribution of weight over length of track (54")
4. [BONUS] Quick-release of feet+crossbars (+ whatever's mounted to them) from track!
**If you decide to go this route for a rack solution keep in mind that in order for this particular Thule Tracker2 configuration to be fully compatible with itself you must pair Tracker2 Half-pack (2) feet with the Thule track. For some utterly stupid reason the Tracker2 full-pack (4) feet do not include the necessary hardware to adapt to their own track, but assume the kit is being direct mounted to the roof of the vehicle sans track (wtf???).
Anyway, the upshot of this whole rack installation was to mount a Maggiolina Grand Tour roof-top tent which is phase 2 in getting the Pinz expedition ready. The medium size Maggiolina is just a couple inches narrower than the width of the Pinzgauer's roof and is an excellent overall fit. Combined with the Thule Tracker2 footpack if the need arises I'll be able to simple quick-release the entire system and stash it in the garage. The unit is on the pricey side of the tent market but for the quality of the product and the functionality if adds to the Pinz (or any other vehicle) I'd say it's well worth it if you actively travel and camp with your truck.