Flat Top Crew Cut
I hadn't decided what gear I wanted to keep on for winter, but I knew I would remove the RTT as I always do. Ultimately, I ended up doing the following (though this is subject to change):
Remove Rooftop Tent
Add-back my 60x48 Rhino Rack Pioneer atop the Rebel Off-Road Xplor Bed Rack (this includes a Yakima Fat Cat 6 ski rack)
Move the Plano cargo box from the roof to the Rhino Pioneer Bed Rack
Remove the Awning
Remove some camp gear from the bed, such as the propane tank
I once considered removing the bed rack altogether during the winter, but I'm not up for the process of removing the compressor (which I like to have handy for all seasons), I like having the ski rack for locking gear, and it's easier to keep the other recovery gear accessible (tracks, shovel, etc.).
The New Look
I'm not exactly a fan (yet). One instant difference is that the truck looks much smaller relative to the tires. The 40s used to be a good fit for the build, but now they actually look pretty huge (I'm fine with that, though). I suppose it just made the body seem relatively smaller. I would imagine I gained a bit more rear clearance and rake after removing the tent, but I have yet to measure.
The goal of removing gear from the roof is simply to gain a bit of clearance. As it is, I can fit into my 8ft garage with inches to spare. By removing the cargo box, awning, and RTT, I just may regain the ability to enter some parking garages.
Lastly, I just don't care for hauling around a bunch of gear that isn't necessary. "Necessary" is a strong word, because this truck isn't short on gear, but when the weather turns bad, I've often found myself lending a hand to a stuck driver, and therefore it's nice to have my gear handy and easy to reach.
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