*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

I screwed three pieces of scrap 2x6 lumber I had together in a step pattern. I have two of those in the back of the truck when Im using the tent. Works great and i didn't have to spend anything.

 

Some pic of my RTT from Last weekend and not sure if you can see it but in the last pic there are the stabilizers ( legs ) I made to level it and for stability , really easy to take then off there are behind the bumper on the sides of the hitch just slide on and off

 

Trailer looks great David! Do you have any build details?

 

That's a nice trailer!

 

Trailer Build Thread


.

 

^^ thanks!

 

Alright guys. Been debating about this question for a few days but am not coming up with a good decision so I figure I would post here to seem if anyone comes up with a good solution.

We currently have a Tepui Autana. Really like it but with the two adults, a two year old, and a baby on the way we are going to out grow the roof top tent area itself.

Yes we could use the annex and have two people sleep down in the bottom but I didn't buy a RTT so I could sleep on the ground still and my kids will be too young to sleep down there alone. Too many nosy critters in my area. We have thought about selling the Autana and getting a bigger tent, but I don't really want a 200LB 4 man tent on the truck 24/7, and I doubt I will be able to load and unload it alone like I do with the 120 lb Autana.

We have a small offroad trailer that a larger tent will work perfect on but I don't always like to take the trailer. It is great but can be a liability if something breaks. I trust toyota mechanics on major stuff more than my own skills.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

Hmm, well seems like you ruled out a trailer and a bigger/heavier RTT. I was thinking a platform in the bed for the little one but you said they are still to young to sleep alone. Is going back to the ground an option?

I can't see many alternatives without going to the ground, pulling a trailer, or getting a bigger RTT

 

My dream rig...

 

Front roof rack with a Ayer by tepui.
Two light tents you can remove.
-Jon

 

It's funny, the alternatives I have been thinking of are inspired by those that respond. Though about going back to the ground and really like the idea of a stove and tipi. But like DoorDing mentioned earlier in the thread I am wanting to really cut down the time I take setting up camp. If it were just me the tipi would be ok but getting everyones stuff setup is time consuming unless you just flip open the RTT.

Also looked at a bed platform which really will work great for the little kids in a year or so. But my truck is loaded up with boxes, aluminum extrusion, and laser cut aluminum so often that any type of permanent bed storage has been a hassle.

Lift in the garage would be great but our current garage is too short anyway.

Two tents would be cool but I like the front rack over the can to be open for other gear. Thae hardest part is that for a good two to three years the new baby is going to need consistent attention so we won't be able to just stick him/her in the other tent with our three year old. It would be convenient of we were all in the same tent.

Like mentioned I don't think there is really a fix all solution, just need to decide which one fits our needs the most and go for it.

 

It would be nice but lots of money to invest when the truck is very multi use.

 

Also really like the dual use Roost Tents but they don't solve my space issue at all and are $. Really really nice though.

 

Zach, the 4 person Kukenam XL would fit all of you and doesn't weigh 200 lb. It's heavy but probably only 175lb. I move mine on my own but it's definitely easier with two people.

 

Makes sense on not wanting to have to dig bedding out for your whole family. Set up would be a pain then. I think a bigger RTT, like the one Adam posted up, would be a good trade off for what you want. It would suck to put it on and take it off alone. That seems like a small trade off for what seems to already be a functional set up for you and your family.

 

You could always have 2 tents and just for a few years one parent sleeps with one kid in one tent and the other with the other kid in the second tent.

 

I suggested this but my wife said no haha. She is afraid of the dark big time.

 

Correction, she's afraid about what is supposedly out there in the dark. The thing I don't get is why she doesn't feel protected with a 2 year old there to protect her.