CVT or Tepui RTT

I've been wanting to put together a RTT setup since i joined this forum and bought my truck in Dec. 2015. I got a pair of KBvoodoo heavy duty crossbars for the bed this weekend (waiting to arrive), and I am finally down to the last part of this setup. I need to get a RTT. I'll be going camping once a month or so and want to make this a one time purchase thing that will last a long time. Point of this is, if I am going to do it, I am going to do it right... I think I want to go with a "Rugged" version from CVT or Tepui, and the skylight will surely help me when I want to go for the weekend with the g/f. So...

1. What are the pros/cons of each brand?
2. Do you have a preference?
3. Is it worth the money for the rugged version, or does the normal withstand enough? (I'll be taking this thing to mountains and beaches where I am sure it will see some fairly strong winds)
4. Is there another brand I am not considering that I should be?
5. If it were you, would you get the skylight/stargaze hookup or is it not worth the extra money (~$200)?


Any info would be awesome because the dive into a $2500 purchase isn't the easiest thing to stomach especially if I am disappointed...

 

@Blackdawg
Forgive me if you aren't the CVT dude.. pulling straight from an increasingly broke memory bank.

@TepuiTents

 

I went with CVT because of their customer service (Tepui may be good too, not sure) and they offer the annex with each tent. If you're going with a ruggedized version, I believe both come with a telescope ladder. I hardly use the annex, however, the inclusion of it is what sold me on CVT

 

Yeah the more I thought about the annex the more it doesnt make sense for me. I'll be mounting it at bed height so I wont be able to stand haha. You do or dont have the rugged version? and Do you have any indications that tears will show up/have shown up?

 

I have the Mt Shasta extended version with the stargazer. It is not ruggedized and I've had it in some VERY windy situations. No signs of tears or places where they could happen. The regular material is very durable imo

 

Meant to ask...I see you are in central VA too, did you get your tent online and pay that shipping, or is there somewhere around here that sells RTTs?

 

having owned a Tepui and CVT......CVT


@Cascadia Tents


I currently run a CVT Mt Shasta.... fits my needs

 

Maybe @Box Rocket can help here.
My vote is for Tepui, I'll be ordering mine in a week or two.

 

Son of a bitch, that's who I meant to tag.

Sorry @Blackdawg.

 

Any particular reason? I'm leaning that way too.

 

I have two CVT tents. I don't sell for CVT but I love them. Both are Shasta's and one is the summit series or the more rugged one.

The summit one is awesome, packs up great, has many cool features the normal one doesn't. And is very sturdy and much more heavy duty feeling.

Is it worth the big price jump?? Tough call. I've had my normal one for 4 years now going on 5. It has lived outside year round on the back of my truck in Wyo. Still works great and looks new. Cover still works well besides fading and dirty and zipper wearing a bit. Tent itself looks new. I've only had the submit tent for 6 months.

My dad rocks a CVT as do most of my friends. Bobby at CVT is the fuckin MAN and always takes care of his CVT family.

I'll always rock a CVT.

 

Sorry not sorry then.

 

Short list of additional features I would pickup for the summit series? Although it sounds like your "normal" one is quite the testament to quality. 5 years on a truck year round is impressive.

 

I have a Tepui Kekunam Ruggedized. I'm more than happy with the quality and had a warranty issue that the zipper ripped off the cover which the local dealer just replaced on the spot.

The only thing I'd do differently is get a tent that you enter from the bottom vs. the side. (ie an Atuna instead of a Kekunam) The water runs off the roof of mine just perfectly so it goes right down your back as your climbing up when it's raining.

 

Yea it has held up good. The Velcro on the straps for the cover don't work anymore. And I had to fix the zipper for the cover but that was easy.

Summit series comes with a few nice touches:

-straps on the cover are heavy duty with nice clamps the sinch down great.
-cover fit awesome easy to zip.
-aluminum floor instead of particle board or whatever. Very nice
-heavy duty condensation mat
-built in led light and dual USB charger ports. Pretty sweet.
-nice mattress
-brace bar on the over hang over the ladder.
-thicker walls and rain fly
-dual condensation vents(total of 4)
-dual shoe holders by the door. One of my favorite touches.

 

Cvt is supposed to be having a group buy at the end of his month..needless to say Ill be joining yhe cvt family when they do.

 

I don't have either yet. I've ordered one through CVT and am waiting on it to get shipped up. I've never even seen them around up here (seen on vehicles but not set up).

I contacted both CVT and Tepui and both were super helpful. I went with CVT because a local dealer was suppose to get mine for me. That fell through and CVT stepped up for me and got it covered for me. After a few phone calls of adding things to the order and coordinating shipping through a 3rd party transporter, I've dealt with a lot of the crew there. Top notch there at CVT all the way around. I've also seen tons on here of Bob at CVT helping folks out, so that weighed a lot for me.

 

I bought mine direct. Blue Ridge Overland Gear did sell them, but the guy wouldn't give me the time of day when I was trying to spend $2K with him. I bought it direct and they gave me 10% off to match the local price.

 

I did see something on here about a group buy coming up soon. Might be worth the wait