*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

So, any reason tents need to mount to the aluminum rails that come with the tent instead of directly to a rack, ie bolt through the tent and into the rack? Seems to me there are just the 4 holes though the tent no matter what is below it, I get you would need to have the rack spanning the bottom of the tent for support and not just touching in 4 points.

 

Believe it’s for cross weight support. If it’s fully flat on the rack and bolted with nothing extending beyond then I’d bet it’s probably fine.

 

That’s what I was thinking, hopefully getting one soonish and going through some ideas on what I want my rack to look like. Main goal is to keep it as low as possible and if you can ditch the aluminum rails, that’s another inch or so lower. Probably going to do 1” round tubing for the frame with 3 rectanglar cross bars and just bolt it through the floor to those if that’s a viable option.

 

Hiking Death Valley (Feb 2019)

Before it even began, the trip was off to a rough start. See, we'd planned - if you can call deciding to go on a trip just a few days prior to departure, "planning" - to leave two weeks earlier, but inclement weather caused us to push the trip back. Even so, the weather report was iffy just a few days before the new date - something we decided we'd ignore so we could get out and explore.

Check out the first two days in part 1 of this adventure:

The Day the Tent Closed...with Us Inside
and We Luck Out and It's Beautiful​

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more photos and the whole story:
The Day the Tent Closed...with Us Inside
and We Luck Out and It's Beautiful​

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...As we made our way into the hills, we eventually turned into a wash and behind down into a hidden valley, simply following tracks from visitors that were few and far between. And before us, the colors were suddenly amazing. I let out an audible "wow," over the CB - Ben and Zane still a ways back - and stopped to capture the situation.

Read the full story and check out all the photos:

Hiking Death Valley Part 2 - Room Canyon and...Water Crossings?​

Hiking Death Valley Part 2 - Room Canyon and...Water Crossings?


catch up on all parts:
[part 1] [part 2]​

 

My local 4WP has Smittybilt tents on sale for $599 this weekend, YMMV.

Still awaiting the new Roam shipment too!

 

Regular. The XL is still on sale for like $820 on Amazon

Smittybilt Overlander XL 4 Person Roof Top Tent (2883) - Folder With Bedding for Camping & Hiking- Coyote Tan

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...1D7114X2VST&psc=1&refRID=YNQZQJZ791D7114X2VST

 

I've been scoping RTTs for a good 5 years or so and finally found a deal that I jumped on.

I was able to get a nearly new Tepui kukenam 3 along with a BAMF low-pro rack for 1200 and it came with security hardware for both the rack and the tent. Now I need to use the tent. For the past few years I've done a lot of "cowboy camping" aka no, tent, just a small tarp, sleeping pad, an a sleeping bag. This thing will be like the Ritz compared to what i'm used to when backpacking. Can't wait!

 

Did you buy a ROAM? Did you already tell me that last weekend....beer...

 

Haha no I didn't- waiting for them to get their shipment in of their new products so I can see some pictures. Their package is just so good and the build quality looks/I hear is on par with CVT/Tepui.

 

I’ve heard of ROAM, but haven’t looked into them.

When I get serious about buying a RTT you’ll be one of the folks I call for advice/suggestions. For now I’m just casually watching if a used one pops up at a good price.

 

The last 3 times we've camped in cold weather, the only thing that gets condensation is the inner aluminum frame and the plastic over the seams, especially on the end of the tent where our heads are.

Does anyone have any ideas on a product that could go over the aluminum to keep it from sweating and dripping on us? In my head I'm thinking I've seen some kind of covers inside of soft-top jeeps, but everything I search for just comes up with the foam pipe insulation like you put on your house plumbing. Any ideas?

 

Good with a sewing machine?

 

Crack a window next time.

 

One week is about the maximum time away from home that the wife and I can tolerate before we want to go home, so you can pretty much call us WeekendLanders. We usually don't go on very many trips or venture too far from the truck, so security hasn't been a concern yet. We have a trip coming up and want to spend the first two nights in hotels, while we visit some museums (Rock'N'Roll Hall of Fame and the Henry Ford Museum), and then move onto camping in Huron National Forest.

I really don't want to go blowing a lot of money on fancy drawers or a shell, but probably do need to do something. Does anyone have some cheap tips that go beyond using action packers that are too big to easily get out from under the low mounted RTT?

 

Needing some help....
Background:I will be primarily using this for small weekend trips with the occasional week long trip.It will be just primarily me and my Gf (Dog in time) camping through California, Oregon, Nevada,Idaho(Summer), and perhaps Washington in Summer as well. Being in Northern California rain obviously occurs but isn't the biggest concern at all.(Been in plenty of storms during winter camping)

I've done my research and think for my needs the best tent is the CVT Mt. Bachelor Standard Stargazer Pioneer. Already know I'll be purchasing the Shoe Bag but had a few questions on the whole process.But the main thing I have questions with is related to the Anti-Condensation Mat. Is it worth it for the price? Is price not to be considered and it is a must have item? Wondering because I've seen so many mixed reviews on people saying both sides. Other questionoes anybody actually use the security nut system they offer? Can't picture too many people running away with one of these... Last question: Has anybody done the self install at CVT in Bend before? Any estimate on how much time it took?

Will be picking up my tent from the Bend, OR store in early April hopefully!Any help or opinion is much welcomed! Hopefully going the right way with CVT heard so many great reviews and picking it up in person is a huge bonus for me.

 

48" wide is wide enough for you, the wife and the dog? You guys must be tiny.

I have just enough room for the wife and i on our backs next to each other in my Mt Shasta at 56" wide. I know im not the normal height and size of most people but i couldnt imagine a dog with us too.

I didnt have the condensation mat at first and had to wipe down the floor before closing up and then dry out the mattress often because of condensation. I have not done that since buying the condensation mat. Im personally happy with that purchase. You can forgo that option and add it later if you find you need it.

 

I love my Smittybilt, hard to beat for the price. Works great for me, wife and dog. We went on a 22 day trip from VA to MT never had a problem. we expeneced high wind and rainstorm a few times. also camped in Negative weather and never had problems. CVT just isnt worth the money to me unless ur getting the ruggidized. But to each there own.

 

Im 5ft 10 she's 5ft 4. No dog yet but within 2 years yes but thinking has been at that point will go down underneath in truck bed or with an annex. Is the Mt. Bachelor truly that small? Haven't seen any complaints when 2 people (typically husband wife) are in one

 

I sold my Mt.Bachelor extended version. Looking at getting a hard shell. My uncle is selling a barley used Roofnest Eagle for a very good price around 1200. I believe he’s used it 3 times max. Any thoughts on Roofnest or experiences ?