*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

Got my new custom Avid Off Road bedrack done and swapped in for my old bedrack on Saturday. This thing is amazing and built like an absolute tank. Jerry Can cages that lock, a mount for my small propane tank, 6 gusseted mount tabs for my Alu-Cab tent instead of only 4 so I could add a 3rd mount rail under the belly of the tent instead of just the ends. This new rack is so much more stable than my previous one and really handles the tent and awning setup well.

My Partner Steel stove included hose reaches from my stove on the tailgate to the propane tank without having to remove it from the mount. I just screw on the hose and turn on the tank.

Also installed 2 surface mount LED flood pods under the floor of the tent over the tailgate for some great light for camp and for night fishing. I ran them through a metal latching switch with an LED ring that's hard wired to the tent's power so when I plug the tent into one of my bed-mounted cigarette lighters, I have ready power for everything when the truck isn't running. The button for those flood pods is right back by them for easy access. Everything wired cleanly under the bedding of the tent and I used tons of heat shrink and shielding after soldering the connections. The LED button is always lit up when the tent is plugged into the truck so the switch for the floods is easy to find in the dark.

I also removed my 2" closed cell foam mattress topper from the tent and replaced it with a 1.5" cooling memory foam topper which allows the lid of the tent to close SO much better and it's more comfortable than the other topper. While doing that, I ran 2 15' USB cable extensions from the tent's USB ports up to the head end of the tent. Quick access to phone charging and whatever else I need to plug in overnight like my headlamp. I also have 2 extra USB ports if I need them later for other devices.

 

Thats a cool place for a jerry can. I might have to borrow that idea

 

I didn't want my jerry cans down in the bed and blocking the cubbies and inverter or taking up any more bed space. Those jerry can cages also really box in the bedrack and make it much stronger, too. They tilted them so not only do they rest in there nice, but they put the spout at the highest point of the can in case their seals start to leak at some point from age so it minimizes spilling.

 

Remember to vent them every once in a while too. I remember i got rid of my last can because the pressure was so much i was worried about opening it.

I actually want to put 2 rotopax in place of 1 jerry can, in my swingout mount. I just need someone to confirm the width.

 

Holy fuck!

I'm also pitching a tent.

 

It'd been several weeks since my last trip and as usual that meant I had a bad case of the shakes. Spring is such a frustrating time from an adventure perspective - the weather seems so nice, and yet everywhere interesting is still covered in snow. And, the winter staple - the desert - is getting hot.

You can imagine my delight when a check of the weather showed that the Alvord Desert - a place we'd visited for the first time last October - was going to have weather in the mid-70's. From my perspective, we hadn't spent nearly enough time there exploring the roads; from @mrs.turbodb's point of view: we'd skipped all of the hot springs!

The horror, I know. It was time to go!

...I don't know if anyone actually remembers the last time we visited, but one of the most remarkable things about the Playa is the surreal experience you get when driving on it at high speed. It's so flat, and so vast, that objects in the distance appear stationary while the ground around the truck is flying by. The only reaction I've ever seen to this phenomenon is a big-old-smile, and that's what happened this time as well, as dust kicked up behind us, hanging in the still air - a Taco contrail.

Check out the story and all the photos: Alvord Desert - We Return to Explore (Apr 2019)

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Part 1: Alvord Desert - We Return to Explore (Apr 2019)​

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I have some of the RotopaX, which ones do you need sixes for?

 

I guess the water one? Id be looking for the width

 

last year i had a rtt, believe it was the m60 from fsr

i sleep on the ground now lol

 

Peasant hahaha

 

I couldn't tell

 

i've debated the same. I like my CVT tent now but i also have the awning already on and its the 8' awning. I have the walls and floor as well. It seems nice and would have to test it out once to see how i like it as a sleeping area.

But damn it would be nice to get the weight of the tent off the roof.

 

i wish CVT would bring back their bigger hardshell.

sad giraffe is sad

 

you're located too far away but a guy in Alabama is selling the larger Chandler doom tent..

 

i have a fedex account through work. Ill PM you

 

I was just looking at ground tents at REI sale. I cant bring myself to spend $300+ to sleep on the ground. What if it rains? What if there are snakes? What if 12,000 mice decide to go for a run? I still like my RTT.

I don't like the cap as much because it puts the tent too high. I am also still stuck on the idea of a half height cap, but no one else likes it, so it will never happen.

In other news, my bougie tent should be delivered on Friday, and im going to pick it up from Fedex around 3. Hopefully going to take it for a test run this weekend, before I pack up the truck to go to Maine the following weekend. Ill need to run my luminoodle inside the tent for that mood lighting.

Walmart awning coming after a while too.

 

It seems like the REI near me doesn't have yardsales..

 

you can buy the arb replacement arms for 15$ at a 4wheel parts, thats what i did to have a center support for rainy days to allow the water to not collect. floors are very durable, they have never had an issue of soaking. In heavy rain just make sure you dont have the zippers position low because that is how water generally will get through

 

anyone know where to source the strap keepers/mounts for the tents? The little piece of aluminum with 3 screw holes that go over the strap to keep it down?

Since CVT doesnt like to give you the additional straps to roll your cover up at night and strap to hold ladder down like tepui, i was going to add my own.

These

 

is there a video or something for how to set up the bungees inside the tent? Arent they supposed to help close the tent for cleaner storage?