*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

Got our tent and set it up in the REI parking lot in Sacramento. Headed to a spot near Ice House and woke up to this:



Yes, we were expecting some rain/snow, just didn't realize it would dump that much. We packed up shortly after and headed out before it got any worse. The tent held up beautifully - we used our 20% coupon to make it a little better. Definitely a hell of a way to test it out!

 

Installed my replacement Tepui this weekend and actually took the time to replace most of the straps and hardware... highly recommend it. The holes on the ladder brackets are actually drilled out for 5/16" (very snug but 8mm should fit too) and not the 6mm they give you. I can't say everyone's tent frame will be drilled out accurately enough but upgrading hardware and using more nylon washers as bushings for the ladder pivot bolts has increased how smoothly it opens and how stable it feels to an absurd degree. Feels like it's on bearings now and no wobble whatsoever.

 

Got to break in the tent for the first camping trip of the season.

 

I got to test mine out too.. on a 1900 mile round trip

This is in Northern VT, about 20 miles from Canada

 

You should have crossed the border so you qualify for expos "experienced overlander" .

You going this year it's in arrington VA? I was really thinking of going but some of the marketing they do is just comical.

 

This trip i didn't bring my passport. I should have.

I heard its $400. I was telling someone that id rather be on the trail, rather than being in a field talking about the trail

 

It's actually really close to old shoe creek and Crabtree falls which is some great camping and fun little trails. I may go for at least a day trip so I can giggle at the trucks that have $2000 worth of maxxtracks .

 

Is there any value in the mattress that came with my CVT? I upgraded to the Tepui luxury mattress and it was a huge upgrade. I'd hate to throw out the original CVT since it's only been used 4 nights. But it so big and takes up space I don't want to store it for years to only throw it out years down the road.

 

i'm sure someone could use it! either in their DIY RTT or something else!

 

Ok yeah I'll post it to the for sale section and see what happens. Basically if someone covers shipping and a few buck extra it's theirs.

 

that much better eh? Hmm, i just did the 2" foam and ill do a few trips with it and see how it goes before i go to spend some more money. But thats good to know.

Also i have a Summit cover on the way to replace my Pioneer cover since i swapped ladders and this cover is TIGHT.

 

Huge question/debate.
Just got my trail gear front bumper. I’ve got a tire gate that I’m wanting to weld onto a trail gear rear bumper.......just snagged a smittybilt RTT......do I go for the rear bumper and make my own rails like the video I posted earlier?? I’d have have the tent behind the cab, and because of my lift/tires I’d be low enough to not need a ladder extension. OR do I put that ALL on hold and for for a Pilfrey Bed Rack which would sit around the same price, but no rear bumper for a bit?

Pilfrey Pros:
Super rare these days
Powder coated
More bed space for “Activities”
Comes with a bunch of accessory mounts
Sticks with my tube thing
Potentially wraps into an eventual external rollcage
Only $700 tax free

Pilfrey Cons:
Not the look I was going for
Over shooting the budget
Piss my wife off
*Gas Mileage* (Most concerned about)
...due to the weight + aero dynamics
Another $50 for an extended ladder
Pain in the butt to climb up to until I get sliders which will be a while
Not removable
I’ve gotta drive a few hours
Second hand

DIY Rack Pros:
The look I’m wanting
Cheap $100 or less
Easily removable
Low pro....something about minimalism
Better gas mileage vs a roof mounted/
Light weight
Wife’s not pissed
Perfect bed/lift/tire to ladder ratio

Cons:
Less bedspace
Not as nice looking as rails
Buying this and testing it out eliminates the window for the Pilfrey

VS


Let me know what you dudes think!

 

I think I'm following your post right. I wouldn't plan to buy a roof rack with the intention to install your RTT on it. I lost around 1MPG just installing a Prinsu on my roof I couldn't imagine driving around with a 150lb roof top tent up there. Mount it over the bed and call it a day.

For what it's worth, Allpro usually has their standard low-rise bed bars in stock and ready to ship. Shouldn't be too much more than around $250 if you decided against the DIY route.

 

Sorry...BIG typo.....I meant a bed Rack...not a roof rack haha

 

Gotcha. To me, it's best to make the decision based off of what you're using the truck for most often. A bed rack is a commitment. They're bulky, heavy, expensive, difficult to store, but they look great and give you more mounting points and room in the bed. Bed bars are smaller, easy to take on and remove, but tend to be lower rise.

I went the bed bar route since I don't keep my RTT permanently mounted and I needed something I could quickly remove if I needed to haul a mattress or ATV around. If you're going full overland build and will keep everything on the truck, it's hard to beat the looks and functionality of a bed rack.

 

All very good points. I designed mine to be made out of aluminum, to keep the weight down. I can move my bedrack myself with no help from anyone (had to for painting). As for the RTT, that's another story lol

 

I wish I had the cash for aluminum. If I did that’s what I would go with all around....with the exception of sliders! Haha

 

haha Aluminum skids don't work out where we live, but aluminum is a great material!

 

Probably depends on what your needs are. And space and help to get ready for trips.

I have a BAMF rack and leave my tent on there. I never haul anything longer than the long bed (and my swingout also dictates that lol)

 

Those would be steel as well haha