*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

I don't care about aestetics, if it is just minor dings and not actual damage I may take your advice, but it wouldn't turn me from this model. If I buy it will most likely be through them. Then I'll join to take full advantage of the membership.

 

I havent gotten a tent from REI before, but like Max said the membership pays further too. I just went to REI and typed in "Tepui" and found this:

https://www.rei.com/product/153198/tepui-tents-ruggedized-series-kukenam-3-tent

Im just dying to get out. I havent explored much in PA, and want to try..

 

For those with experience, is the Tepui Autana a decent tent compared to the kukenam? I'm starting to think the enclosed ladder may well be worth the extra ching. Having the option of the annex is slightly appealing as well.

I would also like to get out, I want to grab a set of cheap wheels to throw the MT's on and explore a little around here. There isn't much aside from a couple state parks (no wheeling) and the Allegheny National Forest (definitely worth checking out at some point) @HomerTaco seems to enjoy FRO, but you need a permit for that area.

 

I'd beef it up.

 

For those that wheel with their tents. What is the bed rack height you recommend. I am thinking mid-rise to keep the tent roughly the same height as the top of the cab. I realize this would cut down on what I can store in the bed, but think it would be a smart way to protect the investment. I could also be overthinking it, but PVC doesn't give me a lot of confidence in brush. I'm most likely going to have a custom bed rack made, instead of going with a name brand one, so height measurements would be a good start. Sorry to pollute the thread with so many questions. I just don't want to end up with buyers remorse and repeat the process.

 

What are people using to lock their RTTs?

I've got a Truck Covers USA tonneau cover with rails installed. Those rails have a Rhino Racks towers and rails, approximately 3 inches off the top of the bed (2" for the towers, 1" for the rails). With my FSR tent (note - no bump with the ladder location versus other soft-top RTTs), this puts the top of the tent right in line with my cab. I have zero visibility out of the rear view mirror, but interestingly my MPGs went up - probably because I have a more aerodynamic design more in-line with what a hard-topper would do.

Prior to this layout on my truck, I was looking at a mid-rise rack (10" or so) for the same reasons as you. It also keeps the weight lower for wheeling.

 

I have had BAMF's low pro RTT rack (I think its 8" above the bedsides) and current SB on my LB, standard bed rack, which is 13" above the bed sides. I needed the height because my tent is 7-8" longer than the bed rack and I needed it to clear my spare tire. I didnt want to lower the spare tire on my swingout

If youre going to build a bed rack and plan to wheel, I think suggesting tieing it into the bed bolts for some added rigidity. BAMF you can add this, but BruteForceFab does this standard (and by doing Bruteforcefab, you can pay half down/half + shipping when its done. Splits up some payments)

 

I went with CBI overland bed bars. I like the height, they are very strong yet light weight.

 

I went with C4Fab's rack when they were still making it. It sits a little higher, but the roof rack covers the delta pretty good. Although the height was more a function of needing to be able to fit a mountain bike or 4 under it.

 

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't have thought about tying it into the bed bolts. That is worth some serious thought. I want to be able to remove it fairly easily though. Happen to know what the bed rails are rated for? I do have some ATH bed stiffeners, but they are the short ones.

As far as racks, i prefer a 1 off that I can build to my purposes. There is a member i use for fab work that has treated me really well, and does great work. Decisions decisions, I want the top of the tent close to the roofline, at the same time I also have a spare mounted to my swing gate. It would have to clear that for sure, but the dimensions I'm looking at are 56x48 which I'm thinking should clear the spare.

 

I have no idea what the bed sides are rated for. Ive had my truck/tent going fast on washboards in Maine, to rocks at Rausch, to tight trails in VA. The bedsides are fine (to my knowledge). But Ive seen that guy in Canada with a cap, whose bedsides collapsed, so he had to make a flatbed. Or @Chux who has his cap and tent on in all sorts of stuff, and no deflection. I plan on adding in some bed bolt supports, just need to get some material and design time in with @Arcticelf .

 

Big FSR sale on their new line of tents! Grr

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tbhY0ph6E/?igshid=a76u9cmw4xy4

 

Are there any opinions here on the Tepui Insulator? I'm very curious how it handles temps down into the single digits, as well as condensation buildup.

Are you able to close the tent with the Insulator left in?

 

Bedsides are rated for more than the plastic caps that bridge bed to fenders. I like adding a stiffener and support legs down to the frame bolts. Easy to remove too, if you have enough height in your garage for the lift.

Let me know when. The bender is running, and I have dies for 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75.

 

I just need to pick up some 1.75" tubing. I think i also want to "delete" the bends that make the bamf rack, and add in straight tube there.. - ooh, maybe a notching project for me/motivation to buy some tube Thanks!!

 

Only thing I would add is whatever you use as a mat could/should double as a bed mat when moving down the road. I use 4 of those interlocking foam things from Harbor Freight. Keeps all my totes from sliding around as much in the bed when on the trails. Doubles as a mat at the foot of the ladder, and a work mat should I need to get under the truck for some reason.

 

ooh good idea! I dread climbing into the truck bed because it hurts my knees

 

How far you willing to drive to get some snow..?

 

I was just really thinking about this. Since @Armyhater458 said no snow out near Pittsburg, maybe I should head north. I would really love to get back to Burlington, but I cant do that on a 2 day trip. So my thoughts moved to somewhere near the NY/PA border - like Binghamton

 

My rack gets the tent a little higher than the cab. It lines up with the top of my prinsu roof rack. It used to be taller (as in my sig pic) but I trimmed it down. Lowering it a few inches made my truck handle better offroad, saves some fuel on the highway, and makes it easier to set up.

Tie it into the bed bolts if you're going to wheel it. Not much extra fab work, weight, or cost and it would be much stronger. I didn't and my bed rails are a little bent now.