*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

Check out Desert Armor

it’s the same as the ikamper. I’ve been working with the owner since they started getting them. Mid June the next shipment comes in.

 

My rtt stays on the truck about 99% of the time so durability and look were a huge part of my decision.

Also hard shell tents are much quicker to set up and put away... when we go camping and off-roading, I love to take the truck out just as much as our toys, so making things a little easier was also a huge plus.

Lastly, when the Minis were first released, REI had them stocked and they were having one of their member sales (they do 20% off one full price item about twice a year) so that saved me about $800 on the tent which was really nice considering the price.

My brother in-law has a soft shell Tepui on his truck and it’s about half the price. If you don’t mind the look of a square soft shell camper and a little longer set up then it’s definitely not a bad route. Also CVT tents have a great track record.

 

I believe @H3llRid3r was trying to see if he could find a way to fit a tent over his shark fin! I recommended that he may try to see if he could adapt a third gen flat fin (meso or uptop) to work on a second gen!

 

Yeah, I have a CVT soft shell. The CVT is excellent build quality and I love the tent, but I typically go solo and it takes me about 15 to 20 minutes to set up and take down. I'm looking for an RTT that has an easier setup and take down time. Cascadia is now offering a hard shell RTT, which I think is basically an RTT from The Bush Company. If I went this route, then i need to get a rack that gets it above my shark fin.

Anyway, looking at the different manufacturers available and had my eye on the iKamper. I'm an REI member as well, so there is that.

 

This is correct.

 

would love to see a build thread if ya got one!

 

Ohhhh gotcha.


edit. ThinFin does not work with second gens.

 

I usually camp alone (or just me in the tent and others in their own tent) with the pup

couldn’t shell out the cash for the hardshell with the upcoming wedding costs, so I went for a freespirit high country. Even with unbuckling the cover, I have mine up in less than 3 minutes and the same for packed back up!

I was patient and found one barely used at a deal I couldn’t pass up. Absolutely love it

if money is no option though, the ikamper mini and the desert armor are great options.

snag the REI card before you buy that big of a purchase from them though, that way you get an extra 5% back

 

damn i wish i had a truck to throw another RTT on. I absolutely do not want another 140lbs on the roof

 

I get it. I typically do the whole tent myself while my wife sets up other things. First time will take you about 15 minutes just to get used to the stands and stuff. Now I can usually get it either set up or put away in about 5 minutes which is perfect. If you don’t mind cashing out the extra $ for it then I highly recommend the iKamper.

As for your fin, I wouldn’t know since I have it on my bed. I also have a Prinsu rr which allows me to mount up there because the mounting pins on the tent actually elevate the tent about another inch or so. Just not sure how the 2nd gens fins look or what rack you’re running. Best of luck though!

 

Sry man, I don't have a build thread. Most of what I did was taken from others on this forum, which is what makes this forum so fabulous.

 

Yours looks like a fairly straightforward set up. Mine isn't difficult, it just takes a while to do for one person. I do have an REI membership, so that's angle. Plus, I wouldn't need to buy another bed rack for the iKamper. Other than today, I've not heard of Desert Armor. I did check out their website.

Congrats on the wedding.

 

Thanks! Check out freespirit’s high country tents if you want a tent for about $1k less than the others you are looking for. Setup is a breeze

 

Got the hardshell RTT mounted on the rear Rhino Rack crossbars. As expected it hangs over the back and can’t go any further forward with the bikes mounted front, but it doesn’t interfere with opening of the cap door so I think I can live with it.

 

And someone can get you 10% off FSR

 

Looks like you will eventually need @Nimble9 side bike mount

 

From the St. Louis area to Michigan's U.P. for Memorial Day Weekend. Unfortunately Mackinac Island was closed still but some stores and restaurants were allowed to open for the weekend. Pulled into the site at 11pm due to a late start. Wasn't sure how the site would look since there was no moonlight just a beautiful star filled sky. Turned out to be an awesome spot on a small bay off Lake Huron.

 

Costco has a soft and hard RTT for sale right now. More pics on their website.

https://www.costco.com/silverwing-swt80s-2-person-roof-top-tent.product.100528166.html



https://www.costco.com/silverwing-c...-rooftop-2-person-tent.product.100468990.html

 

Another St Louis person! Woo

 

Let’s talk about ZIPPER MAINTENACE!
What have you guys done to clean/lubricate/maintain the zippers on your cover? Mine is starting to get a little tough to zip up. I’ve read to clean with white vinegar and lubricate with candle wax, just rubbing a candle all along the zipper. Has anyone had success with this or other methods?