Roof Top Tent Upgrade

I see, that makes sense. I live at an apartment complex so I know that struggle. Yeah, it is still doable, but much easier if you have a larger rack. Most of the ones I've seen require you to cut the slides if you want to rotate them though. If you don't have the tonneau cover, you can move the bed rack around much easier to better matchup with the rails without rotating them. Then it's as easy as bolting through the crossbars instead of around them. I'm referring to my KB Voodoo Hi Rise Crossbars, but I'm not sure if your rack allows that.

Yeah, I'm hoping to get a good hoist system so I can make it all a one person job without risking injury or damage.

 

Yeah, I've bagged on them a lot the last few years. They have always seemed 90% trendy and 10% useful for most people. Hard to remove so you're stuck driving around with it all the time. Set it up camping and now you can't move your truck without folding it all back up - brilliant. And the cost... it is outrageous to pay 10x more than a nice backpacking tent and be limited to camping where you can park your vehicle.

Funny though, as someone who often pulls into campsites late at night when it's freezing ass cold with blowing wind, even 5 minutes setup time would be too much for me to deal with. I'll often just sleep in the drivers seat rather than get out and fight the wind to put up a tent, especially when I'll just have to put away first thing in the morning. This has happened a ton in the last couple years, so much I finally caved when I found a cheaper, lightweight clamshell RTT (GFC Superlite). It will take less than a minute to open with a couple clasps and then raise it, bedding and pad already inside. This will be a game changer for me. Dealing with fabric cover and flipping over a tepui type tent in the wind - forget it....

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...pening-hardshell-rtt-and-bamf-bedrack.679349/

 

Look into https://23zero.com/ They have some sweet tents in different styles and sizes. One thing that stuck out to me was the material they make it out of. It’s light suppressive, keeps the tent cooler, etc. I have also heard that the mattress they have is very nice. I have a smittybilt overlander XL. Served it’s purpose But is showing some wear after three years. Small holes around the stitches. Replaced the mattress. Floor on the overhanging side has separated and crinkles and sags a bit. I ordered a Breezeaway 62” and should get it here in November. Picked that one because I like the style of windows and no extra annex overhang at the entry way. I didn’t like how you couldn’t see out that way on my smittybilt.

 

Meh.... Most people mounting a truss / bed rack system simply to hold their tent can approach $600 -1k easy and then you usually lose your weatherproof bed storage unless you pay extra for a Tonneau compatible bed rack (slim pickings btw).

And.... still an eye sore IMO even with the RTT on a mid height bed rack.

On top of the cab? Gross. Sell the truck and buy a van if you wanna camp in comfort so badly.

 

Nah- do some research out of the clueless hate threads

 

Not sure what you mean but we can agree to disagree lol

 

I've been looking at the GFC superlite for a long time. Low profile, light, doesn't look ugly. bare bones: Wedge style with a mattress. It's a place to sleep, doesn't need to be fancy if you're just looking to get off the ground! That's my RTT purchase if I ever go the route

 

Anyone know any tiny one person RTTs? Something super affordable if possible

 

What if the finances aren't an issue? There are certainly pros and cons, it's not for everybody for sure. But the ability to camp anywhere you can relatively level your truck and sleep on a comfortable mattress is fantastic. No looking for level groind

A van wont go where my truck will.

 

Doubt.

 

I have a Tepui Ayer, which I think is the smallest size RTT. The interior size is 48" x 90", and it's about 95#s. It fits my wife and I okay, and it's great on my own! I bought it because I mounted it to an opening lid on the trailer below that I built for a Jeep TJ to pull. (I may move the RTT to a rack on my Tacoma, as my Jeep is being retired from camping duties.) I'll also mention that I originally bought it on a Black Friday sale with free shipping.

Anyway, since the OP mentioned specifically Tepui, it's a quality made tent. I've used it a lot over the last 6 years. I did upgrade to their nicer mattress, but I still also use mats inside as well.



I also replaced the original cover, which was gray the new black one is just nicer looking, which now may be standard on new tents? It's a quality cover with a large zipper so it's easy and quick to remove. No bull!

I'll also mention that they have a lighter weight version of the Ayer that folds up smaller. However, you can't leave your bedding in it, which in mine, I'm able to leave two sleeping bags, small pillows, and several blankets inside when it's folded up.

 

It's following a civic on that road

 

Could get a pop up tent for the lady.

$34 GigaTent Pop Up Pod Changing Room Privacy Shower Tent – Instant Portable Outdoor Rain Shelter, Camp Toilet for Camping & Beach – Lightweight & Sturdy, Easy Set Up, Foldable - with Carry Bag

$22

 

The point was it’s probably capable of going to the same places of 99% of trucks on this site

 

Tent cot on bed bars
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-rtt-for-those-on-a-budget.478273/

 

This setup is beast.

 

As mentioned, if you are thinking super cheap, then you're going to need to go Frankenstein. There are a few DIYs in that arena on YouTube. I had looked into that route, but I'm adverse to using plywood and it's the fold-out platform that becomes costly; buying a 4' x 8' sandwich board will run over $500 alone. But the smallest "Professional" RTTs I have seen are the 2 to 2.5 person tents (like the Tepui Ayer), and those are still coming in around $1K; though, if you have an REI membership and can time it right, you might be able to grab one with their 20% off coupon and ship it to the store, which might get you in around the $850 range.

With that aside, inline with the Frankenstein project, you could also run a hybrid... As Thule bought out Tepui, it's questionable about how long it will be an option, but you can go to Tepui and just buy their Tent base/platform as "spare parts" and get that for under $600 (https://tepui.com/collections/spare-parts-soft-shell-tents/2-person). Never-the-less, at the price point, it would likely be best to just get the whole tent.

 

Let's see it

 

Ikamper