Call all of you RTT peeps!

I got my Tepui Kukenam lightly used and paid $750 for it PLUS the 6' ARB awning and brackets for it. You can find the deals out there if you are patient. I got the bed rack for $150 and all I had to do was square it up with a friend and a couple hours and it's solid as a rock. It sure wasn't $2k, and it has been a pleasure. I did my years with ground camping, and I don't mind it for backpacking, but I sleep so much better in an RTT than I ever did on any ground pad, cot, etc. Hammocks on the other hand are good sleeping, but you can be limited with them when you're in the desert or above treeline and you can't find 2 decent trees together.

 

For those of you that have it on your trucks....how do they do with all that weight so high? Especially curious how much you feel them when creeping around in off camber situations or through big rock gardens?

 

You have seen my truck at Elvis with the RTT on there. I didn't feel it most of the time like I thought I would. I get some body roll since I run no sway bar on turns and curves but I got used to it quick. Slow down a little bit more if you don't like the feeling.

I was talking to a guy on IG that had a 4runner with an RTT on top. He runs no sway bars, 33s with a lift like sams 4runner. I asked him about the tent and while he feels it on top of the truck, it hasnt affected any of his wheeling.

 

Really, it's not an issue. I don't have a sway bar anymore, and it's still not a bother at all. I have the Sport model so I have open diffs and the added weight actually helps with my rear traction quite a bit. When wheeling off-camber, it actually helps me.

 

Me and my dog. She is a 75 pound boxer. Those tear drops are pretty pricey aren't they?

 

I was looking at pop ups in the 2 grand range.... Lol

 

This would be the way to go. I've had my RTT on for a little over two years now. I love it, and definitely see value over standard tent camping. However, it can be a pain in the ass if you're planning on staying at the same site for multiple nights but want to go explore during the day. That's where mounting it on a trailer would be nice so you could disconnect and take the truck out exploring.
Either that or get a hitch mount motorcycle carrier and get a little TW or something similar to scoot around on

 

I use my truck to go 4 wheeling while I am camping... So being able to detach would be kind of vital. I feel more comfortable leaving a camp setup with tents and things than a camp with no tent and a bunch of items... No one knows if someone is inside so the chances of your stuff being messed with are much slimmer. At least that's my thinking, although most people these days dont keep their hands off other people's stuff which is a real shame..

 

Well guys thanks for all the input. I picked up a trailer to day that I plan on using to make a camp trailer with. I guess I will have to make a build thread for it and post up what I end up doing with it!

 

Here is a photo of mine before the lift. Just FYI, if you anyone is considering mounting theirs on a bed rack, make or get a bed rack that will put the tent roof line (when closed) at the same height as the cab roof line. That way there is no noticeable drag. I have had my Tepui Aier on my vehicles for the last 40,000 miles and a whole bunch of camping trips (3 vehicles - WK2, XJ Jeeps and the Taco) and it has held up amazing. I will have to replace the cover sometime in the next 40k miles, but that's negligible. I in winter keep warm with an electric heat blanket (powered by goal zero 1250) and got a few nice mods like this light (

Solar LED Light Bulb, Portable Solar Powered Solar Energy Lamp Lantern 130LM (15W Equivalent) with Solar Panel for Home Emergency Lighting Outdoor Hiking Camping Fishing Tent Garden Survival Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Powered-Portable-Spotlight-Outdoor-Lighting/dp/B019F1FMS4) You can't beat it for comfort and the ease and speed of deployment. Also, Tepui now offers extra protection hoods (I don't have one but will pick one up soon) that will keep you even better protected in severe weather. (http://tepuitents.com/collections/accessories/products/protective-weather-hoods) should be good for camping in blizzard conditions. You never know...

 

How long does that GZ 1250 last with the elec blanket

 

well, I think it depletes it about 30 percent a night, but tough to say because I run the keurig off of it int he morning and camp lights at night. and then it charges all day from the solar panels on my roof and sometimes the inverter in my bed if solar is scarce. Plus the blanket turns off after 4 hours, so sometimes I wake up and turn it back on, if I get cold. Didn't run out of power yet, got down to 20-30 but not fully depleted.