*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

@ItalynStylion and others:

First impressions and the Yakima is a perfectly fine tent. It might be cheaper than the top of the line Tepui but I'd argue against it being so "entry level". As others have mentioned before; it's just a different approach by a different company for a different end user. That doesn't make it a budget crap tent without any quality or care.

That is also why we ended up with it; we're weekend campers at best and just wanted some added ease and comfort for when we're out. The fact that we could get that from a reputable company and reputable store front, paired with the ability to take it off my Tacoma and put it on her SUV without touching a wrench or security bolts, was another huge selling point.

If you need nice and simple with easy mounting for half the price, go for the Yakima. If you need something extra tough and brute, consider the others. That simple. None of this "buy once cry once" bull some are trying to claim. This is a quality brand from a quality supplier. It's a mater of what your needs are, not a matter of being cheap. I drive a Tacoma; should I have bought a $70,000 F-350, diesel, crew cab dually instead...you know, so I had to only cry once? No, I don't need that much truck except once in a blue moon...so I was an adult and weighted my options and made a realistic decision.

Sorry Adam, this just isn't that scenario.

 

$70k diesels are lame. You made a good decision.

 

I don't think the Yakima is "poor quality" and fully understand that different people have different needs. I call it an "entry level" tent because that's what it is and your description confirms that. It's for the "weekend campers at best and just wanted some added ease and comfort for when we're out".
Yakima is a reputable company, however this is their first venture into roof top tents. I take my hat off to them for not taking the easy way out and just selling another cookie-cutter tent like so many other brands that have entered the market recently. But in doing so they are encountering issues and areas that need to be changed or redesigned. If you read the reviews, you'll see some of those common issues. Many of these issues are things that established brands have already had to deal with and find solutions for. Yakima is just experiencing those things and I think if they stick with the tents and continue to try to improve it, that it will get better. Whether they target a different demographic than the casual camper is yet to be seen.
Does that mean that the Yakima is a crap tent, of course not. It has some nice unique features, some of which you listed that attracted you to it. It is a light duty tent that I am confident is not going to have the long term durability of other options. That is what I mean by "buy once, cry once." If you want the better construction and long term durability, then it's going to be worth it to pay more for a better option than it is to skimp out and get something less expensive just because. One guy's opinion, that's all. It's your money and you can spend it however you want. If that's different than me, cool.

 

Right on sir, that clarification helped me understand your reasoning.

I do think we disagree a bit, which of course is all good. Specifically on long term quality of Yakima compared to others...others have had a chance to prove themselves, one way or another while Yakima is still being vetted. I did research and didn't see any notable Yakima specific issues that weren't inherent to seemingly all RTTs, including current models of Tepui and CVT and D) all the above. If you do know of them and want to share, I'm all about it. Good consumer information for everyone (and I'm asking for it, so I don't think it'd be perceived as any bias on your part).

I will agree you're probably right that Yakimas material isn't going to wear quite as well as a tougher material choice by others, but I think it'll last easily half as long...which at half the price means it's at least logically backed from a financial standpoint. May I ask; what would be considered the typical design life of brand name RTTs?

That's all I intented to share, being a Yakima owner in a thread overwhelming full of CVT/Tepui owners. A few here were asking how the Yakima stacked up and I wanted to support it as an option if they were thinking it might fit the bill as a light or even medium duty option (if properly cared for, like anything). I think most around the forums understand that if they want the best for almost all situations; Yakima is lower on the list, but it's not off the list and I just saw a chance to defend it at least a little so shoppers could make informed choices.

 

New rtt owner here, just picked up a FSR original series small. Who can give me the rundown on anti-condensation mats? Any other accessories I should look into right off the bat?

 

Anyone eyeballing that IKamper on Kickstarter?

 

Welcome to the family

 

Get the summit series mat from CVT. Its great!

 

Question for you CVT Summit owners out there and for @Cascadia Tents too about the rain fly. It gets hot here in Texas and taking that fly off really helps keep it cooler in the RTT. I realize its called a "rain" fly for a reason, but looking at the construction, seems like the tent without it could withstand some rain showers and keep things dry inside. The 2 stargazer panels are the obvious place to think a leak would happen, but when zipped up, would it leak there if it rained lightly?

The last trip with the RTT, i noticed the clouds gathering while enjoying the view out of the stargazer panels. The fly was off since it was pretty sunny in the day and it got pretty hot in there. I got nervous a little bit but we got lucky with no rain.

 

So I just got and installed a new Tepui Kukenam and everything looks pretty self explanatory but I can't figure out for the life of me what the 2 straps with D rings on the hinge side that are inside the cover go to? Is it something for an annex or are they just there for no apparent reason?

 

Roll up the cover and use those straps to secure rolled cover.

 

CVT fan boy checking in here....

 

Ahhhh, ok that makes sense now.

So here's another one, has anyone figured out a fix for what to do to get the side awning bar in next to the cab if you have your tent mounted lower than the roof?

 

I also camp some in Texas. I'm under the impression that the fly can help keep the sun off the canvas roof and keep it a bit cooler. I also read that because the fly doesn't sit directly on the roof of the tent you get a little airflow between the two and that also helps it stay a little cooler inside. When I camp when its hot I just make sure to open up all the windows and I have a 12 inch 12v fan that I run for extra airflow in the mornings and when I'm trying to get to sleep.

 

That drove me nuts! Lol. I'm up on a shell now but there wasn't a fix before. I usually left both sides closed because with just one up it would flap around in the wind.

 

We are giving it another go next weekend. I have a fan on order currently. Thanks for the info, ill definitely make sure we open up all the windows next time

 

You can try positioning the tent further back.

 

I was able to move my tent back about 2 inches to get it to clear the cab. Before that, I would use a small bungee and tie it off to the roof rack.

 

I slid my bed rack as far back on the rail it would go and then moved the RTT back on the rack a bit. Going to give it a test run tonight.

Ian at CVT said I could just bend the spring steel rods in 90 degree angles to make it clear the roof. I hope I don't have to do that