CVT vs Tepui

We're working on updating the height measurements shown on the Tepui site. The 12" is the height of the tent itself when closed but doesn't include the mounting rails or the ladder so keep that in consideration until the website gets changed. Tepui tents with the telescoping ladder are slightly shorter overall than tents with a sliding ladder. It's about 1.5" shorter than one with a sliding ladder.

Here's a photo showing the locking mechanism and rung profile of the Tepui telescoping ladder. Square rungs but no sharp corners.

 

Great thread. Would love to hear your guys thoughts in general on putting an RTT on a truck cap. Most of the manufacturers will tell you they can't hold the weight or don't recommend it, but clear;y lot of people do it. ARE's HD series seems like best option but do not make it for 2nd gen Tacomas. The ARE people told me most of their caps can hold 800 lbs but cannot quote that bc of dynamic load while driving etc.

Soooo...based on my research, I am leaning toward an ARE cap with a Prinsu rack to put the RTT up on. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or can comment on their cap/Rtt setups.

As for the CVT vs Tepui debate, hoping to get more off this thread and others. Decision is tough but only bc both cos seem to be great quality and highly regarded. That's a good thing.

 

Sorry new added plus to CVT...

I truly thought I wouldn't get my tent until about mid March... It's scheduled to deliver on Friday. They shipped quick as hell and even beat my Bedrack here at this rate lol.

(Except I think there is a body in the tent, says it weighs 347lbs lol )

 

Demeat50,

I am curious to this as well. I just picked up a Snugtop Rebel and am worried that the CVT tent I have will be too much weight. I would be curious how other have come to the conclusion that their canopy can hold the weight.

 

This was emailed to me by a guy from ARE....

The weight rating on our fiberglass caps when driving the vehicle is set at 150 lbs due to various dynamic forces such as sudden stops, potholes, sharp turns etc. Additionally, you should always consult the vehicle manufacturer for center of gravity ratings. When the vehicle is not moving (for camping) the roof and rack can actually carry well over that amount. While this is not something we guarantee under warranty, our caps have been tested to hold well over 800 lbs when stationary.

 

Also....been doing a lot of work on this the last week or so. The majority of cap/RTT setups I have seen are ARE. Curious what the guys from CVT and Tepui have seen most frequently?

 

I love my CVT and have no complaints about it. It simply works, and works well. That combined with the friendly service I have always received from Bobby has be pretty loyal to the brand. He's a busy dude, so his responses are not always the fastest. However, he takes care of you and works to build a relationship with his customers on more than just a monetary level.

The one thing I really like about the Tepui tents is how their covers look. Purely an aethetic thing, but they look a lot more sleek compared to the big hump in the top from CVT.

For comparison...
(That's a freaking cool looking truck man. I'd drive the hell out of that)

(This is @GSPRunner's 4Runner from last weekend)
DSC_0592 by Alex Wilson, on Flickr

I can see how having the CVT style could put less stress on the cover's fabric. Is that why it's this way, @Cascadia Tents ??

I think it's to make up for the thicker ladder with the sharper edges... That'd make sense.

 

The difference in cover style is because of the different ladders. As you know your CVT uses a sliding ladder, and the Tepui uses a telescoping ladder that has a much lower profile, so no need for the big hump.

 

Great debate between the two ladders.
There are plus and minus' to both. Here are s few photos from a telescoping ladder to a sliding ladder.
The telescoping looks great but it gets bigger as you get near the end.
There are a few things I like about our new telescoping ladder.
1. Release is on the face of the step (just in case running up fast your foot could catch and pop the pin
2. Bumper stops on each step. (So it won't smash your hand so much) lol.
The first photo is the start of each and then the second is the end.
So you can see there is a little bit of difference between the two.
That is why it is so important to have the correct measurements of the tents just in case you have a parking height issue.

 

The same. Then again we also see Snugtop and Leer.

 

Thanks for the responses!

 

Great thread. Thinking of planning the trek down to Bend this weekend!

 

Awesome. I'll be in Bend Saturday

 

Busier than ur build page

 

Busier than your sex life

 

Heyyyyyy oooohhhhh!!!!

 

Cool. Which RTT did you end up with? Going to visit Bobby and pick out my RTT.

 

Believe it was the MT. Bachelor. They changed the names of it right after I bought it. Its the 56"x96" one.

 

Kukenam Sky from Tepui. You can't really go wrong with ANY RTT if you think about it, it's all a step up from the normal tent camping. I personally like the Kukenam Sky because of the "Sky View" which lets you see the stars at night. Plus, it's a rock solid tent, got mine about a month ago and finally got to try it out in Lone Pine, CA and it's definitely a game changer. I like it since it matches my Silver Tacoma. lol

 

That looks good! I wonder if CVT has "sky-views" or "stargazers" as well.