*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

Finally got around to lifting my tent and rack off the truck. Used

Racor - PHL-R, Garage Ceiling Storage Rack Lift

this hoist from the ceiling and honestly I wouldn't recommended it. Overall it just seemed cheaply made. The gears in the gearbox offer close to zero mechanical advantage, so lifting the weight is really hard, and my 20V Dewalt drill wasn't able to lift it with the included attachment either. But the biggest problem with it is that when you lower the load, and then take weight off the cables the entire roll at the top becomes a bird's nest. So the system I needed to use was to zip tie a gallon of washer fluid to each cable, then lower it on to the truck to rig up. This kept weight on the spool until I was ablate put the weight of the tent on it. Since I don't trust it, I installed safety straps at each corner. If the hoist falls, these straps will catch the load, preventing a catastrophe. I did install a bolt at the recommendation of @Papadave418, and it seems like that was huge a help!
Safety straps here:
You can see the bolt I added here preventing the cable spool from unwinding from the axel:

 

If you keep the cables wound nicely it works much better, but if they are crazy it will jerk around for sure. Have fun camping!

 

I picked these up for mounting my tent. Way nicer for a bar than the flat pieces the tents come with. Hopefully putting the tent on soon.
https://www.mcmaster.com/11355t34

 

Used it a little more. What I’ve noticed is that when I’m in sweats the bag does tend to cling. Last night it got down lower and I was in sweat pants and a long sleeve T-shirt. I had to “push” the sides and corners of the bag out when I moved. It wasn’t real bad, but it did cause enough bunching that I had to correct the positioning of the inner liner sometimes when it got a little annoying.
What I’ve also noticed is that if you don’t have the security Velcro straps at the top of the side zippers closed the zippers will slide down and the sides will open up if you move at all.

 

Thanks for the update. Think I will consider a different, albeit more expensive, bag since what you’re describing sounds similar to the issues that bother us in the Teton bag we already have.

 

This worked! Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

 

Happy to help!

 

October 26, 2018.

"Let's go somewhere." said @mrs.turbodb after I'd been home just a short time from my previous trip. That was of course fine with me, and so we set about finding a place to go. It was going to be cold and rainy on the Washington coast, so we set out looking for somewhere warm...

...As we started into Succor Creek Canyon, we were both looking forward to the drive - this area was so beautiful the last time we were here - the hills covered in May's spring green grass, blowing in the wind. The hillsides were golden this trip, but striking nonetheless.

Read and enjoy the photos in Winter Escape - Hot Springs and the Alvord Playa (Part 1).

​

Winter Escape - Hot Springs and the Alvord Playa (Part 1)





.​

 

Finally got some mounts fabbed up so I could mount my awning.

 

Our night on the Alvord Playa was uneventful - the wind picked up a bit around midnight, easily remedied by closing the door on the windward side of the tent. And, one of the nice things about winter - at least when you're camping - is that sunrise is a bit later. For us, it was nearly 7:00am before the light started on the horizon...

Read the full story, and our unexpected encounters at Winter Escape - Hot Springs and the Alvord Playa (Part 2)

- - - catch up on the full story - - -
[part 1] [part 2]​

 

Looking at RTTs and am leaning towards an Anaconda (from Venezuela) > https://ksoverlandevolution.com/product/anaconda-roof-top-tent-depredador/. The reason this one appeals to me is that it has a built in support tray and window to use a 5000btu AC unit. I live in Florida and will be camping primarily in the Southeast and aside from about 2 months out of the year, AC is a must. Does anyone have any experience with this brand? Thanks in advance!

 

That's a first, never seen that before. And the rain fly looks unique. It's interesting these are so inexpensive and they are sold out of Tampa, FL... Never seen a black RTT either. If I were you I'd get in contact with them and see if they have a demo or show room and drive down to check them out.

 

Once you include the annex though its really not that cheap they are charging 700 for the annex.

 

I do see that- doesn’t make sense. But not everyone uses or gets an annex

 

Yeah thats a crazy price for the annex. But yes if you dont want the annex its not a terrible price.

 

I have been in touch with the dealer and they are great about answering questions etc.. The definite con is that all the product is coming out of Venezuela and due to the circumstances there, it is difficult to forecast inventory in the states (ie. annexes have been out of stock for quite a while.)

 

Do you have to pay for shipping, can you do local pickup for that low price?

 

Yes I would definitely do a local pick up.

 

You've never seen a black RTT? Like black roof or walls?