iKamper X-cover - looking for any insights

I'm looking to pick up a new RTT. I've had a Tepui Kukenam 3 ruggedized. It was a decent tent but we had too many issues with it and I returned it. Now I'm looking to get a tent that can fit 2 adults and a kid. I've narrow it down to the iKamper X-cover and Skycamp 2.0. I'm leaning toward the X-cover - mainly for the lower weight and setup.

All the reviews online appear to be more promotional. I looking for real-world experience, so that's why I'm here.

 

Did you end up buying one? I'm considering the x-cover, but I'd really like to see some real-world/non-sponsored reviews too. It's a big chunk of $$$ and I'd really rather not make an expensive mistake. I bought the Voodoo Hi-rise bars but now that I'm looking at size requirements for our tent, I wish I would have bought a cap and rack instead.

 

I ended up with the Skycamp. I went to Altitude Industries here in the Denver area. Lee, the owner, walked me thru both tents. That’s when I decided to go with the Skycamp. The X-cover is great but the weight limit on the rack was only 65lbs. And you can’t increase that - it has to do with iKampers structure of it.

Getting a topper or full bedrack will pay off in the long run. I have a SnugTop Rebel and love it. I had a Max Modular AluMax 14” before - it was a really nice product. I just needed more covered space and made the switch to a topper.

 

Here’s one from last weekend.

 

This is a very nice setup. This is the full-size Skycamp correct, not the mini? I was looking for a setup that supports the full-size Skycamp on my 2017 Double-cab shortbed, it looks like to get the full-size Skycamp I will indeed need a camper shell or some setup that supports a full-length rack, level with the cab. I had doubts that any camper shell would support a tent set up on top, but I guess it is possible.

 

It is the full size (4x). I have a SnugTop Rebel with the sportsman package the increases the roof weight capacity. I’ve seen folks without the added package still use the regular Rebel with a RTT.

You’re right, you’ll need something cab high for the full size Skycamp, or it will hang off the back roughly 8-10”. I used to have the AluMax from MaxModular. That bedrack was great and light.

 

One more follow-up question With this setup, we need to mount the tent across two racks. When offroading I would expect there to be some flexibility between the bed and the cab, I could be wrong here. But if that's true I'm curious if mounting the tent across two racks like this is susceptible to mounting failure? Failure of the tent to the rack, or even worse, mounting failures between the racks and the bed or cab. Have you encountered any issues like this?

 

It’s ironic you ask about this. I’ve been trying to figure out the best approach to this exact issue.

I tried multiple approaches:
- attached to just the toprack and laying on the cab rack
- same as above with plastic spacers on the two bars where the tent mounts are attached
- same as above with anti-vibration pad under the 5 other crossbars on the toprack

This worked well but the tent would still bounce on the back two crossbars of the cab rack. After talking to a handful of folks across TW, Facebook, and in person, I decided to remove the back two bars from he cab rack and keep the spacers and pads. The tent requires a minimum of 29” center spacing for safely mounting. This setup achieves that and avoids the metal on metal wear. I don’t have any photos. I can throw some up if you’d like.

 

Great feedback. This is very helpful as I'm thinking through various approaches. I'm starting to think a mini on the camper shell might be a good starter, then incrementally add on from there. I've seen pictures of a mini on the cab and another on the camper, this sounds costly but I guess it is an option. So much to think about

Yeah if and when you have time I wouldn't mind seeing some pics, no big rush. Thanks again!

 

Here you go

 

Did you have to pull the bars to mount them drop on and bolt the crossbar? Looking at putting a mini over my cab and the sides are wider then on the toprack ?

 

I can’t speak for mounting on the TopRack. But for mine, I just set the tent on the bars, centered it, and tightened the mounts. The Prinsu racks aren’t the easiest to work with given their low profile.

 

Thanks I might try the 1.0 hardware, not much room so ill probably end up pulling the bars then mounting and drop back in place.

 

I just ordered the x-cover...don’t see too many people with it here or I’m not finding the right threads but I’m pretty stocked about it. It’ll be my first RTT. iKamper direct is sold out of them but I was able to purchase from artemisoverland.com with a 6-8 week lead time

If anyone has the x-cover I’d love to get some insight. I still haven’t pulled the trigger on a bed rack but leaning towards one of the Max Modular racks.

 

This looks awesome. How is this setup working now? Any updates? I'm looking to do this same setup with Smartcap. Could you say what racks you used? Thank you so much.

 

It worked great while we had the tent. We sold the tent a few months after those photos were taken. The Skycamp was a good tent, we just gave up on rooftop tents as a whole. Too many issues, too much effort to maintain and support, not able to store bedding, and having a dog and now a kid, it just didn’t make sense to keep it.

 

Thanks for the update. We're out of the baby phase with our 2 little girls and we're looking to get out more, especially this summer. I talked with a shop and they are a dealer for ikamper and prinsu and I think I'm going to bite the bullet and make the plunge. It's cheaper than a camper. Thanks for the pics, super helpful. I really didn't want this house rtt on huge Yakima bars.

Was it easy to resell the tent?