Tuff Stuff Alpha Roof Top Tent

guessing you are talking about the alpha 2?
thanks for your input

 

Yes the Alpha 2. Plenty of room for sleeping 2 and a dog or a small kid. and I'm 5'9" and I can sit on my knees in there so plenty of space.

 

I am glad I saw this. I have been looking at this and now will pull the trigger.

 

I know they say it is supposed to open to the passenger side...but with a low profile rack and turning it around... would there be any issues? I dig the hummer style slant back look vs the thicker part at the rear.

 

Not sure if there’s any issues but I kinda want to see how that looks. Maybe when I have time one day I’ll mount it with the thinner part in the rear and post some pics.

 

Gentlemen, would you care to share your long term experiences with your tent. I am considering purchasing the Alpha II. I am particularly interested in what you think of the mattress.

I am replacing an older, traditional type CVT RTT (shasta) in which I replaced the mattress long ago with an Exped Megamat Duo for comfort reasons. An unknown is whether there would be enough room in the Alpha II to fit the Exped and be able to close it up while its in there.

 

This is the only RTT we’ve owned so I don’t have anything to compare to. My wife and kids have not complained about not being comfortable. Me personally I think the mattress can be better, but I haven’t woken up in pain so I haven’t researched anything to improve comfort.

I’m not familiar with the Exped, but we are able to fit 3 pillows and a comforter inside and still able to close the tent. I have the Alpha I that sleeps 4. I wish it was a little slimmer but then we won’t be able to fit pillows and comforter inside. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks. It is encouraging to hear there is enough room for leaving bedding inside. The Exped is thicker than most standard mattresses but not by a lot and will compress when the air valve is opened. 2.5" for most standard mattresses compared to 4" (when inflated) for the Exped.

Is the standard mattress that came with your tent removable?

 

I've spent 20 nights in my Alpha II so far this year and I haven't had any issues with the mattress. The first gens of the Alpha that my buddy has, has a different mattress that is covered in felt and is pretty firm but the one in my II is a lot softer and has more of a waterproof cover on it. We leave out sleeping bags and blankets in there but usually take out our pillows. Mine also seems to not close fully but I think its from the Anti condensation mat thats for the soft shell tents is a little to thick.

 

Thanks for the feedback Chris! It is helpful.

 

Hey guys has anyone used it in the summertime? How is everyones tents holding up..im in the process of trying to figure out how i am going to store this thing and install and remove it before i buy it and just wanted to double check everyones thoughts on that as well! if you have any tricks on install or storage please let me know. the damn garage is to short so i cant get in with the roof racks and tent installed.

 

Could you tell me the exact width of the mattress on the Alpha 2 at both the wide and skinny ends? The web site says 53" but I'm trying to determine if that's the width at the upper, wider section or the width of the lower, skinnier section.

 

I can open mine after work and let you know.

 

So the mattress bigger section is about 47L by 56W and the smaller section is 32L by 53W. You loose about 1.5 inch on each side with the strusts but still plenty of room. Plus you have the 6 inches of bonus room in the head space when open so its over 7 ft long inside.

 

Very good info. I'm pretty sure my Exped Megamat is 52" wide which I was hoping to use.

 

Thank you very much for that info. I really appreciate you taking the time to do that. Very helpful.

 

To be honest I was expecting the mattress to be uncomfortable but after spending 14 nights straight in it I am very happy with the mattress. You might want to use the Exped but id try it a couple nights first.

 

If the mattress it comes with is as comfortable as you say, that would be great. I will definitely give it a chance before I make any changes.

 

Revere Overland is a YouTube channel I follow. He has a Tuff Stuff Alpha on his 4Runner. Here’s a long term review:

https://youtu.be/wH7hlNbcKZY

 

Are you able to fit bedding in your Alpha ll ?
I messed around a bit the other day, but gave up because it was too hot out. Seemed like I would really be stressing the hinge and lid to fit anything inside. Even pushed it down to the raised back end part