*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

I'm in Boise and have the Frontrunner Featherlight RRT if you want to check out.
You can't go wrong with either CVT or Tepui

 

Does that let you hold a charge while running lights and whatnot?

 

No no, I was just playing around trying to get a reading.

 

Oh okay. I thought that was awesome!

 

Maybe I will do a comparison with solar and non solar with all lights on and time it.

 

From all the research I have done on RTT's before I bought my Kukenam XL Ruggedized. Let me just say there were a few top brands on my list and it was a hard decision. A lot of factors have to be considered before you make a big purchase. Just because there are RTT' that are dirt cheap...... well, you really get what you pay for...... IMO.....This is what I found out and researched before I bought... There are many RTT companies and many top brands to choose from......

1. Majority of the RTT's are produced in China.
2. Majority of the RTT companies/distributors have their own characteristics. Meaning their own styles, shapes and colors.
3. Strength, thickness of all the fabrics and quality of stitching vary with different RTT brands.
4. RTT companies have their own level of quality/workmanship.
5. Some RTT companies send company reps to China frequently to ensure high quality and workmanship is maintained.
6. The best decision of purchasing a RTT is what you like. How much you want to spend? Do your research . Just make sure that you are happy with what RTT is
riding high on your ride.........

 

I saw some but not as good as Tepui, even the Tepui Ayer has better fabrics than Adventuresolert bravo RT.

 

I totally agree with this!

Not sure how you came up with this conclusion. They all have the same material/fabrics as far as I can tell... maybe you can elaborate on this? Do you have any screen shots that show this? Thanks!

 

Here is an example: From Adventure sole material spec: BODY FABRIC – Adventure Sole RT’s are made from high quality, breathable, waterproof and mold resistant 280g poly-cotton ripstop fabric. From other RTT website: BODY FABRIC -360g Polyester Cotton (canvas); 600D ripstop fabric with waterproof ventilate coating, dual stitched taped seams, UV and mold resistant. There's a difference between fabrics from all RTT companies. They all don't have the same type of fabrics.. Okay, cheaper RTT's= thinner fabrics, cheaper construction, lower quality. I've been to camping shows and have seen and felt the different fabrics from different vendors, there is a difference.....

I did a lot of research, before I bought mine.... Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I spent the extra couple hundred dollars to get a high quality RTT that will last me for years, I've had friends buy the cheap RTT's and were very disappointed, in fact they couldn't even sale them to get rid of them...... Like I said before,
it is what you like, no one else can decide what is a good choice for you. I know even cheaper RTT's than what you are looking at, but I would not recommend them. It's to each there own my friend...... Good luck with your RTT purchase. RTT's are a lot fun..

 

@scott96929 I noticed you "liked" what I said. Does that mean you have no facts to back up your argument that Tepui tents are made of better quality fabric then Adventure Sole RT?

As you mentioned in your post earlier...

But isn't it also true that just because it's more expensive then it's competition, doesnt necessarily mean it's better? Sometimes your just paying for the brand name.

But who's to fault Tepui? If people are paying $100s more for the exact same tent that they can buy from someone else for cheaper, then who's fault is that? It's sure not Tepui's.

Forgive me for playing Devil's advocate. I just don't see any difference between the majority of the tents... just price.

I might take my chances with the cheaper Adventure Sole RT. I'll let you know if it was a mistake or if I found a diamond in the rough.

 

I upgraded this summer from the Tepui Kukenam to the Tepui Autana (can I say upgraded?) and I gotta be honest, I kind of prefer the Kukenam. I find I get way less of breeze through in the Autana because of the hangover however the extra privacy is awesome. Hopefully the addition of a fan to the roof will help.

I know a lot of people will hate me for saying this but it's something to be aware of.

 

This was one reason I moved away from the Autana. It definitely is a tricky trade off. In foul weather the autana is king but in a blazing summer campout the tents without the overhang get much better circulation. Now that I have had both it is hard to say which is better.

 

The majority of tents are very similar but when you start looking at a few models or a few brands there are significant differences. The Tepui ruggedized models are very different than the rest of the tents out there. Heavier fabric, extra rain fly rods, diamond plate floor, standard condensation mat inside etc. Eezi awn tents are also different. Heavier fabric still, wood floor, bi-fold mattress vs single piece mattress, PVC rainfly vs coated ripstop, different travel cover attachment too.

Having owned both a Tepui Autana, and an Eezi Awn 1600, and having seen Tepui Ruggedized Models In person there is a huge difference between the three. And they each cost something different. There is nothing wrong with the Tepui Autana, I loved it and it worked great. BUT, the Ruggedized models are nicer and more expensive. The Eezi Awn is as nice as the Ruggedized if not a bit more, I am still trying to decide, and it is up there in price as well.

Not always does a higher price tag mean a better product but there is often a good association.

 

Great input @zscott! I just needed someone to provide facts on why Tepui is better. I'm still not sure if it's worth $100s more than everyone else... especially for things like diamond plated floors (seems a bit excessive), extra rain fly rods (I'll buy more if I need them), condensation mat (I'm pretty sure I can get a nicer one at Cabela's/REI for a cheaper price), etc. But to each it's own. I think I'll go with something a bit cheaper, but still good quality.

Thank you!

 

Trust me the diamond floor is nice. The normal floors will be the first thing to go alongside the cover. The extra rain fly rods only work if you have the holes and grommets that go with them on the tent. Yes you can install your own if you are handy and save some money but most people dont want to hack up the tent right after they buy it. Also, the condensation mats are something that are specifically made for roof top tents you won't find anything in cabelas/REI for them. I used furnace filters for awhile under my mattress in my Tepui and it worked ok till they flattened and then they were worthless. I'm not trying to argue or discourage you from buying another brand, I could care less. Just providing as much info as possible.

 

If I'm going to pay over $2000 on a tent, I'm going to spend a little more and get a used travel trailer. Not a tent with diamond plating on it. I can justify $1000 on a RTT but over $2000 just seems stupid.

 

Can you take a used travel trailer go everywhere you'd take a RTT? An RTT isn't for everyone, just need to think if it suits your camping style.

 

Don't count out the diamond plate. While I'm not a fan of diamond plate, i see the use of it here. When I picked up my tent i may or may not have pushed it into one of my bed cleats, which went through the cardboard, through the first layer of aluminum, and halfway through the styrofoam insulation.... I'd also recommend taking the cleats on the front rail of your bed out before loading the tent into the truck...

 

The reason I take mine off has more to do with overall height than MPG. Some places are like driving by braille