*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

hey guys, making an order in the next couple days for my first RTT. Im going with these guys:
https://www.gofsr.com

I just have a question. I dont know which one to order. Its between the one with the canopy and without.
Without:
https://www.gofsr.com/product/fsr-series-original-small/

With:
https://www.gofsr.com/product/fsr-series-canopy-small/

What are the benefits of the canopy?

 

I have a canopy/vestibule on mine and I love it.

If you're running an annex, it means that the ladder and entrance are fully enclosed and out of the weather. That gives you a lower room that you can use to get out of muddy/dirty boots, change clothes, keep dogs, etc. And if you're not using the annex, you still have a partially enclosed entrance to keep the weather off of you while you enter and exit the tent.

The downsides for me are the extra material that you have to stuff into the tent when you close it, a little added weight, and a few minutes of additional setup time with the vestibule hoop and guy lines. You also need a bit more site space on the side of the truck where the tent deploys. But for me, these are minor inconveniences that are far outweighed by the benefits of that feature.

 

I need to decide if I want an annex eventually. I am not going to get it with this purchase. You make valid points though. Can I add the annex to the tent that does not have the canopy?

 

I'm not sure, given that I didn't buy that brand. My Tepui included the annex.

I like having the annex because I have the option of throwing it in or not. To be honest, I haven't even used it yet. But the last trip I took over Thanksgiving, I didn't have it with me and I really wish I had. Would have come in handy.

 

This helps my decision. I think I am going to go for the canopy one. For one thing, its only $100 more. And the ability to add an annex later, makes it worth it for me, given all the points that you provided.

 

Yeah, for an extra $100, I'd say go for it!

Full disclosure, I believe you can still run an annex on a tent without a vestibule, assuming it's set up for that. The ladder is just outside the annex, I believe, rather than inside.

 

For me, I think of rain. Just about everytime we go camping it rains. So being able to get in and out without getting everything wet, is a big plus. I have a CVT with the overhang (canopy). It not only makes wet conditions easier to deal with but, also gives more sun relief. Good luck with your purchase.

 

For sure get the canopy/annex! I use my Tepui RTT a lot and I live having the option. When it's just me and the weather is decent I won't use it. But when my gf goes and we camp with others, she likes to have the the privacy of the room for changing. We've used the room to get out of the rain, store gear, even had a cot down there for another sleeping area. In super cold weather I put a heater in the room to take the chill off before bed. There's a ton of reasons to get it and all you "sacrifice" is a few extra minutes each install and a little extra space to store it.

 

Thanks! I will report back when I get it!

 

I think there's another GEO 165 tent available from @GEOADVENTUREGEAR with the killer discount. If it is still available, it's got the vestibule and already comes with the annex included.

 

@GEOADVENTUREGEAR you have a PM

 

I know he had one left last time he posted...



He may be at work today...a call might be better.

 

If you get the Annex make sure you have your tent at roof height..when you have a lower bed rack or even mid height it's kinda weird as the roof is low so the annex is less useful. Roof height ones are pretty sweet tho for sure!

 

I ordered the canopy version. My rack is 13" above bed height. So halfway to the roof height. I have not purchased the annex yet

 

That's why I didn't get the annex for mine. The bed bars are only about 8" over the bed rails. If I had opted to mount it on the roof I think it would be a worthwhile investment.

 

Same here. The annex space would just be a small, cramped closet.

 

Mine came with the annex, but for this reason I don't use it now.

 

This is good advice, and some good input in the posts that follow.

My rack puts the tent floor just below roof height, which amounts to about 6' when I'm loaded up for camping. That means I have to stoop a bit being 6'2", but it's totally fine. The space is still quite useful.

But as with everything, there are trade offs. I'm sure I take a couple MPG hit on the mileage, and I have to be more aware of the truck and the conditions in turns since I ditched my sway bar. But that's it. The mileage hit concerns me not at all, and the fact that I have ample room to use in the bed and on the sides of the rack is more than worth it for me. YMMV.

I think the canopy adds far more value over the life of the tent. You can always add the annex later if you feel it might be useful. In the meantime, you will love the canopy!