*THE RTT Owners Thread (With BS)*

@bski22 @90yota
My not so comprehensive Pro/Con list for Soft vs Hard RTTs:

SOFT RTT
Pros:

• more sleeping room for the money; nice for family
• covered entrance is nice in the rain, annexes available for most models to increase sleeping/storage room
• overhang portion of tent, serves as a small awning
• skyview/stargazer is nice feature, but rainfly must be removed (then re-installed when stowing)
• best bang for buck

Cons:

• longer to set-up and takedown/stow
• limited ability to store bedding with tent stowed
• tent fabric holds a lot moisture if stowed wet (compared to hardshell)
• more drag (mpg) compared to most hardshells
• vehicle is immobile with tent fully deployed

HARD RTT
Pros:

• fast to set-up (about 1min for the four clamps and 1 minute to take-out and set-up ladder)
• fast to takedown (about 2-3min)
• bedding is easily stowed; saving you room in vehicle and decreases time spent setting-up camp. I can fit 2 pillows and 2 sleeping bags with room to spare when stowed.
• less drag
• straight walls give you the most interior volume for a given footprint
• vehicle can be re-positioned with tent set-up
• since only the tent walls are fabric; less wet fabric to stow in wet conditions

Cons:

• more expensive; although used hard shells can be had for less than the ruggedized/summit series soft tents
• take-up more rack real estate, compared to most soft RTTs

The first night that I spent in my James Baroud the temps dropped into the mid 30s by morning. It was my 2nd time stowing the tent and it took me about 3 minutes, with cold/gloveless fingers. The 4 large clamps that secure the tent could easily be manipulated with gloves if you wanted. I plan to use this tent year round and in the mountains during the Winter, so ease of set-up/takedown was important. Although not a factor for many people, I like that the hard shell requires a single parking space 'footprint'. Last night I set-up the tent in the RV/Semi area of a Virginia rest stop where I spent the night; not something that I'd do with a soft RTT.

Regarding price, I'm a craigslist/forum/eBay watcher. James Baroud and Autohome tents can be found in the 1500-2500 area. Like any luxury item, someone somewhere is getting married/divorced, having a kid or simply changing hobbies. My previous 23 Zero soft RTT and this Baroud hard shell were both demo models as I can't afford to pay list price for anything.

 

Nice write up, I agree with everything you said. They both have their benefits/disadvantages. Can't go wrong either way. My philosophy on anything in life: if it makes you feel good, go for it, life is short.

 

Damn good write up, I agree too. I also went from soft shell to hard shell and I'll never look back. I'm also single, if I ever get a woman we will just sleep that much closer haha. Also with my Mr heater little buddy the hardshell warmed up to toasty in about 3 minutes in 25 degree weather. I do miss the overhang over my ladder but that's no big deal, I hate camping in rain period lol

 

Looks about like what I do to get mine on and off.

 

My brother is looking for a hardshell tent and since the Tepui White Lightning isn't available he's looking at the Mt St Helens from CVT. Anyone know why they're not available online anymore? Where are people getting these?

 

CVT website say you can still call to purchase the Mt St Helens... Also, the offerings from Bigfoot and Roofnest look very similar and appear to be in the same price range.

 

As most of you know I've been pretty much Tepui focused for years now since I've been working with them so I'm a bit out of the loop on some of these other options. I've seen a little on the Bigfoot and the Roofnest, are they the same tent as the MtStHelens? What's different?

 

Possibly get him on with the @ChandlerDOOM hardshells? Everybody who’s received them seem to be happy. I saw @stronghammer tent the other weekend in KY and I’m a bit jelly.

 

All the time!

 

Anyone else had problems with the tepui tent covers? Right where the zipper starts and you feed it together in the metal zip. The plastic teeth are almost worn out and won't enclose together if I Force it through it will but the first 3 inches of zipper is just open lol. Hope that makes sense.

 

I'll let you check their respective websites to get details. From what I can tell the CVT, Bigfoot and Roofnest all have more in common than they do differences (much like the Tepui, CVT, etc market). I realize there are differences in QC, customer service, etc...

 

I'll have to give it a shot. I just feel like the little amount of lifting I have to do with the hoist (lifting each side to get the bolt into the mounting track) it's still a pain. The tent is pretty heavy.

 

Sweet!

 

Nice write up. I am wondering if any other company is doing the anti-freezing PVC window in the rain fly such like the TREELINE OUTDOORS rtt’s? For example the summit series cvt or ruggedized tepui tents which are comparable to the TO models currently shown on their site.

 

When I was at CVT a few weeks ago, their floor models had a pvc window in the rain fly. Almost made me want to sell my Tepui on the spot. If only my tent wasn't still brand new at the time

 

The windows are a cool idea but if you've ever seen a soft top or convertible vehicle with PCV window you'll know they get scratched and hazy and can eventually dry out and crack. Those clear nights looking at the stars eventually become just as invisible as without the windows. I'm sure you could replace the rainfly if you wanted to when they got bad. Tepui used to offer clear window kits for the interior windows of their tents, just didn't hit the long term quality bar.

 

I hear ya. Living in the pnw I don't know how many nights I can safely detach the rain fly to look up at the stars. I get the convertible theory and long term wear too.

 

I never open my roof windows, because I can't see stars through the PVC! If I could do it again, I would just pass on the Stargazer option. The best would be if you could unzip the screens and windows. Not sure why not - instead of 1,000,000,000 zippers, it would be 1,000,000,004.