Tuff Stuff Alpha Roof Top Tent

We always leave our sleeping bags and blankets in there when we are out. Our pillows we take out just because we make a soft platform for my old dog in the back seat with them. Mine never seems to close fully even with everything out of it. I do have the anti condensation pad for the soft shells in there and I think that is why it doesn't look like its closed fully but never had an issue with it. I am thinking I am going to buy the one for the alpha just to see if it closes a little more. There is about a 15 inch open space when you close the tent between the lower half (feet section)and the lid of it so there is a lot of room up in there.

 

Do you cover them or something?

 

Yeah we put a blanket and her dog bed on them so she doesn't make a mess

 

Has anyone have any issues with mounting an awning to the opposite side of the ladder opening? Just looks like the pop-up style of the RTT would interfere with the awning opening. Pic for reference -

 

I have my tent mounted on a Sherpa Rack and they sell tent mounts that raise it up a little. (.5 or 1 inch) I got the .5 inch and have my awning mounted on the driver side, tent opens on the passenger. I also have the awning mounted on their Low-pro awning mounts. The tent does rub slightly when open just enough to make a little sound when we move around in it but it hasn't done anything to the tent. Just a mark on the weather striping. The tent will make contact and not open fully if I were to have it mounted a different way. I know the prinsu awning mounts would not work with this tent unless you offset it to one side. I can add pics if it helps also.

 

Just posted this in a couple others but since I have an Alpha I figured this applies here most of all. I would suggest changing the nuts even if they aren't having issues.
Last night I popped open my rtt. Seems all the wash board roads I drive caused one of the nuts holding the support bar to come off and the bolt back half way out. Took me about a half hour to get the thing back in. There is a threaded insert in the support bar that was spinning and I struggled to get it to hold still enough to get a nut on it. But I got it on and put a nylock nut on both sides. Long story short if you have an RTT and drive a lot of rough roads CHECK THE HARDWARE! I would have been pissed if I got to camp one night and the tent wouldn't open right or something worse.

 

Can you post a pic of the what you are referring to? I just got my Alpha II and an setting it up now. I am curious if the Alpha II is setup the same as your Alpha.

 

I have an Alpha II and the full size is the same just bigger. I can take some pics tonight when I get to camp. I'll post them if I have service or on Monday. It is the bar that folds out with the foot section and hold up the door side of the tent. There is a alen head bolt and with a dome nut and lock washer on it. The nut is what came off. I would just take them off and put nylock nuts on to make sure. It should be a M8x1.25

 

Thanks I'll take a look to see if I can see what you are referencing. I didn't realize you were out camping. If you can post a pic that would be great. If not, no worries. Thanks.

 

Finishing up at work then heading outta town I meant to take some pics when I was in there but it was hot af last night and I was sweating and getting upset lol

 

Not sure which one you’re talking about. But I guess I’ll be checking everything. Take a picture so I’ll know for sure which one. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I'm back from camping and can give you guys some pictures now.
This is the bar I am talking about Sorry not the greatest pics
And the bolt that came loose was this one. I would suggest changing the nut on here for a nylock like I have now. Or just red locktight them.

 

I think the blue locktite would be sufficient. The red is basically permanent.

 

Cool! Thanks man!

 

True, Blue so you can take it off if need be.

 

Anyone install the alpha 2 the opposite way (opening on the driver side) and have pics? I have a low profile rack (front runner) so I might be ok with aerodynamics, but I'd like to have a visual also, anyone install the alpha 3 on a long bed??

Thanks!!

 

can you use t-nuts to bolt down to the bed rack? Iam trying to avoid using the u-bolt on my rci bed rack.

 

can you use t-nuts to anchor the tent to the bed rack? Iam trying to avoid using the u-bolts i seen used on the website.

 

I think it would work, but I would check with Tuff Stuff just to be sure. I talked to a couple of people there and were really helpful.

 

Hey everyone, I got an Alpha ll tent this pass spring, I have gotten to us it about 17 nights and really like sleeping in it. But I have a problem, without anything extra in the tent, it is a real pain to close, if cold outside, I need a strap to close it.
I talked to Tuffstuff about it and they sent a new mattress that they say is smaller, but looks the same side by side, to me it feels softer.
Anyone else having this problem?


The strap was need to get the top to close this far, nothing extra inside

New and old mattress


There is the only difference in size I can find, except for the feel of mattress density to me

Does your hinge side bow out like this?