New to roof top tents

[Jobofly]

Current setup. It works but is a pain.

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[markleone22]

That may be something I look in too. Can you post a picture of the rack you built to hold it when not in use?

Sure thing, Joe. Just can't do it until I get home after 6pm today to photo it, because I'm pretty sure I have no photos of it yet.

 

[Krobarr]

This is my iKamper x-cover…had a Smittybilt, and this is so much easier due to no cover.

And here it is folded up (half rack)

We have the Gen 1 Smittybilt, and are looking to upgrade it to something better as it’s getting quite old now. Could you list any pros vs cons with you switching? Other than cost, are you happy for the trade offs?

 

[JeepDaddyJT]

so after spending two weeks in the desert and getting everything dirty dusty i made a truck cap for the tent to set on ,

 

[BamaGladiator]

We have the Gen 1 Smittybilt, and are looking to upgrade it to something better as it’s getting quite old now. Could you list any pros vs cons with you switching? Other than cost, are you happy for the trade offs?

Setup is way easier. The price on the xcover ikamper isn’t too bad. Mattress isn’t as comfortable as my smittybilt, but that was fixed with a bed topper. We had the 2-3 person smittybilt, and this one is a 4 person. The room is great. It also has racks already built into the hard cover, so we can haul kayaks/bikes up top instead of in the bed. The smittybilt was good, but the zipper kept breaking on me when I’d cover it. I had a couple leaks too…very small. I’ve had the ikamper for a year, and so far none of that…that could be from age though.

 

[smlobx]

There are a lot of things to consider when making a significant purchase like a rtt.
- How many people does it need to sleep?
- How big are those people?
- How long will your trips be?
- etc…

Ive heard comments in this thread about wanting to keep the tent below the top of the cab but I don’t agree… now keep in mind we all have our priorities and there is no one correct answer…. But for us our tent only goes on the truck when we’re on one of our overlanding trips and those trips usually last 3 to 10 weeks (nice being retired!). I’m more concerned with the security of things we have in be back of the bed so that’s why I went with an Alu Cab canopy and stick my tent on top when we’re on our trip.

I was one of the first people to get a Roofnest rtt and we’ve put that thing through the wringer over the last 8 years or so and we are now looking to upgrade our set up. While the rtt we have is relatively easy to set up getting access to the front latches isn’t the easiest and I think a wedge style tent will better suit us.

We just came back from a 3 week trip to Wyoming and are going to circumnavigate the Sahara Desert in 3 weeks in a friends borrowed 90 Series Toyota. I love the desert!

Anyway enjoy the journey! Hers a picture of a trip we did in the Spring in Utah…

 

[Frank...]

My Roofnest works well on Billy Bars, can still use the Mopar soft rollup tonneau cover.

 

[Frank...]

In action.

 

[Jobofly]

Thanks all, this is very helpful.

 

[AmishMike]

Started with these rated at 800 lbs. Can find them for $200 online, I got mine at Lowes.

Went to this aluminum rack from Voodoo-

Have since changed to the 58" bars so the rack is as long as the bed.
I am very pleased with their products! They now make a rack that goes over most soft caps. If I were buying from new, I would buy that.

After doing Rausch Creek with it on, I now take the RTT off for trails. Trails can be tight and worrying about the RTT and trees makes it exponentially more difficult.
Aerodynamics with the RTT over the top, about 1-1.5 mpg difference. Also was before I learned it likes high test.

Before my wife corrected the geometry on the annex. (She shortened the sides 10") It is a now defuncted Toro RTT.

Oh, can't say enough about Zero Breeze portable a/c. That was August in Orlando, top tent was cold, annex was decent and where my daughter slept.

 

[markleone22]

Started with these rated at 800 lbs. Can find them for $200 online, I got mine at Lowes.

Went to this aluminum rack from Voodoo-

Have since changed to the 58" bars so the rack is as long as the bed.
I am very pleased with their products! They now make a rack that goes over most soft caps. If I were buying from new, I would buy that.

After doing Rausch Creek with it on, I now take the RTT off for trails. Trails can be tight and worrying about the RTT and trees makes it exponentially more difficult.
Aerodynamics with the RTT over the top, about 1-1.5 mpg difference. Also was before I learned it likes high test.

Before my wife corrected the geometry on the annex. (She shortened the sides 10") It is a now defuncted Toro RTT.

Oh, can't say enough about Zero Breeze portable a/c. That was August in Orlando, top tent was cold, annex was decent and where my daughter slept.

On what do you base the claim that a truck with an RTT does better with high test? Not playing "gotcha" ... this is a serious question. Can you explain it to a dummy like me?

 

[AmishMike]

Mark,
While towing my 16' camper, I noticed a big change with high test. It jumped my sweet spot from 63 mph to 71 mph and gained me 1.5 mpg. I think that it would help with the extra drag from the RTT too. I have towed to Mt. Washington and Orlando from central Pa.. (did it with RTT too, but learned after RTT).
My thoughts are that the lower octane causes the engine to retard the ignition and make less power.
Now I run high test every time I tow.
-Mike
p.s. I have not had anyone else confirm this.

 

[markleone22]

Mark,
While towing my 16' camper, I noticed a big change with high test. It jumped my sweet spot from 63 mph to 71 mph and gained me 1.5 mpg. I think that it would help with the extra drag from the RTT too. I have towed to Mt. Washington and Orlando from central Pa.. (did it with RTT too, but learned after RTT).
My thoughts are that the lower octane causes the engine to retard the ignition and make less power.
Now I run high test every time I tow.
-Mike
p.s. I have not had anyone else confirm this.

Well ok, then. Seems to make sense. High test it is, when running the RTT. Thank you.

 

[AmishMike]

Let me know what you find.

 

[markleone22]

Let me know what you find.

Will do.

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