Setting up for camping

[Tar Heel Wrangler]

I'm keeping it simple and cheap. I hate sleeping on air mattresses. They are hot and squeaky. My cot is much more comfortable and quicker to set up.

Sponsored

 

[MattK]

I use an older Gazelle T3. It sounds like the newer ones are a bit bigger.

I bought it originally to camp my way across country (San Diego to Charleston) during the pandemic to get to family. My nephew (full-sized adult) and I slept in it just fine and never felt cramped. Used two 3.5-4" self inflating mattresses (1 REI and 1 Exped Megamat) I needed to inflate mine a bit more as I'm a side sleeper and the hip sinks in.

Were only in each camp spot one night except Moab we stayed two nights to explore Arches and off-road. The tent was put to the test in Colorado at the base of Rocky Mtn. NP as it rained hard for all of the afternoon and night at Arapaho Bay campground. The next night on the other side or RMNP it froze over. All other locations performed just fine GCNP, midwest humidity and SMNP.

Pros: Sets up/breaks down fast. I take time to clean it up best I can before breakdown. Just open doors, pick it up and shake it out!

Cons: Rain fly is atrociously small! If you get rain with any angle on it that wall will eventually give in and soak. If there was a rainfly that covers the sides this would not be an issue. Having to move sleeping pads inwards and keep any materials off the wall as to not transfer water from a soggy sidewall makes the tent feel cramped. Pay attention when you enter/exit the door as you can easily catch a foot and trip in/out due to the weird door shape.

I don't remember if it comes with guy lines but get one for each wall. If enough wind gets on the tent it will pop that wall in. I use a set of Nite Ize Figure 9 doodads just to make it super easy for me.

 

[KB Voodoo]

They look like KB Voodoo.

Edit: gonzoy beat me to it

Those are indeed our steel crossbars: https://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/jeep-gladiator-hi-rise-crossbars-for-use-with-tonneau-covers

They are in stock and ready to ship!

 

[guarnibl]

Those are indeed our steel crossbars: https://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/jeep-gladiator-hi-rise-crossbars-for-use-with-tonneau-covers

They are in stock and ready to ship!

Does adding a third bar increase the weight limits for static at all? We're pretty close to the max weight of the two bars with a tent (460 pounds total). This is pretty much what I'm looking for though, as it would keep the Roofnest Condor hard shell below the top of the cab (keeping me below 7 feet), and let me raise/lower it onto the truck in my garage with a hoist.

 

[jeepnutt1983]

Go with the BillieBars, 1000lbs static. They are also a site sponser and just came out with their 6.5" risers which allow the toneau cover to roll underneath.

https://billiebars.com/

Does adding a third bar increase the weight limits for static at all? We're pretty close to the max weight of the two bars with a tent (460 pounds total). This is pretty much what I'm looking for though, as it would keep the Roofnest Condor hard shell below the top of the cab (keeping me below 7 feet), and let me raise/lower it onto the truck in my garage with a hoist.

 

[guarnibl]

Go with the BillieBars, 1000lbs static. They are also a site sponser and just came out with their 6.5" risers which allow the toneau cover to roll underneath.

https://billiebars.com/

Damn, nice. With say, an iKamper mini or Roofnest condor -- will it fit flush with the cab height? Or go over the cab in height? I don't have a lot of clearance, so curious if anyone knows.

This will be great though, then can add toneau cover and ARB elements fridge with slider and it'll still fit underneath. Should even be able to use the trail rails now and mount power tank as well with lock.

 

[jeepnutt1983]

I did not measure it but I think it's around 20" from the top of the bed to the top of the cab so I think it would end up pretty close to the same height.

 

[guarnibl]

I did not measure it but I think it's around 20" from the top of the bed to the top of the cab so I think it would end up pretty close to the same height.

Looks good though!

Yeah, that'll be close. Though if it's 20" and these take up 6.5" -- figure another 13.5" MAX for a RTT. So it should fit. I have a couple of inches technically speaking still to spare, so I think it'll be below 7 feet.

 

[guarnibl]

Yep, so it's actually 22" from bed to top of cab. I still have an easy 2" (technically I think it's higher but estimated conservatively) from 7 feet, so I'll be good no matter what.

 

[Davekayc]

Tepui kukenam 3 ruggedized . Home made 10.5” tall stand. Exactly 28” clearance underneath.pic

2 days ago

 

[gonzoy5]

I use an older Gazelle T3. It sounds like the newer ones are a bit bigger.

I bought it originally to camp my way across country (San Diego to Charleston) during the pandemic to get to family. My nephew (full-sized adult) and I slept in it just fine and never felt cramped. Used two 3.5-4" self inflating mattresses (1 REI and 1 Exped Megamat) I needed to inflate mine a bit more as I'm a side sleeper and the hip sinks in.

Were only in each camp spot one night except Moab we stayed two nights to explore Arches and off-road. The tent was put to the test in Colorado at the base of Rocky Mtn. NP as it rained hard for all of the afternoon and night at Arapaho Bay campground. The next night on the other side or RMNP it froze over. All other locations performed just fine GCNP, midwest humidity and SMNP.

Pros: Sets up/breaks down fast. I take time to clean it up best I can before breakdown. Just open doors, pick it up and shake it out!

Cons: Rain fly is atrociously small! If you get rain with any angle on it that wall will eventually give in and soak. If there was a rainfly that covers the sides this would not be an issue. Having to move sleeping pads inwards and keep any materials off the wall as to not transfer water from a soggy sidewall makes the tent feel cramped. Pay attention when you enter/exit the door as you can easily catch a foot and trip in/out due to the weird door shape.

I don't remember if it comes with guy lines but get one for each wall. If enough wind gets on the tent it will pop that wall in. I use a set of Nite Ize Figure 9 doodads just to make it super easy for me.

Something might have changed. I mine is the t4 overland, have spent 3 nights in good rain without any soak through or leak issues. Sideways rain and all. It does come with guy lines but I wasn't in a windy enough area to need them.

Sponsored