Should I sell my RTT?

[Dryfly24]

I’m torn.

On the one hand I really enjoy the experience of sleeping high up above the ground. I’ve gotten better sleep in my 23 Zero than have in any other tent I’ve ever used. Hell, I’ve slept better in it than in my own bed at home. But there are also some downsides I don’t like about it.

Chief among them is the weight and inconvenience of taking it off the rack and putting it back on when I want to use it. My son lives in Minnesota so I have to hunt down a couple buddies every time I need to do anything with it and that gets old.

Up to now I’ve gotten around it by just keeping it mounted but that got old as well. My Gladiator is also my DD. AND I wheel every single day and that’s a lot of weight to be lugging around 24/7.

Curious what you RTT guys do with yours? Do you mount it during camping season and just leave it on then take it back off when the season is over? Or do you mount it for a trip then take it back off again?

I’m thinking screw it, just sell it and go back to a ground tent but not sure I can be happy sleeping on the ground or in a cot again after the RTT experience. I keep going back and forth on it. Not sure what to do.

Thought about keeping it and using it just for special occasions but I don’t have the room to store it in my small garage either. It’s pretty much either keep it on 24/7 or get rid rid of it entirely.

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[Florida Mojave]

Have you thought about a teardrop style trailer? There are some on the internet you can rent. I was going to give this guy a try to see if I liked it... just my 2 cents....

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/aiken_sc_united-states/2020_wander-tears_vaga_239275-listing?cam=g18999459055&subcam=146281382360_kwd-14987511&gclid=CjwKCAjwloynBhBbEiwAGY25dEEXuxgezeLrdYf_W0cQXHlMi-LTOszDkes58CgKZcT6dJcBep9BJxoC60kQAvD_BwE&address=South Carolina, United States&delivery=false&deliveryCenter=-80.9007732114739&deliveryCenter=33.9184118141794&deliveryQuery=South Carolina, United States&locationId=region.197868

This one is closer to you...
https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental...lug=2022_sunset-park-rv_sunray_372754-listing

 

[Stitchedupseats]

I know. I hate to ruin mine carrying it around In the sun and weather 24/7. Always scared when I open it that something will be worn out. It’s tough. I’ve tried using the bucket on my tractor to balance tent and then pull out from under it. Then Pull forward with trailer and set it on it to take in the barn lol.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I took mine off for the summer, but the problem is I set the rack up different for summer use - I add a roof box and a small basket, so switching back requires moving the box and the gear in it, removing the basket, and moving the bars back to tent position. Tent just leans against the wall in my shed.

Considering strongly going back to a ground tent for my next trip - mostly because my next trip is an overlanding event where I will be returning to the same place each day.

Setting up my Gazelle, cot, and memory foam mattress takes the same time as the RTT and I can leave it at the site and go as I please during the day, vs breaking down and setting up every day. Also it's nice to be able to stand up to get dressed or take a leak.

Negative: Tracking more dirt into tent, wet weather is a little more problematic.

But - no fooling with resetting the rack or tearing down/putting up more times than necessary.

 

[sharpsicle]

I put in a cheap hoist in the garage, and pull off the RTT whenever it's not in use.

I can then either drop the RTT tent down onto a dolly and move it around, or I have 4 safety anchors in the ceiling joists I can clip onto and store it up high.

These photos are from the initial install. I've made it easier since then with different straps, carabiners, guide rollers for the hoist line, and eye hooks on the rack. I can drop it on or pull it off in 5 minutes.

EDIT: I'd also like to mention that this setup allows me to use the hoist for loading or unloading big items from my truck bed. I drop the RTT onto a dolly and roll it out of the way, and then I can use the hoist for moving around cargo items. It's been a great asset there, a definite win/win for me.

 

[jeepers29]

Front runner makes some quick release brackets for a RTT. I was going to use them before we bougth a M416 to mount the ten to.
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...e-tent-mount-kit-4-piece-by-front-runner.html

 

[aprez27]

I used to take mine off for the winter and throw a ski/snowboard rack back there. I have since bought a camper and sold the tent. Tent sold in a hour, so if you're selling ask more than you think you should.

 

[sharpsicle]

Front runner makes some quick release brackets for a RTT. I was going to use them before we bougth a M416 to mount the ten to.
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...e-tent-mount-kit-4-piece-by-front-runner.html

This is interesting. I might need to check these out. Right now I use t-bolts and an impact each time, which is what takes up most of the time in the changeout. This would make it really quick and easy.

 

[jeepers29]

This is interesting. I might need to check these out. Right now I use t-bolts and an impact each time, which is what takes up most of the time in the changeout. This would make it really quick and easy.

Yep, makes it much easier and they are lockable. They used to be much more expensive.

 

[ParadiseMo]

I've used mine once in 3 years and have been thinking the same, driven by the inverse of OP's situation (mine is permanent off).
The RTT is a logical solution and in most scenarios it just makes sense, until... yeah getting it on/off the rack by myself because it sits too high up on the racks and is bulky heavy to maneuver.

 

[ttn333]

I have mine on full time. It's a hard shell, so not too bad. Also switched to a smaller clamshell one to shave off some weight. I try to camp once a month, so it would be a pain to have to load it on and off every month. You can take a look at Inspired overland for a really lightweight one, 80lbs.

 

[Dryfly24]

Have you thought about a teardrop style trailer? There are some on the internet you can rent. I was going to give this guy a try to see if I liked it... just my 2 cents....

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/aiken_sc_united-states/2020_wander-tears_vaga_239275-listing?cam=g18999459055&subcam=146281382360_kwd-14987511&gclid=CjwKCAjwloynBhBbEiwAGY25dEEXuxgezeLrdYf_W0cQXHlMi-LTOszDkes58CgKZcT6dJcBep9BJxoC60kQAvD_BwE&address=South Carolina, United States&delivery=false&deliveryCenter=-80.9007732114739&deliveryCenter=33.9184118141794&deliveryQuery=South Carolina, United States&locationId=region.197868

This one is closer to you...
https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental...lug=2022_sunset-park-rv_sunray_372754-listing

I have thought about those.I’ll probably end up buying one eventually…

 

[Dryfly24]

I put in a cheap hoist in the garage, and pull off the RTT whenever it's not in use.

I can then either drop the RTT tent down onto a dolly and move it around, or I have 4 safety anchors in the ceiling joists I can clip onto and store it up high.

These photos are from the initial install. I've made it easier since then with different straps, carabiners, guide rollers for the hoist line, and eye hooks on the rack. I can drop it on or pull it off in 5 minutes.

EDIT: I'd also like to mention that this setup allows me to use the hoist for loading or unloading big items from my truck bed. I drop the RTT onto a dolly and roll it out of the way, and then I can use the hoist for moving around cargo items. It's been a great asset there, a definite win/win for me.

I like your setup but it won’t work for me as my garage ceiling is too low.

 

[sharpsicle]

I like your setup but it won’t work for me as my garage ceiling is too low.

How low is it? Mine's not that high either but it works. If you back in, you don't need to hold it high enough to clear the cab, just the bed.

 

[Dryfly24]

Front runner makes some quick release brackets for a RTT. I was going to use them before we bougth a M416 to mount the ten to.
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...e-tent-mount-kit-4-piece-by-front-runner.html

That’s neat but the issue for me is the weight of the tent since I have no one handy to help. Undoing the nuts and bolts is a snap with with a power ratchet.

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