06-13-2018, 09:11 PM
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#16
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Banned
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,247
Real Name: Mark
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Banned
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,247
Real Name: Mark
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I’m researching also, and saw an article on hard shell RTTs. They look a lot more appealing than the soft side tent-like ones. I especially like the Autohome Columbus Variant Small. Quick setup and stowing. Around 115 pounds and the streamline dimensions should be quiet and not a big hit on MPG.
Does anyone have experience with this tent?
Here are some representative photos and a link to the article.
https://expeditionportal.com/the-travelers-tree-house/
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07-09-2018, 04:08 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
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Just bought a Tepui and I can’t be happier. Originally bought the Yakima sky rise but REI recommended I go with the tepui because the sky rise should be on yakima style cross bars. I have a gobi rack and the tepui mounts on the cross bars with heavy duty steel rather than plastic like the Yakima.
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07-09-2018, 06:20 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Englewood, Colorado
Posts: 23
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Englewood, Colorado
Posts: 23
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I can't speak to the Yakima tent, but I can answer the other two.
I daily drive mine with the tent up there, did it on my Jeep too. It's noticeable, but not crazy different. As for MPG, this 4Runner is better than my Jeep (9mpg) ever was so I really don't care lol
I wouldn't take it on/off very often. It's a 2-person job (the wife helps me) and takes about 20 minutes to align it, bolt everything down, & double check it. Definitely not something I'd want to do frequently, but I do take it off for the winter months.
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2014 SR5P - PowerStop Brakes, Firestone Airbag Suspension, Lots of PlastiDip
SmittyBilt 2783 RTT
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07-09-2018, 08:24 PM
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#19
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: PNW
Posts: 134
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: PNW
Posts: 134
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I've had a RTT on my 4Runner every day for the past 18 months. I never take it off just because I really have no place to put it. If there was an MPG or performance hit, I haven't noticed it.
As far as the Skyline specifically, I will say that, in my opinion, you should get a hardshell if you can afford it and can fit everyone in it. They're much easier to set up and take down which mostly matters when you're trying to dry out the tent.
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07-09-2018, 08:41 PM
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#20
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Member
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Oregon
Posts: 744
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Oregon
Posts: 744
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We love ours so far. The way my rack is setup (ecotechne) I mounted mine in the crossbars and leave the tent attached to them, unbolt the crossbars from the rack so the tent is always aligned and is only 8 bolts to remove. I can see how everyone has different needs for sure. Try before you buy if you can.
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'16 TEP. Ecotechne roof rack, BFG 285’s on Method BL's, Dobinsons 3”/2" lift, MT sliders, slimline front bumper Smittybilt winch, Expedition One rear bumper, Indel-B 50 fridge, lots more.
M416 Offroad trailer build in progress, RTT, Compact camping Concepts rack system, 275 BFG’s on FJ steelies, more coming...
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07-09-2018, 10:18 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: West rural Louisiana
Age: 65
Posts: 2,566
Real Name: CJ
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: West rural Louisiana
Age: 65
Posts: 2,566
Real Name: CJ
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I spent $1500 on a 4'x6' enclosed cargo trailer in January, with the intention of slowly building it up for use the first weekend in May. After an aborted trip to Tennessee last Labor Day weekend and spending 24 hours trapped in the camp by TS Harvey I decided I wanted the option to go either way. Most of my wheeling is done at closed parks with onsite camping. On those trips I will be using the trailer. But if I do an "overlanding" style trip when I will be breaking camp on a daily basis to setup elsewhere that evening I can move the RTT to the 4Runner by simply removing 12 screws, moving the tent, and re-installing the screws, and leaving the trailer at home. Still a 2 person job to move it, but only about 15 - 20 minutes of work.
The first picture is the camp in Tennessee. Everything pictured in the camp below that came out of the trailer during the May weekend, with room left over in there. I added a 270 awning after the Jambo in May but have not had it camping yet. The trailer is capable of handling maintained forest roads, and some LIGHT off roading at a very slow pace, and I will readily acknowledge it is not an off road trailer. But I didn't buy it intending to make it so. I bought it to use as a base camp. Including the already owned RTT and awning I'm at around $3300 invested so far.
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2014 Trail Edition -
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2015 Epic in my own mind trip
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07-09-2018, 11:03 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West
Posts: 1,300
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West
Posts: 1,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3wbdriver
I spent $1500 on a 4'x6' enclosed cargo trailer in January, with the intention of slowly building it up for use the first weekend in May. After an aborted trip to Tennessee last Labor Day weekend and spending 24 hours trapped in the camp by TS Harvey I decided I wanted the option to go either way. Most of my wheeling is done at closed parks with onsite camping. On those trips I will be using the trailer. But if I do an "overlanding" style trip when I will be breaking camp on a daily basis to setup elsewhere that evening I can move the RTT to the 4Runner by simply removing 12 screws, moving the tent, and re-installing the screws, and leaving the trailer at home. Still a 2 person job to move it, but only about 15 - 20 minutes of work.
The first picture is the camp in Tennessee. Everything pictured in the camp below that came out of the trailer during the May weekend, with room left over in there. I added a 270 awning after the Jambo in May but have not had it camping yet. The trailer is capable of handling maintained forest roads, and some LIGHT off roading at a very slow pace, and I will readily acknowledge it is not an off road trailer. But I didn't buy it intending to make it so. I bought it to use as a base camp. Including the already owned RTT and awning I'm at around $3300 invested so far.
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All that investment and you still bring plastic bottled water camping...humpf
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07-09-2018, 11:34 PM
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#23
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 379
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 379
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I'm 5 days into a 5-week trip from Austin to Washington and back including many nights camping in mu Skyrise 3 in NM, CO, and UT. I'm honestly getting the best gas mileage I've seen so far, for whatever reason. Compared to my previous Outback, the tent doesn't seem to affect the handling at all either. It's really straight-forward to set up and tear down. I bought the annex for it and it saved my ass in a huge hail storm in Angel Fire a couple days ago. My Gobi ladder is also a life-saver for dealing with the cover and the rain-fly poles.
I'm not too stoked about how high up it sits but I kinda don't care either.
Like others have said, it may or may not work for different people. Wouldn't want it as a daily driver situation. Me and a buddy can get it off and on the roof to my shed in 5 minutes. Super easy.
Last edited by unsub1; 07-09-2018 at 11:39 PM.
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07-10-2018, 08:45 AM
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#24
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Littleton, co
Age: 48
Posts: 3,613
Real Name: Halko
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Littleton, co
Age: 48
Posts: 3,613
Real Name: Halko
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I leave my RTT on most of the summer, there is definitely a gas mileage hit but with my upgraded suspension I don’t notice much on handling until I get off-road.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend leaving it up for daily driving but logistically I don’t plan well enough in advance for many excursions. By leaving it up all I need to do is fill the fridge and pack some clothes and I’m out the door!
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2011 Silver LE, 3rd row, 285 GY Duratracs, Elka remote with adjusters/Icon Overland springs, SPC UCA's, RCI skids, Shrockworks step slider with OE Trail rockers, CBI rear bumper, Indel B fridge, SPOD, and more...
Build link:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...el-thread.html
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07-10-2018, 09:17 AM
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#25
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 26
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 26
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I have heard great things about the iKamper (don't own one, not affiliated with them). If I ever had the $$$ for something like this, this is what I would get (mounted on the top of an offroad worthy teardrop trailer is the dream).
Hardshell, Low Profile, sleeps 4 on a King Sized Bed.
https://www.ikamper.com/pages/skycamp
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2018 SR5 4x4 w/3rd row. Toytec BOSS Suspension. Gobi Stealth Rack. RCI Sliders, Opus Offroad trailer. Sig pic out of date!
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07-10-2018, 10:39 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon
Age: 60
Posts: 1,559
Real Name: Neal
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon
Age: 60
Posts: 1,559
Real Name: Neal
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Something to think about....
Where the heck would you store it when not in use?
I agree that on top of the rig might not be ideal, actually I see lots of problems with that plan, however the alternatives aren't much better. WHo has enough floor, ceiling, or warehouse to store that for 9 months a year?
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07-10-2018, 11:05 AM
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#27
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Boulder
Posts: 42
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Boulder
Posts: 42
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Reading through these threads, I find it hilarious that so many people are willing to deal with all these headaches and downsides because they can’t fathom the “inconvenience” of setting up a ground tent which takes all of 10 minutes a few times a year when you go camping.
1. $4k+ investment for roof rack and RTT
2. MPG hit
3. Can’t garage your vehicle any longer (including public garages)
4. Have to break down your tent every time you need to drive somewhere and set it up again each day.
5. Requires 2-3 people and an hour of labor to take it on and off.
6. Will take up a ton of garage space to store it off the vehicle.
7. Unless it’s a hardshell, it also takes 10 mins to set up and break down, but every day instead of the bookends of your stay. (See #4)
8. Adversely affects vehicle handling due to adding 250lbs at the worst possible place.
I’m sure I’m forgetting a few, but honestly, you would have to REALLY hate setting up a ground tent and have tons of disposable income to deal with all this BS in the name of “convenience”.
Having said that, they look cool and fun and I totally want one ;)
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2018 TRD Off-Road | KDSS | BF Goodrich 275/70/17 | OME 3" Suspension | SPC UCAs | RSG Sliders
Last edited by cgrigsby79; 07-10-2018 at 11:13 AM.
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07-10-2018, 11:11 AM
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#28
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 77
Real Name: Jeff
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 77
Real Name: Jeff
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Roof top tent on a TRD Pro
My wife and I love our rooftop tent and use it anytime we can. This is my second tent. I started with a less expensive Mombasa to see if we would use it and enjoy it. That tent cost me $400 used and it was good, but made of less durable parts. The zippers were flimsy, the screens were thin and the walls were some heavy fabric that was not breathable. We used the hell out of that tent and I ended up selling it a few years later for the same price I bought it for. Consider buying a less expensive tent first and see if you will use it. There is always a market for used rooftop tents.
I picked up a lightly used Tepui Autana on ebay for $800 and it is outstanding. Everything is made of durable parts and set up and takedown are quick. We use it for off-road motorcycle rallyes, camping, overland travel and even at the drive-in movies where we park in the back and spend the night. I also bought a CVT awning with a full room - 6 sides (floor and ceiling) which is a quick set up.
I lost about 1 or 2 miles per gallon driving and really cant feel it on top of my TRD Pro. It is lifted 3 inches and has 33 inch tires. The only real complaint I have it that the tent is a pain to put on my Baja rack because of the low rise of the bars. I am trying to figure out a way to make that easier. We put the tent on in May and leave it on until November.
Here are some pictures of our various configurations -
Tacoma with Mombasa and 4 foot awning -
4Runner with Tepui
[IMG] [/IMG]
awning and room
in the driveway this morning drying out from a recent camping trip
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2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro "Marsha" - Gobi rack, Shrockwork sliders, Toytec 2" lift, Tepui RTT & CVT Batwing Awning
2006 BMW HP2 Enduro - GRAVEL
2006 BMW HP2 Enduro - DIRT
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07-10-2018, 11:18 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,646
Real Name: Chris
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,646
Real Name: Chris
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I leave mine on my daily driver if I know I am going back to back weekends. I have gone 3 weekends in a row now so I have kept it on top. after this weekend I will remove it. I have noticed a little bit of performance hit, mpg's not on my daily drive. the convenience / quickness is worth it. I just need to load up the totes and go.
I love having the RTT. it can be a pain to set up and take down (I some how always get the zipper stuck with the cover) but the in between time is great. My dog loves sleeping / using the annex to rest (he is 15). plus we have a place to change, store everything. At night when the bugs are too annoying we can all go inside and play cards. I feel much safer in it. it is way stronger than a ground tent. i almost never stake it down. we camped in some crazy winds a few weekends back, slept like a baby and tent didn't move. the CVT has storage inside the tent, I keep my keys and phone in here. plus a firearm. I set up some solar lights inside. inside just feels so much roomier and more open than a ground tent.
I have a 2.5 car garage so I have plenty of storage to keep inside. Since I have to load/unload it myself I use an electric hoist. still trying to perfect this
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07-10-2018, 11:38 AM
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#30
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Earth
Posts: 317
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Earth
Posts: 317
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I'm working with a local fabricator who has done some quick-disconnect mounts for heavy hardware. He's fabbing something up for me to quickly mount/dismount an RTT since I only want this thing on my roof rack when I need it to be. I'll update you as soon as he's done.
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