iKamper X-Cover

I thought this product deserved its’ own thread even though it is not really out yet.

I did a pre-order of the X-Cover after a lot of research, then waited for reviews. The various reviews out there sealed the deal for me. Today I received an update e-mail from them that I knew needed to be shared since their site does not have these updates yet. The prototype version is the one reviewed by various sources. Being a product designer, I really liked out they got prototypes in the hands of real users, looked for feedback, filtered that feedback into what was possible then made a great product even better. Sign of a great company (I have nothing to do with iKamper)

Here is a summary of the e-mail: (Photos below)

Thank you for your X-Cover pre-order! We knew the X-Cover had a revolutionary design, and you proved the demand was strong. From January 14th to March 17th, 656 of your pre-ordered the X-Cover in the US & Canada alone ($1.5 million!).

At the end of last year, we sent an X-Cover prototype to Overland Journal. They tested it, loved it, and wrote this review. Last month, we were happy to hear the X-Cover had been awarded Overland Journal's Editor's choice award! This award is the most significant award they give in a main gear comparison article.

The X-Cover also won Germany's RedDot Award 2019 - Honourable Mention for its unique design this month, and last year it was a finalist in Outdoor Retailer's Innovation Awards.

So we're very excited about the future of this model and can't wait to get it to you.

Prototype to Product
Since the last prototype shown during the pre-order campaign, we've made several improvements that we're excited to share with you!
Large Canopy Windows

The X-Cover's rain fly was redesigned to create larger side windows, offering more shelter from the rain and sun
Roomier Interior

A third aluminum support pole was added inside the X-Cover, raising the inside height to 44" (110cm).


Double Skyview
Doubling the size of the Skyview lets in more daylight when needed and allows you to look up at the stars. Canvas fabric inside the X-Cover can be used to "close" the windows.

Tinted Vinyl Windows
The X-Cover's side windows and Skyview are tinted to offer more privacy and protection from the sun.

Black Powder-Coated Cross Bars

Silver & Black Top
The X-Cover's top is available in 2 options (pictured above). A shiny black top as in the original prototype, and a new silver top. The black top has a more refined look but gets very hot in strong sun. The silver option is more scratch-resistant and performs better in climates with strong sun.

Technical Specifications

The changes to the X-Cover prototype affect the specifications, so please check below:
• Weight: 120lbs / 55kg
• Size (closed): 45" x 75" x 11.4" / 190cm x 115cm x 29cm (14.2"/36cm with cross bars mounted)
• Size (open): 91" x 75" x 44" / 230cm x 190cm x 110cm
• Capacity: 3 adults / 2 adults & 2 children
• Crossbar load rating: 65lbs / 30kg
• Fabric: 300GSM poly-cotton canvas + polyester rain fly
• Floor: honeycomb aluminum panels
• Mattress: high density memory foam (2.5" / 6.5cm)
• Distance between cross bars: 29.5" / 75cm
• Cross bar length: 31.5" / 80cm

Attached Images

       

Here are some reviews:

First Test: The iKamper X-Cover Roof Top Tent – Expedition Portal

YouTube

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Lots of nice features. But damn, the price! Not saying its not worth it but $3000 is a good amount of coin. I'm sure you'll love it. I love my RTT.

That is one serious RTT

Well I pre-ordered, so I saved $900, which puts it more inline for sure.

So now about my application and mounting.

Other than being super excited about the changes here are my thoughts for my application.

Goal:
1. Easy on and off (hoist)
2. As low profile as possible
3. Super secure
4. Hard to steal
5. Get it into my garage even if I have to air down to do it
6. Clean and simple install
7. Improve aerodynamics

First, this will be going on a full-length Rhino Pioneer Backbone. This presents some challenges with the for/aft rails of the Pioneer and overall height with easy solutions. I would REALLY like to park in my garage but that may be a dream, but worst case I am hoping I can REALLY air down to pull into the garage to hoist it to the ceiling when not in use. (making it a one-man job)

So, after losing several brain cells I have a solution that is affordable, easy for me to do, allows fast attachment, and is low profile.

I am going to have 3 aluminum flat “rails” water jet cut locally (about $29 each) and then maybe paint, powder coat, etc. These rails (3/8” x 4 x 48?) will have counter sink holes for attachment to the slotted rails of the X-Cover then have 3 holes on the outer edges to attached to the slotted rails of the Pioneer rack. The height given by the X-Cover rails will give enough room for a wrench and better zipper access. (maybe theft proof SS fasteners) Should be super stable and allow for and aft adjustment.

For better aerodynamics I am designing a custom fairing with 3D printed parts and a water jet cut, black powder coated aluminum fairing, overall matching the size and profile of the Pioneer perfectly. Sits 7” tall. It wraps around the corners and has a 75-degree angle on the sides to match the Rhino recovery board side mount brackets. These brackets I am also going to customize to mount my 3-rod fly fishing carrier between the mounts for a set of Maxtrax boards. The sizing worked out perfect. The boards will sit near the rear over the top of the rod carrier. It does require 3 Rhino mounts (they come in sets of two). This will be the same height as the fairing (clearance for garage) and tuck up nice and tight next to the fairing and the tent. Can’t wait to post pics on this.

is 11.4" really considered low profile for RTTs?

Agreed, not as low as I would love, but I am doing my own mounting and not using theirs. So maybe save a couple inches. I guess the glass is half full would be you can leave your bags in there, and mount stuff to the top.

I did not order the rack on top for two reasons. I didn't want to add 3 more inches, and mounting Yakima or Thule low profile rails keeps it low and allows me to add all my Yakima stuff fast and easy if I need to as well as being more adjustable. In particular if I mount the rails on the RRT the same distance apart as my Pioneer rack, then my rack can just clip in with no adjustments. Clip it off of the Rhino rack, lower the RTT down and attach, clip rack on top of RTT.

iKamper seems like one of the few companies making innovative designs. Everyone else is copying each other and slapping labels on Chinese branded tents.

That's....like all this is. They put an integrated skirt on the tent and a full-cover rain fly, but nothing I'm seeing justifies the premium.

No....it's not. What other soft shell roof top tent do you know has an integrated cover and you can put a rack on it? None. Again, that innovation that other manufacturers have not come up with.

The biggest complaint that people have with soft shell tents is that the cover. It's easy to take off but a real big PITA to put it back on. The other complaint is that it takes away your roof rack space. This solves both problems in a familiar but different take on a soft shell tent that no other manufacturer has or does. That's called innovation...

Agreed, I absolutely think they are innovating, and raising the bar in quality. There are the obvious things, then the little things like water proof zippers (to heavy and exspensive for a ground tent) that they are the first to do so, how the rails taper to prevent the tent from sliding, the three panel windows (tinted clear, fine mesh screen that is sized to prevent nat size bugs from getting in, then the full privacy cover), etc.

Being a industrial designer and a design engineer with a focus on consumer goods for 30 plus years I feel I have a pretty good filter.

But, the truth is no product fits everyone, simply not possible. This does not bother me at all, in fact I love how people are so different. When I deal with people that don’t understand why a product can’t be one size fits all I ask, “how many different types of water are available at the grocery store?”. That pretty much takes care of the issue when that light bulb lights up in their head. When we can’t agree on things like water and air, products like this will always be polarizing. But that is what creates opportunity.

Is this product perfect, no. But there is no such thing. It does check a lot of my boxes though, more than any other current offering. Do I wish they could wave their magic wand and make it 5” tall, heck yeah, but just add up the stack height of the platform, stacked mattress, etc,

To that point, I think the metal rods going into the metal frame and metal grommets is a mistake, causing potential rattles and noise in the wind. I am going to add 1-2 layers of shrink tubing to those ends to address this, may even color code the rods this way. Simple fix

It looks quite large and well equipped for 120lbs. Still, for $3k (if that is the real MSRP), I want it to be much lower profile. I've spent less than $3k for plenty of running cars in my life. #getoffmylawn

Anyone running the Xcover on the 5th gen? Wanted to know how ya'll mounted it (rack, no rack..custom brackets or iKamper supplied mounting brackets) and whether it leaves much room for an awning and other peripherals on the roof rack.

Edit: Found this video on youtube. Seems that mounting an awning one one side may be possible if one mounted it off center but it will likely be close.


iKamper X-Cover RTT INSTALL on Toyota 4Runner - YouTube