I was tired of all the "crap" RTT's, so I made my own. - TERRAPOD!

[Terrapod]

RTTx002. In-field Test#1 Update:
CruiseMoab 2019.

Our friend is presently on the Kokopelli Trail heading towards Moab, UT with the CruiseMoab 2019 group. The group got hit with INSANE weather last evening and into the early am hours.

Messages from the RTTx002 owner:

On the Road Text Message:
"Road report. High winds in Missouri were fun. You can tell the tent is up there in a 30mph crosswind. But solid as hell no issues. We left Topeka this morning about 6 and are in western Kansas now, more crazy winds."

Text Message Monday:
"Monday morning preflight. Drive through some major storms yesterday. Tent is totally dry. So at least closed it’s awesome!"

Phone Conversation:
"We hit heavy, heavy rain and wind driving through Kansas. Opened the tent up once we go to Grand Station, CO. Tent is perfect and dry."

Text Message while on Kokopelli:
"OMG. We got one helluva field test. Started about 5pm. Monsoon level. Hail. Stopped about 9pm long enough to get in the tent. Then at 2am. BIG storm. Damn near blew the rain fly off. The straps saved it. However...DRY."

Safe to say - Looks like Test #1 is a resounding success.

Side feedback - need stronger gas springs to aid in opening faster.

More to come...Stay tuned.

Preflight Check:

Kokopelli Trailhead:

 

[eddielasvegas]

Just terrific real world feedback Terrapod.

And great news on the tent staying dry when closed. Going to be very helpful when I take Antman camping later this summer.


Eddie

 

[Terrapod]

Just terrific real world feedback Terrapod.

And great news on the tent staying dry when closed. Going to be very helpful when I take Antman camping later this summer.


Eddie

I laughed at that one too. I was thinking "...better damn well be dry closed."

LOL. :cheers:

 

[austinquick]

RTTx002. In-field Test#1 Update:
Moab Cruise Fest 2019.

I'm so excited to see these coming to fruition!

 

[Jetboy]

Looks great! I'm headed to CM tomorrow. I'll see if I can check it out in person if I see it around the CM head quarters.

 

[Terrapod]

By-the-minute updates. As of this very moment. The group has stopped and is drying out after last night's deluge.

 

[Terrapod]

Field test #1 is now in the books. Overall a fantastic success. We could not have asked for a better extreme weather test than what our friends unfortunately had to endure. That said - the tent kept them dry and most importantly safe.

Here are some awesome shots from the Kokopelli run down into Moab.

Perhaps the best shot... on road carnage.

 

[Terrapod]

Finally had a chance to give 001 a go. The greenery in the Appalachians this past weekend was intoxicating...

 

[slprciv]

Dig the extreme wet weather testing! Looking forward to the production version and the cost :thumb:

 

[mega.rnr]

Looks awesome! I’d be interested if you decide to produce and sell these


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jkd4141]

I am in the market for a RTT.....and I am keeping a close eye on this project!....Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!

 

[Terrapod]

Howdy all - quick update on summer testing. Things are progressing nicely. 002 came back from Moab a wonderful success having survived monsoon level rains, high winds and hail. Not a drop of moisture inside or a failure in the fabric. :banana:

Very, very satisfied with the results to date.

003 is presently in production and will likely be the closest thing to the production versions. Once completed, all 3 will be out in the wild for the remainder of the summer testing every aspect we can to break them. Come fall 2019 - I am aiming to begin production.

In the meantime - I have been testing 001 with the new 100W solar array, custom fabricated 50Ah LFP solar charger and a Dometic CFX40 fridge. Amazed how efficient the Dometic is. Looking forward to further testing in the field.

More to come very soon.

 

[eddielasvegas]

VG news Terrapod and thanks for the update.

I like the solar pad integration.


Eddie

 

[Terrapod]

Aaaaahhh product testing. Tent 002 goes pop! While installing new, upgraded gas springs, the owner of 002 inadvertently found a fail point. Can anyone spot it? :bigok:



Result: Heavy duty lower mounts for everybody! :thumb:

 

[REVBILLYG]

Tell me about your rear storage/drawer setup!

 

[ElectroBoy]

Oh no! Too thin of a bracket for the lower mount.

 

[alex_bg]

Really cool product! Since I'll be in the market for an RTT in the near future and I want to be able to park the truck in the garage, I'm really interested in your product! Our of curiosity, what was it that you didnt like about the GFC RTT that made you want to come up with your own?

 

[jackjoachim]

Start a go fund me. Lets get this off the ground, I love this RTT.

 

[Terrapod]

Really cool product! Since I'll be in the market for an RTT in the near future and I want to be able to park the truck in the garage, I'm really interested in your product! Our of curiosity, what was it that you didnt like about the GFC RTT that made you want to come up with your own?

Thanks! GFC has a great product for trucks / truck beds. That's where the focus is. To which I say - go for it.

However - my focus was more on what a RTT is, functions, and the needs of the vehicle and vehicle based camping / "overlanding".

Weight - Height - Aero

All of those factors weigh heavily on a vehicle and have a direct impact on handling, fuel economy and more.

No other tent on the market addresses these factors. The goal of the final production level is to be as low of a weight without sacrificing quality, while maintaining the lowest possible profile (5.25"), and utilize integrated aerodynamics for improved MPG's.

To date - every trip has averaged about 17.2 mpgs - loaded. (This accounts for Highway & city miles. Not trails).

Testing is going well and my goal is to begin production fall / winter this year. I am presently lining up more solid suppliers, and customized materials.

Pricing is expected to be in line with the industry with many custom options available.

Once testing is complete this summer, the ball gets rolling.

 

[sn_85]

I was actually set on getting one of the GFC RTT's however their rear shark fin antenna delete solution is janky as best. It wouldn't be so much of an issue if I had one of the earlier 5th gen 4Runner models that could adapt the Corolla XM antenna but the 16+ models are different and there is no solution yet for a delete yet. If you watch the GFC video they use a 3D printed cap to protect the PCB however the plastic antenna trim around the roof is left exposed. Looks like water could easily get in.

Here's a video of their shark fin delete.
YouTube

On the Terrapod tent there's no need to remove the shark fin since it uses the Rhino Rack Backbone. I spoke with the GFC guys and with their mount and tent it stands about 8" over the roof line. Sounds like the Terrapod and RR backbone stands 7.5" inches above. So it's lower and doesn't require a ghetto mod antenna delete. Looks like a much better solution. I'll certainly be keeping my eyes on this thread.