I was tired of all the "crap" RTT's, so I made my own. - TERRAPOD!
- Thread starter Terrapod
- Start date
Terrapod
New member
Just a quick note of thanks for all the positive messages and replies so far. I really appreciate all the enthusiasm for this project.
Design and creating like this brings a certain amount of joy. I am a constant tinkerer and to make something that others can use and enjoy as well, just makes it all the better. So...thanks.
More news soon as 002 & 003 are coming together.
Cheers.
Design and creating like this brings a certain amount of joy. I am a constant tinkerer and to make something that others can use and enjoy as well, just makes it all the better. So...thanks.
More news soon as 002 & 003 are coming together.
Cheers.
ElectroBoy
Banned
Looking good!
You’re getting a lot of interest. When you get to the point of offering this to the public for sale have you thought of a price? I know it’s way early, but a ballpark number?
You’re getting a lot of interest. When you get to the point of offering this to the public for sale have you thought of a price? I know it’s way early, but a ballpark number?
Terrapod
New member
Yes way early. 3 beta's in testing this summer. After that - I'll have a much, much better idea on pricing, delivery times, etc.
Final in-the-field testing will truly tell the tale.
L-Force
New member
Really liking the looks and am very interested in the final product. Keep up the good work.
Terrapod
New member
Thermally R rated composite panels :thumb:
DesertCanyons
New member
That's good to hear. The bottom should be insulated. That's where you sleep. The top doesn't matter as much since it's basically a tent on the sides.
I'm not a potential buyer for a RTT of any type, brand name or maker. It won't fit under my standard old swing up garage door. After I added a 2" lift the BajaRacks flat utility rack barely fits under the door. I can't pull into my garage with anything on top of the rack.
I'm interested in what you sold before deciding to make your RTT - an off-road teardrop trailer. It provides an instant sleeping shelter that's secure from critters and gets us out of the weather.
Good luck with your prototypes. I hope a lot of people want to buy one from you.
Terrapod
New member
Thank you. Ironically, the Terrapod trailer is right now at an RV dealer in Amarillo, TX. It was just traded in on a Cricket Camper (don't ask). So...it's now out there and available.
honda250xtitan
New member
eh it does make a difference. Insulated top and bottom along with thick canvas sides made for a much warmer sleeping experience in our last snow camping trip. Trailers are game changers for camping. I love ours and how easy it is to just hook up and leave.
Terrapod
New member
Howdy All,
Been a while since my last update. Much work has been completed.
Allow me to present RTTx002 in all her production-level glory.
(Side note: the blue rainfly is a custom color option the buyer requested and is just a sample of the options that can be done to the tent.)
More to come later today when we mount it up on an FZJ80.
Interior shots:
Been a while since my last update. Much work has been completed.
Allow me to present RTTx002 in all her production-level glory.
(Side note: the blue rainfly is a custom color option the buyer requested and is just a sample of the options that can be done to the tent.)
More to come later today when we mount it up on an FZJ80.
Interior shots:
CITYRNR
New member
Wow very cool. What type of insulated composite can hold weight like that without buckling? Is it the same one on the top? If so that really speaks to the weight the top can hold.
ayeyothisiskyle
Member
That looks amazing! Great Job! It almost looks like the height of a Front runner/K9 rack. You cant really tell its a rtt on top of the FJ80.
Terrapod
New member
UPDATE... RTTx001 is now mounted up and ready for an adventure. Here it is mounted on my 2016 Toyota 4Runner Trail. The mounting rails are Rhino Rack Backbone with 3 custom 3/4" high extruded aluminum crossbars. The tent then directly bolts to those and is completely removable.
Also note - I mounted up a Rhino Rack Sunseeker awning. With the custom crossbars, this mounted up very easy. (Big fan of Rhino Rack products).
Since mounting up 001 & 002, I have road test each one. I am blown away by the results. Virtually ZERO wind noise. Buffeting from semi's is virtually zero. I am extremely pleased with the highway tests to date. More to come as these begin their adventures in the coming weeks.
(Note - this is 001. Meaning, it's the ugly one. The one a lot of lessons were learned on. 002 & 003 are much prettier.)
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Also note - I mounted up a Rhino Rack Sunseeker awning. With the custom crossbars, this mounted up very easy. (Big fan of Rhino Rack products).
Since mounting up 001 & 002, I have road test each one. I am blown away by the results. Virtually ZERO wind noise. Buffeting from semi's is virtually zero. I am extremely pleased with the highway tests to date. More to come as these begin their adventures in the coming weeks.
(Note - this is 001. Meaning, it's the ugly one. The one a lot of lessons were learned on. 002 & 003 are much prettier.)
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JKLNHYD
New member
For someone that actually subscribes to SiriusXM, they would not be able to use the service while the tent is on the truck. A quick fix is having an option to buy the tent with a permantly attached antenna already on it. Then develop a split-type harness that can be connected, with waterproof connections, outside when the tent is mounted, and then also, be able to be connected in the cargo area for the roof antenna?
Terrapod
New member
Since the tents will be bespoke / custom for each buyer...I can easily have a SAT antenna placed on the top.
However - the vehicle connections to the tent will be up to the buyer. I build tents - not rewire vehicles.
:thumb:
Terrapod
New member
Sometimes...poo happens.
Did a water test on 001 last night. It failed. Upon inspection...I found the reason. My own fault - a rushed fabric install. (Insert a facepalm here).
Well...that’s what I get. In my haste (..excitement?) to install 001, I screwed up the orientation of the bonded fabrics. And...found a couple places that I didn't fully sew up. As a result, created a water wick that pulled the outside water along the bottom edge directly into the interior.
Not gonna lie, cutting away all the fabric with a razor knife was a little unnerving.
Moving forward with the updated design (currently on 002). Not all bad - this is why 001 exists. To fail...so others can be made better.
Welcome to the world of product design.
Did a water test on 001 last night. It failed. Upon inspection...I found the reason. My own fault - a rushed fabric install. (Insert a facepalm here).
Well...that’s what I get. In my haste (..excitement?) to install 001, I screwed up the orientation of the bonded fabrics. And...found a couple places that I didn't fully sew up. As a result, created a water wick that pulled the outside water along the bottom edge directly into the interior.
Not gonna lie, cutting away all the fabric with a razor knife was a little unnerving.
Moving forward with the updated design (currently on 002). Not all bad - this is why 001 exists. To fail...so others can be made better.
Welcome to the world of product design.
