I was tired of all the "crap" RTT's, so I made my own. - TERRAPOD!
- Thread starter Terrapod
- Start date
RRW.Michael
New member
That RTT looks awesome! I just purchased the Tepui Low-Pro for that exact reason (along with budget). Wish I'd seen this earlier, I'd pitch in to that gofundme! Excuse me if this has been asked before, but how much does it weigh? Looks sturdy and sleek, great job Terrapod!
Agreed :thumb:
lol, that's really terrible
The 2014+ 5.5 gen the antenna is only XM, it doesn't have the GPS or diversity antenna anymore so you can just remove the antenna and there is just a single square opening to seal. You could use a low profile shark fin antenna from a corolla or get an aftermarket XM antenna to seal the hole
Terrapod
New member
Gents...I kindly ask we not bad-mouth or comment negatively on other groups products in this thread. We all are small shops doing our thing. We all have items that pop up with products.
I hope to bring a product to market that fits a niche of folks that know what they want. I aim for well thought out simplicity in every product I create. Meet a small number of goals - winner, winner chicken dinner.
I hope to bring a product to market that fits a niche of folks that know what they want. I aim for well thought out simplicity in every product I create. Meet a small number of goals - winner, winner chicken dinner.
Daohaus
New member
you let me know when you want another test vehicle when you hit that sub 100lb goal. Hell i'd be willing to pay for it to test it out here in socal
Terrapod
New member
RTTx News: Some FAQ's
Current Status:
The tents are currently in beta testing till Sept. Following testing the product will be evaluated for revision and final release. At that time, I will be opening up the initial production run of ten to get things off the ground.
Q&A's
What are the interior and exterior dimensions?
Interior approx. 88" x 52.5" x 52" @ peak
Exterior 54"x 90" x 5.25" Closed
What size is the mattress?
Best fit: 84" x 50" (long full)
Please note: No mattress will be offered directly. I have determined that this is a personal choice and I will offer two options - The NEMO Cosmo XL insulated inflatable (I have this...and IT'S AWESOME) or a traditional custom foam mattress of your choice via thefoamfactory.com. Either will be about $200-300 after shipping. (Note: Foam Factory offers a slew of foam density choices and is an excellent product).
How much bedding can be stowed when closed?
The interior storage is 3.5" when closed. I usually store my sleeping bag and inflatable mattress up there with my pillow in the truck (helps to removes humidity). A foam mattress will allow less, but a blanket, light bag, etc should be fine with a quality 2"-2.5" foam.
Electric? Any USB's?
There has been much discussion about this. The standard tent will not offer custom electrical. Electric is an easy DIY solution and super simple to customize. There are ample electrical runs within the framing. If you choose for us to customize the tent, added costs will be required.
Any other options?
Choice of fabric colors is the standard options that don't incur higher costs.
What comes standard:
Tent frame will be black anodized with white panel insert.
Main fabric has 6 color choices available
A battery operated LED light
Heavy weather support rods
Rainfly / Awning
Custom mounting points specifically for your vehicle / rack.
Current Status:
The tents are currently in beta testing till Sept. Following testing the product will be evaluated for revision and final release. At that time, I will be opening up the initial production run of ten to get things off the ground.
Q&A's
What are the interior and exterior dimensions?
Interior approx. 88" x 52.5" x 52" @ peak
Exterior 54"x 90" x 5.25" Closed
What size is the mattress?
Best fit: 84" x 50" (long full)
Please note: No mattress will be offered directly. I have determined that this is a personal choice and I will offer two options - The NEMO Cosmo XL insulated inflatable (I have this...and IT'S AWESOME) or a traditional custom foam mattress of your choice via thefoamfactory.com. Either will be about $200-300 after shipping. (Note: Foam Factory offers a slew of foam density choices and is an excellent product).
How much bedding can be stowed when closed?
The interior storage is 3.5" when closed. I usually store my sleeping bag and inflatable mattress up there with my pillow in the truck (helps to removes humidity). A foam mattress will allow less, but a blanket, light bag, etc should be fine with a quality 2"-2.5" foam.
Electric? Any USB's?
There has been much discussion about this. The standard tent will not offer custom electrical. Electric is an easy DIY solution and super simple to customize. There are ample electrical runs within the framing. If you choose for us to customize the tent, added costs will be required.
Any other options?
Choice of fabric colors is the standard options that don't incur higher costs.
What comes standard:
Tent frame will be black anodized with white panel insert.
Main fabric has 6 color choices available
A battery operated LED light
Heavy weather support rods
Rainfly / Awning
Custom mounting points specifically for your vehicle / rack.
Terrapod
New member
This Question has come up a few times: How much room is there in the tent for storing bedding, etc?
Answer: A solid amount. 3.5" of height available when using an inflatable mattress. Shown in this photo - my 40˚ bag, heavy weight blanket, and the Nemo Cosmos 50 XL insulated inflatable mattress. (Highly recommended). If I fold my bag in half length-wise, I could easily place my pillow up there as well. (Although, I choose to keep it in the truck when traveling (removes humidity).
Even with a quality 2-2.5" foam mattress there would be enough room for a bag, blanket, linens, etc.
Answer: A solid amount. 3.5" of height available when using an inflatable mattress. Shown in this photo - my 40˚ bag, heavy weight blanket, and the Nemo Cosmos 50 XL insulated inflatable mattress. (Highly recommended). If I fold my bag in half length-wise, I could easily place my pillow up there as well. (Although, I choose to keep it in the truck when traveling (removes humidity).
Even with a quality 2-2.5" foam mattress there would be enough room for a bag, blanket, linens, etc.
austinquick
New member
Really digging the progress! Thanks for the info.
Terrapod
New member
Tis the summer months. And here in the wonderful Atlanta Metro, that means hot, hotter, and then humid hot. Frankly it sucks. 90-95˚ with 85-100% humidity. Working on the tents in those conditions....blows.
The last prototype is presently about 95% complete. Here are the items that have been updated as things have progressed with the design / prototype execution phase:
- Side screen doors have been modified
- Storm flaps are now on the outside
- Material change - Screens to be heavier duty
- Material change - main tray to be a specially designed aluminum profile (reason: will result in lighter weight, easier fabrication and better final strength than current profile.)
- Sewing still sucks. Looking for assistance in this department.
Here is 003 as she sits in the shop:
The last prototype is presently about 95% complete. Here are the items that have been updated as things have progressed with the design / prototype execution phase:
- Side screen doors have been modified
- Storm flaps are now on the outside
- Material change - Screens to be heavier duty
- Material change - main tray to be a specially designed aluminum profile (reason: will result in lighter weight, easier fabrication and better final strength than current profile.)
- Sewing still sucks. Looking for assistance in this department.
Here is 003 as she sits in the shop:
Globetrotter78
New member
This is gorgeous! The attention to detail (nerding out about it too) is quite refreshing to see. I definitely love the low profile and weight. Keep up the good work and absolutely let us know when production begins so we can get in early before the masses!!!
bigears2303
Member
Sometimes...the smallest details come out to be the coolest. Allow me a moment to nerd out over the new latch & spring rod assembly I just completed for 003. :rockon:
would love to be in the 1st 10 let me know when your ready
Terrapod
New member
RTTx 003: The third prototype is complete. A lot has been learned building these three. 003 far and away is the cleanest, sexiest of the 3. It is also the closest to the intended production version and has lot of changes on it.
Details:
- The framing is 100% powder coated
- The Fabric was revised and simplified to enable a quicker production and lighter weight
- The gas springs were upped to accommodate the new gear net.
- While I need to weigh it, I am very certain the final weight of this unit is less than the 120# of the previous proto’s.
Next steps?
Funding is needed to gets things rolling properly. A Kickstarter campaign will be starting soon to aid in material purchases and expanding to a space for proper production. Tied to this - I have designed a custom aluminum extrusion profile that will be proprietary to these units. By going custom - the tent will achieve a weight UNDER 100 pounds.
Look for the announcement soon.
Details:
- The framing is 100% powder coated
- The Fabric was revised and simplified to enable a quicker production and lighter weight
- The gas springs were upped to accommodate the new gear net.
- While I need to weigh it, I am very certain the final weight of this unit is less than the 120# of the previous proto’s.
Next steps?
Funding is needed to gets things rolling properly. A Kickstarter campaign will be starting soon to aid in material purchases and expanding to a space for proper production. Tied to this - I have designed a custom aluminum extrusion profile that will be proprietary to these units. By going custom - the tent will achieve a weight UNDER 100 pounds.
Look for the announcement soon.
57HotrodVW
New member
Awesome. Keep up the good work, Chad!
