Pre-order: Roof Top Tent

[nitrag]

*IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A CHINESE TENT, WALK AWAY, WE ALSO DON'T WANT YOUR NEGATIVE OPINION (CONSTRUCTIVE, YES...NEGATIVE NO THANKS)*

In 2014, I had two friends participate in a TacomaWorld GB for a RTT. The long story short is that it is a 4 month wait and a lot of hassle to coordinate but these tents can be had for a few hundred dollars off and are near indistinguishable from the major retailers.

I have done personal research and have heard good reviews from this company from other sources than the TW GB.

Terms:

• Consider this a Kickstarter campaign, if we get 10 commitments, then I will move forward and place the order.
• Payment due date September 23rd. If you don't think you can deliver, don't commit. I will let everyone know 1 week before payment deadline.
• Payment through PayPal only (for buyer protection). $100 deposit required.
• No warranty, unless DOA.
• If you pay the full amount and back out, you will not get a refund, you will be responsible for finding another buyer to buy the tent off you.
• Signed "contract" stating that I will do my best to get you your tent for a future agreed upon price and estimated delivery date and I am not swindling your money. Also, after you get your shipment I am no longer your vendor and you can't complain to me about tent issues, this would all go to the vendor. Inspection will be preformed before USA shipment though. I don't forsee any complaints, the previous GB went fantastic.
• These will most likely be shipped from China to Los Angeles. Save yourself $200 and let me know you're going to pickup locally.
• Commercial-only Shipping from LA could be anywhere from $150 - 300. For those on east coast, plan on paying $200 for commercial shipping. 1 Tent to Atlanta is $185, two is $150 each.
• The exact dimensions are:
  RT05-4: 126"x71"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x71" (Sleeps 3-4). Almost a king size bed essentially.
  RT05-2: 126"x55"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x55", (Sleeps 2)
• $100 deposit due September 21st. Don't sit on this please. You're not helping the GB by waiting until a certain discount. Either you want the tent or you don't.
• 100% payment due September 23rd.
• Order being placed for tents on September 24th.

Pricing:
10 Tents - $1000ea (+local shipping)
15 Tents - $950ea (+local shipping)
20 Tents - $900ea (+local shipping)

Credibility:
I ran the most successful Group Buy for ARB Air Lockers in November 2014.

Committed for #4 Size:

1. Nitrag
2. unclaimed
3. unclaimed
4. unclaimed
5. unclaimed
6. unclaimed
7. unclaimed
8. unclaimed
9. unclaimed
10. unclaimed

Committed for #2 Size:

1. Hamburgerpimp
2. unclaimed
3. unclaimed
4. unclaimed
5. unclaimed
   

How to commit? PM me these details:
Name: Username
Size Preference: smaller (2) OR larger (3-4 person)
Color preference: Green tent, Sand rainfly/awning OR sand tent, Green rainfly
Delivery: Ship to Georgia or Local Pickup

More Pictures

 

[nitrag]

Reserved for UPDATES:

8/16/2015 - Negotiations started with vendor. Waiting to hear back on some quotes.
8/17/2015 - Terms updated. Cross posted GB on TacomaWorld. Need to see if 15 or 20 tents is even possible.
8/18/2015 - Received Sizes
8/19/2015 - Received tent pricing, waiting on shipping/custom/import quotes.
8/21/2015 - Received preliminary shipping/custom/import quote. Waiting on exact tent size to calculate warehousing costs needed to finalize quote.
8/24/2015 - We decided on a larger tent size, received that pricing.
8/28/2015 - Final pricing in, minus local shipping.

 

[nitrag]

Name:
Nitrag

Size Preference:
larger (3-4 person)

Color preference:
Green tent, Sand rainfly/awning.

 

[4Runrrun'n]

Interesting...

I am intrigued;

I have never heard of these guys before, do you have any experience with them. Looks like there is 3 different options for choosing the tent material. Oxford, poly and canvas. Dont know what Oxford is. Any insite on this...

This may be an inexpensive way into a RTT from a company which has some experience with manufacturing quality products in the past.
Their website has some interesting information. This was quoted from their tent discription:

"Competitive advantages:

We are professional manufacturer roof top products for more than 10 years. Our factory usded to
make ARB tents and awnings. We have distributors for our roof top tents and awnings like TJM,
Austrack Camper,Primus . etc.

We have full range of Tent for your selection, available in ...
Hard-shell car roof tent,
Car roof tent (Oxford),
Car roof tent (Polyester),
Car roof tent (Canvas),
Extented car roof tent,
Awing,
Changing room "

Universal Roof Mount Roof Top Camping Tent Annex Changing Room

 

[nitrag]

I am intrigued;

I have never heard of these guys before, do you have any experience with them. Looks like there is 3 different options for choosing the tent material. Oxford, poly and canvas. Dont know what Oxford is. Any insite on this...

This may be an inexpensive way into a RTT from a company which has some experience with manufacturing quality products in the past.
Their website has some interesting information. This was quoted from their tent discription:

So you have to understand that their website (and alibaba's) is very cryptic. They post multiple listing for the same tent and they copy and paste information all over the place too so you have to weed out general information vs product information.

Basically they have a few tent designs but I was looking at RT05 because it has been done (once in a TacomaWorld GB) and I have seen a review of someone else that had a great experience on another website. I was also considering RT06 but that will be up to the people who commit to decide on final design and size.

The fabric is apparently 320G ripstop canvas. I will be confirming that it is 320G and not 280G that was previously advertised on the TW GB, so maybe they've upgraded.

If you're intrigued about how the process works (working with the chinese), read the last few pages of the TW GB thread I linked in the OP that explains the process.

Again, I have heard great reviews about Wincar company and have seen two of these tents in person. Unbranded, but great quality. The only downside is the warranty.

If you don't care about RTT size and small is ok for you then I would recommend Smittybuilt. I have seen some good reviews on it. The reason I personally am not going that route is due to its small size and lack of an annex feature.

 

[4Runrrun'n]

I agree with you, I would rather the larger tent with the annex and the ladder inside the annex. As well as a "floored" annex as well. For that reason I was looking at the RT05-2 as you were.
I am having a hard time telling the difference btw RT05 and RT06.

RT05 in the upper description says it uses 260 or 280g ripstop and further down in the description is says 320g. RT06 further down in the description it says it uses 260 or 280g ripstop but does not mention it in upper description.

I have a family member who's company ships one of their products direct from the Chinese factory and they can change slight details on their products with time without warning; they are still the same product with same function but with small changes here and there. When attempting to work with them as far as designing a product or altering existing ones it seems it can be viewed as close-enough is good-enough. Now thats just one factory experience.

I am fine with ordering their products for certain things it is just that sometimes getting specific information and guarantees can be difficult.

 

[Swarty]

[MENTION=101555]nitrag[/MENTION]
Is there a chance at a full 4 person similar to the CVT McKinley?

 

[nitrag]

I agree with you, I would rather the larger tent with the annex and the ladder inside the annex. As well as a "floored" annex as well. For that reason I was looking at the RT05-2 as you were.
I am having a hard time telling the difference btw RT05 and RT06.

RT05 in the upper description says it uses 260 or 280g ripstop and further down in the description is says 320g. RT06 further down in the description it says it uses 260 or 280g ripstop but does not mention it in upper description.

I have a family member who's company ships one of their products direct from the Chinese factory and they can change slight details on their products with time without warning; they are still the same product with same function but with small changes here and there. When attempting to work with them as far as designing a product or altering existing ones it seems it can be viewed as close-enough is good-enough. Now thats just one factory experience.

I am fine with ordering their products for certain things it is just that sometimes getting specific information and guarantees can be difficult.

This is exactly why everywhere I have read says to put EXACT requirements in writing. I will try for 320G ... if it exists. Otherwise 280G.

More on the sizes in follow up post...

 

[nitrag]

[MENTION=101555]nitrag[/MENTION]
Is there a chance at a full 4 person similar to the CVT McKinley?

[MENTION=88975]Swarty[/MENTION]. Actually I have been leaning towards the larger size myself.

Now what we probably cannot do is half group gets one size and another half gets the other. UNLESS we have someone who can visit the port and supervise the sorting of this process. Don't want anyone receiving the wrong tent sizes. It would probably be more expensive this way as well. Time will tell.

BUT

I am communicating with them now to get the exact floor space measurements (sleeping pad) for all the sizes. Because it is very hard to visualize how much sleeping room based upon the "open" measurements. The last group buy did the RT5-2. I think this is a good minimum and a 2 person tent. Maybe 3 if small child. I am leaning towards the RT-3. We will see. I'm open to feedback and nothing is set in stone at this point.

 

[4Runrrun'n]

sounds good.
I am as we speak reading through the TW GB. Good info there, slow process, but looks like he broke the trail for another one. He would be a good contact for help along the way.

Need some interest brewing here to get some buy numbers up.

I may have some insight about shipping into port also via that family member i mentioned.

 

[4Runrrun'n]

[MENTION=88975]Swarty[/MENTION]. Actually I have been leaning towards the larger size myself.

Now what we probably cannot do is half group gets one size and another half gets the other. UNLESS we have someone who can visit the port and supervise the sorting of this process. Don't want anyone receiving the wrong tent sizes. It would probably be more expensive this way as well. Time will tell.

BUT

I am communicating with them now to get the exact floor space measurements (sleeping pad) for all the sizes. Because it is very hard to visualize how much sleeping room based upon the "open" measurements. The last group buy did the RT5-2. I think this is a good minimum and a 2 person tent. Maybe 3 if small child. I am leaning towards the RT-3. We will see. I'm open to feedback and nothing is set in stone at this point.

Ok i said RT05-2 above but am off in size then. I absolulutly want family size preferably 4 person

 

[nitrag]

sounds good.
I am as we speak reading through the TW GB. Good info there, slow process, but looks like he broke the trail for another one. He would be a good contact for help along the way.

Absolutely, we are already in touch, nice guy.

Need some interest brewing here to get some buy numbers up.

I'm actually a little surprised this hasn't taken off with more excitement. I guess people are taking me seriously when I say this aint no tire-kicking group buy.

I may have some insight about shipping into port also via that family member i mentioned.

Is your family member in LA? I'm getting some quotes now. I'm curious how much more it would be to ship to Savannah, GA where I live...it is a large port still. I would prefer to have someone we know be able to go to the port and make sure that everything goes smoothly and ground shipments go out. We will weigh how many tents to final destinations + cost and figure out the best port. I'll be in touch once I know numbers.

Good discussion, let's keep it going.

 

[4Runrrun'n]

no they do not ship to USA. They ship to Vancouver BC port in Canada. But I know he has a process about how they are handled once delivered to the port. Sorry may not be relevant at USA port but I thought I would try gleam any info that may help

 

[Swarty]

If we are getting the plus size I can meet a shipment in Portland or Seattle but I really need that size with the divider. :/ not sure if that's realistic for this GB.

 

[nivlak]

I would be more interested if the price point was closer to what the TW had. It was like $450 thereabout. I would also be interested in helping out but I'm still 4+ hours from the Vancouver area too....dang

 

[4Runrrun'n]

I would be more interested if the price point was closer to what the TW had. It was like $450 thereabout. I would also be interested in helping out but I'm still 4+ hours from the Vancouver area too....dang

umm not quite:
quote:
"Ok I received a final price from the freight forwarding company.

The total cost per person is 675.00 plus shipping to your door.

This includes the tent with annex, shipping on the boat from China to the US, Customs fees/duties, and the cost for the forwarding company to pick up the tents from the port, take care of customs, and then they will label them and ship them out to us. "

 

[BrianSD_42]

Overall it sounds pretty shady. Is this a legal manufacturer?

Also paying $800 for an unknown vs. $1000 tent from a reputable company is a bit questionable.

 

[jicko]

Warranty and post-sales Support????

What warranty do we have? And how about post-sales support? Missing parts? Or repair parts in the long run? Are we "on our own" once we get the tent? What if there is quality issue? Who is going to "fix" them?

I like the discounts, but I am really worried for such a big investment....

I am comfortable with Chinese manufacturer.... since most other companies (reputable brands) do use some Chinese manufacturers of sort.... but they are reputable because they do take care of you IF problem arise....

 

[J053619]

For those on the fence about this, check out the thread on the Tacoma forum. Seems like everyone who ordered was really satisfied with their purchase.

TacomaWorld GB for a RTT

 

[nitrag]

I would be more interested if the price point was closer to what the TW had. It was like $450 thereabout. I would also be interested in helping out but I'm still 4+ hours from the Vancouver area too....dang

The price is going to be very close to the TW GB. The problem with their pricing was that they had to keep asking the buyers for more money because hidden costs kept popping up. I am overestimating now now because I don't want tire kickers.

Overall it sounds pretty shady. Is this a legal manufacturer?
Also paying $800 for an unknown vs. $1000 tent from a reputable company is a bit questionable.

The tents are unbranded. Where are you getting $1000 tent idea from. If I knew where to buy one I'd skip all this GB effort and jump on it. We are going to be getting a size similar to Mt. Shasta and Mt. Ranier. Both are $1400-1700 + shipping.

What warranty do we have? And how about post-sales support? Missing parts? Or repair parts in the long run? Are we "on our own" once we get the tent? What if there is quality issue? Who is going to "fix" them?

I like the discounts, but I am really worried for such a big investment....

I am comfortable with Chinese manufacturer.... since most other companies (reputable brands) do use some Chinese manufacturers of sort.... but they are reputable because they do take care of you IF problem arise....

They claim there is a one year warranty. In reality, you have to weigh the cons. The previous GB of 10 tents had an issue with a dented base that didn't affect use. It took a long time but they eventually got some compensation I believe. You will have to understand that if you are missing a few screws or hardware that's on you. Pretty much unless it's dead on arrival we are out of luck. That's why I said: If you are uncomfortable with a Chinese tent, go spend your money on retail. From what I have read these aren't knockoffs. These are made in the same factory as all the other vendors, these are just unlabled/unbranded obviously. That being said, we will have insurance to cover shipments as much as possible.

[MENTION=88975]Swarty[/MENTION]
Now, the good news the sizes are in:

Sizes:
RT05-1: 126"x47"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x47" (size equivalent Mt. Cayley)
RT05-2: 126"x55"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x55" (size equivalent Mt. Shasta) (Previous GB Size)
RT05-3: 126"x65"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x65" (size equivalent unknown)
RT05-4: 126"x71"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x71" (size equivalent Mt. Ranier)
RT05-5: 126"x87"x51", Sleeping Pad: 94"x87" (size equivalent Mt. McKinley)

Common Bed widths:
Full: 54"
Queen: 60"
King: 76"

I think we need to either decide on the RT5-2 or RT5-3. I am leaning towards the latter.