Roof Top Tent Questions (Some 3rd Gen Specific)

[traben27]

Hey guys,

Heavily considering getting a RTT and looking specifically at the Tepui Autana XL Sky. I have a hook up through a friend to get a good deal. The plan is to have it on it for a few years until I pick up a Tundra and put it on a rack over the bed. It will be used for two adults and two small children (2 year old and 2 month old). Once we have more kids, the older ones would probably go in a separate tent or in the annex. I have a few questions/concerns, some of which are 3rd gen specific.

1. Size - Closed is 72" x 48" x 12" (WxLxH). Has anyone mounted this tent or one similar in size on a 3rd gen? I'm a little worried about the size as it's 4' wide closed and pretty long. Any issues with opening the rear hatch? Sleeping area is 6'x8' which I think is plenty big for two adults and two small kids.

2. Weight - How much does it affect the COG? I'm not super worried, just wondering. I use it for exploring old forest roads/ATV trails and the occasional Moab trip, so nothing too extreme.

3. MPG - Again, not too worried, just wondering if anyone had been keeping track and knew what the drop in MPG was like? I get decent gas mileage right now (17-18 city).

4. Kids - How is it having small kids in a RTT? Any issues with it being 6+ feet off the ground?

Some people love them, some hate them. I'm pretty sure I'd love it and my wife is actually excited about it so I thought I'd look into it further.

Thanks,

Casey

 

[tx_shooter]

1 - I bought the CVT Mt Shasta which is close to those dimensions (off the top of my head) and it is the biggest RTT I could put on there without covering the sun roof and still being able to open the rear hatch.

2 - So far I have not noticed a big shift in COG but I also do have Schrockworks sliders on.

3 - I think I might have lost 1 mpg; but I am also lifted with 4.30 gears and a supercharger. I built my roof rack so that the tent sits about 2.5" off the top of the roof. I am still working on a really good wind deflector. YMMV

4 - I do not have kids but I do drink. The ladder was not a big deal after my fair share of adult beverages.


My sammich maker and I really like our RTT. Currently we have plans or reservations to camp or take an expo trip every month this Fall, Winter, and Spring.

 

[I'mStock]

1. I have an old-ass Mombasa RTT that's the same size and I love it. It takes up the whole roof, so keep that in mind with considering a rack. It's me, my fiance and our 3yr old in it when we use it and I can sleep without even feeling their presence.

2. Driving around town with it isn't terrible. I notice it's there but not to the extent that I'm adjusting my driving style because of it. These days it's on the truck more than it isn't because it's so large and difficult for just my fiance and I to remove it.

3. I get 14 with it and 15 without it, YMMV.

4. He's 3, he gets the idea that he doesn't want to fall out of it so he carefull-ish.

 

[traben27]

1. I have an old-ass Mombasa RTT that's the same size and I love it. It takes up the whole roof, so keep that in mind with considering a rack.

I realized my first post wasn't clear on those dimensions being the "closed" dimensions. When it's open it's twice as wide. Just wanted to clarify, yours is the same(ish) dimensions when closed?

 

[I'mStock]

I realized my first post wasn't clear on those dimensions being the "closed" dimensions. When it's open it's twice as wide. Just wanted to clarify, yours is the same(ish) dimensions when closed?

Mine is 72"x44", closed.

 

[Salman]

Answers - I have autana ruggedized

1. Shouldn't be an issue as it is made for 3 adults.
2. Did some good trail run without any issue.
3. Will effect mpg...Did not calculate after installing rtt... but I am not concerned as my 4runner is not my dd.
4. Don't know... no experience.

Just keep in mind when RTT is open you can't go anywhere.

 

[Scramble]

And what happens when you want to go run a trail or run into town for supplies? You have to break the tent down?

 

[I'mStock]

And what happens when you want to go run a trail or run into town for supplies? You have to break the tent down?

Mine is 5 minutes open, 10 minutes closed and I don't have a nice travel cover like most do because of it's age and the fact that I got it second-hand so I have to wrestle with a tarp and ratchet straps when I break it down.

 

[ajordan1975]

i like the RTT, but can't justify spending the money on one when i can get a pop up camper for not much more....

 

[I'mStock]

i like the RTT, but can't justify spending the money on one when i can get a pop up camper for not much more....

Watch your local Craigslist, I'm in mine for $300. :thumb:

 

[ajordan1975]

Watch your local Craigslist, I'm in mine for $300. :thumb:

that's a hell of a score!
the other issue is i need a big one. wife and 3 kids, soooooooo yeah. :wacko:

 

[traben27]

the other issue is i need a big one. wife and 3 kids, soooooooo yeah. :wacko:

That's why I'm going for the Autana XL. It's supposed to sleep 4 people, plus comes with a 90"x90" annex (although the ladder comes down in the middle of it) that is usable sleeping space.

 

[theesotericone]

And what happens when you want to go run a trail or run into town for supplies? You have to break the tent down?

And what happens when you leave your ground tent in camp to go into town or on a trail run and some scumbag steals your sleeping bag or the whole tent? lol

 

[Scramble]

And what happens when you leave your ground tent in camp to go into town or on a trail run and some scumbag steals your sleeping bag or the whole tent? lol

I've been camping for 45 years & that has never happened.

 

[Scramble]

And what happens when you leave your ground tent in camp to go into town or on a trail run and some scumbag steals your sleeping bag or the whole tent? lol

Is that how it is out west? I'm staying in NY where it's safe. :banana:

 

[theesotericone]

I've been camping for 45 years & that has never happened.

Is that how it is out west? I'm staying in NY where it's safe. :banana:

It's never happened to me or anyone I know. I just need to rationalize my want of a RTT to my wife. It is pretty much theft proof so that's the current argument I'm using. lol

 

[Scramble]

It's never happened to me or anyone I know. I just need to rationalize my want of a RTT to my wife. It is pretty much theft proof so that's the current argument I'm using. lol

I understand the cool factor but... we'll just steal your whole truck! :hello:
Plus it makes you top heavy when wheelin'.

My 4 man Eureka Dome has front & rear doors with vestibules so when it's raining you can leave your boots out side & they stay dry. You dont have to walk/stumble down a ladder to take a leak in the middle of the night. LOL

I camped in the rain for 6 days with my Eureka & stayed bone dry. How waterproof are these RTT's? They're an overpriced fad man.

 

[theesotericone]

I understand the cool factor but... we'll just steal your whole truck! :hello:
Plus it makes you top heavy when wheelin'.

My 4 man Eureka Dome has front & rear doors with vestibules so when it's raining you can leave your boots out side & they stay dry. You dont have to walk/stumble down a ladder to take a leak in the middle of the night. LOL

I camped in the rain for 6 days with my Eureka & stayed bone dry. How waterproof are these RTT's? They're an overpriced fad man.

There pretty waterproof and overpriced. I don't know about a fad yet but I'll talk to you about it in ten years. lol

I've got plenty of ground tents that keep me dry. I use them all the time on climbing trips into the backcountry. When car camping though I just sleep on 4" of memory foam I cut to fit in the back of the rig. I removed the rear seats to it sleeps pretty flat and it's quite comfy and dry. lol

 

[traben27]

I camped in the rain for 6 days with my Eureka & stayed bone dry. How waterproof are these RTT's? They're an overpriced fad man.

I've seen them go through some bad storms and stay dry/upright. I believe the Tepui website has a story about them going through a severe storm during testing and having no issues. I've also seen pictures of something like 6" of snow on them and they didn't collapse or let anything in.

Things I like about them:
1. Quick and easy set up. 5 minutes and you're done.
2. Built in sleeping pad. My wife has never enjoyed any pad I've been able to find for her, but after laying down on one of these she loved it.
3. Snow/Rain/Mud/Rocks...If you can park your truck there you can sleep there comfortably.
4. Sleeping gear stays in. My least favorite part about moving from site to site while camping is how long it takes to put everything in the tent away, just to put it all back out 8 hours later. You can fold the tent up with your sleeping bags and everything in place.
5. My wife feels more safe/confident in one. This is probably my biggest reason. Whether they're safer or not, it's nice to have your wife's stress/worry level down while camping.

They aren't for everyone, and I didn't mean for this thread to be an argument of if they're 'worth it' or not, but the truth is I'm really only looking into one because I can get it at such a steep discount. If they were half the price they are now, I'm guessing you'd at least consider one too. After all, a good tent that can sleep 4 people is still $300-400 plus sleeping pads, bags, etc.

- Casey

 

[Scramble]

I've seen them go through some bad storms and stay dry/upright. I believe the Tepui website has a story about them going through a severe storm during testing and having no issues. I've also seen pictures of something like 6" of snow on them and they didn't collapse or let anything in.

Things I like about them:
1. Quick and easy set up. 5 minutes and you're done.
2. Built in sleeping pad. My wife has never enjoyed any pad I've been able to find for her, but after laying down on one of these she loved it.
3. Snow/Rain/Mud/Rocks...If you can park your truck there you can sleep there comfortably.
4. Sleeping gear stays in. My least favorite part about moving from site to site while camping is how long it takes to put everything in the tent away, just to put it all back out 8 hours later. You can fold the tent up with your sleeping bags and everything in place.
5. My wife feels more safe/confident in one. This is probably my biggest reason. Whether they're safer or not, it's nice to have your wife's stress/worry level down while camping.

They aren't for everyone, and I didn't mean for this thread to be an argument of if they're 'worth it' or not, but the truth is I'm really only looking into one because I can get it at such a steep discount. If they were half the price they are now, I'm guessing you'd at least consider one too. After all, a good tent that can sleep 4 people is still $300-400 plus sleeping pads, bags, etc.

- Casey

I guess it depends where you camp/live too. If its rocky with snakes a RTT might be good. I dont use an air mattress because they're heavy but my foam roll up pads for under the sleeping bag work great. My tent was $260 10 years ago. It tight for 4 but great for 2. It's light weight for hiking. Rolls up smaller than a sleeping bag & is about 16lbs with ploles. My normal camping spot is 1.5 miles up a mountain trail from where you park. There's a big lake with trout & no one around. We usually stay up there for 4-6 days.