Roof Top Tent (RTT) Picture Gallery & BS Thread

[Cymon]

Just got a CVT Mt. Rainier Extended Summit Series. Waiting for the quick release Frontrunner mounts to come back in stock to mount it. I'll post a review of how it works with our family of 4 in hot/humid Florida once we get to test it out over Labor Day.

 

[tchikebran]

Just bought a Autana Tepui roof top tent. Can you guys recommend a roof rack for my 4th gen?


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[Brian3676]

I got the Thule with Aero blade bars. $399 msrp. CVT gave me a deal since I bought a tent and I got it for $329.

Works well. Wish I wanted for fork out the cash for a real rack, but $1k just to mount my $2k tent was not gunna happen.

 

[greatape]

Broke out the RTT for a first time in a while...usually been rockin the Oztent RV2 but you can't beat the comfort of a RTT...

 

[greatape]

stupid questions deserve stupid answers but....has anyone camped in a rain/lightning storm using their RTT? I am going out this weekend to camp and forecast calls for thunderstorms for part of the day. I am worried about it being up high with the metal supports.
I assume they are but the cvt Shasta, pretty water proof?

A little late to reply but yes I have been caught in some huge storms and the tent weathered well in all but one. Last year camping in the badlands, we got hit with 100mph winds, rain and hail and I was in the annex and got blown off my feet. Bottom-line, we were lucky but the tents main support structure was bent. Of course this is an extreme case, we learned next day it was a tornadoes..fun stuff...

 

[leftyguns21]

A little late to reply but yes I have been caught in some huge storms and the tent weathered well in all but one. Last year camping in the badlands, we got hit with 100mph winds, rain and hail and I was in the annex and got blown off my feet. Bottom-line, we were lucky but the tents main support structure was bent. Of course this is an extreme case, we learned next day it was a tornadoes..fun stuff...

actually perfect timing. previous trip we got lucky and the rain missed us. I will be camping this coming weekend in NE Colorado / SW Nebraska for the eclipse. we are going to be in some remote areas with very little shelter and I am sure we will get rained on at some point. good to hear the tent holds up to the crazy weather.

did you get your annex fixed?

 

[greatape]

actually perfect timing. previous trip we got lucky and the rain missed us. I will be camping this coming weekend in NE Colorado / SW Nebraska for the eclipse. we are going to be in some remote areas with very little shelter and I am sure we will get rained on at some point. good to hear the tent holds up to the crazy weather.

did you get your annex fixed?

No, I was in the annex sitting on a cot when the storm hit. The wind blew me off my feet into the ground and the whole annex started moving. ATT, I thought it was the whole rig moving from a tornado. It was dark, couldn't see but actually the annex was being ripped off of the RTT supports because of high high winds. Needless to say, the annex was destroyed. Haven't replaced it yet. We were very lucky that night...

 

[Brian3676]

Anyone bought there RTT then kinda rethink their decision.....

I got a CVT Rainer, it's great, comfy, weather proof. I used it one time though and don't have plans to use it again this year. Now it's sitting in my garage taking up a lot of space I could use for other stuff. Debating selling it, but then next year i'll probably be pissed if I did.

 

[HOJeepster]

No, I was in the annex sitting on a cot when the storm hit. The wind blew me off my feet into the ground and the whole annex started moving. ATT, I thought it was the whole rig moving from a tornado. It was dark, couldn't see but actually the annex was being ripped off of the RTT supports because of high high winds. Needless to say, the annex was destroyed. Haven't replaced it yet. We were very lucky that night...

This is why I ended up selling our RTT. With just a slight breeze, these things get loud and unstable feeling. Back to the ground we go.

 

[greatape]

This is why I ended up selling our RTT. With just a slight breeze, these things get loud and unstable feeling. Back to the ground we go.

Yes, I use my ground tents quite often but a high quality RTT will wishstand a lot. My example was extreme and the tent survived..damaged but survived. Lessons learned though..I keep a lot of extra tent stakes and guy rope in the event I feel I need to harden it more. Bottom-line, that night, nothing would have helped.

 

[leftyguns21]

I don't have any buyers remorse on my RTT, it was a lot of money to spend but for me it was cheaper than a pull behind which I was also considering. I would have had major buyers remorse on one of those. This is the first summer of me having one and I have only used it 4 times with at least 2 more trips coming up. I enjoy it much more than a ground tent and its rekindled my love for camping. The hard part is loading/unloading it by myself but once its loaded and I am set up at a camp spot I am happy to have it. Having spent so much money on it and getting one has forced me to go camping more which is something I didn't do all of last summer.
The deciding factor of a good purchase is how much I use it in year 2

My last trip to Lake George, CO

 

[tchikebran]

I'm thinking of buying front runner slim line roof rack for my 4th gen. Roof top tent will fit good on this rack?


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[leftyguns21]

I'm thinking of buying front runner slim line roof rack for my 4th gen. Roof top tent will fit good on this rack?

I have seen multiple people on here with that rack yep. plus they released a quick release for them making life easier.

I personally would get the full rack. the 3/4 version will be fully taken up by the tent not leaving much extra room for storage.

 

[DesertEagle]

[MENTION=16474]leftyguns21[/MENTION], I'm about to pull the trigger on the Mount Ranier CVT. Looks like you have it mounted on a Gobi Stealth roof rack is that right? If so how does it fit on the vehicle and any helpful hints since you purchased it? Did you go with Summit Series? Thank You.

 

[Ammomac]

[MENTION=16474]leftyguns21[/MENTION], I'm about to pull the trigger on the Mount Ranier CVT. Looks like you have it mounted on a Gobi Stealth roof rack is that right? If so how does it fit on the vehicle and any helpful hints since you purchased it? Did you go with Summit Series? Thank You.

i have that tent - pommel if you want a deal on a slightly used one. :thumb:

 

[leftyguns21]

[MENTION=16474]leftyguns21[/MENTION], I'm about to pull the trigger on the Mount Ranier CVT. Looks like you have it mounted on a Gobi Stealth roof rack is that right? If so how does it fit on the vehicle and any helpful hints since you purchased it? Did you go with Summit Series? Thank You.

I have the Shasta which is 48" * 56" closed. I have the extended pioneer series (if I remember right the summit was thicker material and a few other goodies I didn't need for the extra cost). It fits awesome on the gobi rack especially if you have removable cross bars. There's no wiggle room to get your hands under the tent once its loaded so I would highly advise mounting your crossbars first then putting the tent on the rack. For me, it goes right up against the back of the sunroof so I am still able to use the sunroof portion for mounting totes or whatever. On the bottom of page 2 of my flickr album there are a few pictures of the tent and a video of how I load it. The width is a non issue, it hangs off the rack a little on each side but not over the side of the car. The extra weight you will notice. the drop in MPG is pretty big too. I went camping near Nebraska this past weekend, I had the car loaded to the gills with 4 people, dog and lots of camping gear. My MPGs were hovering around 12.


Definitely watch some YouTube videos on how to set your tent up. I was being too manly and refused to watch them before my first trip so I didn't know what a lot of the 'extra' parts were for. The instructions that come with the tent were kind of useless to be honest. Mine came with extra annex c-channel, a bar for support, the spring rods and other parts. Once I watched a few videos CVT has it all made sense. Another thing to be careful of, zipping the cover up and getting it caught on the tent. I have done this more than once and its a huge pain to undo. Take your time zipping the cover up and make sure the tent is not in the way. They say not to put the annex under the cover but I have done this many times and its no problems. I just spread the floor and annex out evenly over the tent and cover it all up to save room. If you have a lifted 4Runner you may need to order an extra ladder (some come with the telescoping one already). The original ladder on mine wasn't tall enough so I ordered a new one. 8' telescoping should be enough. If you get an annex, buy new stakes. the ones that come with it are weak. I've bent most of them already, and recently bought new thicker ones.

 

[ogradydds]

It's probably been discussed a million times (and I've probably read all of those posts), but I'm in a position to buy a used RTT in great condition for a really good deal.

The only catch is that I currently am only running the factory rails and crossmembers.

Any other experiences of people that care to chime in on how "doable" it is to fit a CVT brand on factory setup until I can choose an aftermarket rack?

 

[leftyguns21]

It's probably been discussed a million times (and I've probably read all of those posts), but I'm in a position to buy a used RTT in great condition for a really good deal.

The only catch is that I currently am only running the factory rails and crossmembers.

Any other experiences of people that care to chime in on how "doable" it is to fit a CVT brand on factory setup until I can choose an aftermarket rack?

I would advise against it, but if you must I would get a 3rd crossbar to be safe.

 

[DesertEagle]

Thanks - Very Helpful

I have the Shasta which is 48" * 56" closed. I have the extended pioneer series (if I remember right the summit was thicker material and a few other goodies I didn't need for the extra cost). It fits awesome on the gobi rack especially if you have removable cross bars. There's no wiggle room to get your hands under the tent once its loaded so I would highly advise mounting your crossbars first then putting the tent on the rack. For me, it goes right up against the back of the sunroof so I am still able to use the sunroof portion for mounting totes or whatever. On the bottom of page 2 of my flickr album there are a few pictures of the tent and a video of how I load it. The width is a non issue, it hangs off the rack a little on each side but not over the side of the car. The extra weight you will notice. the drop in MPG is pretty big too. I went camping near Nebraska this past weekend, I had the car loaded to the gills with 4 people, dog and lots of camping gear. My MPGs were hovering around 12.


Definitely watch some YouTube videos on how to set your tent up. I was being too manly and refused to watch them before my first trip so I didn't know what a lot of the 'extra' parts were for. The instructions that come with the tent were kind of useless to be honest. Mine came with extra annex c-channel, a bar for support, the spring rods and other parts. Once I watched a few videos CVT has it all made sense. Another thing to be careful of, zipping the cover up and getting it caught on the tent. I have done this more than once and its a huge pain to undo. Take your time zipping the cover up and make sure the tent is not in the way. They say not to put the annex under the cover but I have done this many times and its no problems. I just spread the floor and annex out evenly over the tent and cover it all up to save room. If you have a lifted 4Runner you may need to order an extra ladder (some come with the telescoping one already). The original ladder on mine wasn't tall enough so I ordered a new one. 8' telescoping should be enough. If you get an annex, buy new stakes. the ones that come with it are weak. I've bent most of them already, and recently bought new thicker ones.

Lefty - much appreciated - the video on Flickr helped also for solo install - thanks. I'll post some pictures once mine gets here.

 

[jbstrd]

It's probably been discussed a million times (and I've probably read all of those posts), but I'm in a position to buy a used RTT in great condition for a really good deal.

The only catch is that I currently am only running the factory rails and crossmembers.

Any other experiences of people that care to chime in on how "doable" it is to fit a CVT brand on factory setup until I can choose an aftermarket rack?

Don't use the factory cross bars, flip the mounting brackets on the tent 90 degrees and use the factory side rails. They are plenty strong and bolt to your roof just like aftermarket racks. No issues doing this with my ARB RTT.