Rooftop Tent Info Compile (CVT Tepui Eezi-Awn ARB Treeline TuffStuff SmittyBilt)

[SnoViking]

Hey All, So I'm in the process of shopping for a rooftop tent and compiled a sheet compiling all the specs and details.

(Let me immediately insert the disclaimer that I fully understand that just because company "A" says it uses a 280g Poly-Cotton UV coated fabric and company "B" also says it uses 280g Poly-Cotton UV coated fabric does not imply that the two fabrics are identical and of the same quality. Company "A" and company "B" MAY also have their tents made in the same Chinese factory with the same workers. That does not imply the tents are exactly the same quality. The fabric MAY be from the exact same bolt. And the engineer specs MAY be the exact same.... They MAY indeed be the exact same tent with a different logo printed on it.... You're guess is as good as mine.)

So anyway..... Here's an excel sheet I compiled to help me sort through all the specs and details. I did my best to get all the info I can (I'm sure there's a few mistakes in there.) It's a working list so if anyone has any addition info and/or details and/or experiences please relay them to me and I will update the sheet.


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RJntEB847vPOvfHSbn3Usx-AcqZt1U6GGbhdDmpCVKI/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Vulgarian]

...dayum, nice work! Thanks for sharing.

 

[sigepbiker]

Subscribed!! This is an awesome resource!

 

[jglenn6]

That's awesome! Thank's for sharing.

 

[WRWhit93]

Thank you for your service, sir.
Very useful!

 

[chmura]

Nice work indeed!

I am shopping for a RTT myself but I want a hard shell tent i.e. Autohome Maggie or James Baroud. I feel with a RTT I want the fastest setup and take down and hard shell tents win in this regard.

 

[SwampRunner]

I've been thinking about a RTT for the future. Thanks for making the research a whole lot easier!

 

[T4RZAN]

Wow, and I thought my excel build sheet was impressive. Nice work! I'm sure you've made a ton of people's lives easier including mine. Thanks!

 

[Mgyver1]

You forgot Howling Moon. Their tents are made in South Africa and I believe they were the original designers of the overhang entry. Yes their tents are much more expensive than a Tepui or CVT, but I guess that is up to the individual consumer to decide if they want to fork over the extra dough for it not to be made in China. As for me...

 

[stevets]

Thanks for the effort...STILL a daunting decision!

 

[ColoradoToyota]

This is very handy - thanks!

Trying to convince the wife we should do a two week road trip up to yellowstone and/or glacier this summer/fall and either rent an rv, rent or buy a pop up trailer, or go rooftop tent which is my preference.

Anyone travel with dogs and use the rooftop tent? Our pup is 40 lbs so he's moveable, but I worry he'd fall out somehow? For tents that have a covered entry, how is that area secured? just a loosey-goosey flap or some type of hard supported surface? Don't want the dog falling down the ladder in the middle of the night lol

EDIT: I realize dogs are not allowed in some national parks (at least off-leash or off main roadways), but a question for general use.

 

[tigger]

This is very handy - thanks!

Trying to convince the wife we should do a two week road trip up to yellowstone and/or glacier this summer/fall and either rent an rv, rent or buy a pop up trailer, or go rooftop tent which is my preference.

Anyone travel with dogs and use the rooftop tent? Our pup is 40 lbs so he's moveable, but I worry he'd fall out somehow? For tents that have a covered entry, how is that area secured? just a loosey-goosey flap or some type of hard supported surface? Don't want the dog falling down the ladder in the middle of the night lol

EDIT: I realize dogs are not allowed in some national parks (at least off-leash or off main roadways), but a question for general use.

Depends on the tent. Most are enclosed, with a zipper at the door where the ladder is.

There are a couple of versions that are open to the annex with the possibility of rolling off (Rooftop Tents | Cascadia Vehicle Roof Top Tents)

If you have one with the annex, you can leave the dog in the lower section. Lots of room and no where to fall from. And you get your full sleeping area.

 

[Dane2992]

Also TJM is another brand. I believe mostly sold in AUS. Like the other member stated about laying more for something that's not or is made in China.

 

[jpachard]

My dog, 65lb. English Labrador loves the rtt. She's got a pretty mellow disposition so I'm able just to carry her up a couple rungs on the ladder and she hops right in the tent. Getting her out is actually harder since she's a bit nervous about heights. That being said, I don't think you have to worry about your dog jumping out but just keep an eye on him/her the first few times and see how they do.

Btw, we have a CVT Mt Bachelor so no annex. For us the tent is plenty big for me, my girlfriend and the dog. That being said we only have a few things in the tent like bedding, a couple headlamps and a change of clothes.


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[sigepbiker]

Is it possible to mount any of these tents onto the factory crossbars? In other words, do the tents have their own flat sleeping floor support, or is that what the flat roof rack is for?

What combination set-ups is everyone running?

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Sticky Please.

 

[stevets]

The factory rack will not support the weight of the tent with people in it....max is 165 lbs. I built a rack that works pretty good but will have a go at another version soon.

I ended up buying the Tuff Stuff and, after one trip, could not be happier. Super comfortable, easy up and down and seems to be pretty well put together. Held up nicely and kept us high and dry through a wicked thunderstorm.

 

[wadle5]

This is very handy - thanks!

Trying to convince the wife we should do a two week road trip up to yellowstone and/or glacier this summer/fall and either rent an rv, rent or buy a pop up trailer, or go rooftop tent which is my preference.

Anyone travel with dogs and use the rooftop tent? Our pup is 40 lbs so he's moveable, but I worry he'd fall out somehow? For tents that have a covered entry, how is that area secured? just a loosey-goosey flap or some type of hard supported surface? Don't want the dog falling down the ladder in the middle of the night lol
.

I did exactly that. I convinced the boss that the views of where we could park and how much cheaper it is than those park hotels this tent paid for itself on our 2 week trip out west.
In regards to the annex, on the CVT it zips up top as well as at the bottom to a rubbererized floor, so it is fully enclosed. The only way of the dog getting out is if he has figured out zippers or has posable thumbs. I am excited to hopefully use it again this summer this time with the furry guy and I will report back how it goes.

Is it possible to mount any of these tents onto the factory crossbars? In other words, do the tents have their own flat sleeping floor support, or is that what the flat roof rack is for?

What combination set-ups is everyone running?

Unfortunately no. Is it possible...sure. Should you do it and want to risk the weight of the tent and yourself on top only to be awoken in the middle of the night because your rack broke probably not. As others have said the OEM roof rack is only rated for 165lbs of static weight.
Personally I went with a WMW roof rack and it is a perfect fit for that and very secure. If you are looking their are several other companies out their for aftermarket roof racks besides GOBI. I would recommend BajaRack or PrinSu to start with. Hope it helps and trust me guys the thing is definitely worth its price in the long run.

Hope it helped. Cheers :yo:

 

[Flyer]

The Howling Moon tents look fantastic. May have to do some more research though. Sometimes I swear I get so tempted to buy a heavy duty or diesel truck and put a slide-in camper on it.

 

[Vivid]

Hey All, So I'm in the process of shopping for a rooftop tent and compiled a sheet compiling all the specs and details.

(Let me immediately insert the disclaimer that I fully understand that just because company "A" says it uses a 280g Poly-Cotton UV coated fabric and company "B" also says it uses 280g Poly-Cotton UV coated fabric does not imply that the two fabrics are identical and of the same quality. Company "A" and company "B" MAY also have their tents made in the same Chinese factory with the same workers. That does not imply the tents are exactly the same quality. The fabric MAY be from the exact same bolt. And the engineer specs MAY be the exact same.... They MAY indeed be the exact same tent with a different logo printed on it.... You're guess is as good as mine.)

So anyway..... Here's an excel sheet I compiled to help me sort through all the specs and details. I did my best to get all the info I can (I'm sure there's a few mistakes in there.) It's a working list so if anyone has any addition info and/or details and/or experiences please relay them to me and I will update the sheet.


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RJntEB847vPOvfHSbn3Usx-AcqZt1U6GGbhdDmpCVKI/edit?usp=sharing

What did you end up getting?