KiruxaT4R
New member
It really depends on what kind of camper you are. If you like to stay in one place for a few days then sure trailer of some sort might be a better choice that being said some of these off road trailer are $5000-25000 that is a lot of money.
I have owned TEPUI for the last 3 years and here are my .02 cents.
Positives:
- Saved cargo storage inside vehicle in bedding.
- Bed is always ready for you
- Can be stored away in off season taking up 12" x 56" of floor space in garage (vertically)
- Keeps you off the ground especially if you are on the roof 6'-7' above ground. Bears can still get you but not as easy, eliminates snakes and crawlers as a hazard I believe.
- Can be set up anywhere level wise
- Stays warm because you are off the ground
- 6 min set up/take down with one person (I timed myself)
- Keeps the tent fabric/bedding clean and dry
- You are greeted by excellent view every morning from 7' above, instead of waking up and staring at wheels or undercarriage of your truck.
- You are not towing anything behind which:
a) allows you to go "downtown"/crouded areas of the city with no parking issues
b) leaves the hitch free, in my case for bike rack
c) fuel saving
- lastly, practically 0 maintenance compared to a trailer (tires, insurance etc.)
- No one is gong to steal it.
- Priced well for what you get $1000-2500.
- Also if you need to change clothes etc. an annex can be added giving you the privacy.
Negatives:
- its a bit of PITA to put it on/off the vehicle between mounting on and bolting it down so it ends up there for the whole season.
- 120lbs is a lot of top heavy weight
- Aero dynamics of an elephant on a highway @ 120km/h +
- Extra noise on the highway
- Looks a bit goofy/not pleasing to the overall look of the vehicle throughout camping season (my personal opinion)
- Has to go be packed up/unpacked if vehicle is to be used during camping over few days.
- Not all campground are vehicle accessible, so decreases chances of camp spots that can be rented @ campground
- It can get super windy (slept on the edge of grand canyon....terrible night noise wise)
- Attracts attention of other campers which for me by now is annoying with all the questions/looks etc. I just want to cook my steak and have a beer, not answer the hows and whats at every campground. But no one here is settling for mediocrity:bravo:.
- Climbing up/down ladder is a bit of a chore, especially bare foot, especially hungover in the morning trying not to break a neck.
Overall though I think its an absolute win for me with RTT. If you are doing true overland camping trip 2 weeks + which I usually engage in changing campgrounds every night and mild off-roading during the day nothing can beat RTT.
On the side note I think it is critical to go with RTT manufacturer that has a good infrastructure and can supply spare parts in timely manner (TEPUI is excellent at that). You do pay a little extra but it is worth it.
The only thing I would have change about the Tepui Kukenam Tent that I have, is to purchase Autana model due to location of the ladder. On Kukenam the ladder is always outside even if you attach annex. Autana has the ladder more on the inside and can be hidden within annex. This gives privacy and eliminates the need to keep clothes inside the tent. In the morning you can climb down in your boxers and change on ground level into dry clothes that were kept in the vehicles over night.
Below is my Tepui tent on my very missed 100 series and 14' Trail.
I have owned TEPUI for the last 3 years and here are my .02 cents.
Positives:
- Saved cargo storage inside vehicle in bedding.
- Bed is always ready for you
- Can be stored away in off season taking up 12" x 56" of floor space in garage (vertically)
- Keeps you off the ground especially if you are on the roof 6'-7' above ground. Bears can still get you but not as easy, eliminates snakes and crawlers as a hazard I believe.
- Can be set up anywhere level wise
- Stays warm because you are off the ground
- 6 min set up/take down with one person (I timed myself)
- Keeps the tent fabric/bedding clean and dry
- You are greeted by excellent view every morning from 7' above, instead of waking up and staring at wheels or undercarriage of your truck.
- You are not towing anything behind which:
a) allows you to go "downtown"/crouded areas of the city with no parking issues
b) leaves the hitch free, in my case for bike rack
c) fuel saving
- lastly, practically 0 maintenance compared to a trailer (tires, insurance etc.)
- No one is gong to steal it.
- Priced well for what you get $1000-2500.
- Also if you need to change clothes etc. an annex can be added giving you the privacy.
Negatives:
- its a bit of PITA to put it on/off the vehicle between mounting on and bolting it down so it ends up there for the whole season.
- 120lbs is a lot of top heavy weight
- Aero dynamics of an elephant on a highway @ 120km/h +
- Extra noise on the highway
- Looks a bit goofy/not pleasing to the overall look of the vehicle throughout camping season (my personal opinion)
- Has to go be packed up/unpacked if vehicle is to be used during camping over few days.
- Not all campground are vehicle accessible, so decreases chances of camp spots that can be rented @ campground
- It can get super windy (slept on the edge of grand canyon....terrible night noise wise)
- Attracts attention of other campers which for me by now is annoying with all the questions/looks etc. I just want to cook my steak and have a beer, not answer the hows and whats at every campground. But no one here is settling for mediocrity:bravo:.
- Climbing up/down ladder is a bit of a chore, especially bare foot, especially hungover in the morning trying not to break a neck.
Overall though I think its an absolute win for me with RTT. If you are doing true overland camping trip 2 weeks + which I usually engage in changing campgrounds every night and mild off-roading during the day nothing can beat RTT.
On the side note I think it is critical to go with RTT manufacturer that has a good infrastructure and can supply spare parts in timely manner (TEPUI is excellent at that). You do pay a little extra but it is worth it.
The only thing I would have change about the Tepui Kukenam Tent that I have, is to purchase Autana model due to location of the ladder. On Kukenam the ladder is always outside even if you attach annex. Autana has the ladder more on the inside and can be hidden within annex. This gives privacy and eliminates the need to keep clothes inside the tent. In the morning you can climb down in your boxers and change on ground level into dry clothes that were kept in the vehicles over night.
Below is my Tepui tent on my very missed 100 series and 14' Trail.
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