Rooftop Camping

[Antur]

Anybody have some mileage with either an ARB Series 3 Simpson or TJM Yulara rooftop tent system? Thoughts, experience, preference, or other product lines that shine brighter?

Thanks,
Kyle

[acg]

I hear the CVT is also pretty popular as they are made in Salem, Oregon. I am also interested in what others have to say about RTTs.

[ANDYD]

Part of your decision should be based on where you plan to use it. If using it on the North West Coast your biggest challenge will be keeping it dry inside. Not only when it's set up but also how well does it seal when it's packed down. Somehow water always seems to find its way into even the best sealed cover. There is no fun in finding a wet mouldy mattress when you jump into your tent!
I was lucky enough to obtain one of the hard cover (fibreglass) AutoHome Columbus RTT, these are totally waterproof and are sealed all around against water ingress. There are a couple of different designs, they are built very well but are not cheap. They do work and seal very well on the Wet NW coast if your budget will allow.
http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/
Cheers,
Andy

[ashek]

Living in an RTT isn't that bad, (Eezi-awn t-top) but its certainly not fun for multiple days of wet weather.
Not sure about the hard-shell ones, but i agree with Andy on the "nothing is waterproof" mantra. It will get wet, if its not done up properly, every time, and there is always a small hole or seam somewhere that will let water in when its parked in the rain. They dry out fairly quickly tho.
If you have one perma-mounted, i'd take the mattress and bedding out to minimize the stuff in there that can get wet while not being used.
As for camping in torrential rain, yes it will get wet, but not SUPER wet. It will probably get more wet from your breath and body giving off humidity in the night, just like a normal tent. All in all, way less of a hassel than setting up a ground tent over and over again :)

[justin_carlson]

I hear the CVT is also pretty popular as they are made in Salem, Oregon. I am also interested in what others have to say about RTTs.

I just purchased a CVT Shasta + Annex and a 79" awning + mesh room last month. Yes, the company is located in Oregon (Bend) but the tents are actually made in China. In the same factory that the ARB tents are made. In fact, it's the same set of 'older instructions' that the ARB tents use to come with that were packed with my tent. I haven't taken it out overnight yet but I have set it up and and it sure makes things easier. Especially with a permanent 2.5" mattress inside it.

Couple take aways from it so far though: After I've had it mounted for a couple weeks, I opened it up again and found moisture in-between the mattress & the platform you lay on. From what I've read though, this is a common build up of condensation (depending on the weather) and not a issue with any leaks around the tent. But to prevent it from developing into anything that could ruin a good nights sleep I've ordered a anti-condensation mat http://www.cascadiatents.com/Anti-Conde ... m=84&s=653 so that it won't interfere with the mattress.

(this pic was taken 1/2 way through the install)
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ ... bd34c9.jpg

With the anti-condensation mat inside, guys frequently talk about how they keep there sleeping bag + pillow permanently held up there during the summer without any issues. Just one less thing to worry about.

[acg]

Justin,

Thanks for posting. I would love to swing by and take a look at the tent if you have some time in the next few weeks.

[justin_carlson]

Sure, not a problem. The later part of next week works well for me. Just let me know when.

[egatada]

I've used this in my cars for years and it may work to help with the moisture problems when storing RTTs. Every time you buy something that comes with a silica moisture packet, save it instead of throwing it away. Once you have a bunch of them you can spread them around inside the tent. It won't stop condensation but it can reduce it and mitigate the mildew. The best ones are packed in with furniture because they're huge and can absorb a lot of moisture.

If you don't have the patience to wait for your wife to buy more shoes so you can steal the packet from the box, you can get them at the address below.

http://www.silicagel.ca/

[acg]

Sure, not a problem. The later part of next week works well for me. Just let me know when.

Justin,

Excellent! I am the Asian guy who met you briefly during the Triangle Road outing. Can you PM a phone number where I can reach you please? I will call towards the weekend of next week.

Thanks!

[Doc Tari]

What happens if it has rained over night or worse, when it's time to pack up the RTT, are you packing a wet tent? Can't make for a very nice place to sleep the following night...

[Crs]

Justin,

I'm looking at the photo. Can you still open the back door on the Disco with the tent ladder in place?

[Antur]

This has been really helpful gang... Thanks

Kyle

[99Disco2]

Justin,

Thanks for posting. I would love to swing by and take a look at the tent if you have some time in the next few weeks.

Hey Andrew, its Christopher
I would love to join you seeing Justin's roof top tent.
Christopher

[justin_carlson]

Justin,

I'm looking at the photo. Can you still open the back door on the Disco with the tent ladder in place?

Hey Craig, I'm actually not sure (haven't tried it yet). I'll be opening up the tent later this week when Andrew stops by (Christopher you're welcome to come too) and I can test it out then.

I can position it either off the back of the truck or the side though. I decided off the back as I don't think I'll be attaching the annex all that often, and when I don't, It will allow me to access the rear of the Disco while still staying wet. That's important to me as I just put in a stainless steel back panel to create a backdoor camp kitchen in time.

(This is the panel here)
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ ... b3e349.jpg

Also, I've got a awning on the passenger side of the vehicle and wanted to leave the driver side open for a roof rack shower & mounting points for a kayak.

[acg]

I am waiting for the custom bumper work to be done on the Disco in a shop in Abbotsford I hope to have the car by the end of the week. Justin and Chris, I'll get in touch with you when I get the Disco back from the shop.

[chrismac]

Justin, are your rims true beadlocks?
I have a rooftop tent (Ezi Awn) it is not fun putting it away wet. That's why I don't use it and now sleep in the back of my truck. I would get a tent like Andy's, or use mine only when I know the weather is going to be dry!

[justin_carlson]

Yes, they're beadlock wheels but I don't have the beadlock rings at all (it's just prepped for them).

http://www.roversnorth.com/ProductDesc. ... ady-wheels
https://c7743.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/Image ... /TF107.jpg

[justin_carlson]

From this angle you can see a bit of the channel behind the holes for attaching the bolts/nuts.

(I was just testing out a telescoping pole for when we go into wide open areas. It gives a unique perspective of the vehicle and trail. Should be great for ochi basin)
http://youtu.be/OOIRUWY6cRo-hd1

[acg]

Justin, it looks like it may have to be next week. My custom bumper fab project is taking longer than I expected. The truck will not be completed until next Tues. I will be heading to next Thurs social to test out the bumper on Triangle road. Any chance you will be there?

[justin_carlson]

Justin, it looks like it may have to be next week. My custom bumper fab project is taking longer than I expected. The truck will not be completed until next Tues. I will be heading to next Thurs social to test out the bumper on Triangle road. Any chance you will be there?

I'll do my best to be there on Thursday.

[99Disco2]

Hey Justin and Andrew,
I will be at the social and hope to see you both.
Justin, I have finished my back door cooking table and you can check it out for some ideas.
Andrew, I was going to call you today but ended up in Lions Bay for most of the day. I saw your post about the bumper being delayed, the sucks but I can't wait to see it.

Cheers guys

[acg]

Justin:
No worries if you can't make it. We'll find another way to hook up.

Chris:
See you on Thurs.

[99Disco2]

Justin:
No worries if you can't make it. We'll find another way to hook up.

Chris:
See you on Thurs.

Sounds good