New expedition RTT / First Impressions

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Skillet

Skillet

Skillet
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Just got back from my first trip with the new Expedition model Roof-Top-Tent.

I sold the old Mombasa, it was simply too big for me, plus I could not take the cheesy steel ladder any more.

Ordered the Expedition model from Mel in Texas and so far, I am pleased with the tent. The new ladder design is awesome and very sturdy. Tent material is more stout and much more attention has been paid to fit and finish detail. Setup is a bit more involved with the awnings but I guess that goes with the territory. So it takes about 5 extra minutes to setup.

Many have said that it ripped off EZ-AWN's design, etc., not sure about that, and not sure if the quality is comparable to them as I have never seen an EZ-AWN up close. However, at $650 delivered compared to $1600 F.O.B., I will take this one all day long and still have a cool grand in my pocket for other mods.

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

:beer:
Expedition1.webp
Expedition2.webp
Expedition3.webp
 
Sweet set, I like the way the windows are covered and rain fly seems big enough to cover the whole area. Comapred to your old model, besides the size what other items are better or worse.

i am looking to buy one for my 85 4runner and weight is a big concern. It would only be for two of us as I would use our big tent if the dogs were to go. What did you pay for your other model and how much smaller or larger is this version compared to your old one.
 
buffethat@comcast.ne said:
Comapred to your old model, besides the size what other items are better or worse.

The only thing worse is the setup time and that is not that big of a deal.
Click to expand...

Most everything else is better.
Fit and finish are well thought out. They paid much more attention to detail.
Materials used are of obvious higher quality.
And, as I stated, the ladder on the old one SUCKS. It works but is a pretty lame design.

buffethat@comcast.ne said:
i am looking to buy one for my 85 4runner and weight is a big concern. It would only be for two of us as I would use our big tent if the dogs were to go. What did you pay for your other model and how much smaller or larger is this version compared to your old one.
Click to expand...

This tent weighs about 100lbs and is about 20' narrower than the Mombasa but the same length.

I paid $400 for my old one and got that money back when I sold it.
You may be able to pick them up now, NIB for $350.
 
Skillet,

Can you point me to the link or info for Mel? This just may be the ticket to get the wife back into camping after the baby.
 
BPMOU said:
Skillet,

Can you point me to the link or info for Mel? This just may be the ticket to get the wife back into camping after the baby.
Click to expand...


Well,

This is the link.

However, when I just checked it, it showed a new price.

It now says $899 + shipping.

I do remember that when I bought mine a month ago, it said it was a "spring-time promotional special." It was $650 delivered. I also got the changing room and ladder extention and all together it was $755 delivered.

My suggestion would be to talk to Mel and see if you can still take advantage of the promotion.

Sorry, I did not mean to mislead anyone. :frown:
 
SOCALFJ said:
Looks great Skillet. You make me want to sell my old one and get the new version too.

I wouldn't be able to ship it though.
Click to expand...


Thanks...


I just threw mine on Craigslist and it sold within three weeks. Some guy from the Bay Area came down and we put it on his 60 series.

I hated to see it go but I need more room for storage up top.

It was like a friggin condo up there.

You can order a seperate ladder from Mel and fit it to your Mombasa. He told me he was going to start doing that.
 
so how much are the new models currently?
 
Mounting system

Skillet:

Looks great! It appears from your pics that you mounted to 3(?) cross bars (can't tell if Thule or Yakima). Is this true? If so, which brand and would you recommend having three?

I currently have 2 Thule crossbars on my 62 and am seriously considering this RTT. Wondering if 2 would be sufficient. Also, what kind of mounting hardware do they provide? Was it easy to install?

Any info on mounting would be appreciated.

Thanks.

:cheers:
 
SwampYankee88 said:
Skillet:

Looks great! It appears from your pics that you mounted to 3(?) cross bars (can't tell if Thule or Yakima). Is this true? If so, which brand and would you recommend having three?

I currently have 2 Thule crossbars on my 62 and am seriously considering this RTT. Wondering if 2 would be sufficient. Also, what kind of mounting hardware do they provide? Was it easy to install?

Any info on mounting would be appreciated.

Thanks.

:cheers:
Click to expand...

Mine are Yakima.
There are three bars but you can definitely get away with two, unless you and your significant other are 300lbs each.
In that case, you may want to stay on the ground. :D
I tend to lean towards overkill and when I did my adventure through Mexico, I was storing a bunch-o s*** up on the Mombasa, like water and chairs.
I don't like Thule, they tend to bow in the middle. The circle is stronger than the rectangle, but if you already have them, use the Thule as it will fit great.
Mounting this one is easy, it has everything you need to mount to two bars and the instructions are fairly straight forward.
All you need are the bars.
Do yourself a favor, use two people to put it up there. I did it myself, unaided, and dislocated my shoulder again. Got impatient.
Two adult males of 5' 8" or taller is preferable.

Good luck.
 
Why the bow in the awning poles?

Are they fiberglass?
 
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