Need help picking rack for RTT - Front Runner Slimline III , Rhino Rack Pioneer, Etc

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JCruse

JCruse

10 Year
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Feb 7, 2013
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I'll be getting a RTT soon for a possible cross country trip as well as overnights/weekends on the beach, so I've been rack shopping. The two listed above are in the lead so far but I would not make such a large purchase (tent and rack) without consulting with you guys first. So lets do the rack first and then discuss tents after.

I've done quite a bit of searching and heard good things about both racks with no real complaints, except for one poster that said the FR was noisy as hell. No one else said this so I'd like to hear more on both as well as any similar racks I missed. I looked at the Baja with the rack sides up front (a plus) but few things seem to mount to it's sides. And the Eazy Awn was too expensive.

So what can you folks tell me about these and other racks?


BTW: Clamshell type tents (magiolina) are out due to cost and size.
 
Oh yeah I was looking at that PrinsuDesign yesterday! It's... interesting looking, and seems quite sound. Also like that it's so low.

When are you getting it?


I was seriously considering the Gamiviti till I saw that I'd have to paint it. That's a problem in my situation.


I like the look of the low profile Gobi rack but it's a bit narrow for an 80 and of course puts the tent up higher.
 
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@JCruse let me know if I can answer any questions about any of the Tepui RTT's. I don't know where you're located or if you are planning to attend Cruise Moab but I'll have tents set up at the vendor show during the event if you want to check them out. Of course if you're looking to get one before that, let me know. I'm sure I can help you pick a great tent.
 
Well thanks BR, off the top of my head the one concern I had with your tents was quite small, the telescopic ladder. I hear sand can jam up that type of ladder and mine will get most of it's use on the beaches here on Long Island. I know it gets in nearly everything else I have. But they otherwise seem like fine pieces of gear. And economical too!

I won't be at MOAB this year but I'm planning a cross country trip for next spring that I will try and time to coincide with the event. That way I can stop along the way, check out the place and meet some of you guys instead of always being stranded way out here on the eastern tip of the country. LOL
 
I've heard that concern come up in the past. Personally, I've never had the issue. Also, I have a couple customers in Corpus Christi, Texas that had that as a primary concern since 99% of their camping is on the beach. they worried about the sand and salt at the beaches. I checked in with them 6-8 months after the purchase and asked how the tents were working and there were no issues with the ladders. FWIW, the Tepui ladder was redesigned last summer and the new design is much stronger and easier to use.

Even out here in Utah, I'm often camping in sand and it's common to have wind storms with lots of blowing sand. It's never caused an issue with the ladder, but it a good idea regardless of where you live to periodically lubricate the ladder for smooth operation. Just normal maintenance, and you should do the same with the other sliding type ladders too.
 
I just watched your setup video and saw that the ladder wasn't what I was thinking of. I thought it was like the one below. I don't know how I made that mistake. Can you confirm that the current ladder isn't this type? I'm considering the Autana btw.






Aluminium_telescopic_ladder_3_8m.jpg
 
the current ladder is similar to that one but it is not that one.
This is the newly designed ladder.




Here's the improved locking mechanism


This is the ladder on the Autana Ruggedized. I MUCH prefer this ladder to the sliding type. The other risk you run with the sliding ladder is that they don't extend as far and it's not uncommon to have one on an 80 not be long enough (depending on how much lift the 80 has). This would require purchasing an additional ladder extension and possibly needing to drill new holes in the ladder. The telescoping ones extend to 8'6" so not only do they have ample height but there is no need to drill new holes and it can be extended to match any terrain.
 
Not to be too picky but the rungs/steps don't seem too bare foot friendly, which I will be most of the time. In that last pic it looks like I'll be walking up on the pointy edges. I say this mostly because I'm old and overweight. :(

It's certainly not a deal breaker though.
 
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JCruse said:
Not to be too picky but the rungs/steps don't seem too bare foot friendly, which I will be most of the time. In that last pic it looks like I'll be walking up on the pointy edges. I say this mostly because I'm old and overweight. :(

It's certainly not a deal breaker though.
Click to expand...
Actually just the opposite. These rungs have rounded edges which was not the case on the older ladders or the sliding ladders.
 
FWIW I have the FR SLII rack and I have zero wind noise with or without the JB tent on top. I also have their rather expensive table, which despite its cost, is a nice size and the storage under the rack is awesome.
 
JCruse said:
Oh yeah I was looking at that PrinsuDesign yesterday! It's... interesting looking, and seems quite sound. Also like that it's so low.

When are you getting it?


I was seriously considering the Gamiviti till I saw that I'd have to paint it. That's a problem in my situation.


I like the look of the low profile Gobi rack but it's a bit narrow for an 80 and of course puts the tent up higher.
Click to expand...

Just an FYI. Tim at Gamiviti can have the rack powder coated before he ships them. I had mine done.
 
Oh now you tell me. LOL

I've ordered the Front Runner slimline 2 which will be here next week. I'm intrigued by that whole T-slot thing for adding to the rack cleanly.

The Prinsu rack was a really, really close second, but I didn't want to be the first to try it, and the FR is quite a bit cleaner looking FWIW.

While I was on Amazon ordering the rack I just went ahead and ordered an ARB Simpson III tent with prime two day shipping. :)

For my next trick I'll be jumping out a window when the bills come. :eek:
 
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You're not the first to try out the Prinsu rack. I've been using it for weeks now.
Oh. I'm hurt. ;) Could have saved you a bit on the tent, but oh well.

I'm just giving you a bad time. If I didn't have the Prinsu rack as an option it would have been the Front Runner rack.
 
Box Rocket said:
You're not the first to try out the Prinsu rack. I've been using it for weeks now.
Oh. I'm hurt. ;) Could have saved you a bit on the tent, but oh well.

I'm just giving you a bad time. If I didn't have the Prinsu rack as an option it would have been the Front Runner rack.
Click to expand...


I meant besides you...

I really like the way the rack spreads out weight. I'm a big load. LOL

You have no ideas how many times I went back and forth between Tepui tents and nearly every other name. The Autana was always "the other" choice, neck and neck with all of them. And I'm sure that the Tepui would have been more than good enough for my meager needs. But in the end...




.
 
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