review your Roof-Top-Tent (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter loquito
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The CTT has logged more than 1k miles now on top of the cruiser. Nearly three hundred in the rain over the past couple days. Opened it up and all was dry. Only broken one interior plastic adjuster thingy, but was able to thread it through the metal clip so all is well. Using the clip in tie down straps over the cover is working well. It's a lot easier than trying to stretch those damn bungies over the top.
It handles wind well if guyed out. We've had it up in 20-30 mph winds with no worries. The black plastic on the bottom of the tent will warp if it gets warm enough. We were parked with the tent up and the plastic began to warp within two hours after being in direct sunlight. Seemed fine today when I opened it up for the munchkins. Here's a couple pics from one of our outings.
It handles wind well if guyed out. We've had it up in 20-30 mph winds with no worries. The black plastic on the bottom of the tent will warp if it gets warm enough. We were parked with the tent up and the plastic began to warp within two hours after being in direct sunlight. Seemed fine today when I opened it up for the munchkins. Here's a couple pics from one of our outings.
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Here it is.
I have had it in Borrego for a night, with very little wind (20mph if even that), so I can't talk wbout it yet.
It is built extremely well, with a sturdy fiberglass shell. It opens in 2 seconds, and folds in 5. Very comfortable to sleep in-that's all I can tell so far. The thing is pretty bulky, so I need a ceiling lift device to store it. It weighs 104 pounds, but can be put on the roof by 2 people without too many trouble.
More after the first Baja trip (christmas/new year).
j
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Storage of the CTT / RTT Question
FYI in case any others were wondering this question. I sent off an email to Mel asking whether the CTT/RTT must be stored flat (as shipped). Until I rig up something in the garage to get it off the ground I'm out of space so my RTT either has to sit on end or the
car has to sit outside. I didn't think there would be an issue but wanted some assurance...Here was his answer:
FYI in case any others were wondering this question. I sent off an email to Mel asking whether the CTT/RTT must be stored flat (as shipped). Until I rig up something in the garage to get it off the ground I'm out of space so my RTT either has to sit on end or the
Thank you again for choosing the Car Top Tent for your outdoor adventures. Storage for your CTT, you can lay it on its side, stand it up, etc…. There is no problem on the position its in while in storage. Let me know if you have any questions. Don’t forget to send us your pics of your outdoor camping adventures using the CTT.
Kind Regards,
Mel
For that don't know this yet, Mel is a great person to deal with. Kind Regards,
Mel
First use of CTT
I took the CTT out for it's maiden voyage this weekend at Lake Lopez. Setup was easy, just make sure the car is fairly level. The boys and I slept in comfort, in the tree house tent. The ladder is poor and workman-ship is fair, but over-all a great deal. Mounting it on a wilderness rack was tricky. I custom fit 2x4's to the brackets, then u-bolted them down. (Temporary measure). Planning on making the J-Rack in the coming weeks. I'm thinking that there should be something you could spray on the tent, rainfly, and cover to make it more waterproof. Thanks Mel
I took the CTT out for it's maiden voyage this weekend at Lake Lopez. Setup was easy, just make sure the car is fairly level. The boys and I slept in comfort, in the tree house tent. The ladder is poor and workman-ship is fair, but over-all a great deal. Mounting it on a wilderness rack was tricky. I custom fit 2x4's to the brackets, then u-bolted them down. (Temporary measure). Planning on making the J-Rack in the coming weeks. I'm thinking that there should be something you could spray on the tent, rainfly, and cover to make it more waterproof. Thanks Mel
We've used ours once so far. Three kids 3-7 years old and the wife and I all snuggled up. The total weight in the tent was around 475 lbs. It held up fine. We had to put a block under the ladder to make it high enough. I did have to get up in the middle of the night. I made sure I was good and awake before I took the first step. We made the mistake of zipping it up all the way thinking it would get cool. With all the warm bodies, we were opening it up a few minures later to cool it off. I've got one more to rig up on a trailer that should even things out for our needs. Overall, I am very pleased!
I got mine this weekend from Todd K, slapped it on the roof in about 5 minutes and it was open and we were testing it out in about 5 more.
Great product for the price.
It was 38* and windy where we camped and I felt a good deal of breeze coming through the tent. I would want heavier canvas if possible, but for the price.....
Anyway, for the ladder, I got the ladder set and then when I folded it up, I simply removed the bottom section and layed it on the tent under one of the staps that you use to button it up and then put the cover over it.
That way I just have to fool with 2 pins when I set it up attaching the two parts together.
Overall
to Mel and crew!
I used a Yakima to stock 100 series roofrack setup.
Great product for the price.
It was 38* and windy where we camped and I felt a good deal of breeze coming through the tent. I would want heavier canvas if possible, but for the price.....
Anyway, for the ladder, I got the ladder set and then when I folded it up, I simply removed the bottom section and layed it on the tent under one of the staps that you use to button it up and then put the cover over it.
That way I just have to fool with 2 pins when I set it up attaching the two parts together.
Overall
to Mel and crew!I used a Yakima to stock 100 series roofrack setup.
I got mine this weekend from Todd K, slapped it on the roof in about 5 minutes and it was open and we were testing it out in about 5 more.
Great product for the price.
It was 38* and windy where we camped and I felt a good deal of breeze coming through the tent. I would want heavier canvas if possible, but for the price.....
Anyway, for the ladder, I got the ladder set and then when I folded it up, I simply removed the bottom section and layed it on the tent under one of the staps that you use to button it up and then put the cover over it.
That way I just have to fool with 2 pins when I set it up attaching the two parts together.
Overall
I used a Yakima to stock 100 series roofrack setup.
not worried about the 100 rack?
I have driven over 2000 miles with mine on a 1999 stock rack with the $69 proline yakama immitation setup. It seems to be holding just fine so far. Where is the weak spot I need to keep my eye on?
Hell no, I have hauled 4 bikes on it at 80. I have hauled my Yakima space case loaded for bear to Moab on it........
It is fine. The weight recommendations I feel are way understated....kinda like the ford depth when crossing water
Mine is sitting at the UPS terminal in Fontana CA. waiting for a boat.
not trying to knock CTT at all, and i don't know the price on them, but it just appears that the magiolina appears to be a much more robust product than that.
Kaderabek
GOLD Star
They appear to cost about 6 times as much.
I'm not disagreeing with you. That hard shell case is nice and would be needed many places that I wheel/camp.
But at the price....
TJK
I'm not disagreeing with you. That hard shell case is nice and would be needed many places that I wheel/camp.
But at the price....
TJK
i figured it must be a price thing.
If someone could do a similar tent for less (magiolina that is), obviously that would be huge.
If someone could do a similar tent for less (magiolina that is), obviously that would be huge.
Kaderabek
GOLD Star
Yes, sir.
I would have kept mine but it didn't fit on my African Outback rack, which took priority. Advantage, Grogan.
TJK
I would have kept mine but it didn't fit on my African Outback rack, which took priority. Advantage, Grogan.
TJK
NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
I'll probably buy a magiolina or ezawn or hannibal...eventually, but for $325 (plus $102 for shipping to my town), it's VERY difficult to beat this on up.
Technitop
FINALLY picked up my Technitop yesterday - ****ing awesome tent!! It was pissing cats and dogs last night and of course I had to try it out - not a single drop of moisture got in - the canvas material is the best I've seen and the roof material isn't far from trucker tarp grade.. you can't tell day from night either which is wicked for those who enjoy a sleep in - no light permeates anyplace.
I wasn't about to drop 2 grand for a new one and scooped this off ebay for half - though now that I have it I would recommend it for anyone able to use it often enough.. if its just going to sit up there and look meaty then save your dough. I'd read a few posts slamming the ladder set up and poles being snapped - can't agree with any of that - ladder is plenty stout and the poles seem to be as well. I'd like to double up the mattress material though its ten times better than a foamy on the ground.
IMO a Technitop is worth the dough as a long term investment.. at least when the wife kicks me to the curb for blowing the kids inheritance on cruiser gear I have a dry place to crash
will post pics on the roof next week..
View attachment 99815
FINALLY picked up my Technitop yesterday - ****ing awesome tent!! It was pissing cats and dogs last night and of course I had to try it out - not a single drop of moisture got in - the canvas material is the best I've seen and the roof material isn't far from trucker tarp grade.. you can't tell day from night either which is wicked for those who enjoy a sleep in - no light permeates anyplace.I wasn't about to drop 2 grand for a new one and scooped this off ebay for half - though now that I have it I would recommend it for anyone able to use it often enough.. if its just going to sit up there and look meaty then save your dough. I'd read a few posts slamming the ladder set up and poles being snapped - can't agree with any of that - ladder is plenty stout and the poles seem to be as well. I'd like to double up the mattress material though its ten times better than a foamy on the ground.
IMO a Technitop is worth the dough as a long term investment.. at least when the wife kicks me to the curb for blowing the kids inheritance on cruiser gear I have a dry place to crash
will post pics on the roof next week..
View attachment 99815
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semlin
curmudgeon
hey dieseldan,
want to try it out in 2 weeks time? so far we have an eezi -awn and 2 mombasas coming so why not a technitop? Maybe we can get an article out of it...
that and I want to steal that fly design as it looks like it would work perfectly on the mobasa
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=116798
want to try it out in 2 weeks time? so far we have an eezi -awn and 2 mombasas coming so why not a technitop? Maybe we can get an article out of it...
that and I want to steal that fly design as it looks like it would work perfectly on the mobasa
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=116798
