Buy the lightest weight one you can afford.
Builds “Ron” Build Thread - 2010 GX460 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Lenny33
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
r2m
Richard
The lightest RTT's will still be just shy of 100 lbs.
If you're very tall, young, athletic, and quite strong to press 100 lbs over your head, it shouldn't be an issue.
Seriously, I was thinking the same when I purchased my RTT. Although I bought an iKamper, one of the best out there which being a top of the line RTT, means one of the heaviest. I can't even get INTO my garage, but I have a balcony. I purchased an inexpensive overhead winch:
Amazon product ASIN B0774Q5SZ9
I hung the winch from my balcony and used it to lift the RTT. After lifting it off, I made a simple sling rack on casters that kept it stored sideways, vertical for space efficiency in my garage. The whole idea worked great, but way too much trouble. It's now on my rig all the time. At least until I build/get an adventure trailer where I can relocate the RTT to the trailer.
READ THIS: If you have not done any research on RTT's do you're homework! Quite a lot out there with a lot of options. Example:
Soft top or hard shell? Below is just a brief rundown on things to look for:
Soft tops:
If you're very tall, young, athletic, and quite strong to press 100 lbs over your head, it shouldn't be an issue.
Seriously, I was thinking the same when I purchased my RTT. Although I bought an iKamper, one of the best out there which being a top of the line RTT, means one of the heaviest. I can't even get INTO my garage, but I have a balcony. I purchased an inexpensive overhead winch:
Amazon product ASIN B0774Q5SZ9
I hung the winch from my balcony and used it to lift the RTT. After lifting it off, I made a simple sling rack on casters that kept it stored sideways, vertical for space efficiency in my garage. The whole idea worked great, but way too much trouble. It's now on my rig all the time. At least until I build/get an adventure trailer where I can relocate the RTT to the trailer.
READ THIS: If you have not done any research on RTT's do you're homework! Quite a lot out there with a lot of options. Example:
Soft top or hard shell? Below is just a brief rundown on things to look for:
Soft tops:
+ Lighter
+ Cheaper than hard shell's
+ More space, especially if you have kids/pets
- Less aerodynamic
- Take longer to setup
- You'll probably always have to add a rain fly, adds to setup time
- Longer to tear down
- More likely to be noisy in heavy winds (canvas batting around)
- The tent cover will eventually need to be replaced from constant weather exposure.
Hard shells:+ Very aerodynamic, helps on long road trips with noise and MPG.
+ Super quick setup. No exaggeration, my tent sets up in less than 1 minute and tear down is less than 5 minutes. Look at iKamper videos.
+ Never need a rain fly
+ Never need to replace the cover since it's either fiberglass, aluminum, polymer or some mix.
+ Very sturdy in heavy winds. We were in 30+ mph winds in Death Valley all night long, the only issue was I didn't secure the pull down strap that banged on the hard shell, but that was my fault. Other than that, we were very comfy and toasty all night long! 
- Smaller. Most hard shells are just for 2 people, the iKamper can handle a family of 4.
- Quite heavy. Mine is about 140 lbs.
- Cost more than soft shells
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #143
Thanks for all of that good info and things to consider. I still have lots of time to mull it over - just thinking ahead.
My current idea (probably will change several times before this is over) is to set up some sort of hydraulic hoist or high directional out in my yard or between a couple of pine trees and use that as a way to get the camper on and off. If I went the hardshell route, then it could just live out in the yard whenever it is off the vehicle and would be less to worry about.
My current idea (probably will change several times before this is over) is to set up some sort of hydraulic hoist or high directional out in my yard or between a couple of pine trees and use that as a way to get the camper on and off. If I went the hardshell route, then it could just live out in the yard whenever it is off the vehicle and would be less to worry about.
I had a soft sided RTT a few years back and absolutely hated it. So much so that I have sworn off RTT's ever since. I am now flirting with them again but I will only entertain a quality hardshell this time. I tried the off-road trailer thing and absolutely hated it. I still prefer to sleep inside of the truck but that's not always the best option in regards to space for two and for my cargo.
- Thread starter
- #145
So what did you hate about the soft sided RTT?
The covers! Putting the cover on a soft side tent will get you dusty if dry and muddy if wet. They make you dirty.
Same. We tried some soft sided RTTs and yes, they’re better than ground camping, but only just and the novelty wears off quick. If we were to get another (always an option) we’d go for a decent hardshell.
That said, I’ve had two off road trailer camper setups now and I love them. It does depend on your intent though. We off-road to get remote, explore places and camp. If you off-road for technical trails and the joy of wheeling, a trailer is probably just an anchor and way more cumbersome than it’s worth.
I will say, a dedicated trailer that you can leave stocked, is insulated and has power...it makes the wife very happy and I don’t mind so much myself.
As a fellow Coloradian, who camps at high altitudes nearly always...the insulation alone is one hell of a perk.
That said, I’ve had two off road trailer camper setups now and I love them. It does depend on your intent though. We off-road to get remote, explore places and camp. If you off-road for technical trails and the joy of wheeling, a trailer is probably just an anchor and way more cumbersome than it’s worth.
I will say, a dedicated trailer that you can leave stocked, is insulated and has power...it makes the wife very happy and I don’t mind so much myself.
As a fellow Coloradian, who camps at high altitudes nearly always...the insulation alone is one hell of a perk.
This exactly! I also disliked the setup/take down time and the awful aerodynamics.
- Thread starter
- #149
The Offroad trailers look really awesome, but doesnt work for me. We have a camper to boondock in and now I really need something basic for my kid’s scout camp outs and for some eventual overland trips.
r2m
Richard
Our iKamper is VERY warm.
Just being off the ground helps with warmth, but aside from that, there is also a quilted panel that covers the entire inside of the hard shell and all the rest of the soft material is very heavy. My wife and I are more often than not, too warm and that's with leaving a window or two open/unzipped all night.
I would like to take this to it's own thread about adventure trailers and RTT's, so if you all would be kind enough, let's continue there!
There is a lot of info I'd like to easily reference back to and find, especially about adventure trailers.
Just being off the ground helps with warmth, but aside from that, there is also a quilted panel that covers the entire inside of the hard shell and all the rest of the soft material is very heavy. My wife and I are more often than not, too warm and that's with leaving a window or two open/unzipped all night.
I would like to take this to it's own thread about adventure trailers and RTT's, so if you all would be kind enough, let's continue there!
There is a lot of info I'd like to easily reference back to and find, especially about adventure trailers.
- Thread starter
- #151
Not quite a year after purchase and she is coming along nicely....
Sherpa rack on order, then RTT and lights all around.
Sherpa rack on order, then RTT and lights all around.
Great build. Love the color combo. Ironically...we had one of the First Edition RTTx buyers ghost us. One is left.
- Thread starter
- #153
Thank you for the offer and GLWS, but I am not quite at a spot to buy yet...
Still waiting for my rack and paying for Christmas!
Still waiting for my rack and paying for Christmas!
- Thread starter
- #154
Until I get a rear bumper with a tire carrier or some other solution, I am driving around without a spare (I have a plug kit and a compressor just in case).
Since the computer keeps looking for a 5th tire, I have been living with a low tire pressure idiot light...............
Until now!
Problem fixed with a spot of solder and no more light.
Since the computer keeps looking for a 5th tire, I have been living with a low tire pressure idiot light...............
Until now!
Problem fixed with a spot of solder and no more light.
Last edited:
r2m
Richard
With all due respect, what are we looking at?
Yes, I know it's a PCB, but from where? Where did you pull it from?
Yes, I know it's a PCB, but from where? Where did you pull it from?
- Thread starter
- #157
With all due respect, what kind of a GX guy are you when you can’t even recognize the circuit board for the TPMS computer?!?!
Nah, I saw reference on the GXOR Facebook page to fix the TPMS light and decided I should do it. You pull the panel loose on the driver’s side rear like you are accessing the sub woofer. Bolted behind that panel is the TPMS computer. You access the circuit board and solder pins 5 and 6 together and ... no more low tire pressure idiot light.
- Thread starter
- #158
r2m
Richard
Duh!!! Who'd a thunk!! 
Seriously, thanks! Didn't even know about that.
Great tip!
Seriously, thanks! Didn't even know about that.
Great tip!
- Thread starter
- #160
I stole it from someone else and happy to pass it along!
