Rooftop Tent Info Compile (CVT Tepui Eezi-Awn ARB Treeline TuffStuff SmittyBilt)

[SnoViking]

Hey All, So I'm in the process of shopping for a rooftop tent and compiled a sheet compiling all the specs and details.

(Let me immediately insert the disclaimer that I fully understand that just because company "A" says it uses a 280g Poly-Cotton UV coated fabric and company "B" also says it uses 280g Poly-Cotton UV coated fabric does not imply that the two fabrics are identical and of the same quality. Company "A" and company "B" MAY also have their tents made in the same Chinese factory with the same workers. That does not imply the tents are exactly the same quality. The fabric MAY be from the exact same bolt. And the engineer specs MAY be the exact same.... They MAY indeed be the exact same tent with a different logo printed on it.... You're guess is as good as mine.)

So anyway..... Here's an excel sheet I compiled to help me sort through all the specs and details. I did my best to get all the info I can (I'm sure there's a few mistakes in there.) It's a working list so if anyone has any addition info and/or details and/or experiences please relay them to me and I will update the sheet.

RTT Comparison - Google Sheets

 

[surfrider619]

Nice. Which one are you going to go with?

 

[SnoViking]

Not sure actually.... I really want a tent with a width of around 60" but that basically backs me into the Eezi-Awn corner. Which isn't a bad thing; they make fantastic tents with great build quality. But They're more expensive (because of the better materials(?)) and they use a plywood base which it heavier. I think the 55" versions won't be large enough and the 72" versions will take up too much roof rack real estate. 63" would work well on my 4Runner and still allow me to use a 24" gear basket. It will be myself and two kids using the tent 90% this year. So the additional width will come in handy. I wish CVT or Tepui made a 60" version. I know 6" of width doesn't sound like much but in terms of a tent it would add about 20 cubic feet of volume and bumps you up to a queen size bed.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I would give extra points to any RTT that will hold bedding when closed. A huge deal IMO if your planned use is more than a weekend.

Nicely done spreadsheet

 

[SnoViking]

I agree. Pretty much all of the folding style (as opposed to the clam shell styles which I didn't compare) allow for you to keep the bedding up top. I think the front runner tent may be tight since it folds so low. Most of the other versions use hinges that allow almost 3 inches of gap.

 

[Box Rocket]

You have some minor mistakes with the Tepui tents regarding vestibule option. ALL Tepui tents have an vestibule option. The Gran Sabana and Autana models come standard with one, but all other models also have one as an option. Assuming you are using "vestibule" to refer to the annex. If you are thinking of them as different things, then carry on.

Good info.

 

[SnoViking]

You are correct..... I had a brain fart and combined vestibule and annex.... I updated the sheet. Thanks for the catch!

 

[SnoViking]

@Box Rocket; Can you add an annex to say a kukenam tent, which does not have the vestibule over the ladder?

 

[Box Rocket]

@Box Rocket; Can you add an annex to say a kukenam tent, which does not have the vestibule over the ladder?

Yes you can. It still attaches to the tent base but fits behind the ladder rather than enclosing the ladder area like it does with the Autana and Gran Sabana models.

 

[SnoViking]

Thanks for the info. Is that the $120 option in accessories?

 

[Box Rocket]

Thanks for the info. Is that the $120 option in accessories?

That's one of them. There are several options that start at $120 and go up from there depending on the model you need.

 

[JCruse]

Nice work!

I got the ARB Simpson III last summer and love the thing. Roomy, comfy, sturdy, and not TOO expensive.

 

[mazatal]

I would give extra points to any RTT that will hold bedding when closed. A huge deal IMO if your planned use is more than a weekend.

My Baroud Evasion Evo closes with all the bedding, sad to be selling it, but new cabin is complete now.

 

[Aloha Dave]

Aloha SnoViking

Great work on the spread sheet. It was very helpful to view all the info together like that.

I spent a few hours , ok closer to 6 , over this pass week & today looking at RTT. Damn , I could have saved myself a lot of time had I found this thread earlier this week ! ! ! !

Mahalo

 

[Box Rocket]

The ability to leave bedding inside the tent when closed is heavily dependent on your individual bedding. If you are using heavy, thick sleeping bags and thick pillows it's going to be a much tighter fit than say, a sheet and light blanket.

I regularly leave 3-4 sleeping bags inside my Tepui tents during trips. I usually remove pillows just so I don't put too much stress on buckles and zippers but I have thicker pillows.

Most tents will allow some bedding to be left inside but will take a bit of trial and error to find what bits of your own gear you can fit comfortably.

 

[cwwfj60]

wow very nice spreadsheet, I'll throw some info in on the arb for anyone who is interested, I have the kakadu on my truck and we also have a simpson III in the shop and there are some noticeable differences. The simpson is heavy, much heavier when coming on and off a truck, part of this is due to the denser mattress, and some more hardware. The simpson has the slide out entry section which contributes to the weight and I honestly don't see why you would need that. The chose the kakadu because it is for warmer climates and most of my camping is on the beach in the summer, this is accomplished through the larger vents all the way around, but it also closes up pretty snug for colder nights, I just tried it out for the first time last weekend and it got down into the 40s and 15mph wind and I did not need covers at all with all the vents closed. I was very comfortable but the mattress is pretty hard on the first night, hopefully it will break in a little bit but very satisfied so far.

I found out with your spreadsheet that the annex is not available with the kakadu, I didn't know that but luckily I don't have any interest in buying one but good info for someone who might.

 

[JCruse]

wow very nice spreadsheet, I'll throw some info in on the arb for anyone who is interested, I have the kakadu on my truck and we also have a simpson III in the shop and there are some noticeable differences. The simpson is heavy, much heavier when coming on and off a truck, part of this is due to the denser mattress, and some more hardware. The simpson has the slide out entry section which contributes to the weight and I honestly don't see why you would need that. The chose the kakadu because it is for warmer climates and most of my camping is on the beach in the summer, this is accomplished through the larger vents all the way around, but it also closes up pretty snug for colder nights, I just tried it out for the first time last weekend and it got down into the 40s and 15mph wind and I did not need covers at all with all the vents closed. I was very comfortable but the mattress is pretty hard on the first night, hopefully it will break in a little bit but very satisfied so far.

I found out with your spreadsheet that the annex is not available with the kakadu, I didn't know that but luckily I don't have any interest in buying one but good info for someone who might.

I hadn't thought of that because I had no experience with how hot or cold a RTT was to begin with. But I also spend most of the time on beaches and there sure are days when it gets HOT up in there. But then last year (my first year with a RTT) I overnighted into November where nights were easily into the low 40's and even upper 30's with 20-25mph winds. But once it gets warmed up in there it's quite tolerable. Just from body heat! The coldest nights I used a tiny 5W (Edit- 200w) heater and ran it for about 20 minutes. With everything closed up tight, once under the covers I was plenty warm.




Oh, PS - What is this page asking me to sign into now? Just what I needed, another membership/password to, forget probably.

 

[MicahMan]

LOVE MY TEPUI!!!
I leave at least two sleeping bags in my tent on trips and two pillows. I use smaller ones for camping so they don't take up much space. I'm getting the annex on my Kukenam so I can put a couple people down below and three up top!

Plus you get to interact with someone like Adam Tolman! Big win!

 

[McDowra]

Good information thanks for going to the trouble to compile and post it