ARCHIVE Tired of all the "same", big honking RTT's. So I made a new one. - Terrapod!

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Howdy folks. A quick update:

Finally found a seamstress with canvas experience. She is presently working on 002's fabric portion. Anxious to see how different it will be to my feeble attempt. Once I receive the fabric back from her, final assembly begins. All parts are in place and awaiting installation.

001 Mounting update: awaiting some parts to arrive. Should have the tent mounted up on the 4Runner very soon.

Stay tuned. More exciting stuff to come...

C
 
Another little tid bit... The main tent fabric I chose is unbelievable. It is Polyester marine canvas, very similar to Sunbrella. It is UV stable, waterproof, breathable, abrasion resistant and did I mention... ridiculously durable.

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Video demo:
 
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As an industrial designer, there are times the smallest details come out looking so ridiculously amazing. This be one of those moments. For some reason, this just looks really cool to me. 😁

I give you the RTTx's mounting plate.

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Just a quick note of thanks for all the positive messages and replies so far. I really appreciate all the enthusiasm for this project.

Design and creating like this brings a certain amount of joy. I am a constant tinkerer and to make something that others can use and enjoy as well, just makes it all the better. So...thanks. :)

More news soon as 002 & 003 are coming together.

Cheers.
 
So what is that material called? Is it Dralon?
 
Howdy All,

Been a while since my last update. Much work has been completed.
Allow me to present RTTx002 in all her production-level glory.
(Side note: the blue rainfly is a custom color option the buyer requested and is just a sample of the options that can be done to the tent.)

More to come later today when we mount it up on an FZJ80.

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Interior shots:

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Opaque roof?
 
Well folks... RTTx002 has left the building. We mounted everything up and went on a test drive to highway speeds.

Road Report: Minimal to no wind noise. Zero vibration. A success.

Here is 002 all mounted up to my bud's turbo'd FZJ80.

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Road Test!

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75mph and zero issues. With the windows down and the sunroof open, of course you get some wind noise. With the windows up, just barely any noise, and turn on the A/C and you'd never know it's up there. There is a tiny whistle just under 30mph, but nothing above or below that.

Just finished the drive home across north GA, and no issues at all. Solid as a rock, basically quiet, like it's a part of the truck . Chad did a beautiful job building this tent, fit and finish are over the top. It is absolutely outstanding, really happy with it.
 
Nice design and execution. Smart, elegant, and efficient. Give clearance, COG, wind drag and overall inelegance of "big honkin" RTTs, I'm surprised that it took so long for compact designs like this and GoFast to emerge. That's not knocking anyone, it's just sort of surprising. Again, well done.
 
Nice! I really like this, great job. I have had zero interest in an RTT until now. It looks fabulous! I will be looking for this at Cruise Moab.

It will be there! We're on the Kokopelli run M-W, arriving to the main event Wednesday afternoon, staying at the KOA.
 

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