New RTT

[dogcar3]

Finally got around to building my RTT mount yesterday. Still have some finishing touches, but here is the general idea.





I'm going to improvise a sleeping area under the tent itself so my two kids have a place to sleep as well. Shouldn't be too hard to do. I have a 'changing room' that attaches around the ladder area as well.

[Cactus Red]

That looks good! It's at a reasonable height too - shouldn't effect your MPG while traveling.

Can you seal up the bed for weather if the kiddo's are down there? I guess something as simple as a tarp over the whole thing would work.

[dogcar3]

I was thinking of using a canvas tarp I have. Basically turn it into a big sock that fits the space below the tent and have it suspend from the rack I made, then have it open up into the changing room add on.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

That's freaking cool!

[myoung84]

Very cool!

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[fbenross]

Nice - you should be able to camp in some very remote places with that setup....

[05PWrockcrawler]

I want a RTT bad! Very nice


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[dogcar3]

So it turns out the 'changing room' is much bigger then I thought, and there is plenty of room for the kids to sleep at the bottom (is has a full floor [that can also be removed]). I was not able to get the cheapo aluminum stakes (that come with pretty much any tent you buy) into the frozen ground, so I need to get some real ones now. The back wall of the room (closest to truck) also zips open for full access to the truck bed.



I added a piece of plywood to the rack so I can use it without the tent if I want. It also allows me to put a rubbermaid bin in front of the tent (for storage of the changing room). Also had to raise the tent up a little for better access to the tool boxes. Had to notch out the plywood so I could still get my hi-lift out without removing anything. The crane is a BIG help in loading and unloading the tent. Plus its got the cool factor of using a crane.




Now I just need to do some wiring for lights and some 12v/USB charging outlets. I already have a 12v outlet, along with two 12v pigtails in the bed for power sources. My fridge connects to one and the tent will connect to the other. I'm trying to figure out the best way to mount a solar panel in all this as well.

[Cactus Red]

May I recommend the folding portable 30W panel from Goal Zero? http://www.goalzero.com/p/17/escape-30- ... case/23:2/

We generally prefer to setup the camper in the shade in the summer. The portable panel and controller with a 30 foot extension cord allow us to keep the camper cool and the panel in direct sun. So far the 30W panel has kept the camper battery topped off just fine.

[dogcar3]

I have seen that panel, but was worried it would not be enough to keep the battery topped off with the fridge and lighting (all COB LED inside/on the tent) running. I was looking at a regular size 100w panel off Amazon. Any panel would ride nicely stored under the tent on the plywood, then taken out and setup when needed.

[wingerak92]

So,
Peterson 4 wheel magazine did a feature on overland stuff in their March 2014 issue. Just an FYI to you all.

[dogcar3]

Thanks for the heads up.

[BigRed2007]

I just got mine installed this weekend ....

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[dogcar3]

That's a nice setup. How did you mount it?

[BigRed2007]

Right now it is mounted on Inno Racks...eventually I want to build a stronger rack

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[wingerak92]

Thanks for the heads up.

I really like this
http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-SkyDome-Gro ... 22759.aspx
And I will probably get it... BUT I also need this for hiking:
http://www.mec.ca/product/5027-703/mec-wanderer-2-tent/
or this:
http://www.mec.ca/product/5027-702/mec- ... ac-2-tent/
The hiking one will come first just because of its portability and ease of use in canoes and stuff. The ARB one would be epic for the music festivals and such that I tend to go to.

[BigRed2007]

[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1392787060423.jpg[/attachment][attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1392787084375.jpg[/attachment]


Built a new RTT rack out of unistrut.

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