Whats the biggest quality RTT for $1500?

lacofdfireman

Adventurer
Just getting ready to start building an Expedition type trailer and am planning to have an RTT on top. I am wondering what the largest RTT is for the $1500 price mark? I'm 6'5 and my 17 year old is 6'4 so we need some room. Looking to buy something fairly soon but being new to the game I have no idea where to look. In a way I think my budget is to small looking at all the RTT's but that's about all I have. I suppose I could go up a little but not much. Hoping to stay in that $1500 range. If anyone has some suggestions I'd love to hear.
 

Airmapper

Inactive Member
I got a Smittybilt Overlander, annex room, ladder extension and an awning for ~$1200 to my door. Time will tell on the quality aspect, but on my initial inspections I haven't found any major issues other than some minor fitment of aluminum parts.

Edit to add, I'm 6'3" and when I laid down up there I had plenty of room to spare. More than 2" definately.
 
Last edited:

Chris Cordes

Expedition Leader
We have a RTT buyers guide with specs, pricing, sizes, fabrics etc going up tomorrow which should help you to decide, just check the front page in the morning.

I would say there are plenty of options, but you really need to consider your personal needs. Ex -

How often do you camp? If you're living out of a tent 150 days a year youll need better materials and components to stand up to the abuse. If its a weekend here and there some of the other cheap options might suffice.

What weather conditions do you camp in? - If you live in a desert where it is usually warm and sunny or you only camp in good weather water proofing, mold resistance, and breath ability might make less of a difference. Once again cheaper options may be okay. If you are camping in snow and rain you might want to consider things more closely

How many people do you want in the tent? - Most larger tents gain width, not length, so getting the biggest model might just add weight and make it harder to keep the tent warm with two people while not giving you much more head room.

You mentioned you are putting the tent on a trailer - if the trailer is the only mounting platform, there are more options than traditional roof tents - maybe you want a trailer tent from someone like kakadu.

Do you need to buy new? Used roof tents can be significantly cheaper and allow you to get a better quality product for a lower price.

There are plenty more factors to consider but these should get you started. What I will say is that MANY roof tents are made in the same Chinese factories and while their quality might be fine for the weekends here and there, they don't hold a candle to higher end tents. NOT ALL ROOF TENTS ARE THE SAME regardless of what people tell you. Spend a few night in an Eezi-Awn or a James Baroud then swap to a chinese no name and you will understand. Some of the chinese made tents are improving, using better fabrics and materials, but you need to research this.

The bottom line is that the right tent for me probably isn't the right tent for you. Like anything you consider buying, simply ask does it really fit YOUR needs? Don't listen to the BS that you need the best of the best for everything, sometimes a mid range and occasionally even a cheap option works just fine
 

lacofdfireman

Adventurer
Thanks. Great info. My problem is I have no idea what I need or want. I always think bigger is better but maybe it's not the case. I think most of the time it will be me and my 2 boys camping. Hoping to do some week long expeditions this summer. Going to go look at CVT RTT's on Friday. Never seen in person. Pics only. Maybe seeing one in person will help.
 

Chris Cordes

Expedition Leader
Thanks. Great info. My problem is I have no idea what I need or want. I always think bigger is better but maybe it's not the case. I think most of the time it will be me and my 2 boys camping. Hoping to do some week long expeditions this summer. Going to go look at CVT RTT's on Friday. Never seen in person. Pics only. Maybe seeing one in person will help.

I would say quality should be your priority first but that is just me. Also three people in a roof tent is quite a lot no matter how you slice it. You might want to consider the trailer tents as I mentioned since you can have two people in the tent portion and two or more in the lower room portion on cots.
 

lacofdfireman

Adventurer
I think I'm changing my tune a little bit. I think instead of an expo trailer I'm going to build a Sawtooth style teardrop. And then if I build it right I would have the ability to put a RTT on top at a later date.
 

peligro113

New member
I'm looking for a RTT in the same price range as you. I was set on the ARB Simpson 3 but as of yesterday changed my mind and decided to go with a CVT Summit Extended Series Mt. Cayley because of all the good reviews I've read regarding CVT's RTT and their customer service.
 
Last edited:

the kid

Juke Box Hero
I like the 23zero I just got. It's got a skylight standard, comes with an annex and heavy duty PVC floor (same as the travel cover) annex is removable so is the floor. Ladder can be adjusted to almost any adjustment(with a little work/modification). The annex is the same material as the rain fly so it's not bulky and awkward to install/setup like others that use the same material as the tent itself. For $1495 its hard to beat IMO.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 

lacofdfireman

Adventurer
I like the 23zero I just got. It's got a skylight standard, comes with an annex and heavy duty PVC floor (same as the travel cover) annex is removable so is the floor. Ladder can be adjusted to almost any adjustment(with a little work/modification). The annex is the same material as the rain fly so it's not bulky and awkward to install/setup like others that use the same material as the tent itself. For $1495 its hard to beat IMO.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Post up some pics. I'd like to see this RTT
 

el_topu

Adventurer
I like the 23zero I just got. It's got a skylight standard, comes with an annex and heavy duty PVC floor (same as the travel cover) annex is removable so is the floor. Ladder can be adjusted to almost any adjustment(with a little work/modification). The annex is the same material as the rain fly so it's not bulky and awkward to install/setup like others that use the same material as the tent itself. For $1495 its hard to beat IMO.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

How's the 23zero RTT has been? quick review on it?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
189,267
Messages
2,914,965
Members
231,959
Latest member
lkretvix
Top