Colorblind729
New member
I'm in Baton Rouge, LA and can count the number of RTT's I have seen mounted to the roof's of vehicles with one hand- and still have enough fingers left over to throw a football!
It seems most of the people using RTT's live in mountainous areas- the ideal, picturesque camping terrain! Here in the south, let's face it: It's hot. It's humid. And the only hills down here are the levees we have built to keep the rivers away!
Of course this hasn't stopped me from wanting a RTT for the last few years. I don't have a fancy A/C'd camper nor can I afford one at the moment. But what I do have, and have had for many years, is an old Coleman 4 person tent. It got the job done many times, but has not been used in quite awhile. My son and I usually take at least 1 week long camping trip a year, usually in the summer. We used to go up to Arkansas, camping at the State Parks- the tent was hot of course, but it was still fun.
A few years ago we got hooked- literally!- to kayak fishing. Since getting our first kayak, we have spent the vast majority of our summers- and at least 1 weekend every other month- along the Louisiana coast. Renting a room for the weekend trips was too expensive, and pitching a tent in the sand got old quick. (that stuff gets everywhere!) Sleeping in the car at our launch spot quickly became the norm, but as anyone who has done that alot can attest- it's no Ritz!
Enter the RTT.
It seems like this would be an ideal setup for us and for what we do. The ability to setup camp right where we launch is appealing; no sand in the tent even more so! And when I say camp, it just means a place to sleep- even when tent camping, I would pack up the tent each morning, only to set it back up the following evening. The perceived quickness of setting up and taking down a RTT has me envious every time I see a picture of one!
My biggest concerns with the RTT is whether it will be too hot for down here. I know some of you use these in hot arid climates, but I worry that the humidity here will make nights unbearable and we will start yearning for sleeping in the cab again!
As for which tents are on my short list:
Tepui Kukenam Ruggedized- the beefier frame and seemingly more durable construction appeal to me; within the last year, I estimate we slept in the car 30-50 nights. (maybe even more. . . there were a lot of quick overnight trips to the coast made in which we drove down one night, went fishing, and then drove back home that afternoon- those are rough! Thank God for RedBull!) I want the tent we choose to be able to hold up!
Tepui Kukenam Sky- The benefits of the extra panels for ventilation is why this one is on the list. The less beefier frame makes me wonder how long this setup would last vs. the Ruggedized
CVT Bachelor- After reaching out to the local Tepui rep here on the forum, I almost scratched this one off the short-list. However it seems there is a local retailer that has one in stock for a really good price- it may end up being the best "deal"
As always, thoughts appreciated! :ylsmoke:
It seems most of the people using RTT's live in mountainous areas- the ideal, picturesque camping terrain! Here in the south, let's face it: It's hot. It's humid. And the only hills down here are the levees we have built to keep the rivers away!
Of course this hasn't stopped me from wanting a RTT for the last few years. I don't have a fancy A/C'd camper nor can I afford one at the moment. But what I do have, and have had for many years, is an old Coleman 4 person tent. It got the job done many times, but has not been used in quite awhile. My son and I usually take at least 1 week long camping trip a year, usually in the summer. We used to go up to Arkansas, camping at the State Parks- the tent was hot of course, but it was still fun.
A few years ago we got hooked- literally!- to kayak fishing. Since getting our first kayak, we have spent the vast majority of our summers- and at least 1 weekend every other month- along the Louisiana coast. Renting a room for the weekend trips was too expensive, and pitching a tent in the sand got old quick. (that stuff gets everywhere!) Sleeping in the car at our launch spot quickly became the norm, but as anyone who has done that alot can attest- it's no Ritz!
Enter the RTT.
It seems like this would be an ideal setup for us and for what we do. The ability to setup camp right where we launch is appealing; no sand in the tent even more so! And when I say camp, it just means a place to sleep- even when tent camping, I would pack up the tent each morning, only to set it back up the following evening. The perceived quickness of setting up and taking down a RTT has me envious every time I see a picture of one!
My biggest concerns with the RTT is whether it will be too hot for down here. I know some of you use these in hot arid climates, but I worry that the humidity here will make nights unbearable and we will start yearning for sleeping in the cab again!
As for which tents are on my short list:
Tepui Kukenam Ruggedized- the beefier frame and seemingly more durable construction appeal to me; within the last year, I estimate we slept in the car 30-50 nights. (maybe even more. . . there were a lot of quick overnight trips to the coast made in which we drove down one night, went fishing, and then drove back home that afternoon- those are rough! Thank God for RedBull!) I want the tent we choose to be able to hold up!
Tepui Kukenam Sky- The benefits of the extra panels for ventilation is why this one is on the list. The less beefier frame makes me wonder how long this setup would last vs. the Ruggedized
CVT Bachelor- After reaching out to the local Tepui rep here on the forum, I almost scratched this one off the short-list. However it seems there is a local retailer that has one in stock for a really good price- it may end up being the best "deal"
As always, thoughts appreciated! :ylsmoke:
