Best RTT to live in long term?

Adventure IQ

Adventure IQ

Explorer
Changing jobs but due to market and kiddo in school...not ready to part with home in Idaho....so looking for options to live in for about 6-9 months. Have lived in pop up tents trailers (jayco baja) long term in past....

My family has wooded property outside of Tacoma and new gig will be in seattle. Cant afford apt or house since already paying on house ....and until it sells....housing in Washington is 1/3 higher....

With that.... Best RTT option for my 4 door jK that would work long term....i do have a MOAB on a CCCrailer I built....but looking for something to throw on my JK....


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S

Skeeno

Wanna Be
Do you want the RTT so you can break it down every morning? Is it a leave no trace, don't be seen kinda thing?

If it's possible, I'd probably go with a big tent like this: http://www.standingroomtents.com/. Save the cash to buy a good cot and make a decent little home that you would have some room in and could make kinda cozy, especially if you are staying in it for 1/2-3/4 year.
 
L

LuckyDan

Adventurer
Having done the RV full timing for work thing a few different times, including the dead of winter and never in a tent, I can say it is a bit of a challenge. If 6 to 9 months is the proposed time span and the greater Puget Sound area is the proposed location I would seriously consider a hard top tent from someone like Autohome or CVT. It's not a cheap route, but if it's going to be a daily fold up to commute fold out to live operation, speed, simplicity, durability and less to dry are going to be paramount. Especially if 9 months is a reality as that will put you back into the fall/early winter rainy season. I see above you have done the pop up thing so you are familiar with fold up/dry out maneuver and thus experienced in your proposed operation.

I wish you well with your mission.
 
Last edited:
Abitibi

Abitibi

Explorer
X2

I've had both and wouldn't go back to the full fabric (ARB) style. I now have a Autohome Airtop, it is expensive but way faster to use, more comfortable, nicer finish, the list goes on... Get a used one, you won't regret it!

Cheers
Mr. D


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UK4X4

UK4X4

Expedition Leader
I think I'd build a small wooden platform and buy a wall tent

Cheaper, more comfortable, semi temporary, stand up room, add a stove for cooler nights, BBQ on the weekend and comfortable for the ladies



tent%20platform.jpg
 
J

jonnyquest

Adventurer
Setup and take down of a tent everyday gets old. A long day at work, a long commute in traffic, then have to setup camp? At least with a teardrop, you just climb in. Leave a cheap privacy tent for shower/toilet on the property. You may be able to modify your existing trailer.
 
M

madmax718

Explorer
Just wooded property, no cabin/shelter?

If you've been there before, you know that weather there can be very tricky- and sometimes the nights will be VERY cold.

if it were me, and its 6-9 months, I'd setup something a little bit more elaborate- a RTT is more designed for "on the go" functionality.

for around 1000, you can get a decent sized canvas tent, and a portable military wood stove/heater + a cot. I'd then setup some rain catching barrels,(can be as simple as some plastic sheeting at the edge of the tent) to catch water for bathing and cleaning, and laundry. I picked up a solar panel and pump system, you can route it through to the wood heater, have hot water.

I am not sure what kind of company you will be working for, but if personal appearance is important, (and for which company is it not), being well groomed, clean, and having fresh clothing goes a long way.
 
java

java

Expedition Leader
X whatever to not using the RTT for everyday. Im from the Seattle area, and breaking down a wet (Which it will be often!) RTT sucks. Doing it every day before work would suck even more.

I like the idea of a canvas outfitters tent. Old mil surplus ones can be found pretty cheap, they are a PAIN to set up, but once up it can stay. the newer ones are much easier to set up but more $$
 
M

madmax718

Explorer
Wouldn't buying an old Travel trailer fit the bill too? Insulated, quiet, use it dry, and there's nothing to empty. Sell it when you leave.

A starcraft AR1 is like 9k new. Swap in and out propane tanks as needed at wally world. You can get a used one a few years old for 5k. You can probably sell it for the same when your done.
 
S

Skeeno

Wanna Be
The cheap Craigslist trailer is probably the way to go. And you could lock it up for a bit more security. Lots of well used old ones on craigs
 
T

tgreening

Expedition Leader
madmax718 said:
Wouldn't buying an old Travel trailer fit the bill too? Insulated, quiet, use it dry, and there's nothing to empty. Sell it when you leave.

A starcraft AR1 is like 9k new. Swap in and out propane tanks as needed at wally world. You can get a used one a few years old for 5k. You can probably sell it for the same when your done.
Click to expand...


^^^^^This. This this this.....

I cannot imagine living in a tent, in that region especially, for 6+ months. That would get old in a heartbeat. Given what you're contemplating, I'm assuming wife/kids are staying at the house, and you're the one going to be roughing it? If so, just about ANY hard side camper of ANY size is going to be a whole lot more livable than ANY RTT.
 
J

Jfet

Adventurer
I live in Seattle and it is raining like a b**** this week. Mud slides everywhere.

I think a tent would be ok in Nevada during the winter/spring but not in Seattle.

On the positive side, in about two weeks of our weather your tent will have a nice layer of green moss which will add to the insulation.
 
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