Wasn't there a thread where a member said that RTT's were simple designs and set out to make one on his own? The thread died and he never completed it.
Funny, I thought this was a new thread and read back through to the OP, which was a year ago. This too is a dead thread with a (presumably) incomplete project.
As for a rooftop tent build...well! Nobody will ever realize how much thought I've given this very topic. There's really only one design that minimizes the stowed footprint, but maximizes interior room when deployed and is uncomplicated mechanically. Yes, it's the Eezi-Awn/Hannibal/ARB/Howling Moon/Echo/Tecnitop RTT format. One just needs to imporve on that superb design.
I have been diverted by other projects, but am
slowly coming back around to completing
my own RTT. It's the lowest item on my priority list, so it gets back-burnered at the drop of a hat, unfortunately. As a matter of fact, I've even cannibalized parts off this prototype to develop other, higher priority projects.
I've recently been given an imported tent frame/base/ladder that had the fabric destroyed by mice. I wanted to compare it to the RTT I've half-built. To say the least, I was absolutely unimpressed with the un-named imported RTT.
My framework and base are not military grade, but is closer to military-grade than 2010 consumer-grade. That import RTT is what I would consider to be barely consumer-grade. That really surprised me--very disappointing. It turns out that there is only a very slight weight penalty for building to a much higher standard. There is a cost penalty, however.
Some considerations/plans/concerns I have:
1)
Eliminating/minimizing interior condensation: I don't want to have to use a rain fly. I want to try to use a waterproof breathable fabric (specifically Gore-Tex) for the tent fabric. Even still, condensation will form inside on cool or cold nights without superb ventilation or an insulated liner. Gotta work this one out...it's an age-old obstacle to tent makers.
2)
Reducing drag while traveling: Reducing the height of the stowed RTT is the key to reducing drag. Does one really need a 2 inch mattress? That adds 4 inches of height to the stowed RTT. Can people be satisfied with a 1/2 or 3/4 inch-thick closed-cell foam pad bonded to the tent deck?
3)
Deck Material: I plan on using a .090" sheet of 6061T-6 aluminum as the deck material instead of plastic-covered plywood/particle board (or whatever material the others use). This weighs about as the same as the plywood but costs significantly more.
Not counting sewing labor costs, I've figured out that I'll come in well below a thousand bucks (probably in the $700-$800 dollar range to make a[n] (argueably) better RTT than is currently available.
Don't look for any build thread or progress reports anytime soon--I've thought of 3 higher-priority projects just in the time it took me to type this long post.
It'll get done, though.
