How to make the Roof Top Tent is Level

[Beowulf]

How do you make the Roof Top tent level? It is hard enough to find a flat spot for a small two person tent, but a whole expedition vehicle with a RTT seems more difficult. Most of the pictures I have seen show the tent at an angle or even worse the tent floor is not perfectly flat because the ladder is too long.

Two thoughts:

First, can extra holes be drilled in the ladder of an Ezi-awn, Hannibal, Technitop so that the ladder can deployed at various heights?

Second, what about using the AirBag Lift dual gauge system? This might have to be combined with Idea #1 but would allow micro management of pitch and yaw

 

[Robert Bills]

How do you make the Roof Top tent level?

Adjusting the pressure in air bags would be a trick way to go, but an expensive option.

I don't have a RTT, but the low tech method I have used to level my truck for sleeping ('87 Ford F250 diesel 4x4 with Callen Camper) is to carry a milk crate filled with various lengths of 2x12 scrap lumber, stack as needed on the low side, and drive onto the stacks. (After an experience watching a stack spit out from under my tire as I backed onto it, I drilled some holes in each piece of lumber so that I can drive a spike through to hold the stack in place.) I also carry a few pieces of scrap lumber in my Bantam trailer for the same purpose.

There are commercially available RV leveling blocks and chocks like these:

See also:

http://images.campingworld.com/is/image/CWI/2000/24733nBLOCK.jpg

 

[DaveM]

I usually just carry a few lengths of 2x6, or look for rocks in the area etc.

In practical terms you don't really need to completely level the tent on both axis. As long as your head is on the high side you feel ok. The more important thing to do is get the sides level so you don't feel like your rolling down hill. I've had a lot of success at just repositioning my vehicle to get the best stance and almost never feel like I needed a more complex leveling system.

That said, I have though about a system where you could build the rack that holds the tent to the vehicle so that each corner can be adjusted. Some set up where the tent is on a separate form from the main rack and connected with captive bolts that can be adjusted up to a couple of inches. Way beyond my abilities to work out but I think idea is doable. Maybe somebody here will figure it out.

 

[Martyn]

You can drill extra holes in the Eezi-Awn ladder to shorten or lengthen it. We usually have 3 different height settings spaced an inch apart.

Having a two axis RV style level is also very helpful in getting set up correctly.

 

[Mike S]

Fiamma makes a set of ramps of very heavy plastic. With a little practice these will level your trailer or vehicle nicely without scrounging rocks ormessing with jacks, etc.

The ladder on the OverLand has TWO points of adjustment (center of ladder and at the foot for finer afjustment), and an optional long foot is available to extend the reach to the provide the correct angle for the ladder.

 

[kcowyo]

....what about using the AirBag Lift dual gauge system? This might have to be combined with Idea #1 but would allow micro management of pitch and yaw

I've tried this several times. It really doesn't work. Maybe if you let some air out of the front tire on the same side you might get the desired effect.

It's easier however just to stack a few rocks and "level up" than to "level down." When I've found myself in the perfect campsite, but I'm unlevel from front to back, I just turn my bag around and sleep whichever way my head will be slightly elevated.

 

[viatierra]

Leveling off your RTT is MUCH easier than a ground tent because you aren't limited by selecting a smooth piece of dirt. You can park on top on all manner of rocks & twigs that you'd never want to drop a ground tent on.

Besides, your on a cozy mattress with pillows etc... If the ground is too slopy for your RTT you sure don't want to be in a ground tent in the same spot. In terms of comfort the RTT is superior in every way I can think of.

Its never been an issue!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I fabbed up extensions for the ladder on our Mare RTT.

 

[paulj]

I don't have a RTT, but we normally sleep in the car (Element) with our heads toward the tailgate. I bought a set of 'lego' leveling blocks ($15?), but have never used them. Instead I just put some effort into finding the levelest spot possible, and then park with the front of the car pointing downhill. Sleeping on a mild slope with heads up is no problem. A slight side slope isn't horrible either.

paulj

 

[jpabel]

Simple. A small bottle jack does the trick in minutes. I used to have a caravan gas frig(3 way) inside before I got smart. So with a small bubble level the size of a coin, leveling the two was a snap.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I usually just carry a few lengths of 2x6, or look for rocks in the area etc.

That's what I do. I carry a couple lengths of 4x4 and few pieces of 2x4 or 2x6. Also flat rocks and stuff work.

 

[UK4X4]

"I fabbed up extensions for the ladder on our Mare RTT"

another venezuelan RTT....how's your material holding up ?

on my Mare the materials pulling apart above the doors.


levelling no real issue stack rocks....mine is never perfectly flat, I just try to get it level front to rear, then sleep with my head at the high end

 

[HMR]

We've never had a problem getting the tent level. Rocks/pieces of wood, if necessary, work great.

My wife just keeps stacking rocks until I drool equally out of both sides of my mouth... then she knows it's level.

 

[Willman]

You can aways just let some air out of your tires........

:REOutShootinghunter

 

[GunnIt]

Buy 2 of these at Walmart for $5

I put one on the front of the trailer and the other on the side. Quick and easy visual clues to get a trailer level. Might work for a vehicle with one on the dash and another on a door panel.