identifying a quality hard shell RTT

[VagabondExpedition]

I've been offered what seems like a decent deal on a hard shell RTT. It's not a typical brand name (and I'll leave that out for now) - no James B or Autohome tent here. But I'm wondering what makes a quality HS RTT and how to identify it?

When I looked at this tent, I questioned the ladder mounts on the side of the shell - could this not create a stress point? But then, I've seen some expensive ones with them there too. Then the roof and floor of the fiberglass - there was just a thin fabric (glued perhaps) to the fiberglass - shouldn't there be at least some slightly insulative material?

Also, there was no sealing between the the upper and lower sections when closed - perhaps some, but I'm sure dust and moisture could get in there.

HS RTT owners, let me know what to look for so I can decide on a purchase... I'd hate to part with my SS Tepui for something inferior!

 

[Lemsteraak]

You are right, hard top tents are a completely different animal

Some things to consider

Weight - you pay a lot more for less. For example, the difference between a quality fiberglass tent and carbon fiber tent is about 15 pounds, more strength but you pay another $1000. Really hard to make a light fiberglass tent as the shell is really thin, this is what you pay for, everything else can be changed but your shell is your tent.

Fabric - Completely different concept from a folding tent. Since you have less fabric, it has to breathe better. Since the tent is smaller, you need to use the whole tent which means you lean on the fabric and need it to be secure and hold you in like a lee cloth on a sailboat's berth.

Insulation - Water condenses on cold fiberglass so it has to be insulated. The better tents actually have insulation and an air gap in the ceiling, good for cold but also good for heat (you can sleep in). The base has to be insulated or it will suck the heat right out of you.

Mattress - goes along with weight, they are heavy. Has to play well with cold weather so memory foam isn't the best choice. Firmer is better than softer as you can alway put on a nice soft cover. Anti-condensation mats are good, a really nice one that has a bit of flex like a boxspring.

Lift Mechanism - Design choice but for expedition use, the crank system has a lot of merit. It is super strong, so you can store thing on the roof and not have to move them to lift the top. They can also tension the fabric drum tight for high winds. The crank acts like a key and without it, difficult to raise the roof, impossible if you don't know how. Padlocks on roof tents are an invitation.

Ladder - simple is good, I like the two piece ladders that you can take the lock off. Yes, camping in a park, anything will work but in sand and soft it is nice to have a two pieces that slide. The upper part is attached to the tent, you can sink the lower part in the sand to stabilize it.

Reparability - everything has to be easy to repair in the field.

Color - sounds ridiculous but I think important. I like white shells because they reflect light, black tents will cook anything that is closed up inside. The color of the light coming through the tent's fabric is a concern. It sounds strange but a lot of the old expedition tents were blue because the color of the light inside is soothing.

Size - again, a picky thing but I've always felt the folding tents are just that a tent, while the hard shelled tents are more like a sleeping bag. It is a similar concept, you buy what you need that fits you and the conditions you go out in. Your vehicle may change but you don't so it is a thing you can buy for life.

Integration - My pet peeve is weight up on the roof. You want to pack light things high, dense things low. I can feel it if I have more than 120 pounds on the roof and gas cans or tires on the roof really bothers me, yeah now I'm ranting so I'll stop.

I would be interested in your views on why you would want to change to a hard shelled tent? There are a lot of designs and I wouldn't want to comment on that unless I knew what conditions you plan to encounter.

 

[VagabondExpedition]

Great post with lots of information to consider.

My main (only) reason to switch to a hard shelled tent is the speed of deploying and packing up at this point - especially when out in the cold - frozen fingers make dealing with a travel cover zipper 'tricky' and frustrating.

I'm in the Canadian Rockies for my "home base", so I encounter everything for conditions - but strong winds and cold are quite typical (this weekend, I was in what I figure were 50km/h - 30mph cold wind gusts). I have a weatherhood for the Tepui and aside from the noise, the tent was secure and stayed warm inside. I question lightweight/thin fabrics on the HS tent I've been considering.

I've been a couple of years of regularly using the Tepui soft shell tent and honestly have no problems with it - aside from the time in fully deploying it (windows/doors/fly all open) and the tear down of the same configuration. Of course, it's all "optional" to have windows and doors all open, but certainly nice though.

Photo of my Tepui wrapped in the weather hood this weekend.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Mr Coyote, sounds like you need a four season roof tent. The only ones I'm familiar with are the Zifer (AutoHome, Italy) and AutoCamp.de (German) four season tents. The French Baroud tents might also be four season tents but I'm not familiar with them maybe someone who has one can chime in. I don't know of any others.

I once thought there wasn't any difference in comfort between tents until I camped with a friend who had a hard shelled tent. I had a nice European folding tent and froze. Our friend who had a "bear burrito", a tent cots froze too. The folks who had four season ground tents were good. I would have traded my folding rooftent for my four season ground tent, My folding roof tent was technically a four season tent, with insulated base and bars, double door and small size but just wasn't as comfortable as the hard shelled tents I've used, but this is anecdotal.

Some additional thoughts on what makes a good four season roof tent.

Since you know all about winter hoods and insulation, won't go into that. But I do think size is important, you don't have as much area to warm up. Think mountaineering tent. I also like vertical walls, in the morning you just whack the walls to get the snow off and close the tent. One friend used to put a 12 volt electric blanket in his tent when it was closed and would have it on when he drove. His tent would be warm when he opened it up. This is actually pretty smart as it take a lot to warm up a tent.

Volume when closed. Cold weather means carrying more stuff inside the tent, allow room for it.

Insulated cover for the ladder, they get cold, nasty and you store them inside the tent.

I don't go out if it is going to be below zero, maybe the guys who do can give you more advice.

 

[1store]

I need this information to. Buying a outer ring kit . So far a lot to think about.Thanks