Phil's Adventure Tacoma

[CYi5]

What I did with my RTT was put my bedding in as you did (one sleeping bag as base cover, then other sleeping bags/blankets unfolded). This adds some thickness and allows the straps to get plenty tight. The next problem is when driving the sucker blows up like a balloon. To fix this problem buy some PVC/ABS tubing and cut pieces the width of the tent. You can slip the D rings through the tubing and it makes a flat surface to hold the tent down. Works much better than flappity flap. You can see them in this photo:

 

[Streakerfreak]

The next problem is when driving the sucker blows up like a balloon. To fix this problem buy some PVC/ABS tubing and cut pieces the width of the tent. You can slip the D rings through the tubing and it makes a flat surface to hold the tent down. Works much better than flappity flap.

Interesting, I might have to try that.

On another note, I was hoping to get some decent shots of the truck. Instead of nice state park pics, I had to settle for a few driveway pics due to time constraints.

Why did I mount the tent like this?

1. The tent over hung the rear when closed the other way around. It was just too big that way.
2. Better wind protection.
3. I still have easy access to the tail gate area.

We no longer need as much usable space in the bed. There will be primarily two things in the bed. Our clothes and this box of camping gear.
Even with the tent open, it is still easy to get to.

We gave up on the cooking thing a while ago. Now we regulate our selves to what we can boil or cook over a fire. Most of the time it's going to be boil since I hate carrying a cooler and don't really have a need for a fridge.
This stove is all we need, so finding a place to use it, won't be an issue.

There are two issue's with mounting the tent this way.

One, the cover can't be rolled up and stowed, since it covers the tail gate. Instead, the cover needs to be taken off if I want to easily access the bed.

The second issue, is the front window flap. Due to the storage box, I can't get the front rods in. Those who don't have this tent, the flaps around the windows are held up by inserting the rods into holes in the base, then bending the rods to meet the flap. In order to get the rods in place they must be perfectly flat with the holes. I tried to illustrate my problem in the pic. This rod is not in the hole, due to the angle.

Does that make any sense to you guys?

I need to come up with a solution to this.

The platform and bumper are not 100% complete yet. We have some sealing up to do on the platform and a few bits and peices on the bumper.

We need to come up with something to bridge this gap.

 

[snakeii]

The platform and bumper are not 100% complete yet. We have some sealing up to do on the platform and a few bits and peices on the bumper.

We need to come up with something to bridge this gap.

The gap between the Retrax and the tailgate is filled by a semi-stiff rubber flap. You could probably buy some rubber from McMaster and bolt it to the edge of your bed cover. First you might want to use double sided tape to ensure the flap is going to fill the void and do the job.

Sucks about the job. I "acted stupidly" took a pay cut moving back up here and don't see any improvement until the economy and job situation gets going again. I'd like to make a trip over to Maine sometime this year, if the weather breaks and I can scrounge up a tent.

 

[woodeye]

Phil what about a door sweep for the bottom of a door that keeps the draft
out, except maybe the one for a garage door. (much larger)

Hey Roger a trip to Maine would be cool, in the summer I work until noon on
Thursday's if you up to some time. Although as a teacher I have to go back
to school on 8/17 so before then and weather permiting I'm ready.

Woody

 

[Streakerfreak]

Phil what about a door sweep for the bottom of a door that keeps the draft
out, except maybe the one for a garage door. (much larger)

Woody

Chris from Total Fabrication <----new name, has come up with an idea that we will put on Monday. The problem is...well I'll take a better pic of the problem this weekend.


Anyways, got a package today from Camping Lab. Turned out to be more then just the replcement zipper pull. He sent the entire bottom portion of the zipper assemply.

Plus....

Fernando is a stand up guy and while a I have some complaints about the tent, there is no beating customer service like that.

Thanks Fernando

 

[Streakerfreak]

A little more work to do......but here it is.

 

[heeltoe989]

A little more work to do......but here it is.

HATS OFF!!!!

:Wow1::Wow1::drool::drool:

 

[Streakerfreak]

A few better bumper shots.

 

[Haggis]

That's one sweet Rock!

Oh, and the trucks looking good too!:elkgrin:

 

[mr.trd]

Looks great Phil....

 

[BIGdaddy]

Your truck is looking pimp, Phil. I have to say, that my biggest complaint about a RTT is the fact that you have to climb ALL the way down that rickety little ladder to go to bathroom.

In the middle of the night.
When its cold.
And your eyes are glued shut. :elkgrin:

I very much like your placement on the rear of the bed. Very easy access, it would seem, and if you lift your truck more in the future, it will still be a fairly easy Ingress/Egress situation.

love the black on red scheme, too. I'm a big stickler on aesthetics, and yours is "just right".

 

[Streakerfreak]

That's one sweet Rock!

Oh, and the trucks looking good too!:elkgrin:

There is more where that came from:elkgrin: It's a popular rock climbing area.


Anyways, thanks for the props everyone. I am happy with this set up and with a few tweaks here and there I can make it even better.

 

[7wt]

After seeing Phil's tent I must admit I am getting the RTT bug. I like everything he has done and the truck performed flawlessly of a recent offroad outing. We will put it to the test during a NH trip but I don't expect to see any problems at all. I think I will do a custom platform like Phil's when my truck is no longer the daily driver. IMO, his truck is much better than it was before.

 

[tacollie]

Truck looks even better than expected. If I end up with another truck I am mounting a RTT like yours.

 

[jeepmedic46]

Your truck looks great. What size RTT did you get? :smiley_drive: