RTT why so much $$$$

[paulj]

At the very least a RTT should be compared to roof top storage box of comparable volume, not a standalone tent - at least if we are talking reasonableness of pricing. And if you are looking at tents, look at the prices of Springbar tents, not an Ozark model from Walmart.

As to ideas for an inexpensive alternative, how about just putting a plywood platform on the roof, and setting up a 2 man dome tent on it? Years ago REI tested some of their tents by installing them on a platform on a truck, and driving along roads (around Mt Rainier).

 

[Corey]

I remember when REI use to do that.
Here is a tent on a wood platform on a trailer.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/3551924-post136.html

I wonder what the first roof top tents long ago cost.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8148

 

[K2RVR]

Hi Gier,

It can be done. I'd love to see your finished product. My father did this in the 70's with a wood platform, on our little datsun pickup, that folded out to reveal a ground tent that was set up on top of the truck. Maybe that is why I am so giddy about RTT's.

I tried the make it myself route as well on my RRC when i could not justify a RTT. I wasn't smart enough to make it work but certainly gave it a try, to the tune of about $400 or more after buying a RTT ladder, mounting, platform, tents that didn't work so well, and almost had a custom canvas tent made by wall tent guy. It dawned on me that the easieness factor was lost as it was a nuisance to set up a regular tent on a platform on top of the truck, and a custom solution was too expensive. This was all at the point when RTT's were rare and well over $1000. When they came out at the sub $1000 price point, I jumped on it.

That project taught me that I wasn't up to the challenge and I bought a used RTT eventually on Ebay. I then needed another ladder and that got me started in selling RTT's when they were fairly hard to find and more expensive.

Long story short, if you have the time, building yourself can be a lot of fun in you have the time to devote to it and are willing to work the design issues through. And there is a great sense of pride with what you build. I ended up giving up on it, but I was over my head to start with.

Some things to keep in mind on your build:

• 
  try to keep it simple
  make it easy to deploy and pack
  Hinges are a huge component to source or make (at least for me)
  find a lightweight ladder that is sturdy and quick
  keeping the weight down is a challenge
  Have sturdy materials as they can wear while bouncing around roads and can have more stress than a ground tent
  you'll need to figure out a cover system that keeps the tent dry and won't disintegrate at long periods of hwy speeds
  Ultimately, it should be easier to set up and more comfortable than a ground tent. (I got frustrated seeing friends set up their ground tents quicker than me)
  enjoy the journey

Good luck in your build. You may end up with the hottest product on the market in a couple years! Make sure to document your build and consider items you'd want to improve on the next version.

Roof top tents are awsome! Whether home built or bought!

 

[paulj]

The Aero Cabana looks like it would have been ok during the two months of relatively dry PNW summer (July, August). But during the rest of the year it would have required a blue-tarp - or back in those days, a heavy canvas one.

 

[kellymoe]

I would love to see the ground tent you are sleeping in for 600 bucks.

I wouldnt spend $600 for a camping tent, but I would easily spend $600 or more for a tent for back country ski trips or mountaineering trips. When your life possibly depends on the quality and build of the tent it is easy for me to spend that much. When I'm just heading out to the Sierras with the family for a week a $250 Kelty tent works just fine.

 

[Hilldweller]

Does anyone know what one of the RTTs from say S. Africa or Oz cost for a local?

Due to the value of the Rand vs the dollar right now, it was much less expensive to buy my rig here than there at the moment...
Each well-made tent has its own strong point; my tent has a huge living room with ample head-room (9 feet or so). At 6'5", that was my main reason for getting the Conqueror.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALxGLVJY0QE

 

[Mc Taco]

You know, having just thought out a design for an awning system for my new rack, I think I might see what making a home made Columbus type shelter would entail. I figure it doesn't need to be airtight. The lid material should be light though, I think that will be the tough bit. Is it good or bad that I don't get discouraged when my homemade concepts won't work?

 

[gier]

I didn’t start this post to upset people. I asked 2 simple questions. From there it has lead to this.
I didn’t get much done today as I could not get on the water jet to help cut out my brackets and hinges. I have basically copied a bunch of other designs from other MFG’s. That’s what most people do. I was able to bend the hoops today. That took all of about 5 min with the tubing bender. I also cut out most of the raw material for my ladder and mot of it is already tig welded together by one of the guys in my shop. I am lucky enough to have friends and people around who can add their support to a project like this and add really nothing to the cost. Even if I were to take this into production after talking to them all I could still make one very inexpensively but that is not the idea here. I ordered some wire today. I plan to have lights wired up threw the support bows.
All nice and clean like so I don’t have to worry about wires chafing. I hope to get on the water jet tomorrow to get the brackets cut out. Just debating on the flooring. I have some plywood I can use and strengthen with aluminum but I also ran into some composite honeycomb material today that I can use. A customer was tossing it out. I am going to do some testing and see. It’s a little thinker than I would like but from what I have been told and from what I have seen it’s much lighter and stronger than any thing.
I might just have to change a little bit on that part of the plan.

 

[BKCowGod]

I think things deteriorated right after this point:

I guess if you are not imaginative or creative enough you might be put off by all the parts that make up one.

I'm curious if you are using aluminum or steel? Canvas or petroleum? windows, zippers, doors? What sort of dimensions are you looking at and will the roof be rigid or soft?

Keep us posted...

 

[gier]

As mentioned above I am using aluminum.
Working with a company that makes covers for boats and has redone pop ups so I can go with canvas or sunbrella or what ever type of tent material I like. We are still talking on what to go with. Of course there will be windows and a door. How else would I get in it?
It’s going to be a soft roof.

 

[kellymoe]

White socks and white shoes?:yikes:
What would Mr. Blackwell have said?

 

[Corey]

He he, those were fairly new shoes too.
They got tossed in the washer when I got home.
They were filthy from the dirt in the campsites and trails.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I didn’t start this post to upset people. I asked 2 simple questions. From there it has lead to this.
I didn’t get much done today as I could not get on the water jet to help cut out my brackets and hinges. I have basically copied a bunch of other designs from other MFG’s. That’s what most people do. I was able to bend the hoops today. That took all of about 5 min with the tubing bender. I also cut out most of the raw material for my ladder and mot of it is already tig welded together by one of the guys in my shop. I am lucky enough to have friends and people around who can add their support to a project like this and add really nothing to the cost. Even if I were to take this into production after talking to them all I could still make one very inexpensively but that is not the idea here. I ordered some wire today. I plan to have lights wired up threw the support bows.
All nice and clean like so I don’t have to worry about wires chafing. I hope to get on the water jet tomorrow to get the brackets cut out. Just debating on the flooring. I have some plywood I can use and strengthen with aluminum but I also ran into some composite honeycomb material today that I can use. A customer was tossing it out. I am going to do some testing and see. It’s a little thinker than I would like but from what I have been told and from what I have seen it’s much lighter and stronger than any thing.
I might just have to change a little bit on that part of the plan.

Well, lets review some things. Sure you can build it for less, but here's why.

1. Your copying existing work. I'm not going to go into the ethical ramifications of this, but rather point out that R&D is a fundamental portion of a products end cost. Engineers and designers are not free, your personal time reverse engineering existing products is, simply put.

2. Your utilizing free labor and no equipment costs. This doesn't happen in the "real world", these employees will want a wage, benefits and as an employer you'll be taxed in all sorts of ways. Equipment acquisition and tooling is also a major portion of a budget. You seem to work in a manufacturing industry, quite honestly I'm really shocked your skipping these important aspects in your cost consideration.

3. Shipping to distribution sites and vendors. Tents are selling here in the states anywhere from $600-1500 wholesale, and that will likely include the initial shipping from the manufacture to their US based distributor, which can be $50-100 per tent, possibly more. And that is after the manufacture has made their profit, so its fair to say a $600 wholesale tent is actually costing more like $200-400 to make

When you start looking into all the hours your dumping into your project and still paying $300, your really the one overpaying

That said, I'm all for spending more time building something I could buy for less... seriously. I've had customers build a "look alike" ARB bumper. Take my trail-trailer for example, for the time, space and money I've put into that over the years, I could own an Adventure Trailer.

"Why spend $20 replacing something I can spend $50 fixing"

I'm excited to see how your tent turns out, no doubt it will be tailored to your personal needs and likely suit you better than a commercially available unit would, however I still disagree with your logic and approach as to the pricing. :sombrero:

 

[vantexan]

I'm curious about the quality of the materials used for RTT's. According to Autohome they're using very advanced, expedition grade fabrics that'll withstand most anything within reason. Not the typical nylon of a cheap tent or even good quality canvas. I love the looks, convenience, and utility of RTT's but have decided for the expense I'd prefer something hardsided with electric and AC. I like teardrop trailers too but don't want to tow or deal with licensing or registration. So I'm getting a Capri Model 42 camper, pretty much the only one of it's kind on the market. With optional AC it won't cost much more than a RTT. By removing that bed and putting a mattress on the floor it'll be comparable to a RTT or teardrop interior wise. And thanks to this forum I'll back it up to an Oztent with the arching side panels. Stand-up privacy with a little hardsided bedroom to retreat to.

 

[Corey]

I'm curious about the quality of the materials used for RTT's. According to Autohome they're using very advanced, expedition grade fabrics that'll withstand most anything within reason. Not the typical nylon of a cheap tent or even good quality canvas.

Indeed it is a very different material.
I did some research on mine by reading here and at Mud before buying mine about the material used on the Maggiolina AirLand.
Here is some info from the Italian site.
http://www.autohome.it/file_gb/magg_technical.html

The advantages of Dralon:
Breathable: Dralon does not retain heat or humidity that form condensation, making it particularly resistant to mildew.
Waterproof: Waterproofing treatment is unecessary because the fibres shed, not retain water, allowing you to fold the tents even when wet.
Stability: Dralon fibres are pre-dyed before the fabric is woven, making it fade resistant, even under burning desert sun.
Strength: Strong weft fibres help create a tear and crease resistant fabric, that will not shrink or expand even in extreme temperature fluctuations.
Temperature: The fabric is guaranteed for use in extremes of temperature, ranging from -30° C upto 70° C.
Maintenance: Construction of Dralons’ special/unique fabrics ensures a long maintenance free life.
The high quality of Dralon: Fabrics ensure the tents are more soundproof and less transparent against light than traditional materials, yet still feel soft to the touch.

Easy to maintain: No need of particular treatments.

I yakked with a member over on YotaTech who uses his AirLand in Australia a lot in the back country, and he gets zero condensation with it using it in all types of weather.