RTT why so much $$$$

[gier]

Hey
I was looking into a RTT just becuase of the fact that they set up pretty quick. I was going to put it on my trailer. But why are they so much $$$. Are they made of gold?
My tent is bigger and cost much much less. Did I mention much less. I was just looking for quick setup and take down. Are there any other ideas on some thing that is fast?
Thanks

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The floor and ladder are the main bulk of the cost, two things a ground tent doesn't have or need. The tent material itself is really no different, but the market size is. If Cabelas sold 30 different sizes of RTT's to hundreds of thousands of customers each year, RTT's would be much cheaper

 

[gier]

I cant find one for less than 800 if the floor and ladder cost that much then I am in the wrong biz. I would like to find one for much less. If any one knows of one please fill me in.
Thanks

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I cant find one for less than 800 if the floor and ladder cost that much then I am in the wrong biz. I would like to find one for much less. If any one knows of one please fill me in.
Thanks

The floor and ladder do cost that much. Start your business and I'll be the first to buy one of your tents ~$800 lol. It always sounds expensive when you look at it with naive eyes Start looking at the cost to extrude aluminum, construct a floor, design and manufacture hinges, bows and brackets, manufacture a ladder with telescoping ability and package that with a durably designed tent for ~$600. Because if your going to retail at $800 you need to be into each tent well under the $600 mark if you want any profit for yourself and your dealers want any.

Todd at RackTents would be a good place to start, but his are $825
http://www.racktents.com/Tents.html

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

Gold ≥ RTT

or

RTT ≠ Ground tent (GT)

or

Parts + labor + importation (RTT) > Parts + labor + importation (GT)

 

[articulate]

I don't see much of a point in trying to hash out the answer to this question, but what the hell . . .

I bet that transportation costs from the factory to the dealer/wholesaler are a significant factor. Manufacturing quality stuff by hand ain't all that cheap either.

 

[Corey]

Camping Labs are around eight bills.
http://campinglab.com/

They are coming out with a new one that is made in Africa, and a canvas material.
Should be on their site soon.

I wanted ease of setup when I bought mine, hence is whey I sprang for a Maggiolina AirLand.

Here is how easy it is to setup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHd77e7PbIE

Ahhhh, makes me wish I was back up there again
They have over a foot of snow if not more up there now though.

 

[gier]

The floor and ladder do cost that much. Start your business and I'll be the first to buy one of your tents ~$800 lol. It always sounds expensive when you look at it with naive eyes Start looking at the cost to extrude aluminum, construct a floor, design and manufacture hinges, bows and brackets, manufacture a ladder with telescoping ability and package that with a durably designed tent for ~$600. Because if your going to retail at $800 you need to be into each tent well under the $600 mark if you want any profit for yourself and your dealers want any.

Todd at RackTents would be a good place to start, but his are $825
http://www.racktents.com/Tents.html

While looking for a less expensive RTT I have looked into making my own. I spoke with a guy who has done canvas for boats and redone popups. He knew exactly what I wanted. Just called me back with his quote. The aluminum I already have the price on. Looks like for -300 I have a much stronger and more durable one that I have seen for 800. Should have it all done by sunday.

 

[JimC]

Have you ever seen one up close? They have almost nothing in common with ground tents.

First of all, they're fabricated instead of manufactured - lots of custom made parts/unique extrusions/molded parts etc.

Roof tents have all kinds of hard pieces, wood, structural items, ladders, mattresses, etc. A big ground tent weights what -10 to 15 pounds? Roof tents weigh 75 pounds or more - there's just lots more material there.

A better question is how did they manage to include a tent with a car-top box for only twice the price.

 

[gier]

Yes I have seen them up close.
I have even used a few. I still don’t get the cost on them
They are manufactured not one off creations.
I guess if you are not imaginative or creative enough you might be put off by all the parts that make up one. Yes they weigh more but please let’s not use that as why they cost so much more. Oh and they are more than twice the price of a ground tent. When they range form 800 to 1500 and most are at 1500 I would love to see the ground tent you are sleeping in for 600 bucks.

 

[Corey]

They can be a lot more than that.
My model is now $2,699.
I got it for $2,400 last March the day before the price increase.

 

[JimC]

Twice the price of a car-top box is what I said. Thule's etc often sell for 4-600. One could look at a Maggiolina and envision it as a car top box with a built-in tent contraption. Of course you'd have to be imaginative or creative to see the resemblance.

I just always see "why so much $$" threads as "why are all you people so stupid for buying X." These often turn into "I can make X myself for much less" - and invariably the item produced for much less looks the part.

If you're tent looks good, functions well, and you can ship it to South Africa all for less than 1250 bucks (the price I paid for my roof tent) I will happily eat my words and credit you with being imaginative and creative. Don't forget to count for your own labor.

 

[Lost Canadian]

Gier, if they are too rich for your blood don't buy one. If you can build one for less, do it. But please don't post up for purely inflammatory reasons. This is clearly a pointless argument because you've already convinced yourself, prior to even posting this thread, that they are overpriced.

 

[BKCowGod]

please take lots of pictures of your RTT-killer. Please post up a detailed cost breakdown.

Then I suspect people will stop disbelieving you.

BTW - $300 to have it made for you means you would be wholesaling it for $400-$600 and the retailer would be selling it for $800-$1000.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

While looking for a less expensive RTT I have looked into making my own. I spoke with a guy who has done canvas for boats and redone popups. He knew exactly what I wanted. Just called me back with his quote. The aluminum I already have the price on. Looks like for -300 I have a much stronger and more durable one that I have seen for 800. Should have it all done by sunday.

Cool I'll be expecting pics and an order form