RTT with minimum fiddling?

[inexplorata]

As a guy with a tall vehicle, I'm enamored of the BunduFlip because it eliminates two things I hated about my last RTT: there's no cover to zip on and off, and there are no spring poles to clamber all around to reach. In fact it's the Bundu's "automatic" poles that I'm most impressed about.

But it has two problems for me: not big enough for a family, and a touch on the spendy side.

Is anyone else making a RTT that you just "open and close", and that's big?

 

[NatersXJ6]

Hadn’t seen that before, but it seems pretty cool. I was thinking of ways to modify my soft shell tent to include hard covers instead of a travel cover, and I didn’t come up with anything nearly that simple.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

Looks like they discontinued the Flip and are pushing the BundTop now. It comes in various sizes but is spendy.
https://bundutecusa.com/products-we-offer/roof-top-tents/bundutop/

 

[Wallygator]

I was under the impression all RTT's are minimum fiddling compared to what I am used to, ground tents.

 

[inexplorata]

Even if I had the $$, the biggest BunduTop is really for two adults max. And again, with a ground tent all the fiddling is, well, on the ground, and I can walk around and reach everything. Not so atop my rack.

 

[inexplorata]

Hadn’t seen that before, but it seems pretty cool. I was thinking of ways to modify my soft shell tent to include hard covers instead of a travel cover, and I didn’t come up with anything nearly that simple.

I know, right? And plus the little poles are on a drawstring that pulls tight as you open the thing. AND pull in when you close.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

Even if I had the $$, the biggest BunduTop is really for two adults max. And again, with a ground tent all the fiddling is, well, on the ground, and I can walk around and reach everything. Not so atop my rack.

The BunduTop Super King @ 63"x118" is the largest RTT I know of, so I doubt you will find a RTT to satisfy your needs. No one makes a RTT that matches anything close to Cabin Tent size. RTT size is limited due to vehicle widths.

 

[plh]

I was under the impression all RTT's are minimum fiddling compared to what I am used to, ground tents.

I had a RTT tent (conventional canvas style) for a few years, got sick of hanging like a monkey on top of my truck trying to set it up and take it down, install the cover. Truck was too tall and I'm too short. Sold it with minimal loss, $300 for 2 years use.

 

[inexplorata]

The BunduTop Super King @ 63"x118" is the largest RTT I know of, so I doubt you will find a RTT to satisfy your needs. No one makes a RTT that matches anything close to Cabin Tent size. RTT size is limited due to vehicle widths.

My Kukenam was 72"x96", and while 63"x118" is indeed larger square-inches-wise, it's less "useful" as it's long and skinny.

Adults can't sleep "sideways" in the BunduTop (unless they're 5 feet tall), so you're still at a two-person size, albeit with a ton of room below your feet. Three adults can sleep beside each other in the Kukenam, but it's all fiddly.

The BunduFlip takes care of "fiddly" with the automatic poles, but it's still a smaller clamshell-type RTT at 49"x 89".

 

[shoredreamer]

Large (floor and inside height) and quick to open/close, it’s hard to beat the iKamper. About 81”x82” inside. Opens and closes is seconds. No walking around the car over and over to tuck fabric and zip fabric.

 

[inexplorata]

Hmm. It's definitely better. Eliminates the zipper, but I still count six spring poles to get to. And I see people on YouTube stuffing canvas in the sides after closing the lid, you get around that?

 

[ducktapeguy]

I stopped using the spring poles a long time ago to eliminate any extraneous steps. Removed the rain fly too, so I don't need the use poles to tension it. I have an Autana sky so the ceiling windows and doors provide plenty of ventilation without the side windows. That alone saved about 5 minutes on setup and takedown.

I agree the cover is a pain, specifically having to throw it on of the tent and tucking in fabric. I like the Bundu Tec idea of eliminating the cover and making it into a semi hard shell tent. I've always wondered about replacing the normal cover zipper with PVC or hard sided panels and velcro tabs that I can just "wrap" around the sides to enclose the open fabric area. Wouldn't be as weatherproof as a full cover, the underside of the floor and the ladder would be exposed to the elements but probably not a big deal for most purposes.