Smittybilt RTT Annex Room Design

[Airmapper]

I spent my first few nights in the Smittybilt RTT, no major complaints on the tent itself, all went well and I set up and packed up 2 days in a row.

The annex on the other hand....:ugh:

I didn't need it but I went through the process of setting it up as if I was going to use everything. The annex design is just stupid. It will work, but it's a nuisance.

On further research, mine is not designed like these photos floating around:

The way mine attaches, the ladder must be inside the annex. Then door to the annex then covers the ladder.

To access the ladder, the door and screen must be rolled up and fastened. This means if the RTT is in use, your annex is wide open, where bugs and rain can blow in.

But there is a secondary issue, to get in the annex, you have to squeeze around the ladder. I had it all set up, then needed to get my bedding out of the truck on that side. It has an access door on the vehicle side, no biggie, but once I had an armful of stuff leaving the annex to get around the ladder was a clumsy task.

This could all have been solved if the annex attached inside the ladder, hanging straight down, with no access door there, maybe a screen window like on the sides. Put the access doors on the sides and one to the vehicle side. That way it wouldn't block the ladder or your access to the room.

If someone sees how I did it wrong and that leads to the issues, please let me know. However it pretty much only goes on one way, I can't see where I goofed. I thought maybe it was inside out later, but even if it was I don't see it changing anything functionally.

My recommendation, do not get this design annex if you can avoid it, or beware it's out there.

So is mine some old revision design?

 

[Kevin108]

I have the Smitty RTT too, but no annex. Still, I wonder how Tepui set theirs up differently.

 

[Box Rocket]

I have the Smitty RTT too, but no annex. Still, I wonder how Tepui set theirs up differently.

Different tents, different designs. That Tepui photo is an older one. Tepui Kukenam annex doors have been moved to the side of the annex rather than behind the ladders.
.
Not sure about the Smittybuilt design. The lower price point has to come from somewhere, which is usually in materials and features. It is interesting to hear feedback for users of other brands as well as from users of Tepui tents, good or bad. It's how improvements are made.

 

[Airmapper]

Not sure about the Smittybuilt design. The lower price point has to come from somewhere, which is usually in materials and features.

I'm not sure I understand how that is relevant here, in this case the Annex in Smitty's photos looks cheaper to make than the one I have. It's opening is just a straight split and one zipper, the ladder is still in the way but you have more room to go around and no vertical portion to step over. I'd prefer the one in the photos. I'm not sure how the "cheaper" design means anything, in this case I'd rather have the one that is less expensive to make.

 

[Kevin108]

Box Rocket is a Tepui vendor, so it's in his best financial interest to demean the competitors. Take his input with a grain of salt.

 

[Box Rocket]

nothing demeaning meant at all. The Smittybuilt has it's place but there are clear differences. I won't fault anyone for purchasing a Smittybuilt if that's what they feel meets their needs. My comment was relevant since you brought up the Tepui annex and questioned the differences. If you didn't want a response, why did you ask the question? Just stating facts about two differently designed annexes.

 

[Box Rocket]

I'm not sure I understand how that is relevant here, in this case the Annex in Smitty's photos looks cheaper to make than the one I have. It's opening is just a straight split and one zipper, the ladder is still in the way but you have more room to go around and no vertical portion to step over. I'd prefer the one in the photos. I'm not sure how the "cheaper" design means anything, in this case I'd rather have the one that is less expensive to make.

I agree with you about seeking out the one that is cheapest to make, because that lower cost of production gets carried over to the price for the consumer....generally. But the cheaper option is valid if the different products are essentially the same. That's not quite the case in this instance. The Smittybuilt is a 3-wall design (no back wall against the vehicle) and no floor. Does that mean it's the wrong choice? Not necessarily. If that works to fill your needs, great. But if you need a full enclosure and a floor than you're looking at other options and those are going to cost more to produce and to purchase purely because of an increase of material among other things.

Again, this is no intent on badmouthing the Smittybuilt. It is what it is and it works for some and not for others, it's good to be educated about the differences, don't you agree? I'll leave this topic alone. A question was posted, I responded with nothing but an honest description and that apparently didn't sit well. I apologize for any misconception, no disrespect was intended.

 

[Airmapper]

The Smittybuilt is a 3-wall design (no back wall against the vehicle)

Well that is interesting. When you said that I now notice in the Smitty photos like you say it is a 3 wall, but mine is a 4 wall, I do have the vehicle side covered.

Before you get all defensive at me, remember I didn't say or suggest you were badmouthing Smitty.

I could have worded myself better, but I am talking design, and in my mind I didn't see where your comment on the cheaper design was relevant because the annex I have clearly has more features and complexity, and I still paid less for it than even Smitty's current advertised price. The design vs. cost argument is not fitting my situation here. It's got Smittybilt logos on it and everything, but it's nothing like the photos. It may be a kinda dumb design, but still is a more complex one, and that doesn't make sense to me.

I'm wondering how I got this oddball annex that isn't like the photos.

 

[Box Rocket]

I have no issue with you Airmapper. Kevin108 was the one my comment was directed to about badmouthing. I'm not sure when answering a question became "demeaning"? But it's all good. Carry on.

 

[Kevin108]

Well that is interesting. When you said that I now notice in the Smitty photos like you say it is a 3 wall, but mine is a 4 wall, I do have the vehicle side covered.

I could have worded myself better, but I am talking design, and in my mind I didn't see where your comment on the cheaper design was relevant because the annex I have clearly has more features and complexity, and I still paid less for it than even Smitty's current advertised price. The design vs. cost argument is not fitting my situation here. It's got Smittybilt logos on it and everything, but it's nothing like the photos. It may be a kinda dumb design, but still is a more complex one, and that doesn't make sense to me.

I'm wondering how I got this oddball annex that isn't like the photos.

RTT manufacturers change stuff all the time and the photos presented aren't updated accordingly. Usually it's only minor things, like switching to a telescoping ladder from an extension ladder. I think I found instances of that on CVT's site. Tepui regularly changes the fabric colors. On some of the Smitty's, the cover has Velcro on 3 sides with one side slid into the channel. On others, the cover has Velcro on all 4 sides. It may be that you've wound up with one generation of tent and a different generation of annex, but I can't say for sure. What my question was on the Tepui, is how was theirs setup to have the ladder outside? That's the only configuration that makes sense for the Smitty/Kukenam.

I have no issue with you Airmapper. Kevin108 was the one my comment was directed to about badmouthing. I'm not sure when answering a question became "demeaning"? But it's all good. Carry on.

I didn't say you were demeaning any member here, but you have popped up in several threads to promote Tepui and foist your wares. You're junk mail in the form of an actual forum member. But if the admins don't care, I guess I shouldn't either...

In all seriousness though: I'll leave you alone from here on out. You've really taken my ribbing in stride. Your posts make me sure you're a nice guy and I honestly wish you luck with your business.