Who has the highest mounted RTT??

[the dude]

The wife and I are really considering a RTT in the future but our campstyle doesn't always allow us to carry the RTT on the top of the trailer. There are going to be times when the 14" Lund gets priority and the RTT will have to go on top of the Cruiser...which is a LONG ways up.

So we where wondering (besides the higher load) what troubles people have with having their tents up higher then normal.

I would assume that ladder modifications would have to be made.

What about those with changeroom encloser, does the skirt touch the ground?

How about set up and take down? As I have never seen this done in person, am I going to need a ladder?

I am going to guess that my roof rack sits at just under 7' up. Does any body have some experience with a tent this high that can give us some advice on ease of use.

thanks

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Most tent manufactures offer ladder extensions for use on high applications. Other than that, I see no reason why it won't work just the same. Might even need an annex extension, but all easily worked through.

 

[lowenbrau]

I mounted my tent within an inch of the roof in order to keep it as low as possible and still had to extend the ladder about a foot. I'm going to four link the rear suspension soon and airbag it and should be able to slam the rig a bit more for night. I'm sooooo done with rear leaf springs.

 

[StumpXJ]

Mine was at 6 feet 6 inches on the old Tacoma, and my changing room skirt still had probably 12 inches. I also did not need the ladder extension, but another 6 inches higher and you may need it. You are definitely not too high up though.

~James

 

[Spikepretorius]

Beware of broken legs during the night when taking a leak.
A few of my buddies have hurt themselves getting tangled in roof top ladders.

 

[lowenbrau]

Oh yeah, about the setup. I'll snap a photo later of my tire step thingy. I'm not sure I could pack up without it. (setup is easy) Certainly not when the truck is muddy and slippery. I think the Magnolina style might be best for a tall wagon due to the easy setup/takedown.

 

[the dude]

Thanks Guys, It sounds like the hieght won't be an issue.

Bruce, the picture would be great. I would love the Magnolia, the wife wants something bigger... I think she has children on the braineepwall:

 

[Corey]

Check out my video in my link.
If you can grasp onto your rig and get on the tires, you should be able to setup the tent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHd77e7PbIE

Mine is up pretty high.
When exiting the tent, climb down backwards.
You have to feel for the rung with your foot since you can probably not see when first getting out and putting your foot out into "space."

 

[the dude]

I lied. The rack is closer to 8'. It's 92" to be exact. Depending on set up I could easily stand on the tire/slider from the side. I won't make it in my 8' foot door on the garage with the tent up there...and that really sucks.

That Magnolia sure looks easy on the set up. Thanks for the video.

 

[DBS311]

I'm kinda in the same situation as you since I am SOA with 2.5" OME heavy springs. After doing a bit of research, Paul from Equipt1 gave me stats on the shower skirts for the Eezi-Awn series. There is the "normal" shower skirt which is 2 meters (I believe) and the "extended" skirt which is 2.2 meters (86.6"). After measuring how a RTT would fit on my Cruiser, I needed the extended skirt which are typically only available special order. Even then, I'm not sure it will get all the way to the ground.

FYI, if you are leaning towards an Eezi-Awn 1800, I know that Equipt1 has an extended length shower skirt for it currently inbound from SA.

 

[ShearPin]

I have my Ezi-Awn mounted on top of my Rover 110 - it's a tall vehicle to begin with. I am approx. 6'4 in the photo. Getting the flexible poles in the side windows can be a challenge. I stand on the rear tires and find it an easy reach from their.

Ladder wise - I have the standard ezi-awn ladder with an extension which adds another rung on the bottom. The extension is an ezi-awn product which comes in its own canvas bag. Being thin and flat it packs really easy.

The biggest difficulty I've run into is getting sleeping bags, pillows, and my 2 year old up to bed. I usually lift her up to her mother but no matter how tired she is the trip up always signals the beginning of another half hour of playtime.

Benefits - being up higher if you happen to spend the night in a camp ground it's tougher for people walking by to look in.

PHOTO - http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1598&page=25

Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

 

[FlyingWen]

We have our Eezi-Awn mounted on top of our Can Back. I have yet to see one mounted higher.

Opening and closing the tent requires a small step onto the sliders, but offers added security. I worry about animals and other silly things, but being higher off the ground, those worries are no longer present.
Getting the baby in and out of the tent is not any harder then a low mounted tent.
As mentioned before, you can always get a ladder extension in need be.

We are unable to get the truck in the garage as it is an inch higher then the opening.
I like being high up!

 

[Corey]

Just measured mine.
It is 6'11" from the ground up to the base of the fiberglass shell.

 

[DBS311]

Just measured mine.
It is 6'11" from the ground up to the base of the fiberglass shell.

That's 83". Shoot, my gutter rail is at 86". Add 5 or 6" for my roof rack (conservative) and I'm looking at a RTT floor being 92+" off the ground. That basically makes any shower skirt/changing room act REALLY as a skirt.

I think the Marmaduke is even higher than me!:Wow1:

I wouldn't want to miss a ladder rung at that height! Maybe if I eventually run a RTT I'll have to use an inflatable mattress at the base of the ladder for safety precautions.

 

[the dude]

With my SOA and Dakkar heavies my rain gutter sits at 83" at the back and 82" at the front over the door.

With my high roof I have the extended rain gutter Yakima mounts that put me into the 92"-94" range.

You might have me beat on the height! I agree with not falling of the ladder, it could lead to a bad situation.