Which RTT to buy???

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Etoimos

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,779
Peyton, CO
First Name
Keith
Last Name
Upton
Member #

11810

I have the Odin Designs Type E and am really happy with it. It is basically a Tepui tent (made at the same factory with the same materials depending on model). The two big factors in the original purchase was location (the company is in Castle Rock CO, about 40mins from home) and that they offered a color combo of gray and black... something I've not seen offered any place else (the Tepui Ruggedized Series offers it now, but not sure if it was out when I was looking at them). Odin Designs also offers a lifetime guarantee on their RTTs.



While the tent is great in its own right, it was Reuben, the owner of Odin Designs, that has really made this purchase a great one. He was overly helpful during the purchase period and even more so after the sale.

This helpfulness is not related to any issue with the tent. Some of you might be have read my Overland Alzheimer's: Death Valley thread. When I talked to Reuben late last year to see if he had any awnings in stock, without hesitation told me that he would not sell me one, but would instead loan me one for this trip. He said I should spend the money on gas and other things that would make the trip happen/better. Fast forward a couple of months and I was able to source an off road trailer for the trip. With the extra space I now had, I wanted to give my dad a better sleeping arrangement. I contacted Reuben to ask if he might have a demo tent I could barrow, he again came through without hesitation. When I went to pick up the demo tent last weekend, it turned out to be his personal tent and we pulled it right off his Taco and onto the trailer.

I can't think of any other time in my life a business owner has gone so far out of his way to help me out at a loss of revenue to himself. He could have easily just offered me a discount on the awning or even another tent just to be nice to a customer, but instead he went all in on me and my family. You can bet if Reuben sells it and I need it, I'm buying it from him.
 

texascascio

Rank I
Launch Member

Contributor I

233
Denton Texas
Member #

13955

so I am ready to pull the trigger on an RTT. what do you guys have, and why do you love it. I'm looking in to 23zero, CVT and TEPUI.
After so many grueling hours of reading reviews, forms, etc.. I finally went with Tuff Stuff RTT. I am so happy I made this purchase instead of going with the super expensive Tepui. I am not going to be camping at the Arctic circle or traveling from Alaska to the Bahamas either. I started out Looking at Tepui and thought I was going to purchase "The Best". After reading posts, forms and watching youtube videos about ALL RTT's, I came to the conclusion that Tuff Stuff had all the proper sealing, rain, wind, snow... Attributes that the other "high end" tents had. I have spent three camping trips in this tent in Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico and not one regret with my purchase. Slept like a baby in it. Performed flawlessly in rain and high winds. The only alteration I performed was I brought a cordless drill with me and drilled two holes in the ladder to lock it in position for the hight I have the tent at from my off-road trailer. Well worth the money, would purchase it again in a heartbeat.
I would put this up against a Tepui any day.
Hope this helps and saves you some $$.

 

sabjku

Rank VI
Launch Member

Traveler III

3,372
Alexandria, VA
First Name
Steve
Last Name
Beh
Member #

13840

iKampers have swappable mesh/canvas tops... and use zippers. Does "Zipper Gimp" technology do something more?

View attachment 63304 View attachment 63305
iKampers have swappable mesh/canvas tops... and use zippers. Does "Zipper Gimp" technology do something more?

View attachment 63304 View attachment 63305
Whoops! I admit when I'm wrong, and I'm wrong then:) Didn't realize that! Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

I do really like the feature. It works, and it's very useful, especially in a climate like we have here in the Mid-Atlantic-cold winters, and nasty, humid high temp summers.

Bottom line on RTT's - whatever brand we each decided to purchase is probably the brand we feel partial to, or feel is "the best". And let's be honest, most of the soft RTT's like CVT, Tepui, Tuff Stuff, ARB, and some others mentioned in this thread, all share the same platforms. They're basically the same tents, made to different material specs, but not all that drastically different. They all use ripstop materials of different weight, have taped seams, comfy mattresses, etc.

I've been in the bicycle industry for over 25 years and it's the same thing with all the big MAJOR companies in our industry-Trek, Specialized, Giant - the big players that keep the industry driving forward.
 
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Truckee

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

1,135
Bay Area, CA
I don't really intend on swapping canvas tops but I like that the material is easily removable for repairs, cleaning and modifications of the canvas and zippers. I ripped canvas and broken zippers in the past.
 

Ntgm37

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast II

509
Wyoming
Member #

12725

I have the Odin Designs Type E and am really happy with it. It is basically a Tepui tent (made at the same factory with the same materials depending on model). The two big factors in the original purchase was location (the company is in Castle Rock CO, about 40mins from home) and that they offered a color combo of gray and black... something I've not seen offered any place else (the Tepui Ruggedized Series offers it now, but not sure if it was out when I was looking at them). Odin Designs also offers a lifetime guarantee on their RTTs.



While the tent is great in its own right, it was Reuben, the owner of Odin Designs, that has really made this purchase a great one. He was overly helpful during the purchase period and even more so after the sale.

This helpfulness is not related to any issue with the tent. Some of you might be have read my Overland Alzheimer's: Death Valley thread. When I talked to Reuben late last year to see if he had any awnings in stock, without hesitation told me that he would not sell me one, but would instead loan me one for this trip. He said I should spend the money on gas and other things that would make the trip happen/better. Fast forward a couple of months and I was able to source an off road trailer for the trip. With the extra space I now had, I wanted to give my dad a better sleeping arrangement. I contacted Reuben to ask if he might have a demo tent I could barrow, he again came through without hesitation. When I went to pick up the demo tent last weekend, it turned out to be his personal tent and we pulled it right off his Taco and onto the trailer.

I can't think of any other time in my life a business owner has gone so far out of his way to help me out at a loss of revenue to himself. He could have easily just offered me a discount on the awning or even another tent just to be nice to a customer, but instead he went all in on me and my family. You can bet if Reuben sells it and I need it, I'm buying it from him.
How much did the Odin run you? Great story!
 
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vidkun

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

684
Bentonville, AR
Member #

7515

I have an Autana Ruggedized XL that is totally worth recommending. I cant speak for the regular model, but the ruggedized model will defensively stand the test of time. How are you mounting it? I have an ARE CX HD shell with a roof rack that's supporting the tent wight internally (see pics). I have had my wife and two kids on the top with absolutely no problems...even when the kids get a crazy and start to bounce around. I like the fact that it's big enough for multiple people and strong enough to withstand abuse. Plus, Tepui tents are interchangeable with their zipper base system. As of now, I have no complaints.
What rack is that inside your shell? Looking to do something similar since I hate to lose my camper.
 
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Roam Wild Overland

Rank IV
Launch Member

Contributor I

1,402
Halifax, NS
Member #

10918

For anyone in Canada, or those in the US (especially east coast) wanting a better bargain due to the "crap" Canadian exchange rate, might want to take a look at Wild Coast Tents. Website is not the best, but Peter and Trish take customer Service to a whole new level. If you have questions, call them - great people! We have the Sandpiper model and love it - lots of use and no issues. - I have no affiliation with them, other than being a happy customer.

I second the Wild Coast Tents products. I have run a WCT Big Sky since summer 2017. It has a ton of features, is made from high quality materials, and includes the full annex (which as far as I know from my research in 2017 is something very few providers offer). On top of that, their customer service is second to none and they have the experience to back up their product.
 
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AZPAJERO

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

646
Scottsdale
Member #

13719

Anybody have any familiarity with Grand Terrain Tent Co? I love the low stack height, especially considering how tall my rig already sits.

 

Denver6161

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast II

509
Denver
Member #

2463

I've looked at the Odin Designs tents before online but now I can't seem to connect to their website. Anyone know if they are still in business?