How has my ROOF TOP TENT held up after 1 Year?
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- Опубліковано 21 гру 2018
- I can’t believe it’s already been a year since I did the initial review of the Smittybilt Overland rooftop tent! I have been using it a ton, in fact I’ve spent almost and entire month camping in it in 2018. In this video I will share with you some of the things I like, some of the criticism I have and answer several questions you have submitted. #rooftoptent #camping #jeep
Initial Rooftop Tent Review: • Roof Top Tent Review -...
Rhino Rack Install: • Jeep Roof Rack Install...
Smittybilt Overland Tent: amzn.to/2SgsHIV
Kargo Master Hinge Steps: amzn.to/2Bx68sm
Mr. Heater Buddy: amzn.to/2UYLQ3Q
Visit our website: trailrecon.com
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Great update! Just bought the bigger one for my family and I. Excited to do some camping in it this year.
Just bought one of these for my Jeep, nice to know about all these specifics
Bought the same RTT after seeing your video after purchasing it. Has been a great tent for me. Gotta love that ladder lol
I bought this same tent just recently and one thing I've been doing differently is putting the straps under the cover instead of over. I thought that was the way the design was intended to work and it could also explain why the straps seem too short for you. The velcro seems to hold the cover on just fine by itself. I've driven with it on the freeway at 80 mph with no problems. Not even a hint of the cover coming off. Oh, and thanks for sharing your video with us.
Great video Brad! Appreciate the content and quality again, cant stress that enough! I love your attention to detail, all of the details! Might be the military back ground but it is much appreciated!
You videos are exactly what I like. Man I enjoy what you're doing. Bring us amazing videos of you adventures, you gear, and you nice Jeeps. If I had the opportunity to do this I would. Thanks man!!!
We used a Gobi rack because our Jeep has a soft top. The cross bars do make it easier to install. We also switched the ladder to a CVT telescoping ladder.
Thank you for your review. This has been a huge help while shopping for a tent
Love 1 year later reviews.... provide the most value - thanks!
Nicely done Brad! I always like your honesty when reviewing products. It means a lot to your viewers. I gave up back packing and camping because I didn't like sleeping on the ground anymore. This is making me reconsider camping with the Jeep again.
I was a backpacker for many years, plus all my time spent out it in the field with the Marines and I'm really not interested in sleeping on the ground anymore, but a roof top tent and mattress... that's the way to go! Thank you!
Another great video Brad. Thank you for all the info. Will save up for the clam shell style tent for sure
Thanks for the RTT update, Brad! I had my eye on the Smittybilt for the price and the weight and after watching your many videos with it on top. Then I found Tepui has one (Explorer Ayer 2) that is a few hundred more ($1,050) , but only weighs 95 lbs.! It also has an annex with a floor (another $265), which is a must when the puppy travels with us. I'm adding a 15 gal water tank and propane tank on top, so the lighter the RTT the better.
Good info, Thank you. I've been debating what type of roof top tent to purchase. Once again, thank you.
Hi Brad, Thank you for all your videos. You always do a great job in detail on everything you talk about!! Totally trust your opinion on everything!!!👍
Thank you very much!
Another awesome video Brad! There are so many great channels here but yours has everything, from informative reviews to epic trails and destinations you rock Brother!
You rock! Can't wait to get back out on the trail after the holidays!
Another great review Brad. Really appreciate your unbiased content vs. some of the other channels that simply pimp product for the manufacturers.
Thank you!
Thank you, Brad, for sharing this information. I'm switching from backpacking to car camping as age is catching up with me. I presently use a Smittybilt tarp and a Kamp Rite tent cot but am searching for the right rooftop tent. I like the idea of a clam shell set up since my vehicle is a compact Jeep SUV. It'll be worth saving for one. It's pretty exciting watching your videos and your overland adventures and would love to do it. After looking at a late model Rubicon and a Gladiator I will have to stick with the mild mannered car camping. Going back to work is not an option as I love my retirement.
Brad, thanks for the subjective review. Good information is always helpful when making purchasing decisions especially when considering high dollar items.
There is an RTT in my future but being more of the base camp type I have an overland trailer to build first. Thanks again for the content Michael
Thanks. Great video as always. I have my 23Zero Byron 4 person California King delivered on the 26th. Really excited about it. Glad nothing about this video is making me regret my purchase ;-). Mine will be on top of my InTech Pursue Flyer so that our family of 4 can camp comfortably without having to set up a ground tent.
You guys will love your new tent and all that room with a California King will be awesome!
I watched your Video while sleeping with my family in our brand new Overlander XL. Great review. We built a trailer for ours and are using it while traveling on a Christmas road trip to visit family back in Michigan and Kentucky. We are super happy with ours so far, we have our Christmas tree set up in the annex, Running a Mr. Heater and staying totally cozy and comfortable in 20°F Michigan weather. I have never slept this good in a "tent". Definitely excited to get back home to Colorado and take our setup out into the mountains.
Thanks for answering my question!!! I bought a James Baroud a couple of months ago but it hasn’t arived yet.
Very nice Brad... excellent assessment. I've been contemplating RTT and decided to wait to put it on a trailer. I'm going with a SWAG for now.
This is what I've been waiting for!
Thanks for the follow up video, really cool idea, thanks for the update.
The last question was the deal breaker for me.... I've been chewing on both styles... Definitely going to continue to save and buy once cry once for the clam shell style! Awesome review!!!
Thank you! Honest and succinct!!
I'm saving for the clamshell version myself...one on Amazon is in the $1600 range...for a lot of the reasons you mentioned...and I have a 2 door jk.. and it's just me 99% of the time anyway. Truly the clamshell version is all I need. The set up is so appealing as well.
My biggest issue is solving the middle of the night nature calls (I'm over 50 now...so you know...) but like I've done for decades...I suppose the dedicated bottle handles it. I just dont like the idea of climbing up and down a ladder in the middle of the night (sometimes more than once) for safety.
Thanks again- for all of your channel content.
Great review! Thinking of this for my ‘13 Pathfinder.
thanks for this review! keep up the good work
Great review. I’ve a similar looking one here in South Africa. It’s useful having it hang down over the back of my Land Rover Defender because it provides a covered workspace when the back door is open, even more so when the add a room is on. You can then get from inside the tent to getting things out of the back of the Landy without getting exposed to the elements. With rain falling sideways my canvas type side panels get wet and transfer that damp to the bedding. In very strong winds the section that covers the tent entrance comes off the poles that hold it out. The tent gets unbearably hot mid day in sun and you can’t rest in it. It needs to be covered by a reflective blanket to solve that. Also prefer mine on my trailer so I can drive around easily.
I've had similar LED problems. A few easy solutions are to wrap the LED with cloth or duct tape of your preferred color over it. I promise if you do this you'll start using that LED again and it'll be super useful.
Thanks for a great review. Really enjoying your channel, thanks for the great content 😀 Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
The rooftop tent is the way to go in my opinion. Thanks for the info on your tent.
Thanks that is what I am getting. I love your Jeep nice!
Great review! We are planning to venture into the over landing and RTT area and this seems like a great tent to start with to see if we really like it.
One way to tell this guy "loves" offroading and overlanding... his pages are stuck together 👊😜
Thanks for the review!
We have the Smittybilt rooftop tent and its amazing so far! we got it this year an we've been camping all summer in the Florida keys. Thanks for ur recommendations.
Great review thank you.It was very helpful.I especially liked when you mentioned the cost per night! Never thought of looking at it that way.
Very informative follow up review. I think the quality of the ladder is directly related to the lower cost. More expensive tents appear to have much better telescoping ladders.
Very knowledgeable video, as I just bought the same roof top tent. I am going the route of a trailer matching my JKU theme, maybe a bit different then others w 37’s...cuz everyone need those. LOL
Again thanks Brad for the great videos...!
I have the same tent. I love mine. I have it on a rack on the bed if my truck with an awning. .
The videos keep getting better man!!!! Keep it up
Thank you!
I've bought a lot of smittybilt stuff for my jeep also. I read a lot of negative criticism about multiple products, but I've always been satisfied with their products. Great video as always.
I've had a Smittybilt winch on my Jeep for one 3 years and it has served me well. There are some pro and cons to their products.
@@TrailRecon
True. They are very good for their price when compared to some of the competition. I guess it depends on what the imperfections are and if those cons could be accepted. I have the same XRC rear bumper as you have on your XJ and the only con I came across was the release latch not engaging. I just had to drill an offset hole on the lever so the connecting pin engages immediately, I could deal with that imperfection, and considering the bumper was 1/2 to 1/3 the price of other products, I'm satisfied
thx 4 sharing! happy holidays
Happy trails Brad be safe out there.
Man I've been waiting on this video forever. Thanks so much! Been wanting to buy this for a long time.
Thanks for the update!
Awesome review thanks for sharing 👍
Great review 👍🏻
I have a roof top tent that I have on my Subaru Outback and I love it.
Which tent do you have?
Another wonderful video! thanks :)
I love mine I bought it after watching your video it’s maiden voyage was to blue ridge overland gears spring meet up. minus the ladder and climbing all over my Jeep to get it put away it’s been a great tent. I wanna get a hardshell RTT next
It's been a great tent, but I'm looking forward to the ease of use of a hardshell as well.
Great review Brad, we just put the Smittybilt on our Armada and are looking forward to getting out on the road. We did a lot of research and like you said, there are a lot of high prices one can pay for a RTT. I am like you, we want a clam shell style because it is quick and easy, but they are expensive $2,000 plus. The reviews we watched on the Smittybilt were similar to yours and the quality was good, especially for the price, and getting started in this new Overlanding type of travel was new and we weren't even sure we would like doing the RTT. If we like it, and I think we will, we will hand this one down to my son and get a nice hardtop clamshell RTT. Sometimes you just need to get started! We enjoy your channel a lot. Thanks, David.
Thank you! Like you, I may be handing down my RTT to one of my boys as well if I ever get my hands on a hardshell.
Great video. Disliked our ladder too. I run the xl with awning. I bought the 8’6” from Tepui and replaced it. 😀
How you like the XL? That’s the one I’m looking at getting
@@vinniedennywini8126 Absolutely love it, and aplogies for the delay, was off the grid in the tent! :)
I’ve used a buddy heater safely in an rtt (both soft shell and hard shell) just fine. I only use mine for 5-10 minutes to preheat the tent before i get inside and before i get out of my sleeping bag. Definitely best to have a good cold weather rated sleeping bag but having a heater warm up the tent before you move around is nice when it’s cold out
Heating up the tent before rolling out of the sleeping bag on a cold morning would be a very nice reason to use one!
Thanks for the review.
Appreciate the honesty.
Nice honest review Brad. I’m with you...I would want to save my money and purchase a Alu Cab. I’m sure there are used ones in great shape out there for a fair price. A RTT is definitely on my bucket list.
If I come across a used All Cab at a great price it may just find its way to the top of my Jeep!
I super glued those little rubber caps on the window polls for my CVT. They get lost way too easy.
I have this tent. Love it. I finally figured out what the extra bungees are for (collapsing the tent) making it easier to pack down. But how do you use the 2 extra straps
That have the clip hooks like the rain tarp. What in the world are they for???
Hi Brad first off thanks for the great videos! Keep it up you help a lot of people making their decisions. Second is my actual question. How hard is it to find level ground and how much does it bother you when you sleep slightly off level?
Love your content!
New Subscriber here! Just want to thank you for such a comprehensive review. I just purchased this tent as well for my 2 door rubicon. I'm really hoping it is as great as it looks. I am 6 foot 6so we will see how i fit haha. Thanks again.
Welcome aboard!
Great video! Thank you for sharing!
How is the tent holding up? If you are you go for hard shell tent, which one you’d choose? I’ll check other videos you might have cuz you might have the answers to my questions already 😁
i love this tent, ladder is strong, holds me, 300lbs and my 60lb dog up(when i put her up in the tent)
Hi there..
On.considering changing from a swag setup to a rooftop for me and the dog in Australia for when we go out bush but not sure how the ladder will go with the dog.... have you tweaked the ladder?
@@timeisnow9855 I just lift the dog up my arms and climb up 2 steps and put her in there. To get her out I stand on the 2nd step and pull her into my arms/ chest . No modifications needed
Cheers. You still rocking the rooftop?
Excellent review.
Thanks for this video!
Thanks! Been thinking about one of these.....good review. I have the Smittybilt rack on my Jeep, so I know this will work, but wasn’t sure if an entry level tent was worth it.
Helping ⛺ choice, thanks ;)
Thanks for the video. I'm thinking of buying one and set it up on my F-150 when I do the 3 ocean tire dip, Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic. About your ladder stiffness try a silicon spray. I have been using silicon spray on all the moving parts of our market tents (12) which we've had for 10yrs and it eliminates all jamming of the tracks and joints. Cheers.
I ran the XL aversion of this tent on the off road trailer I built and pulled with my JK. I found it tedious to set up and the ladder was a pain as you mentioned. For the money though, it’s a great tent! Working on getting a hard shell now.
Great to know I'm not the only frustrated ladder user!
Yes sir, but great tent and it’s taken you quite a few places!
Spend the extra money for a Tepui. I have the Autana 3 person ruggedized rtt with the annex and it is a breeze to setup and put away.
Jay Noneofyourbiz I have heard good things about those tents. I am looking at a hard shell-Roost
@@AmericanJeeper I have the ruggedized 3 person Autana version. The base is made from diamond plate and fits 3 comfortably up top. With the bottom annex on you have a completely enclosed, floored room with enough space for a full sized air mattress or cot, the dogs, gear, or pesky kids if need be 😁. With having all girls it also doubles as a good changing room. The ladder itself is much different being that it is one that telescopes into itself and have had no issues other than a mounting bolt backing off. I've had the tent on for two seasons now and have never taken it off the Jeep and it has held up as good as the first day it was installed. For the record I live in Nevada so it has now gone through to snowy winters, 100 degree summer days, not to mention some horrendous wind storms while hunting.The only gripe I would have would be the cost at more than double what the cost of the XL Smittybilt version. I will be posting a walkthrough of my rig here soon. Anyhow cheers mate and safe travels.
Great questions, the Fuel consumption seems to be the one issue that keeps popping up. I will be trwoing this on a trailer.
Nice review I'm looking at buying one myself for my overland trailer, this will help me decide which one will work best thanks Brad.
Glad it was helpful, thank!
I would recommend CVT. I have had mine for about 7 years and still haven’t had any issues. I lost 2 of the window poles and they had them shipped to my house in under a week and didn’t even charge me. The owner personally delivered my tent to my house to accommodate me on a trip I was taking. They are just all around top notch at CVT, from product to customer service!!
Great review. This tent is on my bucket list but I’m driving a 2000 TJ with a soft top. Would you have any recommendations regarding a platform for mounting this RTT to my Jeep?
great video. im shopping for a tent for a Cayenne and one thing not mentioned in the video is the footprint while closed. i too would prefer a hardsheel but then the tent would extend over my winshield. the tent you have has a smaller footprint while closed so it doesnt hang over the roofline and is also a bigger sleeping area when opened. im 6'2" so thats important
Hi Brad, I've had my roof top tent, same as yours, for a few months. My first trail was Big Bend, Texas. I love it. Just a little description of myJeep, 2017 JKU Sport, 2.5" lift, 33" by 12" K02 tires. The reason I went with 2.5" lift and 33" tires is my gearing, 3.21. I am planning a trip to Moab this Sept. or Oct. Because of the setup on my Wrangler, What trails, in your opinion, should I be hesitant to stay away from? I've been on most of the trails in western Colorado, but my first time off roading in Moab.
Nice review, I really like it and found the information to helpful as I am shopping a RTT and this is one of the ones I am looking at. The last question, for some people, including me, a cost of 3 to 4 times what you paid for this tent, could be a year or more of saving. Also almost all Clam Shells are too long to fit my trailer without an overhang or over the bed of a midsize short box pickup. For me they are not even in the running.
I have the same tent as well and happy with it. I do like the hard shell pop ups but with a 2dr its not a option. They are all longer then the Gobi platform and im 6 foot so any that did fit would be just to cramped
Great vid Brad. My guess is that since you want a clamshell sleeper you don't plan on having two people up in there much anymore, unless clamshells are roomier than I know. I've never seen the type of clamshell you mentioned, but I have seen the Ursa Minor. One thing I liked about it is it completely replaces the leaker JKU hardtop, which is fine for me because I seldom--never really--take off the Freedom Tops alone. BTW...do you plan on painting your rear inner fenders some day, and if yes, any suggestions to the type of paint or bed liner spray? Thank you.
Nice and clear info, Brad, thanks ! Do you leave your additional memory foam, sleeping bags, pillows, etc in the tent when it is folded or do you have to remove all of that because of additional thickness that would make it difficult or impossible to strap it back ? Thanks and greetings from Belgium !
Excelent reviewwed!!!!!!
I want to get a tent for my Jeep but I’m concerned with the structural aspect of it. I currently have Thule 400 set of racks but I worry about putting stressing knowing that all the wait would rest on the top garter rails. PS awesome work on pros and cons.
As Far as the Sticking ladder goes, you can spray dry silicone in those channels.
Great video, thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you for another great video, I have the Smittybuilt Roof Top on my list with Leitner's Design Rack for my Ram.. Can you pull the LED light out and mount it on the outside / under the rainfly?
The LED strip has a velcro backing, so you could easily rig it up to the outside of the tent.
Hi Brad, great and very helpful videos. How would you rate ,beside the price tag, a ursaminor rooftop compared? Do you have a video or review? Planning an overland trip to Alaska and later down south the panam.
Nice job one all your reviews as always. I wonder if you could change out the latter
I would try to rub some candle wax on the ladder rails to provide some lubrication for it to slide easily.
Hey Brad! I have a question about where you found the taller legs for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform? I'm prepping for a RTT set up with the same rack and would rather just go ahead and upgrade to the taller ones than struggle to maneuver under the low profile ones. Thanks!
Nice review! Is that Diablo Drop-off at 12:43 in ABDSP and Corral Cyn on boulders thereafter in San Diego?
Hey Brad, great review. Thank you. What is the length of the ladder, in other words what is the max height it can be setup? I noticed your ladder is almost completely vertical, is it fully extended? Thanks again
I have the XL Smittybilt based on yours and the couple with Wobley Otters youtube channel. We have it on a trailer and love it. We also have the annex, awning and use the Mr Heater buddy too. But then like you said, we base camp then trail. We don't like packing up everyday.
Having it on a tailer is the way to go if you base camp. I will say it's nice when you don't have to pack up everything each day.
Do you ever have issues with the flooring fitting into the slot when setting it up? Like the little "u" & "D" shape slot for the floor board how they fit together....
My cover straps broke.
I use ratchet straps for multiple uses on the trail. That ladder sucks, but oh well I guess. Lol
I wonder if you could possibly fit a higher quality replacement ladder from another RTT.
I know I’m about a year late here but this was insanely good information. I am new to this sort of stuff and looking for a roof tent, had my eye on the roofnest falcon... any other recommendations for roof tents? Should I go cheaper, or save up and get one like the falcon (hard shell, clamshell)?
When you were showing the footage of the ladder i couldn't help but be reminded of those infomercials where people are trying to do thing like open jars or bottles and it's the hardest thing on earth.
Hard to open pickle jar OOHH NOO !!! you'll NEVER get that open. Try the jar handle by Wham-O guaranteed to open any pickle jam with ease. Bit wait there's more jar handle opens bottles too no more spilt orange soda
So what kind of antenna did you use and where did you mount it for your best reception for your ham radio are you going to do a video on that
I'm probably grabbing this tent too. I will probably grab a dimmer for that light
I have had one since they first came out... I'm thinking it has been like 4 years. I got mine new on the tread lightly auction for 400.00. I agree with the durability comments, it has been in everything, including snow... and it has only one small rip in the rain fly that happened when a branch came down on it. I have mine mounted to a trailer as opposed to the Jeep, so the ladder is never as high. I had one issue... when it was folded up the mattress is kind of exposed to the elements if the cover was off... and I simply cut a piece of tarp to glue in the gap, and it has worked fine. My cover did not come with any straps... so I have used a couple of giant bungies. If you need more air for breathing, there are two top windows on mine that are screened in that can be opened as well for letting air keep flowing. I think you gave it a fair review!
Great suggestion about the tarp to cover the exposed mattress, thank you!
I'd take a look at the Ursa Minor it's pretty slick for the "budget is no problem" crowd. I still need to do my suspension, and wheels/tires, and get lockers/compressor, and get a fridge, totally nothing else to get first! Luckily my hammock means I'm still able to stay off the ground ;p
I've drooled over the Ursa Minor more than once, just out of my budget. Tough to beat the comfort of a hammock!