RTT... A first time buyer's questions.

[Colin Hughes]

The Maggiolina Extreme has a built in roof rack. I was able to raise the smaller bars up using the Thule type crossbars that came with my Discovery so that I could install my Thule brackets and strap the canoe down. When I was using the Columbus, I used the foam blocks which attach to the gunnels and strapped the canoe over the tent and down to the Thule bars. I also secured it front and back.

[3d fj]

The more and more research i do, it still makes me undecided. With the two young kids, I'm thinking that my needs will include an annex. If it were just for my wife and I, then i'd look more into the maggiolina line. I really like the fact that with the hard tops, i can put my thule up there, and carry my fishing rods. With the soft tents, i will have to rig something where i can carry them inside. I'm leaning toward the ironman RTT right now based on price, included annex, i can pick it up (no shipping necessary), and eli @ camel4x4 is a great person to work with. I'm still a little bit out from ordering it, but if something in the classifieds comes up that is nearby and in great condition, i may jump.

[BIGdaddy]

This is what we ran into, as well. We rocked a Maggiolina for years and years. AMAZING tent. Never a bad night, though we did tire of having to get up/get down/get up, to go pee @ night.

Once we had kids, though, our needs changed, and we went back to ground tenting. Now that the kids are a bit older (7yo,5yo,2yo) we're considering our options for a Kings canyon trip this year...

We'll likely ground tent it again, but we've definitely looked at a few options:

-Westfalia van with pop-tent
-trailer tent like a lifetime/jumping jack style
-Offroad version of a coleman popup
-RTT on a trailer with an annex (similar to what you're considering)
-side by side Overcamp Autohome tents.

Good luck with your search. I don't know if you've looked @ Camping Lab, but they've got some fairly large tents available, too. (not sure if they have annexes, but worth a look anyways, and Fernando provides excellent customer service)

It's a tough decision, and sometimes the only way to know is to spend the $$ and see how it works for your family.

Cheers,

Brian

[kramme]

The Maggiolina Extreme has a built in roof rack. I was able to raise the smaller bars up using the Thule type crossbars that came with my Discovery so that I could install my Thule brackets and strap the canoe down. When I was using the Columbus, I used the foam blocks which attach to the gunnels and strapped the canoe over the tent and down to the Thule bars. I also secured it front and back.

Thanks for the reply, I forgot that with the extreme you can attach items above, it was built that way. For you to figure out how to attach to a Columbus that method is a good idea. Thanks for sharing.

[Errant]

I've been using a Mombasa tent in the poly/cotton fabric for about three years now, and it's worked out well. I could not live without the annex room, as it's incredibly handy for changing, keeping the cooler out of the sun, getting out of the elements, etc. I have it opening towards the rear so that I can access the cargo area from within the annex. I don't have small children, but my dogs love it. I can leave the cargo door open into the annex and they sleep up in the cargo area.

[3d fj]

I've been using a Mombasa tent in the poly/cotton fabric for about three years now, and it's worked out well. I could not live without the annex room, as it's incredibly handy for changing, keeping the cooler out of the sun, getting out of the elements, etc. I have it opening towards the rear so that I can access the cargo area from within the annex. I don't have small children, but my dogs love it. I can leave the cargo door open into the annex and they sleep up in the cargo area.

I am curious.. which mombasa tent do you have? i'm looking at the adventure annex rtt from them. apparently, it comes with the extension over the ladder as well as the annex. I think i have to call them tomorrow. I wanna know if the annex comes with a zip in floor or is it open...

I was reading about the different materials for tents. I'm wondering. If you were given a choice, would it be better to get the rip-stop nylon material or the poly cotton material? I couldn't understand which was better based on what i was reading. i was reading where someone had mentioned that the poly cotton was better than rip-stop, but there was no explanation as to why. I don't know if this was a personal preference or not. So far, my choice is now between the mombasa adventure annex tent and the cascadia mt. rainer. Two of the larger tents out on the market.

[Honu]

just saw this thread

materials I still love rip stop HEAVY poly cotton canvas
some reasons poly cotton canvas keeps heat in better when cool and when hot stays cooler than nylon and stays darker inside which we like ! no condensation and is silent no flappy/snappy noise in wind
nylon has its place in weight and space savings though for sure
one is not better than the other again each has its strengths but I do feel when presented with a reason that one can have a advantage over the other big time and if space or weight is not a concern then poly cotton canvas all the way !!

few thoughts
like mentioned without kids no annex IMHO with kids get a annex
put a PETT toilet below when your 3 or 4 year old has to go potty !!! a lot better than going out of the tent etc..
getting up with the kids in the morning getting them ready is so much easier when standing and having room to move around then trying to do it sitting etc..
at least for our kids
yes you can do it in a normal low tent but with the option why ? I like to take the easy way out

now style of annex I seem to see two models one with a floor and one without ? I have pros cons to both
I prefer a floor so its cleaner etc.. zip in or out floor could be nice ?

usually I would get up hit the buddy heater going then get ready and in 5 minutes the tent would be toasty warm and had happy kids and wife

our annex was also big enough for a play pen which when our little guy was small was nice to put him in for napping and keep the bugs off him and also the heavy canvas made napping easier with the dark ! and sleeping in is easier

fully enclosed annex allows a lot more sleeping area to as kids grow etc..

this is what ours is like with a fully tubbed floor etc.. if I was picking out a RTT again I would for sure go with a annex and full floor

[3d fj]

^^^ That annex looks big. Heck.. The tent looks big. What setup is this?

[Finlay]

I prefer cotton over nylon, but nylon is much lighter and easier to deal with - like, when you're putting the tent away, and you have to tuck everything in. This is much easier with nylon than canvas. Also, the tent is light enough that my wife can lift it.

Agreed, the annex is very handy to have.

Here is mine in action last weekend. The annex worked great for the dog kennels, and at roughly 9x7 was just enormous.

Long_Lake.jpg

[richxd87]

Hey Guys,
I'm interested in a RTT but can't decide between the open entry and the covered entry.
Covered entry - pro: larger annex, more shade cover if not using annex.
Open entry - more air flow because door is not covered, a little bit lighter and easier to put away?

I'm really leaning towards the open entry just because i feel like it will have better circulation in the warmer months. What are y'alls thoughts on this?

The two i'm considering:
http://www.trdparts4u.com/scripts/pr...dproduct=-7026

http://www.trdparts4u.com/scripts/pr...dproduct=-8250