Vincent
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2024
- Messages
- 137
- Reaction score
- 16
- Rivian
- R1T
I've been looking at the variety of RTTs that fit nicely over the small truck bed for the R1T. I've looked at the usual suspects (iKamper, Roofnest) and most recently, I looked at Alpha 2 from Tuff Stuff Overland (TSO).
I didn't see the value (personally speaking) of spending $1K more on my needs and typical use case.
Told a club member about the Alpha 2 (he was also looking at different RTT options) and he placed an order for it directly from TSO's website:
The Alpha 2 arrived and the shipping package was well secured, no damage. Install was super easy as a breeze. Once unboxed behind his R1T, I and another of his friend helped him to lift it up on the the Rivian bed rails. Centered it left/right and front/back to make sure the spoiler and hard shell of the tent had clearance but with minimal/no overhang past the tailgate. Securing the tent to the bed rails was also easy. The mounting brackets and T-slots worked perfectly (the hardware that came with it, nothing extra was needed).
Once we were done with the installation, we took it for a drive in the city and then out on the highway. No road/wind noise from the Alpha 2, can't tell/feel it's even there while driving (other than the rearview mirror blocked by the tent). Overhead/360 camera view still worked great, and if there's need for a rear view while driving you can simply just use the camera app in the R1T navtainment as needed.
First attempt to open/setup the tent was pretty easy, even in pretty high winds. He was quite happy with this purchase! Install was very straightforward. He has a lift system (block-and-tackle pulley kit for truck toppers, up to 200 lb. lift capacity so it's more than enough for the 141 lb. Alpha 2) to install and it's also easy to drop it down from the garage ceiling in minutes and go. He plans to keep the RTT mounted to the bed rails and will unlock the bed rails and lift the whole unit off the truck using the lift kit, thinking it'll be super quick to lower the RTT already attached to the bed rails directly onto the bed rail anchors and bam, off camping.
Spoke to him some days back, wanting to know how his experience with the RTT so far. He said the tent has been great! Materials and functionality are all well done. It takes a few times opening and closing the tent to pick up a few tips and tricks - mostly the flow of tucking in any tent material as the hard shell closes fully. But it’s fast and easy. Sent me this photo from last weekend.
The mattress is firm, not memory foam (which is fine because memory foam is kinda useless when cold/chilly out). He ordered a self inflating sleeping pad, says he wants to try that on top of the mattress for 3 nights this coming weekend. He also says it's water proof so even if you're out camping and it rains, you don't have to worry about your things getting wet. Some default accessories also came with it (two exterior hanging bags for shoes/stuff) and the interior/exterior LED lights and are quite useful too.
I didn't see the value (personally speaking) of spending $1K more on my needs and typical use case.
Told a club member about the Alpha 2 (he was also looking at different RTT options) and he placed an order for it directly from TSO's website:
The Alpha 2 arrived and the shipping package was well secured, no damage. Install was super easy as a breeze. Once unboxed behind his R1T, I and another of his friend helped him to lift it up on the the Rivian bed rails. Centered it left/right and front/back to make sure the spoiler and hard shell of the tent had clearance but with minimal/no overhang past the tailgate. Securing the tent to the bed rails was also easy. The mounting brackets and T-slots worked perfectly (the hardware that came with it, nothing extra was needed).
Once we were done with the installation, we took it for a drive in the city and then out on the highway. No road/wind noise from the Alpha 2, can't tell/feel it's even there while driving (other than the rearview mirror blocked by the tent). Overhead/360 camera view still worked great, and if there's need for a rear view while driving you can simply just use the camera app in the R1T navtainment as needed.
First attempt to open/setup the tent was pretty easy, even in pretty high winds. He was quite happy with this purchase! Install was very straightforward. He has a lift system (block-and-tackle pulley kit for truck toppers, up to 200 lb. lift capacity so it's more than enough for the 141 lb. Alpha 2) to install and it's also easy to drop it down from the garage ceiling in minutes and go. He plans to keep the RTT mounted to the bed rails and will unlock the bed rails and lift the whole unit off the truck using the lift kit, thinking it'll be super quick to lower the RTT already attached to the bed rails directly onto the bed rail anchors and bam, off camping.
Spoke to him some days back, wanting to know how his experience with the RTT so far. He said the tent has been great! Materials and functionality are all well done. It takes a few times opening and closing the tent to pick up a few tips and tricks - mostly the flow of tucking in any tent material as the hard shell closes fully. But it’s fast and easy. Sent me this photo from last weekend.
The mattress is firm, not memory foam (which is fine because memory foam is kinda useless when cold/chilly out). He ordered a self inflating sleeping pad, says he wants to try that on top of the mattress for 3 nights this coming weekend. He also says it's water proof so even if you're out camping and it rains, you don't have to worry about your things getting wet. Some default accessories also came with it (two exterior hanging bags for shoes/stuff) and the interior/exterior LED lights and are quite useful too.
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