Hard Side Tent

I will update this review later on with photos and videos as I’ve just finished installing it right before this review. I’ve had 5 different roof top tents up to this point, soft shell, hardshell, clamshell, you name it. So far this one has been the best quality, but just be aware that no matter which brand you purchase, whether it’s a name brand or no brand, they’re all made in China with relatively no difference. Any difference in quality you find is luck based or quality checked by the reseller before shipping to you. Pros: - Fits on a short bed truck or shorter vehicles in general. - It’s smaller than most clamshells or popups when folded up since part of its footprint is a foldout. - This particular brand has an extension rod for the middle of the rainfly which will help prevent the roof top sagging and pooling water (This is something I’ve been particularly worried about as this style of hardshell is notorious for pooling water). - Surprisingly well done stitching, relatively few loose threads. - Enough headroom to sit straight up and crouch with more headroom left over, makes it easy to change clothes or move around (Previous clamshells I’ve owned lacked this space). - Aerodynamic. Another review mentioned that to mount the roof top tent “aerodynamically”, you would have to open it on the driver’s side, that is simply not true. With the opening on the passenger side, the tent will slope down towards the back, which is the more aerodynamically favorable. Mounting it so that it slopes upwards at the back is essentially adding a spoiler to your vehicle, which as you know, will add drag but increase downforce. Don’t listen to that review, this tent is very aerodynamic if mounted to a truck bed. - Keeps water out way better than a soft shell. Previous soft shells I’ve owned would leak through the cover if water pooled. This type of hardshell has no pooling water. Cons: - Zero instructions, absolutely none. You get the tent and the hardware and that’s it. It’s relatively straight forward but you may have to do some googling on other tents, as it mounts similarly to other tents in the same category. - Is a little harder to close than other hardshells as there is alot more fabric to stuff inside. - Extremely heavy, this type of roof top tent is one of the heaviest ones you can get aside from the clamshell roof top tents. All in all at around $1700, this is the best fold-out hardshell you will get for your money. If you have a long bed truck or a long roof vehicle, I would go with a clamshell, they take 5-30 seconds to setup and are generally cheaper at around $1300-1500. If you’re limited by a short bed truck or a short roof vehicle, but you still want the room and weather resistance of a hardshell, and don’t want to pay $3000+, this is the only viable option. Please keep in mind of your roof capacity, most “non-off road worthy” vehicles cannot handle a hardshell rooftop tent + occupants.

First off tent is great for the cost, but mine has a cracked corner. I contacted Amazon and only a refund was offered. I wanted a replacement and now I have to wait up to 30 days for refund to be placed and then reorder which leaves me a lot of time to think of others I may try with an actual way to contact the seller. If the Campoint would just offer a replacement I would consider a better review but for now I’m very upset at that policy. Since I ordered the price has raised $100.

I didn’t notice when I purchased this but if mounted to be “aerodynamic” the tent will open to the drivers side. This is not standard in the US since standard RV sites are set up with the camping area on the passenger side when the vehicle is backed in. Also when forced to camp on the side of the road the tent would open into the road. There were lots of metal shavings and cut-off bits of screws when I first opened the tent. The plastic pieces that are supposed to hold up the awning with tension look like they will break in about a week. And the mattress is really thin and came with a stain. For all this I would give it three stars EXCEPT that the same could probably be said about a lot of the other rtts out there and this one is $800-$1200 cheaper than anything I found comparable from US companies. And it’s overall probably about as sturdy and well made. So I give it four stars for that reason. I can live with the imperfections and spend the money I saved on something else I need.

Disclaimer. This the first and only RTT I have purchased. The product opens to the correct side. I have no problem opening or closing the tent by my self. I can get it open or closed in about 1min. If you buy the canopy it will fit inside the shell. If you are new to RTTs make sure you are level when you go to bed or you will be in for a roughy night. That way my mistake. My jeep was slightly tilted and man did I notice when I went to bed. So I’m buying RV level blocks. Cons: Biggest Issue!!!! Seller if you read this review, fix this issue asap. Shell latch system is subpar. My concern is the straps will quickly wear out and I will have figure something out. I bought rubber cable ties and I roll up the excess then pin it all up to the bottom of the tent when I’m not using the tent. This way it won’t flap around and fray. I’m worried once it starts to fray the whole latch is done for. Mattress is as advertised but maybe I thought it would be better. It’s a 1-1.5 in foam pad. The cover does unzip though to wash it. The system to hold up the flaps (windows, nets, door, etc. is a bit loose feeling. You basically roll them up and a plastic piece goes through another. I would advise the seller to make the female side a smaller diameter to better hold. Pros: For the sides it has an actual window! It has a screen, and a canvas layer! So all 3! Plus the awning. I was not expecting the clear window! The zippers seem to be good not cheap like on most ground tents but more like the ones I have on my Navy issue gortex parka. The awning and poles fit in the shell if you buy that! It’s super easy to set up and close up with one person. Even without instructions I got it installed in about 40mins. Mainly due to the fact I had my rack set up already and I had to adjust the rack to fit the distance of the t tracks of the tent. So that adjustment took me a bit of time. All in all it’s my first RTT and I really like it. My kids like it. It kept us nice and warm in 30 degrees Texas Hill County Hunting weather using Magellan 30 degree (it’s really only 50) flannel sleeping bags. I was surprised because the sleeping bags are really not that great. When I used a ground tent with the same bag set up I felt frozen and miserable. So the RTT really made a huge difference.