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RTT review and picture thread

Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
Now that my daughter is old enough to start camping, it was time to make sleeping outdoors more comfortable for the family. I wanted to be able to sleep the three of us above ground and still be able to access the places I like to explore.

I tried the camper thing... Once. That was just too much for someone that previously rarely used a tent at all to go too an all out home on wheels. It was nice I guess but I think I'll save that stuff for when I retire :hickey: Next I tried the shell and it was ok as I could keep all my gear safely out of reach and also keep it dry but it was still way too big and bulky for trail use on a full size truck that is already way too big.

That's was all before I stumbled across this RTT. We have used it twice now and couldn't be happier. I normally don't post this kind of stuff, but for those that have not experienced an RTT I'd highly recommend checking them out. We woke up to a flooded/wiped out camp in a rainstorm this morning as we awoke feeling “high and dry” ha ha ha :rofl:

Anyway it’s a Mombasa and I’m assuming it’s the first gen I picked it up used in great shape (thanks again Paul!). It is very large compared to most RTT’s I’ve seen, but that’s what I was after in the beginning. The three of us had more than enough room which leads me to believe that 4 people could sleep in it somewhat comfortably. The rain fly is flimsy and doesn’t do much more than make noise in the wind so I threw on a tarp because I knew it would rain. Other than that I have no complaints. Extremely easy to set up, Reletively light and compact and above the ground--you can't beat that :D

Anyway I know that there are only a handful of different models/styles but I thought it would be cool if you guy’s could post pics of yours with a description. Thanks!
 

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MOODY

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
IMG_0248.jpg


This is the Columbus Large. I originally started out with an ARB Simpson RTT, and found it was a little more involved when it came to setup and takedown than I would have liked, and wasn't quite as big as it needed to be for my family (wife and 2 kiddies).

This is the size of a Queen mattress, and allows us plenty of room. The additional headroom makes changing a breeze, and setup is literally as simple as popping a latch and giving it a shove up, the gas struts do the rest.

Here it is closed up:
IMG_0718.jpg


As it is a hard shell, it is nice and aerodynamic ( as can be), and the tallest point is 12" high.
 
Paul R

Paul R

Well-Known Member
Location
SLC
Very cool! I'm glad to see it out there still getting used, and that it is treating you well! :cool:

Hopefully I will have a review of another tent here in the next couple weeks ;)
 
Brian P

Brian P

Misanthropic Fuel
Location
Taylorsville
My family fits in our Mombasa, 2 adults and 2 kids.
1471400126_d72e6c1856_b.jpg

We love ours, We have the updated ladder, If you decide you want the updated version, Be aware you will most likely need to replace the cover, Like I have ;)
Have fun
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Brian P said:
... We love ours, We have the updated ladder, If you decide you want the updated version, Be aware you will most likely need to replace the cover, Like I have ;)
Have fun
Click to expand...

Where did you get the ladder? That's my biggest complaint about our Gen II Mombasa.
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
I've had a couple :D

I started with the gen 1 Mombasa on my TrailTrailer. I'll say this, it is by far the best bang for the buck and with slight mods it can be a very usable unit. If I would have kept it, I would have upgraded the ladder (though it wasn't as big of a deal at the height of my trailer) and the rain fly wasn't all that great. I would call it a two season tent right out of the box, perfect summer and fall tent.

HITR%20160%20%28Small%29.jpg


I sold that when the new Mombasa 'Expedition' Series tent came out, it fixed many of the issues I had with the first tent, with a great ladder and a true rain fly. The downside is size and setup, its more work than the original Mombasa and smaller too boot. For my wife and I (and our German Shepherd) its perfect, add even a small child and it would be a bit tight, doable but tight. This tent is still on my TrailTrailer and likely has 50'ish nights on it. Its starting to show some serious wear but nothing I can't address. Even a good ground tent starts to get wear with use, I'm content with it. FWIW this design is very similar to the Camping Labs and several other 'rebadged' tents.

skyline%20drive%20146%20%28Small%29.jpg


Next was a tent for my Tacoma. ARB had just released their Simpson II tent, very similar in construction to the gen 2 Mombasa but better material (cotton ripstop) and the overall quality seemed to get more attention than the Mombasa. In addition the Simpson II has a built in awning over the ladder portion of the tent, which is nice to have a bit more ground cover to duck out in the rain or be able to change clothes in the tent without anyone being able to peak in. The added features come at a cost as this tent is rougly 30% more than the other units.

ARB recently released the Simpson III tent, from 10ft away it looks identical to the Simpson II but a closer look yields many changes. Thicker hinges, anodized ladder, Vents in the roof, better sealing at the hinges, better screen material even better apparent quality control. Oh, the mattress got better too. There are a couple things I don't like, mostly a few more features of the tent that add up to more setup time and I really struggled getting used to them. Now I'm pretty content on it and with no price change over the Simpson II, its all that much better of a bargain.

Simpson III (which looks pretty much identical to the Simpson II)

2009_6_6+052.jpg

(photo courtesy of RME reporter mbryson :D)
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
mbryson said:
That is a kewl tent. I'm considering one for the flatbed trailer. What would I expect to pay for a used unit vs. a new one?

How fast do they setup? (that one of Moody's looks slick as he!!)
Click to expand...

Used $400ish - $1000 for all of the setups I've shown.

Setup time, I got my Simpson II down to ~4 minutes from the time I turned off the key til the time I was ready to sleep. Keep in mind with many RTT options you can leave bedding inside the tent, so when you deploy the tent its right there and ready. The Mombasa on my trailer, 5-10 minutes, the new ARB Simpson III, 5-10 minutes. However, mine are all at chest level... if its on top of a tall vehicle, its going to be that much harder to set them up, everything from the straps over the top to the zipper.
 
MOODY

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
JL Rockies said:
How do you get up there?
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Usually I just jump, but I will sometimes use the ladder.... :)
IMG_0246.jpg


Kurt brings up an important point, the main reason I had a more difficult time getting the ARB RTT up and down was the height of my rig. On the bed of a truck or a trailer, the setup would be -much- quicker.

(Kurt the new springs are total B.A.)
 
Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
mbryson said:
Is it bad that I know EXACTLY where you're camped? I've enjoyed a few brews there with some buddies before. :rofl::rofl: (if that's Smithfield Canyon)
Click to expand...

I figured you would know :D It's funny even growing up in Richmond I have only been up Smithfield canyon maybe two or three times. Beautiful area though I need to do some hicking up there.
 
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