Amer. Fastbacks Tent?

[RBBailey]

I've always liked the idea of a RTT, but have always been skeptical of how tall they are when folded, higher center of gravity, uses almost all the space, etc..... So when I see what this Jeep company American Fastbacks is putting on their trucks, I wonder who makes it, and whether I might get one for the Defender. I did some searching around, but have not seen any mention of whether they make the tents, or if they are supplied. Anyone know?

https://www.americanfastbacks.com/shop/jeep/badlands/

 

[AdamSanta85]

Those hardshell RTT's are really popular.

Supposedly the Ebay one is decent... James Baroud is REALLY nice... What is else is cool on some is you can mount things to the shell top... surfboard rack or bike rack or Maxtrax etc

 

[The Dro]

I saw that Jeep at the Maryland camper fair (or whatever is called) a few weeks ago.


That sheet is awesome. It goes up with the press of a button... Has some electric contraction to open it up.

 

[RBBailey]

That's one reason I like the low profile as well, not only would it fit in the garage, but you should be able to put some light weight stuff on top.

There is a company here in Bend that makes electric ones like this, but I don't think they are the ones making them for American Fastbacks.

 

[The_Vermonster]

https://expeditionportal.com/buyers-guide-hard-shell-roof-top-tents/

This is a little dated right now, but has most of the brands. It seems like they have been all adding models faster than ever.

That tent looks a lot like the iKamper design. At one point, it was the only version that opened like that. But the only motorized version I know of is made by Freespirit (edit: Just noticed they're the ones in Bend). The tents look similar but the Freespirit one is almost twice as heavy. So I would assume that American Fastback found someone in China that is making them to their specs, based loosely off other tents.

 

[Napalm00]

If you need a motorized tent stay home lol

 

[RBBailey]

Actually, I agree. But I'd not care if it really was as low profile as what this looks like.

 

[rocky]

I bet the camping mad Germans have engineered a slim line replacement roof-there was something made in South Africa a few years ago.

This to: http://alu.cab/en/icarus-rooftop-conversion/

 

[RBBailey]

Friend of mine just put an Icarus on his 110.

 

[rlynch356]

also there is X-Vision-X - in Germany which makes a really nice product.
http://www.x-vision-x.de/

 

[DefendersNW]

I did some searching around, but have not seen any mention of whether they make the tents, or if they are supplied. Anyone know?

These are China sourced tents like ALL hard-shell tents with the only two exceptions being the Alucab and Autohome product. (soft/safari type tents are a similar story with only a couple manufacturers not in China or assembling Chinese components in another country so the they can claim they are handcrafted in Portugal)

I get emails weekly from the same Chinese manufacturers that make the tents or components for every one of these new tent companies - this is why the majority of the RTT offering is low quality single season or fair weather use with high failure rates and poor design.