Baja Rack or Front Runner Slimline Rack
Winching
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 623
Likes: 44
From: North Alabama
Thanks for that info. I was about to buy the more expensive Saris rack because I didn't think the Thule was adjustable.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 106
From: Putnam county. NY.
This is not a similar tent. The Smittybilt tent has a ladder which is mounted outside the awning. The entrance to the tent is also exposed to the outside. Similar competitor equivalents are the Cascadia Mt Bachelor, Tepui Kukenam or Tepui Ayer. See 1st and 2nd pic as examples.
My version has a 3 feet overhang over the front entrance of the tent. This allows a larger awning to be hung. The ladder is located inside the awning. See 3rd and 4th pics as examples. I much prefer this design. You can get climb out of the tent without getting exposed to the elements in the middle of the night or when it is raining. I place a portable potty inside in the awning on the ground level for the kids to use. Or we sometimes use a bunked cots inside the awning at ground level when I bring all my 3 sons for a camping trip (i.e., two in the RTT, two below in the bunk inside the awning at ground level).
My version has a 3 feet overhang over the front entrance of the tent. This allows a larger awning to be hung. The ladder is located inside the awning. See 3rd and 4th pics as examples. I much prefer this design. You can get climb out of the tent without getting exposed to the elements in the middle of the night or when it is raining. I place a portable potty inside in the awning on the ground level for the kids to use. Or we sometimes use a bunked cots inside the awning at ground level when I bring all my 3 sons for a camping trip (i.e., two in the RTT, two below in the bunk inside the awning at ground level).
I was comparing these two images which have striking similarities. It would be great to know if the quality is as similar as the design. Or if one is a poor version of the other.
Thread Starter
|
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 321
From: BC, Canada
Most of the tents which I mentioned (e.g., Cascadia CVT, Tepui, ARB) are made in China following the same concept design. As far as I know, there is one tent or two main Chinese manufacturers who supply these tents to such retailers.
The tent design concept is similar. Some retailers however opt to price them differently by customizing their own logos, different materials (e.g., different grades of Ripstop material for different parts of the tent), choosing to include the awning as part of the package price, slide out versus telescoping ladder, etc.
I read somewhere (in Expedition Portal perhaps?) that the current tent design offered by the Chinese manufacturers was based on the ARB Simpson 2 tent. ARB sent out this design for manufacturing in China. ARB relied on Chinese manufacturing of the RTTs. Subsequently,ARB released the updated Simpson 3 RTT product. The Chinese manufacturer for ARB is no longer committed to protect ARB's Simpson 2 design. Therefore, these manufacturers ended up mass manufacturing the ARB Simpson 2 design and either marketing themselves or through other retailers such as Cascadia and Tepui.
The tent design concept is similar. Some retailers however opt to price them differently by customizing their own logos, different materials (e.g., different grades of Ripstop material for different parts of the tent), choosing to include the awning as part of the package price, slide out versus telescoping ladder, etc.
I read somewhere (in Expedition Portal perhaps?) that the current tent design offered by the Chinese manufacturers was based on the ARB Simpson 2 tent. ARB sent out this design for manufacturing in China. ARB relied on Chinese manufacturing of the RTTs. Subsequently,ARB released the updated Simpson 3 RTT product. The Chinese manufacturer for ARB is no longer committed to protect ARB's Simpson 2 design. Therefore, these manufacturers ended up mass manufacturing the ARB Simpson 2 design and either marketing themselves or through other retailers such as Cascadia and Tepui.
Last edited by acg; May 16, 2015 at 05:55 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 321
From: BC, Canada
RTT mounted and ready for the summer.
The next project is the trailer for carrying another (larger) RTT. This is an axleless set-up with coiled springs and shocks. Currently adding wheel spacers to accommodate the Hurricane 18" wheels, adding top lid, full length fenders with jerry cans/propane tank/chock blocks.
The next project is the trailer for carrying another (larger) RTT. This is an axleless set-up with coiled springs and shocks. Currently adding wheel spacers to accommodate the Hurricane 18" wheels, adding top lid, full length fenders with jerry cans/propane tank/chock blocks.
Three Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC, Canada
Hey ACG, fellow Roverlander here, do you mind me asking where you picked up the Baja rack, how much? I just purchased a RTT directly from One of the Two China manufacturers you mentioned (took Three weeks via ocean) and am looking to mount it and have storage space on the roof up front.
Mudding
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs, Co
I recently bought the Bajarack Expedition version from Atlantic British... Got it on sale for $923. It was drop shipped from Bajarack directly and only took 3 days to arrive.
Hey ACG, fellow Roverlander here, do you mind me asking where you picked up the Baja rack, how much? I just purchased a RTT directly from One of the Two China manufacturers you mentioned (took Three weeks via ocean) and am looking to mount it and have storage space on the roof up front.
Thread Starter
|
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 321
From: BC, Canada
Hey ACG, fellow Roverlander here, do you mind me asking where you picked up the Baja rack, how much? I just purchased a RTT directly from One of the Two China manufacturers you mentioned (took Three weeks via ocean) and am looking to mount it and have storage space on the roof up front.
I have very happy to go with the expedition rack instead of the standard version of the rack. The RTT already sits very high with my 2" lift and 32" tires. I had to use a ladder extension for the RTT.
P/S Scott, I live in Chilliwack and I am a fellow BC Roverlander.
Last edited by acg; Jun 2, 2015 at 04:20 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Oasisplayer311
Retired - Private For Sale/Trade Classifieds
2
May 7, 2015 09:42 PM
Oasisplayer311
Retired - Private For Sale/Trade Classifieds
0
May 3, 2015 03:00 AM
Discover
Retired - Private For Sale/Trade Classifieds
6
Feb 29, 2012 09:25 PM