I DON’T like this about my roof top tent | Tuff Stuff 4x4.com review

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Disclaimer: I forgot to include the other non hardshell roof top tents after filming. I based this video off hardshell versions.

[@LimitlessOverland]

I am dealing with their support right now. Do you have the link to the forums where others are having this cracking issue?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@LimitlessOverland no just in the Facebook group “tuff stuff” Go to the search bar and center your search topic. What’s your problem, with yours?

[@LimitlessOverland]

@@RuffnItOutdoors My first tent cracked at the corners and the hinges that keep the overhang on fell apart. Now my second tent is cracking at the corners again from them installing the hinges far too close to the corners. They emailed me saying they have never seen this issue before...yet the same rep had them replace the first tent because of the same issue....

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@LimitlessOverland are you dealing with Chris? I’ve never had that problem, I live by the river in AZ, so I raptor lined my tent. I have a full video posted, but shoot man I’m sorry that sucks. I liked the stealth but I’ve heard people have issues with that one now. My next tent is either going to be a ikamper or a GFC. Is it fixable where you can sand it like scuff it and raptor line over it? Ps I looked at your channel, love Edward shin dudes awesome to watch

[@LimitlessOverland]

@@RuffnItOutdoors I’m dealing with Jen. Up here in Washington it rains so much I know these little cracks are going to crack once the colder weather sets in. I have 5 of us that sleep in this tent. I wish a wedge tent would work for my build. Hopefully they resolve the issue soon! Edward is awesome! Looking to do more trips with him soon

[@h0M13REii]

Always good hearing thoughtful and honest reviews on quickly rising brand names. What other route would you have gone for hardshell? Is there one in a similar price range that you would recommend?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

I really like the tuff stuff stealth, based on price poibnt but the new i kamper 3.0 is pretty awesome

[@toridahlberg3631]

Hey there! Do you happen to have footage of what the tent looks like in the morning when the sun comes out? How bright does it get with the material? Thanks!

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

No i dont shoot alot of content from inside. But its pretty minimal

[@iammattjones]

My TSA2 has the cracked roof. They warrantied my shell and are shipping a new one out. The perimeter of mine has smallish gaps, but not nearly as large as yours. However I had some rubbing through the rain fly from the ladder even with the cover on it. They have a metal hard top now that is very tempting.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

im actually considering just selling mine completly

[@johnroden3431]

I love my Alpha Tuff Stuff tent, the mattress is the only bad thing so far, it is way to stiff. We are going to start putting our Camprite self inflating mattress (queen and single) inside our tent to improve the comfort. It's more gear to haul unfortunately but we have an 5x8 adventure trailer we built for the roof top tent. Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

have you made any upgrades to your alpha?

[@johnroden3431]

Not yet, we have dine a ton of upgrades to our camp trailer though! Added some lockable waterproof boxes for food, roam cooler, kayak and bike room. I wish I could post pics on here!

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@johnroden3431 nice

[@marceld6061]

Thanks for the video. I was about to pull the trigger on one of these. No-one else has mentioned the gaps on the sides! I think I can guess why they are there- so the material doesn't get shredded when you close the top. Even so, where I live rain goes sideways and UP! I wonder how much dampness would get up there? One question I have is about those bolts/fasteners on the hinge side. The tents I have seen have long fasteners sticking out... and not just a few! I think they are hideous!! Couldn't rivets be used? Have you had any concerns with them?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

sorry for the delay. I heard someone in the forums actually did rivets but i havent seen a video just yet. I dont have so many concerns with that but i could totally see someone using a rivet instead

[@marceld6061]

@@RuffnItOutdoors I contacted my local supplier. They have switched over to 3 bolts with washers at each hinge. It looks better than the long bits hanging out Mad Max style. Still concerned about the gaps though. I have a problem though. The closest location to me to see one in person is a 95 minute ferry ride and at least an hour or more of driving in each direction.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@marceld6061 wow that’s along way, not sure how that will work out

[@irylljones2787]

Saw you had a Malinois. I have four Malinois here and wonder how do you get the pup up there. I just picked up a Alpha hard top and have the annex. We plan to do some traveling with it and jet skis. Been trying to figure how to have the pups comfortable. Thanks.

[@irylljones2787]

My mistake Dutch shepherd subscribed to your channel will watch the video on your dog. Thanks.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

thank you so much i appreciate it

[@irylljones2787]

@@RuffnItOutdoors watched the video with loading the pup. Got it figured out now. Videos are very helpful.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@irylljones2787 I had such a hard time at first until I saw another KZbinr do the same thing I demonstrated and it makes life soooo much easier. Glad it helped

[@Kadenventures]

Good points on weatherizing the tent, i'm a bit scared for the GFC in the heat of the summer since its not parked inside lol Do you get dust inside the tent from those side cracks?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Yes the dust irritates the crap out of me lol. But the GFC looks like it’s built way better but I guess you’ll have to wait and see. I like this roof top tent especially for now. But in the next year to two I’m going to be going full time KZbin and buying a scout camper the kenai which is a really nice truck camper

[@Kadenventures]

@@RuffnItOutdoors Nice! Thats going to be awesome! I've seen a Scout in person at an Expo, theyre awesome for the price and weight!

[@guest7458]

Are there any problems with your truck getting through tough terrain? Great video man

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Problems with my truck? Have to be more specific

[@JmansAdventures]

I have a Alpha 2 tent and was very bummed to see my clear coat peeling everywhere. The tent is only a couple years old and I live in southern CA so I guess the clear coat is very weak.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

i bed liner sprayed mine and no problems

[@Lucythegermanshepherd]

Great video dude, very informative. I'm a swag man personally but I do like the roof tops and something I'd consider oneday. Looking forward to the next review

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Thanks dude! I like it, just needs to be improved. It’s a cool way to camp

[@JesseRoamsFree]

Mine doesn’t NOT have that big of a gap, and the security straps? Just pull down on the shell and they practically fall off

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

exactly

[@egomez222]

I owned one. It’s a great tent but the cap is garbage. They did replace it with a new one which I sold new to recoup my money.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

lol I’m in the same boat just selling it and done with RTTs. Going back to a gazelle

[@JumboRelic]

All of your points were spot on.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Thanks

[@DuckbumSD]

Any updates did they make any adjustments for the new models ?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Negative

[@DuckbumSD]

@@RuffnItOutdoors I have a shot at a 2023 Alpha for 1500 never been slept in . I’m looking to do a upland hunt eastern MT next fall dispersed camping why I’m looking for one .

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@DuckbumSD I think I’m actually going to sell mine get rid of the weight and go to minimal with a tent.

[@DuckbumSD]

@@RuffnItOutdoors way cheaper for a nice wall tent that’s for sure .

[@williammcdonald519]

Just got mine today, the gap on mine is none existent.

[@xl6589]

The gaps that you’re talking about I imagine on dirt road dust get all up in there?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Yes

[@xl6589]

@@RuffnItOutdoors thank you. This easily help me decide not to buy this rtt

[@cyndiew333]

We have an Alpha 2 and took it out on some long dusty desert roads in Idaho this week. The dust didn’t get inside the tent.

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@cyndiew333 you lucked out. Here in Arizona a ton of wind and lots of dust likes to go in there

[@Sanjuk0522]

I was going to pull the trigger but because of that gap i am thinking twice...

[@MattDunn1]

hi, did you end up spraying the liner yet?

[@TBAnownced]

He did, looks damn cool. Hope it actually helps solve the issue or at least protect it from cracking like everyone else's. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIGxZ6Wbib5kjs0

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

yup i did a video already here on my channel

[@bahadire.5730]

Amazing video, installing mine this weekend and heading out to yosemite, will provide feedback afterwards

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

awesome I love it there

[@AmazonWebService98]

why did the idiots put the bug screen infront of the actual flap to close it, that one is mind boggling to me

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

lol right

[@kelciemedile9307]

Awesome video!!

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

Thank u

[@LimitlessOverland]

I could second everything in this video about the hardshells. I have had my Alpha tent replaced by Tuff Stuff for the shell cracking and the hinges falling apart. Additionally, the way that the tracks are attached to the tent on the under side are terrible. They don't locktyte any of the nuts and bolts. I had my tent's tracks detach twice on the trail. Highly advice to stay away from this brand and go for better quality. 👎

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

I have two sets of nuts on the tracks. I have regular sent with the shell, and then I went on google and bought security bolts for $19 rather than 60 bucks from tuff stuff for the exact same ones. It does suck to hear you have had so many problems with the tent which I think has everything to do with your climate. As I said before, the best upgrade I did for mine was raptor lining the tent and I’ve never experienced problems because that protective coat prevents any of that happening at least at this time.

[@trail_tracker]

What security bolts did you order?

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

@@trail_tracker bought them on Amazon

[@trail_tracker]

@@RuffnItOutdoors you have a link?

[@LimitlessOverland]

@@RuffnItOutdoors The newest thing TuffStuff is now doing is to "Field Destroy" the tent with proof of destruction. They are recommending I cut the entire shell in half as proof.

[@StraightTail56]

It’s Chinese junk. I had one on my tribe trailer

[@RuffnItOutdoors]

lol