RubiconEP Hitch Tent - Deployment

Hello Adventurers!
This quick video shows the basic process for deploying a Hitch Tent when you get to camp. Be sure to head over to rubiconep.com for more information!
Video Created by: Eric Maddox at www.bandana-di...

[@davidr6048]

I have been designing this in my head for about a year and now I find you've gone ahead and done it :) awesome work guys. There's some local swing away hitch makers here in Australia. Next challenge is to work out a tent that will handle the significant dust we get on our outback roads. Have a think about a mount system that would clip onto the top of the rear door of your vehicle and then could attach the back of the HT assembly to the clips once folded up, to improve the sway resistance over rocky terrain. Even my bike rack has a lot of sway so a RTT would not be long before I'd shear something off from sway.

[@rubiconep6540]

If you'd like to see our Hitch Tent closer, McCormack's 4WD in Sandgate QLD has them in stock. Cheers!

[@michaelfulcher5743]

I like the idea. Solves two major issues for me with a RTT. Removal during the long periods of time when not needed. I know they look cool, but I don’t need a RTT on top of my 4Runner through the winter when I’m not camping. Taking one off a roof is a pain… Also, when I set up camp, I’m still going and doing stuff. Fishing, exploring, etc. don’t have to tear this down to do that. I’ve looked but could not find the weight of just the hitch rack. My hitch has a 500lb tongue weight so I doubt this will be an issue, but still want to know. TIA.

[@rubiconep6540]

The Hitch Tent itself comes in at ~60lbs. With an average RTT on board the whole system is usually around 200lbs. Also, about 25lbs of the Hitch Tent weight comes from the RubiconX which stays in the receiver. So when handling the tent for lifting and moving, the primary weight is the tent itself.

[@woolengrappler]

Any plans to make one that will support a larger tent?

[@fabricetheodore7180]

Would you have a dynamic video off road? How much torque can a 2inx2in hitch receiver handle?

[@rubiconep6540]

Hello Fabrice, thank you for reaching out. A 2" hitch receiver can handle quite a lot of dynamic load, but it does vary as to the Class and brand receiver that you have on your build. That being said, our product is to handle the dynamic load of a folding RTT up to 62". We don't currently have quality video of Hitch Tent being used off road, but it can handle quite a lot. Last year we had a customer take one through the Rubicon trail here in Northern California on the back of his Jeep, but didn't grab much footage. We're hoping to gain more content for everyone this year!

[@georgeonderko5273]

Nice system. The weight limit cuts it super close or over with three person tent and three actual people though. Woulda been nice to see an 800lb static weight capacity.

[@rubiconep6540]

Hi George! Thank you for the compliment and for watching our videos! Our static weight capacity has been engineered to match the industry standard for roof rack capacities (where an RTT was designed to live). We aren't sure of what roof racks can accept 800lbs, as the majority stop well short of 600lbs. Love to learn if you know of any. For the time being, we have to stick to our numbers, and yes, 600lbs is our deployed rating. Enjoy your day!

[@georgeonderko5273]

RubiconEP I live in the Jeep world. The Maximus 3 has a static load of 900lbs. The Rhinorack backbone is 800lbs I believe. Gobi racks are 800lbs. Thule truck racks are 1250lbs. Yakima overhaul truck rack 800. I’m guessing 600 is what you’re getting for a standard roof of a car or crossover. For the truck/Jeep crowd the rating just seems low. Again really cool idea and like that it can detach from the vehicle for off roading once you get there. 150lb woman, 200lb guy, 150lb tent. You’re at 500lbs and then you have gear and the “third person” in your tent. Just cuts it close. Your product came up on the Jeep forums. Some folks don’t want to cut into their Jeep. They don’t want to have permanently attached racks killing their mileage when they don’t need them. They want to use the vehicle for off-roading once they get to the destination. This solves those problems and is cheaper than a lot of the Jeep solutions. The only trade offs I see here is you have to do some math to see if you’re gonna tip the scales and there is some limit to the size of the tent it will hold. I’m not sure that’s your market though or cars/crossovers.

[@rubiconep6540]

@@georgeonderko5273 Learn stuff everyday! Thank you for the informative reply, George! Maybe we'll revisit the max static capacity of Hitch Tent. We learn from our customers all of the time, and this is yet another example. Once more, thank you for your time and information!

[@spotdBS]

News flash! use a regular ole tent...?

[@ar007r]

Ya I have no clue why peoiple buy stuff like this. With a regular hitch and cargo basket I can carry 5 times the amount of camping gear and have a much easier and cheaper setup with a nice large tent. I do not see how a cramed pop up tent is superior in any way. I have a 1200watt solar generator, a cook stove, a hot water heater and pump for showers, a blow up queen mattress for the tent, and several other amenities. Entire setup fits in a cargo basket and my vehicle is empty.