iKamper Mini RTT rooftop tent fits my Maverick perfectly!

[Julie Harris]

Hi Gary, thanks for the questions! I can’t tell if I’ll have buyers remorse because I just assembled it. I’ll tell you the answers to the rest though below!

Great Job Julie!

I have done a lot to my Maverick, so I have as many cargo carrying options as possible (Adjustable bed-rack, Roof-rack, BAK X4s Tonneau, Yakima EXO system w/ GearLocker + GearWarrior + DoubleUp). The ikamper mini has always been on my list of WANTs! Mainly b/c of the PRICE I haven't pulled the trigger yet, so I focused on better ground camping options for the time being. Doing this allows me to take my 12' Hobie Outback & much more on my Racks if/when I want.

Maybe you can help answer some of my other concerns: (I have never used an RTT)
1. I also have a 10 yr. old dog (55lbs) that concerns me regarding the up/downs especially at night.

My dog is also 10 and he’s 44 lbs. Lifting him through the window was the only option. It’s doable but it probably depends on your dog’s agility and preferences! I’ve heard that some people put a yoga mat on the hood so their dog can climb up and in through the other window. He only needs to go up at night and down in the morning, but I wouldn’t advise trying to bring your dog up and down at night.


2. Actual space, is it truly a 2 person and if you add your dog is it too much?

It’s huge - it’s more like a 3 person plus dog. It’s very long and incredibly spacious compared to my “3 person” big Agnes tent!

3. Can a single person install / de-install?

No - you need help lifting it into and off the rack. It’s 125 lbs out of the box. But the installation is easy and quick and you can definitely do it with a friend to help lift.


4. Is storing it a minor issue or is it problematic?

I’m in a condo without a garage, so I’m storing it on the car for now. We’ll see if there’s any need to remove it, but it wouldn’t be that easy for me.

5. I read a number of reviews have comfort problems w/ the mat.

I saw that too! I found it super comfortable and had no issues. If you want a hotel mattress, then yes, maybe you’ll want another mat. But it’s such a huge improvement over ground sleeping that I haven’t found it to be an issue so far.

6. How important is it getting the truck leveled for sleeping?

I haven’t faced that problem yet. I imagine you want it fairly flat because the tent axis is the same as the truck axis.

7. I see this as a drive and go solution and not a camp & stay (2 or 3 days). Your opinion?

It probably depends what you want. If you have a place you want to explore with a base for a few days (Zion or a similar medium sized park), you could easily keep it somewhere a few days, providing you brought in food. Its very fast to close up and reopen but you do have to do that step to drive with it!

8. If multiday camping your opinion packing/unpacking RTT when needing to use truck?

Super easy once you do it a few times but it’s still a step. It takes just a minute to open it - the windows etc take another minute or two.

9. If multiday camping & you drive away, do you leave items behind to save your site?

Haven’t faced this yet but I’ll let you know!

10. You've made the jump any buyer's remorse justifying cost vs actual use per year?

Same These are all great questions and ones I’ve been thinking about too. I’ll post again in a few months after I’ve done more adventuring!

Your input would be very helpful.
Thanks
Gary

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[glpuckett]

Hi Gary, thanks for the questions! I can’t tell if I’ll have buyers remorse because I just assembled it. I’ll tell you the answers to the rest though below!

Great, I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your input and thoughts as you have more adventure experiences. My only solution regarding my Hobie would be to use my inflatable Sea Eagle Explorer instead

 

[MM Mav]

Great, I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your input and thoughts as you have more adventure experiences. My only solution regarding my Hobie would be to use my inflatable Sea Eagle Explorer instead

Gary - Julie answered all your questions in your post she quoted above in post 16

 

[glpuckett]

Gary - Julie answered all your questions in your post she quoted above in post 16

Got it Amy, Thanks

 

[CroweMag55]

It’s actually not as bad as I’d thought it would be - there’s a good few inches of clear space under the tent that you can see through. I did rely more on my side mirrors but its definitely doable like this. I don’t plan to take off the camper, so this was pretty important for me. Of course you can use higher Yakima (or other) towers, but my guess is that would affect the mpg.

You might consider a WolfBox review camera. I have the 4k 900 and love it. Installed it myself. I DID put the rear camera inside. WolfBox suggests outside for the best results which would be better for your scenario.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

That's a nice setup. I envy your MPGs. My tent sits much higher on my ladder rack, and while I do love the look, it is not aerodynamic and definitely costs me mileage. The up side is that I maintain a lot more cargo room in the bed, as the tent above and the storage units in the Leitner racks along the sides sort of create an big enclosed area. Not weather tight, but nothing is coming flying out of there...

I'll also add that I definitely remove the tent when not on a camping trip, as that's a lot of drag just running around town.

Awesome setup. It looks super cool!

 

[XLTLUXRED]

With the tent opened or closed?

Opened, I was thinking. Just curious what the other side of the tent looks like.

 

[F20C]

Nice setup! I have the budget version of that: a Smittybilt overlander gen 2 rtt on a set of BillieBars. Mav is a '23 lariat hybrid.

 

[Hmather]

I just put the iKamper mini on my Maverick. It fits the car perfectly and doesn’t seem to have affected the MPG at all over the 150 miles I’ve driven it so far with it on. I used low-profile Yakima bars so the tent doesn’t extend above the can. Also added a Retrax tonneau cover. The only challenge was getting the dog in the tent, but we figured it out - stand on the tailgate and push the dog through the window

Just what I have been looking for! Could you share the link to the tonneau system? I don’t want to sacrifice a bed cover for a tent.

 

[Julie Harris]

It’s the Retrax system. It’s expensive for sure, but a trifold doesn’t work under a tent this low down.

 

[Julie Harris]

https://realtruck.com/b/retrax/

 

[ksh58]

Hi Julie - thanks for the pics and detailed info. Somebody asked about photo of the other side; I am curious as to how you handle the tent window facing the front of the truck. Did you modify the support poles that attach to the bottom of the tent to hold the window awning open, or do you just use the window without that awning?

 

[Julie Harris]

Here it is from the other side! I don’t usually open the awning on the cab side but instead use the “curtains” function. I could open it if the rack was higher for sure.

QUOTE="ksh58, post: 911007, member: 36265"]
Hi Julie - thanks for the pics and detailed info. Somebody asked about photo of the other side; I am curious as to how you handle the tent window facing the front of the truck. Did you modify the support poles that attach to the bottom of the tent to hold the window awning open, or do you just use the window without that awning?
[/QUOTE]

 

[Julie Harris]

Here it is from the other side! I don’t usually open the awning on the cab side but instead use the “curtains” function. I could open it if the rack was higher for sure.

QUOTE="ksh58, post: 911007, member: 36265"]
Hi Julie - thanks for the pics and detailed info. Somebody asked about photo of the other side; I am curious as to how you handle the tent window facing the front of the truck. Did you modify the support poles that attach to the bottom of the tent to hold the window awning open, or do you just use the window without that awning?

[/QUOTE]

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