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Non Rooftop Tents

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by K-Paul, Oct 25, 2021.

  1. Oct 25, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #1
    K-Paul

    K-Paul [OP] Looking for a water crossing

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    Greetings,

    Just finished my first overlanding experience in the Ozarks. Learned fairly quickly that my setup was heavily geared to "Camping" and not "Overlanding" in the sense that all of my equipment was sturdy and of very high quality, but took significant setup time. (I used a Eureka Six person tent. EXCELLENT for the rain, but still took forever to setup and tear down.)

    It was a frustration learning how to setup and teardown quickly so that I could get a meal in, rest, and wake up, cook, and hit the trail. Repeatedly the crew had to come to my assistance to help me with teardown the next day so we could get going. being a large guy (and one that has to constantly use the restroom a ton at night), I find the non-rooftop tents to be the best option for me.

    It seems like the Gazelle's have a fine reputation for quick setup. Does anyone have any experience with Gazelle's Otters, or any other similar "pop-up" tents? Id like to know your experiences since right now Gazelle is sold out on almost all of their tents.

    IMG_0125.jpg
     
    newlife likes this.
  2. Oct 25, 2021 at 12:52 PM
    #2
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    8DB72F15-AB76-47E2-AAF4-7C246A1DB263.jpg

    What are you looking to find out about the gazelle? Is it fast to setup. Yep until you also factor in putting all your bedding in, staking it down, rainfly, guy lines, getting the ventilation just right etc. then it’s not nearly a 90 second up down routine. Do the entries suck for a taller/ bigger person yep. Would I buy it again, yep. Do I still use it? Occasionally but we’ve switched to rtt life. And that setup is ridiculous fast. Two latches push up toss in a pillow or two and go to sleep.

    also congrats on the first trip down. One big thing you need to consider about the gazelle before buying is you need a way to get it from point a to point b. It’s not small or light, it takes up a lot of roof space long wise but still very manageable.6A32D16C-C9AA-4CB0-BEF1-3DD716EB18A5.jpg
     
    DRobs and K-Paul[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  3. Oct 25, 2021 at 1:01 PM
    #3
    K-Paul

    K-Paul [OP] Looking for a water crossing

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    You answered the majority of my questions on the Gazelle, perhaps any experiences in heavy rain?

    But yeah I understand your point regarding the 90 second setup, cots and other stuff I agree you wouldn't include in that figure. I'm positive the Gazelle would run circles on the Eureka on setup/teardown. Any other similar brands to the Gazelle? I have a friend that used a Magellan but had two of those break on him between 5 trips.

    BTW, your setup looks amazing! good to see the Dobinson's storage :)
     
  4. Oct 25, 2021 at 1:17 PM
    #4
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    Rain it pretty much stood up fine. Wind was not too big of an issue either ( no sides collapsed or anything like that) however it is noisy very noisy but I doubt you’ll find a tent that isn’t to be fair. The biggest con I give the gazelle is the floor. It’s not super thick so an exped or like you said cot is definitely needed and with it being thin I don’t think it will last as long as the rest of the tent.
     
    K-Paul[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 25, 2021 at 1:29 PM
    #5
    K-Paul

    K-Paul [OP] Looking for a water crossing

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    Thanks for the second photo, that really helps to put the packed size into context. its certainly has some girth to it. Seems like from your description I may need to double up on the footprints to protect the floor.

    And thanks!! It was a BLAST.. I am tying to convince my wife to swap her Highlander for another Runner.......... so far, she's having none of it since the lift kit has made it harder for her to jump into the rig lol :bananadead:
     
  6. Oct 25, 2021 at 1:42 PM
    #6
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    Get her some sliders lol. We have the his and hers wouldn’t have it any other way.

    95A122D3-CC42-42E7-ACBA-79F1CA090462.jpg
     
    DRobs and K-Paul[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  7. Oct 25, 2021 at 2:28 PM
    #7
    Moon Landing

    Moon Landing AFFTC 1967/68 Eddies Air Patch

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    Quick, easy set up and tear down. Takes up no room and is feather light. Once assembled, because it's 'free standing' it's easy to place exactly where you want it. I'd suggest a ground cloth. And no, you can't stand up in it. I'm 6' 4" 230ish but have no problem changing clothes. fwiw There are larger versions too.

    https://www.msrgear.com/tents/backpacking-tents/hubba-hubba-nx-2-person-backpacking-tent/10316.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0llVs3HZ8o

    All those nighttime get ups are easy to solve. If you've ever spent time in the hospital you'll be familiar with one of these.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WTSZB7W?ie=UTF8

    good luck in your search
    .
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2021
  8. Oct 25, 2021 at 2:47 PM
    #8
    K-Paul

    K-Paul [OP] Looking for a water crossing

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    @newlife Believe me, they are first for the 2022 mods list!!

    @Moon Landing MSRmakes some amazing products, that is one I will take a look at as well for when I'm overlanding solo. As far as the Pee-can, its time to make things simple indeed lol
     
    Moon Landing likes this.
  9. Oct 25, 2021 at 3:19 PM
    #9
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    Sherpa Crestone. 4X Innovations Sliders
    Love our LLBean tent. Find a tarp that’s the same size as your tent, or slightly bigger. Set your tent up on this, then fold the extra tarp under itself, bringing the tarp just inside the edge of your tent. Keep stuff off the edges on the inside, keeps water from seeping in.

    we also use cots, and keep a throw rug at the entrance of our tent. Our setup is great when we are staying in one spot for a few days or more, but sucks for moving around. I cant wait to get a RTT.
     
  10. Oct 30, 2021 at 6:42 AM
    #10
    Dabigono

    Dabigono Just Joined

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    X2 for the Gazelle tent. Im too old to use a RTT, too risky! hahaha. We have the T3 & T4. I use the T3 when doing a trip without the wife, and the T4 when she is coming along.

    I definitely use a footprint w/ any tent. In high wind conditions i would recommend using the guy strings to anchor down the collapsable side hubs because they do have a tendency to fold inward.

    As for the how it does in the rain, I don't go when the rain is in the forecast. I normally go camping when the rain-fly is not required.


    bo%dH0GbQMSKh9lrcoArpQ.jpg
     
  11. Oct 31, 2021 at 3:57 AM
    #11
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Missouri Ozarks
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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    I went camping / trail riding with some buddies back in September. Needed to remind myself how much I hate camping. I sweated through my clothes 4 times setting up and taking down my Coleman Tent. And that Coleman Tent doesn't breath!!!

    I keep reading about Oz Tents being popular with Overlanders. I went to the Rendezvous in the Ozarks a couple weekends ago. There was a husband and wife camping in one right next to my group. I rented a cabin. I should've asked them to show it off to me.

    Looking at their website they are spendy but state 30 second setup and 30 second take down:
    https://oztent.com/collections/tents

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1hXQ1gJK-U
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2021

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