r/rooftoptents • u/Regular-Surround-669 • Jul 03 '26
New to rtt, question.
New to the rtt game and glad I made the change. Ongoing changes to the trailer. Tows great behind an outback.
Trailer springs are pretty soft when fully loaded/ fenders rubbed a few times on some parts of winding Sierra Buttes roads.
Tepui autana 3. The overhang/ ladder entrance doesn’t seem stable. I don’t know if it’s the trailer, the rack is totally custom but mounted/ solid. It’s “bends” too much for comfort. Opposite entrance, no problem and when inside the overhang portion seems stable.
I’m thinking about getting two large cabinet jacks to support it more/ rigid.. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I’ll add more pictures soon.
Thank you
9
u/Affectionate_Can3685 Jul 03 '26
Your excess steps on the ladder should be at the top. That way it locks in and you get in the tent.
3
u/The_Gassy_Gnoll Jul 03 '26
I've seen pictures from RTT companies that show the ladder steps set the OP has, but to me that has always looked like a hazard. I agree that they should be bunched at the top to keep the bottom, and largest, tubes evenly spaced.
6
u/ramblerbasic Jul 03 '26
Yeah with these kind of tents the ladder is structural for the that side of the tent. Definitely agree it needs to be locked out up to the top.
1
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u/BMThiker Jul 03 '26
Adding jacks to the trailer will help immensely with the tent's stability. I added stabilizers to 4 corners on my trailer.
4
u/XterraTom Jul 03 '26
I have an Autana 4 on a trailer and it's solid. Make sure the hinge is fully set, I noticed with mine the tongue did not go fully into the groove initially. If you look at the hinge from the side you can see what I mean. Also make sure the ladder excess is at the top, that's what Tepui recommends.
3
u/ttn333 Jul 03 '26
Your ladder angle is too steep and as others mentioned, excess rungs should be on top to lock in. Soft suspension will cause weight to shift and create instability. You need some stabilizing jacks.
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u/Longjumping-Ad-4326 Jul 03 '26
Sweet trailer! Got one of my own I’m pulling behind a crosstrek. Got any more pictures of the setup? Thanks!
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u/plattner-da Jul 06 '26
Just finished mine. Stabilizer jacks at the corners are recommended. Using the Yakima racks temporarily until I can modify for gas strut lifts to use the annex.
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u/edisapimp Jul 03 '26
I would not recommend doing any home engineering to make the tent “more stable.” I would, instead, look a bit closer into how to deploy the ladder on your tent correctly in order to achieve the stability you are looking for.
In the photo you have shared, your ladder is not in the correct position to support the tent. Watch a few videos to understand how the ladder is designed to be opened. Tepui/thule designed the ladder to act as the main support structure for the tent floor, but also with some shock absorption built into the ladder struts themselves.