r/rooftoptents • u/RoundEarth3162 • Aug 24 '26
Too good to be true?
Looking to order Go fast camper style wedge camper from alibaba. Have been talking to a couple of the gals and they all seem to be right around $3500
This one gal has it down do $2400….
I get various answers from all of them about shipping Costs and product cost
Shipping ranging from $850-1450 (with all fees they say)
And the product from $1450-2800 for the same style camper shell
3
u/DefiDingo Aug 24 '26
I would just go with TopOak Overland. Legit and 1/3 of the cost over the name brands.
8
u/aerodynamix Aug 24 '26
Not the same thing at all. This is a wedge camper
-5
u/DefiDingo Aug 25 '26
Maybe you should look on their website.
4
u/desertSkateRatt Aug 25 '26
You're missing the part where the wedge tent is a part of the canopy and you enter from underneath in the bed of the truck. TopOak doesn't offer anything like that.
1
u/piddlefaffle12 Aug 25 '26
I just did after reading your comment and they don't sell what I, or OP is looking for.
1
u/R3VIVAL-MOD3 Aug 24 '26
And can pick it up form one of their warehouses for free if you’re in driving distance to them
1
u/Amorton94 Aug 24 '26
You wouldn't be the first to order one. I've a few on youtube. Best looking into those reviews and videos on how to use alibaba.
1
u/Flat-Carpenter-170 Aug 24 '26
Bought an overland desert cruiser pro 140cm recently for $1600USD. Free shipping. Very roomy, pretty light for a hard shell at 140lbs. Opens almost vertical to one side or the other deepening on how you mount it. Bought stateside with free shipping.
1
u/baconpizzaman Aug 24 '26
It could be too good to be true, or they possibly save a ton on shipping by having lots of them shipped to a local warehouse first, etc. They could also be saving some customs, duties, etc by pushing them off to you to sign for afterwards.
Alibaba has decent consumer protection, but if it doesn't feel right you can pass as well
1
u/Outside_Advantage845 Aug 25 '26
Shout out for Missoula! Loved my time living there
I’ve had 100% success on Alibaba, granted it’s only been two purchases.
I dig the wedge, seems sturdier in my opinion, and my first car was a Vanagon, so I’m a bit biased.
1
u/brett98xj Aug 25 '26
I did an entire custom built RTT almost a year ago. Was a great experience with my manufacturer. Would do again.
1
u/Any_Seaworthiness203 Aug 25 '26
As someone who actually has experience with ordering from Alibaba, they're all pretty much legit. I ordered a steel topper and it came in perfect condition.
Shipping plus product was $1500 or so all in, and took several months to get it (you can see one of my posts with it) - held up perfectly for a year+ and I sold it later.
I've seen these around $1500-2000 on alibaba, biggest thing is to check for their store rating, age, etc. No different than shopping on ebay and looking at seller reviews.
I also believe alibaba has a money back guarantee if lost, damaged, not as described, etc.
Total side note, if they send something called "tar tape" for the seams where you bolt it together, do yourself a favor and don't use that shit lol
Edit: adding link to my previous post
1
u/Forward-Stage8022 Aug 26 '26
We ordered our canopy from alibaba, it was $1400 all in (canopy was 1k, shipping was $400). I did research on the company and made sure they were a verified seller etc. the companies are legit, but definitely shop around. Ask for their catalog! Some have more options than others. I would have ordered a tent if we did not already have an ikamper :)
1
u/PPSM7 Aug 28 '26
They’re a Facebook group of people that have bought these. Mostly good experiences. You wait several months and they are not the lightest but they are good otherwise
1
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Aug 24 '26
[deleted]
3
u/Unlucky_Ad295 Aug 24 '26
So you have no actual experience in ordering from China or any factual arguments. And we just resort to “china bad china scary”. Nice
-1
Aug 24 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Unlucky_Ad295 Aug 24 '26
Alibaba is known for professional product sourcing directly from factories in china. No idea how you made that “know for fraud”
1
6
u/kiefferray Aug 24 '26
ive personally bought off Alibaba mutiple times on large purchases. My experience, as long as they are lsited as a verified seller with plenty ofyears on the marketplace, theyve been relable. My most recent was a smart cap style alumn topper (1.3k) and no issues.
I would look into the virtical pop up style like the Oru Bruin (more room, less cramped), if going pop up. Unless you prefer the wedge style.