My chicken tractor is going to have a winch.I see a new thread coming, Overlanding chicken coop builds! “How many hens you running?” “You doing a house or a tractor?”
I don't understand open bed trucks with racks and tents.
- Thread starter MMc
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Pathfinder I
I have one on skids that i drag around with my "overlanding rig"My chicken tractor is going to have a winch.
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I had 20 in that one, Three turned out to be Roosters so I gave them to a lady who raises chickens. I gave that coop-pen to my ex girlfriend as aI see a new thread coming, Overlanding chicken coop builds! “How many hens you running?” “You doing a house or a tractor?”
wedding present.
It was a house with a pen. The house was 24" above a chicken run below. The house was two story inside an they loved it that winter after the build. I built two more for my current chickens but I only allow 6 chickens to each pen that are 8 'x 8' x 6' high.Video included here:
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Member II
I agree with your views on "traditional" roof top tents. The set up and take down is simply not worth it IMO. I specifically picked a tent that would go up faster than putting the vehicle in park, turning it off, and walking to the back of the vehicle. An it stows away just about as fast. On off road trailers it's as simple as having a lid that flips up, which is possible with a tent mounted on the lid. The trailer is actually more suited to the "tradional" style of RTT as that style of tent is hinged in the middle. However, I think the RTT "craze" is far from short term, I believe it's here to stay.
The truck is a driveway queen, I can do most the everything around the house as it sits, I use a rack for all my flammables, right behind the surfboards. Taking the rack and shell off is a major pain in the a$$. I went with 315 tires so they would fit in the wheel carrier.
When I was selling and driving I used a Honda minivan. Got all kind of crap from friends about a minivan mom. I didn't tell them I keep a 9.0 longboad safe when the surf was good. What I drive has nothing to do with who I am.
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JButtress
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I don’t have a RTT, although I like the idea. My F-150 is an open bed and an old Con-Ferr I floated over it flush. I use it for hunting but it has been pretty handy for Overlanding as well. During hunting, I can keep my spendy and dangerous stuff in the bed. With the tailgate locked, you can’t get anything out. I did leave the sides open so I can reach in to shift things around, but nothing can be pulled out. The rack now doubles my bed capacity. I’m running 35’s so a spare takes up a lot of room. It goes on the rack with a Plano that holds my bedding, a Pelican 1740 trunk and mobile compressor (cased). I also have a removable winch I can put up there if the Pelican goes in the bed. The trunk has wheels so it glides in and out of the bed. There’s a lot you can do with a bed rack and also a lot you can’t. You’re on the right path. Ask questions and figure out what works for you. Don’t be afraid to try some stuff out
Advocate I
I ended up going with a WJ, partly because I already had it, but then I probably already had it with this in mind...
...aaaannyway, I totally "get" the idea of the RTT on a rack in the bed of a pickup. For me, having a pickup bed would be nice for some of the stuff you don't want in the interior of your Jeep (firepit/firewood, garbage, extra fuel, game if you hunt, chainsaw, recovery gear, somewhere to throw-off muddy clothes/boots, etc.). Additionally you can have RTT and get the usual advantages (don't have to find a rock/root free spot for a ground tent, up away from bugs 'n little critters, perceived safety from bigger critters, etc.) without being nearly as high. But honestly, the big draw for me would be having the top of the RTT even with the top of the cab of the truck (when stowed). This would be much better for aero (helping with wind noise and MPG) as well as better for tree-lined trails. If I was spending somebody else's money I'd love to do a Jeep Gladiator for those reasons.
-TJ
...aaaannyway, I totally "get" the idea of the RTT on a rack in the bed of a pickup. For me, having a pickup bed would be nice for some of the stuff you don't want in the interior of your Jeep (firepit/firewood, garbage, extra fuel, game if you hunt, chainsaw, recovery gear, somewhere to throw-off muddy clothes/boots, etc.). Additionally you can have RTT and get the usual advantages (don't have to find a rock/root free spot for a ground tent, up away from bugs 'n little critters, perceived safety from bigger critters, etc.) without being nearly as high. But honestly, the big draw for me would be having the top of the RTT even with the top of the cab of the truck (when stowed). This would be much better for aero (helping with wind noise and MPG) as well as better for tree-lined trails. If I was spending somebody else's money I'd love to do a Jeep Gladiator for those reasons.
-TJ
Contributor II
If you’re familiar with the Pandra, he’s got a setup I think you’re looking for. It’s a Tundra, not a Chev but it’s still a full size truck. The problem is that the after market is so Jeep/Toyota focused that the domestic guys get left out in the Overlanding goodies arena. Most of my stuff is one-off.
Member III
Yep one off custom made... But, for me it is fun to custom design and make your own stuff.. I love it when guys with jeeps ask me where they can get my stuff... lol
JButtress
Rank VI
Traveler II
Yea, finding stuff for Silverado is darn near impossible.
My guess... RTTs are driven by twitter etc.
Social media says do this...... and they do.
Social media says do this...... and they do.
Contributor II
Whatever, its about comfort and convenience. Not everyone is on social media. The OB forum is about as close as i come.
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Not everyone would agree that the RTT is comfortable or convenient. I think @BillBob means copy cat your friends, not necessarily a social media literally. Whatever you have, is your business anyway, so don't let comments like that bother you.
I know its subjective but i dont like the attitude "they do it to show off".
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BB is just a very opinionated guy, he's very old school, keep it simple kind of guy. His bark is worse than his bite. He has a very nice home built rig that serves more than one purpose. He is very practical and cost conscious.
The two major advantages for an RTT for us have nothing to do with time to setup (as was mentioned previously); I think it was billiebob that mentioned the joy (or lack thereof!) of setting one up or tearing it down in the rain, and I’m 100% in agreement! I would also agree that some people may feel that they need to have an RTT due to social pressure, though there are lots more reasons to own one beyond that and they are definitely in the “nice to have” category, not “need to have”.
However, time is not a big advantage with traditional Eezi-awn style RTTs. Our RTT takes about the same time to setup as our ground tent, and the same should be true for any well designed ground tent — they aren’t complicated, after all!
The reason we like an RTT is because of three advantages. The first advantage is not having to worry about the ground condition (rocks, mud, insects, sticks, roots, or even occasionally pavement — none of that matters with an RTT). This means that we can spend more time exploring the world, and less time going from spot to spot looking for a suitable campsite. Basically, anywhere works with an RTT.
The second advantage, and the reasons many are mounting one on a truck rack over the bed, is that an RTT keeps your whole sleep system (mattress, bags, pillows, shelter) outside of the cargo space. This is a few cubic feet of lightweight stuff, so being able to use that space for other stuff is valuable. In a truck, the interior space (in the cab) is even more precious, as there is less of it, and keeping it in the box requires a dust and waterproof solution of it’s own, which takes up additional weight and space. With an RTT, that stuff stays up top, out of the way, dry and ready to use.
The third advantage is we do find the thicker mattress in the RTT to be nicer than our thermarests, and is therefore a bit more comfortable.
However, time is not a big advantage with traditional Eezi-awn style RTTs. Our RTT takes about the same time to setup as our ground tent, and the same should be true for any well designed ground tent — they aren’t complicated, after all!
The reason we like an RTT is because of three advantages. The first advantage is not having to worry about the ground condition (rocks, mud, insects, sticks, roots, or even occasionally pavement — none of that matters with an RTT). This means that we can spend more time exploring the world, and less time going from spot to spot looking for a suitable campsite. Basically, anywhere works with an RTT.
The second advantage, and the reasons many are mounting one on a truck rack over the bed, is that an RTT keeps your whole sleep system (mattress, bags, pillows, shelter) outside of the cargo space. This is a few cubic feet of lightweight stuff, so being able to use that space for other stuff is valuable. In a truck, the interior space (in the cab) is even more precious, as there is less of it, and keeping it in the box requires a dust and waterproof solution of it’s own, which takes up additional weight and space. With an RTT, that stuff stays up top, out of the way, dry and ready to use.
The third advantage is we do find the thicker mattress in the RTT to be nicer than our thermarests, and is therefore a bit more comfortable.
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Wow, you have some weight in there. Is that Floor jack mounted to the bed? I'd hate to see that heavy-weight object become a skull crusher in a roll-over.
I would assume it is hard-mounted, given the other items appear to be hard-mounted.
