Nice fit. Did you install it on the stock Ford rack? Attach to the crossbars or side rails? How'd you get your hands/tools in there to attach the brackets?I just installed the Freespirit Aspen Lite on my stock roof rack. 110lbs, really happy with the quality and very comfortable. I haven’t been out in the woods with it yet but I did spend the night in it out in the driveway!
It is installed on the stock Ford roof rack, on the cross bars, it is mounted on the most forward mount and the aft mount (I have three crossbars. I had bought a third one off of Amazon, so the 3rd - center mount - is just there for emotional support). Reaching the back mounting brackets was a bit tough for the inside ones. For the forward ones I took off the roof panels. The include a nice little racheting 13MM open end/box end wrench. The air foam mattress and ladder are included, and it has interior LED lights. In the sunlight with full sun shining on it, it is almost blackout dark on the inside. Lots of other cool features to boot. I have another thread in this forum with some other pics.
Cool set up in the back.Over the years (previous truck) I’ve tried a RTT, GFC, etc and eventually I’ve come full circle to learn that a simple ground tent is my preference. So far this is my 2Door camping set up. I’ve since added a few cooler tie down brackets to secure a cooler & water cans
Thanks! I’ve had these Step22 for a couple seasons now. I’ve been watching their site for months hoping to purchase another, they’ve been sold out for ages.
How does it look folded up? Wind noise? Looks like an easy comfy solution.Just completed 25 nights in this set up. Completed the Dempster Highway in Canada. Badass rack with C6 Outdoors REV Tent, Yakima awning, and wolf packs for extra storage. The tent is light and can be pulled off and used like a traditional tent if needed. BTW she's a 2.3 MT badlands on 33's.
Interested in why you went back to the ground tent life?Over the years (previous truck) I’ve tried a RTT, GFC, etc and eventually I’ve come full circle to learn that a simple ground tent is my preference. So far this is my 2Door camping set up. I’ve since added a few cooler tie down brackets to secure a cooler & water cans
There are some very inexpensive (in the grand scheme of things) roof top tents for less than $1,500. Even slightly used ones from mall crawlers on Facebook/craigslist.I’m struggling to decide between a rooftop tent, trailer or sleeping in the Bronco. I installed the Gobi rack in anticipation of getting an RTT. I’m looking for the easiest set up and tear down so that we can park sleep wake up drive more park sleep. The easier I make the act of packing to leave for the trip and easy set up / tear down I will be able to convince my husband to camp more often
Rooftop tent; Roofnest condor xl 2 which is $3,545 (was going to wait for a scratch & dent with wishful thinking of snagging one in the low $2ks) or nodamic 4 soft top $1,500 or the bushveld $2,500
OR
Getting an off road trailer (too expensive for me right now)
OR
Getting the air mattress for the back but then where would I put all my gear I don’t think I can fit everything on the roof
Any opinions?
Trailer by far will be your fastest option, especially if you get an offroad teardrop. Bed's already setup, gear's already set in the trailer all the time, etc. Add food, hook up and go. Issue of course is cost and it potentially limits the type of wheeling or exploring you can do.I’m struggling to decide between a rooftop tent, trailer or sleeping in the Bronco. I installed the Gobi rack in anticipation of getting an RTT. I’m looking for the easiest set up and tear down so that we can park sleep wake up drive more park sleep. The easier I make the act of packing to leave for the trip and easy set up / tear down I will be able to convince my husband to camp more often
Rooftop tent; Roofnest condor xl 2 which is $3,545 (was going to wait for a scratch & dent with wishful thinking of snagging one in the low $2ks) or nodamic 4 soft top $1,500 or the bushveld $2,500
OR
Getting an off road trailer (too expensive for me right now)
OR
Getting the air mattress for the back but then where would I put all my gear I don’t think I can fit everything on the roof
Any opinions?
I’ve had a ground tent for years, it’s an instant tent but the ease of the hard top rtt or trailers are appealing! Also being off the ground and easier to set up when arriving at camp late at night. At first I wanted a pop straight up one but now I want a fold out one for more room
Yes I agree with you, a trailer would be the fastest. We’ve never towed before so a little scared of that. It’s also expensive like you said so if we go trailer I likely won’t be getting one anytime soon. Maybe if I could find a trailer with sleeping space for like $5k that can offroad then I would but I don’t think that’s possible to find! LolTrailer by far will be your fastest option, especially if you get an offroad teardrop. Bed's already setup, gear's already set in the trailer all the time, etc. Add food, hook up and go. Issue of course is cost and it potentially limits the type of wheeling or exploring you can do.
As far as any soft shell RTT goes, I can pack up my ground tent setup as fast as most of my buddys who use them. They setup instantly of course but tear down is similarly timed. I would think a hardshell RTT is going to be more your cup of tea. Also sleeping inside the Bronco can be fast if you have everything stored on the rack or it is just one of you, but for two you will prob have to take out your fridge/cooler to make it happen.
I recently camped inside mine and the setup was perfect, fridge and gear on one side, my sleep gear already setup on the other. But for two people it becomes an issue of tetris.
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
I personally am looking at some sort of wedge tent for the Bronco eventually for the same reasons. I want my wife to come camping more so I want to make it more comfortable. Super fast setup and take down, bedding can stay up there, and low profile. Downside of course is the cost as the best wedge's are not cheap.
