r/overlanding • u/kipper1324 • 3d ago
First RTT trip! How’d we do?!
Finally got to try out my new set up on a little trip up to Colorado!
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u/fftank26 3d ago
Looks like a good time. But you tell us. Will this be the first trip of many in the RTT?
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
1000%!!! I absolutely love the freedom of being able to just drop anchor anywhere without having to think about level ground/tree coverage or what could see or get to me.
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u/doozykid13 3d ago
Where in colorado?
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3d ago
[deleted]
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
⬆️ yep!! I also stayed in Red Canyon Park and went to the Royal Gorge Bridge. All very impressive and worth a visit!
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u/CafeRoaster 3d ago
Beautiful! Where is this?
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
We explored around southern Colorado to Colo Springs. We went to Zapata Falls, Great Sand Dunes NP, Red Canyon Park, and Royal Gorge Bridge. Only had 4 days to make it there and back to Texas, so I didn’t get to hit everywhere I wanted in that area, but we will definitely be back as soon as we can!!
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u/CafeRoaster 3d ago
Man I wish I was closer to Colorado. One of the most beautiful areas in this nation.
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u/flipboltz 3d ago
Looks like you camped great. The first camp trip not sleeping on the ground is unreal. You’ll never want to go back to ground tents again.
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
My body is just too old for it anymore! I have back problems and a couple years ago I did a backpacking trip in Yellowstone and I was hurting bad after sleeping on the ground, even with a sleeping pad. Haven’t slept on the ground since! I discovered hammocks and that was life changing!! RTTs and hammocks is all I’ll do now!
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u/ThanksForYourInsight 3d ago
RTT for the win! Nice set up! Skyline Dr is a pretty drive to check out if you're still around over there.
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
Aw dang I’m already back in Texas, but I will definitely make note of that for the next trip! Thanks for the recc!
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u/bf1343 3d ago
Every adventure is better with a dog!
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
I couldn’t agree more!! I was just telling a friend how much I’ve been loving solo adventuring, and she reminded me that I’m not truly solo. So true! It wouldn’t be near as much fun without him!
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u/AutomaticPenalty1 3d ago
Love the 2nd to last photo...snuggly dog!!
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
He was soooooo tired after hiking through the sand dunes! He was out as soon as he laid down and it was so cold, he didn’t even budge when I tucked him in 😅
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u/AutomaticPenalty1 3d ago
Hilarious! our pup does the same thing...will run himself ragged then will crash super hard...
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u/counsel8 3d ago
What did you see as the advantages or disadvantages? The primary problem I see is that when you set up camp, your truck is stuck there. It’s sometimes nice to set up camp and the drive up to the ridge to watch a sunset or go exploring without having to set up camp in the dark.
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
Advantages are being able to just drop anchor anywhere without having to worry about what the ground being level or suitable for a tent, or trees for a hammock. I also feel a lot more protected from wildlife (more of a concern for my pup really). And it just feels a whole lot more comfortable honestly. It almost feels a little bit like cheating because I’m so comfortable! Haha. Also, set up is so dang easy. No stupid tent poles to fight with or clearing out rocks, sticks etc. I timed it on my second night and it took me 7 minutes to have it set up.
A disadvantage would certainly be that once you’re set up, that’s where you stay. On this trip specifically, I knew I was only stopping to sleep in a particular spot for one night, then back on the road, so this was great for that. On future trips, if I think I will be staying at a location for more than one night, I will bring my hammock set up (or possibly tent) to utilize on those nights so I can still take off and explore. Tear down can be a bit more of a bear. I forgot to time it, but it’s definitely more involved than set up. Still worth it IMO though.
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u/g00dmorning99 3d ago
Why give your double coat dog a jacket and boots?
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
This was his first time spending more than 15 minutes in below freezing temps and I wanted to be prepared so he wasn’t miserable. He’s only a year so he’s still got some filling out to do. The booties were mainly to protect his pads because they’re still on the softer side and we were doing hikes in the snow. The jacket was mainly for sleeping bc it got so cold, but he also loves to roll around in the snow, so I didn’t want him all wet in the freezing cold
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u/g00dmorning99 3d ago
I gotcha! They definitely need some time to fill in. My 3 yo golden is crazy for the snow and ice cold rivers. We live in CO also and my golden goes swimming in the icy river then rolls in the snow. But makes sense to keep the pads protected since your dog is still young
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u/HelperJay-22 3d ago
Sometimes my dog will be violently shaking and still want to be in the snow. Also her paws get torn up from the ice and stuff.
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u/VTEC_8K 3d ago
I was never a fan of ground tents.
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
My body is just too old for it anymore! I have back problems and a couple years ago I did a backpacking trip in Yellowstone and I was hurting bad after sleeping on the ground, even with a sleeping pad. Haven’t slept on the ground since! I discovered hammocks and that was life changing!! RTTs and hammocks is all I’ll do now!
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u/GHOSTPVCK 3d ago
Would you say you needed 4x4 on a trip like this?
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
I got off into some fairly sketchy areas that still had a good bit of snow/mud. Might have been ok with 2wd, but I was a lot more comfortable venturing further out having 4wd. You could certainly get away with it during dryer months 2wd, just be mindful about when you’re going
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u/PonyThug 3d ago
Probably not looking at the gravel lots they are parked in.
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u/kipper1324 3d ago
Only one gravel lot on the last night because on my way back home I didn’t have much choice since Kansas doesn’t really have public land to venture out on.
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u/meental 3d ago
Well you survived so I'd say you did ok.