I want to start camping again. (The unintentional build)

I just checked out the tail end of your build thread from your signature. Props on that setup, and absolutely a good way to go for any Double Cab owner. I feel the Crewmax bed would be a little too tight for sleeping, and I carry my spare/other stuff in the bed.

 

I keep forgetting that you have a Crewmax. Yeah something like the GFC is what you need in order to have enough room

 

Idk if GFC does this but try and see if they do any refurbish sales. I know that CVT does this and they’re heavily discounted due to minor cosmetic issues. Aka the buyer receives a tent damaged and they send it back to the seller and the seller resells it in the shop for pickup only. Might be worth asking GFC, if you haven’t already done so

 

Got a phone call yesterday from the Customer Support Manager. She was apologetic, again. I told her I appreciate that, but it's not necessary. She wanted to know what could be done to make me happy, and I expressed a desire for a refund. I feel upside down and sideways every time I look at this tent. I don't want it.

She said that the Condor Overland was a brand new model and they were having some troubles with it's launch, and offered an exchange toward another tent in their lineup if I was interested. I told her I was not interested because I was going to get rid of the bed rack, and I am going a different direction for my camping needs. All I want is a refund without a restocking fee or shipping.

This is where things make me think this might get ugly. She said that because it has been installed and driven it's technically outside their return policy and she would have to clear it with here boss, who is the company founder. I told her that I understand, but it's not like I ordered a tent and then changed my mind. I ordered a tent and got an unusable product. I'd very much like to avoid arbitration. I also said that if her boss didn't want to budge on the restock fee then they should consider the fact that I bought the tent at a $300 discount, so that is $100 more than the restock fee to start with. I want a full refund and I'm not willing to pay fees or shipping. This puts it squarely on the owner/founder to decide on customer service.

I did give them one alternative. I explained that I do not have help/support to install or repair a RTT. I have to do it solo, so the reason I am not wanting repair parts is because I feel that if I have to unmount and remount the tent I would just want a brand new tent at that time. It's a lot of work and I'm not going to do it for a damaged unit. The only acceptable outcome from this is a full refund or a brand new tent being shipped to me so I can sell it for what I paid and be made whole. She said she understands.

She said that with it being Friday she likely wouldn't have any kind of answer for me until Monday. I'll still be working so I agreed that an email would be fine for the next info.


TLDR: Because mine was installed it'll be up to the guy who founded the company if they'll refund me or not. Ball is in his court.

 

Taking into account my shit luck, I really really try not to buy used/refurb stuff. 9 times out of 10 I wind up regretting it.

 

Man, sorry you’re having to go through all this drama. Sounds like a royal pain. Hopefully the founder will be reasonable. You mentioned getting rid of the rack. Is Cali taking it back or are you just going g to sell it?

On a different note, I’m going to see how this RN Overlander travels. Taking it on a 1400 mile trip next week.

 

It's coming to the point of resolution so it's all good, one way or the other, I suppose.

Likely just try to sell the rack local-ish so I don't have to fully disassemble it.

That's cool. Definitely let us know how it all goes for you on your trip.

 

Will definitely let everyone know how it travels. BTW, I’m planning to go to Tundras to Sedona at the end of April. This is a 2200 mile trip each way, which should be interesting. Anyone else planning to go to Sedona?

 

Good luck selling the rack. Hopefully you have better luck than me. I can't even sell mine nationally.

 

Are you selling it separate from the tent, or only as a package deal?

 

Separately, I have already sold the tent. I'm even asking half of what I paid for the rack and still no bites. I guess people want to pay top dollar for the same thing. Crazy.

 

Wow, that is kinda nutty. I'm sure area matters too, and I will have a slight advantage in selling the smaller rack for the CrewMax with their increased popularity.

 

Good idea! Thanks, didn't even think about that.

 

Good suggestion. Anyone not wanting a tent might bypass a dual item thread.

 

Would if I had it.

 

Updated posts 4 and 5 to reflect the situation and my decision to do the GFC.

 

I can't wait for Monday. Really hoping for good news from RN about my return/refund. Just in a more optimistic mood, I guess. Worst case scenario; if they deny my refund request and refuse a tent swap, I will get all the parts to fix this one along with as much of a refund as they'll offer.

Then I have a few options.

1. I can get a basic patch kit and fix what is on the tent now, try it out in spring/summer, and then swap in the new stuff and sell it.
2. Swap in the new stuff right away and sell it.
3. Post it for sale as never used, but damaged with all the parts to fix it.

I think number 3 would be my preference, but it would all depend on how long it took them to get me all the components to fix it. If they get them to me fast, I options 2 and 3 are viable. Option 1 only works if they are going to drag their feet and I have time to pursue it. Anyway it plays out, I'm feeling pretty ok about the future plans.

 

For what it’s worth, the new parts are supposedly in route. Got an email Friday saying they have tracking numbers from China but have not seen a change in tracking status yet.

If I were you, I’d go with option 3. Sell it as is with the extra parts. Most would most likely use the rent as it is and just have the extra parts as insurance. I do plan on changing out the struts because that is super easy to do.

Mentally, I’ve accepted mine with its faults and will use it for the next year and a half. My sun on the horizon is the RedTail. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you’ll be able to get over the bad experience you’ve had with the RoofNest to really enjoy it. Perhaps a Falcon if their willing to exchange, but this Condor Overland is tainted. Just my .02.

 

If the refund fails but they are willing to exchange I'd just exchange it for the same tent and sell it brand new in box. The only way I'll use the tent is if they refuse both these options and it's going to take ages to get the parts. Then I'd patch it, use it, and when the new stuff showed up I'd swap it and sell.

 

It's just a shame this happened. Was looking forward to seeing you get out there and give us some trip reports. Oh well just delayed a little and you will have a better setup to show for it. Still a shame it happened cuz I thought RN was better than this as far as quality control goes. Always seems like they had ok customer service and now we shall soon see if that's true also.

 

Honestly, if they don't drag their feet too long, it won't delay much. Heck, even if they are slow about it I still have the funds to get moving on the GFC. Hopefully RN will respond tomorrow and I'll know where I sit.

 

In my youtube explorations for the GFC I saw a video for these guys. https://www.superpacificusa.com/ Similar setup as GFC, but more expensive. Looks a bit less robust, but more bells and whistles to it. I do like their vent idea for the tent, but not sure how well you could close them up for warmth. Just velcro as far as I can tell. Still, it's another option that somebody bored enough to roll through my build thread might enjoy browsing.

 

The super pacific setup does look pretty sweet. As you said, more expensive than the GFC but also built in the US. Also has a config for the Tj era CM. I just glanced at them but did not see any listed lead times.

 

12 month lead time. I think the GFC is more rugged with the framing design, and the modular/repairable nature appeals to me. Just different approaches. I still personally slant to the GFC side, but I definitely like some design elements of the Pacific.

What is the "Tj era CM?"

 

I hadn’t seen these guys. Those look very nice. I wonder if they are built as rugged… 100 lbs heavier, too.

 

I don't think they are as rugged. They are built from folded aluminum and riveted together. They say it's the same way planes are built, but I think that's just marketing. They lack the diagonal braces that the GFC has on the sides, so I don't think it has the same overbuilt tankiness to it. I'm sure it's durable, just not as IMO.