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

Noted: CaliraisedLED's presence on the forum is for advertising, not customer service. Engaging them here is pointless. I've sent an email as requested.

I have vented my frustrations here, and that may have been a mistake. I'd like to keep my build thread informational.

 

I appreciate your take. But this is kind of my main point out of it all. This is a Forum, and I do not have @AzureNightmare information. Like order # phone or email. I even went in my system and looked up "Adam" for the last 4 months and had over 800 Adams in my system, so by emailing or calling us we than get the information from the customer in real time to help better assist them.

 

You could have just as easily asked him for that info though.

 

Again, please take it to another thread or PMs. I'll keep this thread updated as it affects the build.

 

Our racks are the best in the business, whether you're using a tonneau cover or not.

All bolt together modular racks are a copy of ours, we were the pioneers of that genre.

The Cali raised rack that you now regret buying is a total ripoff of our racks.

It's not too late to send that thing back and start shopping: https://www.max-modular.com/shop-max-modular

 

You may have pioneered the bolt together bed rack, and Ford pioneered an affordable everyman car, yet here I sit in a Toyota. I find your implication of regret is presumptive and insulting. It might have been different if you had approached me via PM and been less sneering and condescending in tone, but you've stooped to being petty and unprofessional in order take a swipe at your competition. I like plenty of your products, and I may well buy some from you, but this is NOT a thread to peddle your rack.

Be better than this.

 

Hey @AzureNightmare , want to upgrade your RTT?

 

I don't even want to know how much that costs. Hard panels look like they'd eliminate the worn/torn canvas issue.

I've been in contact with Roofnest. Still working out the details, but they're looking into options to fix it.

 

I finally worked out everything with RoofNest and replacement parts on their way. Make sure you get the shorter struts to level out the floor. I’m satisfied with the outcome of my discussions with them.

That pic above is the RedTail Overland RTC (roof top camper). 30 second setup and breakdown. Hard insulated walls, polycarbonent windows with options for batteries, LED lights, solar panels, circulation fan, diesel heater and inverter. Very impressive.

 

Very expensive. Also, no interest in a diesel heater. If I were to "upgrade" I'd just exchange for a Falcon of some sort. Still may pursue that depending on how involved their canvas replacement/repair is.

 

Canvas replacement shouldn’t be too hard. Slide into tracks along the 3 sides of the floor and then zip it up all around the case top.

BTW. Diesel heaters are great. I use a small all in one cheapo and it’s great. The ones RedTail uses are Espars which are higher quality units used in Mercedes vans.

 

I'd just go propane over diesel. Better reliability, no glow plug to replace, and the fuel doesn't gel.

 

No humidity with Diesel though and you can also use kerosene when its really cold

 

Valid points. I don't plan to be using a heater in any case, but I would definitely do more research if I were to go that route.

 

Different heating methods as well. Propane is the heating fuel, a good one, but is still being burned for the heat. Diesel heaters are air heaters where air is being warmed up as it is passes across a small running Diesel engine. So the diesel is only used to run the engine and not burned for heat.

However it’s all mute since OP is not interested in cold weather camping.

 

I have this setup now. expect it to be better than the bakflip with voodoo... lifetime and Stanley coolers coleman and camp chef stoves. totes with wheels easier to pull out of bed add small rope ties to the handles...

 

@AzureNightmare, I can't remember if this has been mentioned but have you considered the Leitner bed rack? It's a different price from your current setup but what sold me was this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw4wn5Vd_l8&ab_channel=NathanMueller

Keep in mind I am biased since I am running their set-up but don't have any regrets.

Also, you prob are already working this but does caliraised have a warranty with their bed racks?

Keep us updated, I enjoy watching your build!

 

The leitner was one of the first I considered, but I am trying to avoid drilling if possible, and I wanted to try to keep everything below roof height. I've seen that video and that was part of what eliminated RCI's rack for me. Some of my posts on the first page give info on my selection process.

I informed @Caliraisedled via email that I'm not fishing for discounts or freebies. I want them to step up their quality control and asked them to review their processes to implement training and policies to prevent this from happening to other customers.

I asked to be kept in the loop on steps they are taking regarding this. I was informed they are "already taking action on QC area", but that's a pretty weak answer. I've asked what measures they're implementing.

Kinda treating it the way stuff in telecom is treated. Saying you made repairs isn't good enough. You have to identify the cause of the mistake and give examples of steps and policies/procedures that are going to be implemented to prevent the issue in future.

When the burrs were left behind on the side panels; was it a piece of machinery not being maintained, lazy workers, or subpar settings on equipment? Was a bit used longer than it should have been? All things I want to know. The final part is whomever wrapped it up and sent it out... did they do it without caring, or is there shitty management that told them to ship it anyway when the issue was raised?

Those are the questions that need to be answered, and from those answers solutions can be found.

 

They responded by email, and it sounds promising. I don't want to violate the good faith they have shown by sharing the details of what they say they have and are implementing to prevent future situations like this. I will say that, so long as they follow through on what was said, I am happy with how they are handling the situation.

 

Sounds promising. Maybe there’s hope for good customer service in these crazy times. Let us know how it went once all the dust settles.

 

Also check MIA tents.... He has a nice aluminum shell now too...

 

Are you referring to the MIA Adventurer? If so, this is a wedge style tent and not a clam shell. Not saying there’s anything wrong with that but too long for a short bed with a mid height rack. As far as I know, RoofNest is the only aluminum clam shell.

The MIA clam shell tent was my runner up but chose the Roofnest mainly for the aluminum case.

 

WTH caliraised liked Voodoo's post on this WOW. Btw I have the Voodoo max modular 10" and love it. Customer service has been outstanding

 

Wow, Finally got to the end of the thread. Great information throughout. Thanks for sharing all your insight. Wish you well with Caliraised and roofnest. @AzureNightmare @BayRunner

 

Even though this is not the place...I still think that video is bullshit and was user error on install. This is still the first person I know of that had issues with the RCI rack. My rack has been nothing but bullet proof, jus' sayin'.

@AzureNightmare .... on your wear areas of the tent, I recommend you put flex tape or something similar over them to prevent further wear. I preemptively did this on my Blade tent in two areas where the lift cylinders would rub the tent while closed. Worked well

 

Eezi Awn and AluCab also have aluminum clam shells and both are expedition level tents.

 

Ah, good to know. It’s nice to be informed of the options. Have not looked at them but are they the same tent as Rodfnest and just rebranded?? Just curious because @AzureNightmare and I have seen some lack of QA in the manufacturing facility that RN uses.

 

No the Eezi-Awn and AluCab tents are made in South Africa and IMO extremely high quality tents built for world travel.

 

It may have been user error for sure. I just remember coming across that video when I was in the market for a bed rack. I’m sure all of those designs are fine. Also worth noting that dude seems to rock crawl so maybe that was his failure point. Idk, I just felt that it was worth mentioning.