The Build Cycle Podcast: Episode #018 – Tepui Tents founder Evan Currid

Will be camping in my brand new Tepui Baja this weekend!

Well, my Engineering Brain tore this design a new a-hole.

For one, mounting on the roof is going to make this tent terrible in any kind of adverse weather conditions. First, you have difficulty sleeping as it stands up in the wind, without any kind guy lines for reinforcement the tent is going to be miserable shaking all the time in the wind. And, it’s going to scare the bejeebus out of you as it shimmies to and fro.

Second, are you going to tell me getting out of this thing and taking a p*ss in the middle of the night is a safe exercise? No way. Out come the p*ss bottles (if you’re a guy), and you’re just screwed if you’re a girl. And I can never get any sleep if it’s hard for me to p*ss at night.

These are some simple, off the top of my head criticisms. I know this tent is going to be harder to set up, while on a ladder. I also know, that ingress and egress will be that much more difficult (can’t imagine how bad for elderly people). It’s even harder to keep the tent warm.

And what are the possible benefits?

Hmmmm. Having to think hard on this one. Maybe the snakes? I dunno. I live in Oregon. I’ve never had a rattle snake sleep next to my tent, but I imagine it’s possible. It certainly won’t dissuade the bears or the cougars, so I could care less.

And, honestly, that’s it. What other benefits might there be. It’s rigidly attached to your vehicle. It’s not significantly easier to setup, or disassemble than any of my tents (maybe for some really lazy elderly people). It’s always in the weather, and it can’t be easily sheltered, so it will constantly be seeing wear and tear, day in and day out. Also, it obviously costs MORE than any other comparable solution.

Ok, that’s enough for now. You can buy it if you want to, but maybe you should ask yourself these questions first. And no, I am not a competitor. Just a bored Engineer.