Tuff Stuff Alpine SixtyOne Aluminum Shell Roof Top Tent

The Tuff Stuff Alpine SixtyOne Aluminum Shell Roof Top Tent is a pop-up type with a blackout fabric, bonus cross bars, shoe bags, LED, quality YKK zippers, and much more.

Key features & benefits

What this is about

The name of this tent is descriptive enough to understand that this is a hard shell roof top tent. So you have a very strong solid thin aluminum box. When closed, it is only 8 inches (20 cm thick), see how it looks:

The word SixtyOne describes the width of this shelter, and this is in inches. Note that they also have a narrower option with the word FiftyOne in the name.

Note that in spite of such a slim box, you can keep all your bedding inside, plus the included mattress and ladder.

Unique design

This is a unique design because of the following. It has two pairs of struts that help you to open this box. See how they look on one side, the same is on the other side:

When you push on one side, it will open as in the picture below on the left. So as you see, it looks like a typical clamshell roof top tent.

You can already use it and sleep in it in this stage. To have it ready, all you need to do is to release two latches and to push the lid up. No more than 10 seconds is needed for this.

But you can also go on the opposite side and push it up, and then the other pair of struts will do the job and lift the lid up. It will become a typical pop-up tent with a flat roof. This is shown in the picture above on the right.

Now, being unique does not necessarily mean it is very useful. I do not see why I would want its clamshell configuration shown on the left.

It is natural to want more volume inside and open the tent completely. This allows for better air circulation, and also for greater views around.

The only possible reason why you might want to use the clamshell setup may be if it is too windy and if there is an obvious constant wind direction. So perhaps you would open it that way to reduce wind pressure and orient it so that the door does not face the wind.

But all in all, this design just adds lots of unnecessary weight. I could not believe my eyes when I realized how much this thing weighs; you have no less than 274 lb (124 kg). I do not remember any roof top tent heavier than this.

Bonus cross bars included

This Tuff Stuff Alpine SixtyOne shelter comes with a very useful bonus which you see in the picture. So you have integrated cross bars on its lid. Their weight capacity is incredible 728 pounds (330 kg).

With this you can add some additional bulky gear and transport it on the tent itself. Note that these items can remain there even when you open it to sleep inside.

Other details

• The tent comes with LED light strip, so this is a white diffused and dimmable light with Velcro on back of light to mount on either side of tent. Powered by a USB power pack, not included.
• There are also two bonus shoe bags included 13x17x3 inches dimensions. Note that they have some inner pockets, and the bottom is mesh to allow drainage from wet shoes. So this is a really great design.
• 4 Security latches, 2 front and 2 rear.
• There are 4 T-shaped rails on the sides for sliders and gear attachment, see the picture below.

  

• Sliders: 8 qty, 1.13×1.75x.25 inches.
• Flat brackets: 4 qty, 2.75-3.25 inches (adjustable).
• There is a gear loft attached underneath the lid.

  

• Dual mesh pouches are on two sides close to the floor.
• Two pockets are also under the ceiling.
• There is a bungee cord around that pulls the fabric inside when you want to close the tent. It works perfect and you close the tent by just pulling the installed straps down.

Windows and doors

This roof top tent has large openings on all the sides, all are double-layer with mesh and panels, and you can use three of them as your access point.

It comes with two awnings 69 x 44 x 33 inches, both removable (zip-off). There are 6 rods included for their support. So this is a pleasant structure with a 360-degree visibility, allowing users to enjoy the scenery without any distractions.

Inner area

the sleeping space is determined by the size of the mattress, and this is impressive. It measures 85 x 58 inches (216 x 147 cm), so this is around 34 ft² (3.2 m²). They describe it as a 2-3 person capacity. I would say it is good enough for parents with a kid.

Note that it is very long, so if you are a tall person this is the tent to consider. The actual box size is much bigger, you will see the numbers below.

Ventilation 

With so many windows on all its sides, on the first look it seems perfect. This is indeed so as long as you can keep the windows with mesh only.

But there will be situations with rain and wind combined when you will have to close all the windows. Surprisingly, there are no vents for such situations.

Materials

You have already seen about its aluminum shell. The floor is a heavy-duty 1 inch aluminum honeycomb. They write that the four gas struts are German engineered.

The fabric is a polycotton ripstop 3200 GSM (hard to believe this incredible number), so this is an excellent material for such tents. They claim its waterproof level is over 3500 mm. They also write this is an antibacterial and mold-inhibiting EPA certified fabric.

You will want to know that there is also a blackout coating on all tent materials, so this is a true dark rest construction. With this you can sleep long in the morning and you will not even know that it is daylight outside.

The mattress: You have a memory foam structure that is very large, 85 x 58 inches (216 x 147 cm). But its thickness of 2 inches (5.1 cm) looks far less impressive.

But the good thing is that it comes with a rather thick condensation mat underneath the mattress that adds to comfort and also helps in dealing with condensation.

The ladder is telescoping 103×18 inches with angled steps. Note that it comes in its own storage bag. This is a great detail because it can become dirty in the camp, and you can still store it in its bag and put in the tent box. The ladder comes with carabiners that keep it locked to the box.

All zippers are the best quality YKK with custom para-cord pulls.

Please see more in this short video:

Pros & cons

What I like:

• Overall comfort and craftsmanship.
• Windows.
• Dark rest design.
• Cross bars.
• Weight capacity.

What I dislike

• The weight.
• The price.
• No vents.

Specifications

• Weight capacity: 1200 lb (544 kg).
• Cross bars weight capacity: 728 lb (330 kg).
• Weight: 274 lb (124 kg).
• Box closed size: 94 x 61 x 8 in (239 x 155 x 20 cm).
• Box open size: 94 x 61 x 60 in (239 x 155 x 152 cm).
• Peak height: 50 in (127 cm).
• Mattress thickness: 2 in (5.1 cm).
• Mattress dimensions: 85 x 58 in (216 x 147 cm).

Places to buy

Off Road Tents
Overland Junction

Summary

For more stuff of this type please check under the category Off-Ground Tents. In particular, check these Yakima SkyRise HD 2 Tent and Thule Tepui Foothill Roof Top Tent which are a soft-shell type and with numerous great features.

Let me know what you think. Did I miss mentioning something important? There is a comment box below.

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