Tuff stuff TRAILHEAD User manual

TUFF STUFF® TRAIL H EAD ROOF TOP TENT

Roof Top Tent Owner’s Manual
Congratulations on your purchase of an Tuff Stuff Overland Roof Top Tent. We strive to provide
theultimatecampingexperienceforevery roof top tent camper. Thisquality roof top tent
mounts directly to your roof rack or after marketroofbarsandcanbefullysetup injusta few
minutes.Itcanbeleftonyour vehicle year-round.
Tuff Stuff Overland tents are made with the best materials that stand up to the most extreme
conditions. High quality rip stop fabrics provide excellent water and wind protection .
Most of your Tuff Stuff Overland Tent components have been fully assembled at the factory except
for attaching the mounting tracks and the ladder to the base of the tent. Installation is composed
ofunpacking, attaching mounting tracks to the base of the tent, attaching the ladder, attaching the
tent cover, and then mounting your Tuff Stuff Overland Tent onto your roof rack or after market
roof bars. All the tools and hardware required for installation are included. Should you have any
questions, please email [email protected] or call Customer Service at 866-220-0171
WARNING
Improper installation or use of your tent may result in serious injury or death.
Follow these installation instructions carefully to ensure proper installation on
your vehicle and safe use of your tent. Please check with your vehicle
manufacturer for specified loading capacity of your roof rack. Not all factory roof
racks or after market roof bars can safely accommodate tent models.

Getting Started
This installation manual supports all current Tuff Stuff Overland tents. The installation process varies
only slightly between some models and is explained in detail within these pages.
Remove tent from box and place on a clean surface. Undo all the Velcro straps so that you can open
the tent enough to unzip the door and remove the contents.
Velcro straps are located on both sides of the tent
1. Undo the Velcro straps
2. Open the tent up and all content will be
inside the tent
3. Remove all bags
4. Open up like picture below
5. Make sure you have all the parts required
6. Some tents may have 2 Ladders for a double
entry
1. Mounting Bolts & Chanel Sliders Qty 8
2. Steel Mount Plates Qty 4
3. Track End caps Qty 4
4. Additional Rail Support Screws Qty 4 (If required to
hold rail in place)
5. Rail Mounting Bolts Qty 4
6. Ladder Mounting Brackets & Hardware Qty 2
7. 13mm/15mm Self ratcheting Qty 1
8. 10mm Wrench Qty 1
9. Tension Rods Qty 8
10. Mounting Rails Qty 2 (ELITE Qty 4)
11. Ladder Qty 1 (ELITE Qty 2)
12. Cables for Stake Qty 2
13. Storage Bag 1
14. Storage Bag for Tension Rods

Tent Orientation on Your Vehicle
There are two mounting options for the orientation of your new Tuff Stuff Overland Tent.
Either the tent will open so that the ladder extends off the back of your vehicle, “off the
back,” or the ladder extends off the side of your vehicle, “off the side.” people mostly
choose to mount their tents with the ladder extending off the side of the vehicle, in “off the
side”orientation.
Both works for larger vehicles, however, most cars or smaller SUV Style are better suited for
the off the side option.
What are the Benefits of "off the back" tent
1. You can access the rear of your vehicle from inside the annex room if the tent has one
2. Fits into narrow camping spaces
Benefits of a "off the side" tent
1. Allows for bicycle racks and other tow hitch accessoriestobeinstalledwithout interfering
withyourtent.
2. Closed tent width will fit inside the roof dimensions of most cars and SUV’s. i.e. the tent base
will not extend beyond the roofline of your vehicle when closed.

Attaching the Mounting Rails to the Tuff Stuff Rooftop Tent
1.1. Direction of Opening
Before you fit your new rooftop tent to your vehicle, you will need to decide whether you wish to have
the rooftop tent open to the back o r to the side of your vehicle.
A. "Off the Back"
For most larger size vehicles opening "off the back" is preferable. The advantages of this
orientation are:
 leaves extra roof space for additional storage.
 with the tent open you will gain weather protection from the tent above you head
when accessi ng the back of your vehicle.
The mounting extrusions need to be cut off at both ends up to the second pre-drilled hole, prior to
being fitted to the base of the rooftop tent. See Diagram 1.
The mounting extrusions are then bolted to the base of the tent at right angles to the roof rack or roof
bars, in the direction of opening (along the length of the tent base).
OR
B. "Off the Side"
For most medium or small vehicles opening "off the side" is preferable. The advantages of this
orientation are:
 allows for lift up tailgates to operate normally.
 means the closed tent pack is better balanced on the roof and creates less wind drag
as the narrow face of the tent pack is travelling forward.
The mounting extrusions bolt to the base of the tent at right angles to the roof rack or roof bars (across
the width of the tent base)
Once you have decided which is best suited to your application, follow the mounting instructions. If
you are uncertai n of the most appropriate method of mounting your rooftop tent, please contact
TUFF STUFF who will be happy to provi de advice specific to your circumstances.
Tent Assembly
Diagram 1

Mounting Extrusion - Attachment Instructions
1. Remove the Roof Top Tent from the carton and place on a clean surface. Observe the top surface. It has four
holes in the center area of the base, then this is the side which will receive the mounting channels. Otherwise you
are looking at the surface which will receive the ladder. Open tent to gain entrance to interior and remove contents.
2. After removing the contents, close the Roof Top Tent, so the channel mounting surface is facing upward,then
move the cap of holes (side with 4 holes).
3. Using four supplied 35mm Steel MB bolt into the mounting channels, insert it into the predrilled holes.
4. Place mounting channels on exposed bolts. For side mounted orientation, ensure the mounting channels are
perpendicular to hinge side. For rear mounted orientation, ensure the mounting channels are parallel to hinge side.
5. Insert the M8 Nylock Nut with washer with 35mm steel MB bolt on the tent base. Tighten the MB Nylock Nut
using the supplied 13mm wrench. Fasten mounting channels to base as described above . (Diagram A)
The mounting extrusion fitted to the base of the tent with the slide plate and bolt fitted.
SUMMARY:

1. Slide the 35mm M8 Bolts into the inner slot in the center of the mounting tracks until they are
aligned with the holes in the mounting tracks and the base.
INSTRUCTION 1 PICTURE
INSTRUCTION 3 PICTURE
3. Using the supplied 35mm bolts M8, add steel washers to each bolt. Slide your hand between base and
mattress and and hold nut in place. The bolts should pass through the holes in the tent base and the
mounting tracks. Reach under the mattress and tighten the nuts firmly using the supplied ratcheting 13 mm
wrench.

4. Attach the brackets to the ladder by threading the 40 mm Steel M6 bolt through a steel washer,
the lateral side of the ladder bracket, the rubber washer, and the hole in the ladder, followed by a
nylock nut.
Driving Cover Attachment
1. To attach the travel cover, slide the rounded fabric end of the cover into the rounded C-channel at the
hinge side of the tent base. Make sure the cover is oriented, so the exterior side of the cover faces up when
you pull the cover over the tent
2. Fasten the Velcro straps on either side of the tent to hold the canopy in place
INSTRUCTION 7 PICTURE

3. Zip the travel cover to the base along the other three edges, taking care that the tent fabric
does not become caught in the zipper. Secure the two long Velcro straps over the top of the
travel cover.
Final Step Attachment to The Roof Rack
1. This will take 2-3 people
2. Place the tent on top of your vehicle rack system, ensuring the mounting tracks are
perpendicular to the bars they will mount to, and the tent is centered on the roof rack.
3. Position the hinge so that the tent will open to the desired side.
4. Slide the 8mm bolts and channel sliders into the mounting tracks. Lift one side of the tent to
position one set of bolts and channel sliders on the inner side of the roof rack bar and an
additional set on the opposite side. Repeat on all four corners.
3. At each of the four corners where the rack bars and mounting tracks cross, using a steel mounting plate
and nylock nuts to secure the bolts on either side of the bar. Tighten all eight (8) bolts securely with the
included nuts and wrench. Check all the mounting bolts and brackets before you leave for camping.

4. After ensuring the tent is positioned correctly and centered and all eight bolts are tightened
securely,insert the rubber end caps into the ends of the mounting tracks.
Tent Set Up
1. Release the straps over the travel cover. There will be two or four straps depending on model.
2. Unzip the travel cover. Most people do not remove it they let it hang off the side of your vehicle or
roll up and tuck under the tent.
3. Unbuckle the straps on the sides of the tent and across the ladder.
4. Use the ladder as leverage to open the tent by pulling straight back until the ladder rests firmly on the
ground. Assure all the steps on the telescoping ladder are locked. The tent base should be level
and the ladder should form a 60° angle with the ground.
5. To adjust the ladder height, pull on the locking pins in front of ladder and adjust to the desired
height. Make sure the pins lock at the desired height.
6. Unfasten the grommets on the awning and rainfly. Locate the fabric slits in the tent skirt. Pre-drilled
holes are located underneath each slit. Insert the rainfly rod at a 45° angle into the hole and bend
slightly to hook the other end through the grommet. Repeat this process for both holes in the
awnings and both holes at either end of the rainfly.
Rain fly Rod Installation
Note: You can lightly tap them in with a rubber mallet.