Roof Top Tents?

[Rynomar]

What is the point of roof top tents? I have seen a lot of threads on them recently and it just does not seem like they are quite a few disadvantages to them and not a lot of benefit. What am I missing here?

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Not sleeping on the ground, avoids mud, wet ground, and most of all critters.

 

[Rynomar]

I can see getting off the ground to get out of the mud and dust being nice, but critters are really not an issue in North America. I guess the most unappealing thing to me is having your camp and vehicle tied together. Doesn't it get old breaking down camp for anything from a firewood run to wheeling for the day? I also think that I would need an emergency hatch, as trying to get out of that in the middle of the night to take a leak sounds dangerous! Also, how do they hold up in the wind?

Don't get me wrong, I think it is pretty cool seeing a tent rigged up on a vehicle, I just don't have any first hand experience with them.

 

[Septu]

I can see getting off the ground to get out of the mud and dust being nice, but critters are really not an issue in North America. I guess the most unappealing thing to me is having your camp and vehicle tied together. Doesn't it get old breaking down camp for anything from a firewood run to wheeling for the day?

This is really the only downside. Well that and not being able to really take advantage of going topless. However one can start with a RTT and then move it to a trailer (m416/m101) eventually.

As for critters... I guess that depends on where you live. Up here the main concern is bears (0.5 for every person), in the south I could see snakes, or some spiders being an issue.

 

[Rynomar]

How do the hold up in bad weather? Wind and snow particularly. Yeah, critter-wise, I really meant the lower 48. You guys certainly have critters of a different caliber up there!

 

[Deleted member 48574]

If you are setting up a base camp from which to explore, the RTT might not be the best benefit. Though, set up and tear down takes only a couple of minutes since you can leave sleeping gear up top.

But, if you are Overlanding -- never two nights in the same spot kind of thing -- the RTT is great. I can't tell you how many bent tent pegs I've cursed at, or had rocks or roots RIGHT in the wrong spot all night in my ground tent. With the RTT you don't really need to worry about ground quality. If the ground is reasonably level, you can camp.

It's safer, more comfortable, and ready to go at a moments notice. My RTT is the best thing I've ever purchased. I've had it since May, but it's been on my Jeep non-stop, and I've managed to fit ~30-35 nights into it this season. No visible problems thus far.

I anticipate I'll get 5 or so seasons out of this thing, easily, so not bad value for money either especially with my usage.


All that being said -- an RTT might not be right for you. There are pros and cons for sure, depending on how you travel.

Regards
Craig

 

[goodtimes]

It really does depend on what you're doing.

If you're moving every day & don't want to spend a lot of time setting up ground tents every day - they're a great option. The Easi-awn I had did really well in the wind, was pretty warm (as far as tents go), no problems with rain, no problems getting in & out (of course, being <40, nature doesn't call in the middle of the night too often).

The biggest problem I had with it was having it mounted on top of a lifted TJ - it was just too damn high off the ground. Packing it up was a real pain since I couldn't reach it from the ground. It also had a significant [negative] effect on the Jeeps handling - which wasn't good to begin with. Finally, it also left you without room to stand up / stretch out when bad weather rolled through.

In short, it was great if you needed a quick & comfortable camp for the night & were off again in the morning. If you were in it for the long haul (multiple days in one spot, exploring from camp, etc), then they're not so great.

 

[Rynomar]

Good info guys. I could see them being really handy when you are on the move. Might have to check one out someday!

 

[Metcalf]

Too much weight up high for me.

I also get really annoyed sleeping in a soft sided shelter these days. My Dodge has spoiled me sleeping in the hard shell topper....

 

[Power Wagon Family]

I know a guy with a M101a2 you could tow behind your Jeep. A small to med size trailer set up to sleep in or with a RTT attached seems to fit all of the needs. You can stay on the move, or drop it and call it home for several days. :smiley_drive:

 

[Septu]

I know a guy with a M101a2 you could tow behind your Jeep. A small to med size trailer set up to sleep in or with a RTT attached seems to fit all of the needs. You can stay on the move, or drop it and call it home for several days. :smiley_drive:

I think this is the way to go. But with a 1/4 ton (m416/m101 or a custom one). Allows for the quick setup/takedown and setting up a basecamp for multiple days in the same location.

Only question is how adapt the driver is at hauling it along on the trail...

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Too much weight up high for me.

I also get really annoyed sleeping in a soft sided shelter these days. My Dodge has spoiled me sleeping in the hard shell topper....

It is of course personal preference, but I don't actually mind the weight -- it's only about 100 lbs or so. That being said you need a quality rack to accommodate it. The cheaper options like the Kargo Master, if you tied your RTT into a basket, would make the RTT sit 6+ inches off the roof. With a Gobi or for me, the rack I designed myself, the bottom of the tent is only about 3 inches off the roof. It's amazing what a difference that few inches can make in terms of stability and comfort of handling.

Regards
Craig

 

[Topgun514]

Best thing I have purchased I think. The downside is my jeep has a hard time with highway anyways, this is painfully slow now. My gas mileage is about 15-18 mpg fully loaded now which is highway and off roading included- used to be 24 highway. It is large- had a few people in it, holds up better in winds even without the tie down straps, and is just a pleasure to camp with. After hiking 10 miles in the summer, Utah heat- and driving about 5 hours on washboards, 4lo, highway, etc, it is so nice to quickly open a flat surface with a cozy sleeping pad and go to sleep looking through the window at the stars with NO worry. Not really dirty and they stay clean, no ants, snakes, scorpions, spiders, flies, and it feels more secure even from ground critters like mountain lion and bears.

I always joke with my freinds, it takes me an extra hour to drive from Salt Lake to southern Utah, but I am still in a better rig offroad and for the 8 hours of sleep I get in comfort, I make up for any disadvantage in highway speed.

 

[Corey]

I think you will find that most that have roof top tents enjoy them a lot, and many including myself would not go back to a ground tent again for a few reasons:
1. Comfortable
2. No tracking dirt, sand, mud, ect into the tent.
3. Fast setup/breakdown.

I like to include AutoHomes FAQ on tents, as it lists a lot of the pros of having a roof top tent.
This applies to all brands, not just AutoHomes.

What advantage is there to having my tent on the roof of my vehicle?

The primary benefits in getting your tent up off the ground are&#8230;

Your shelter is always with you and ready for a comfortable night's sleep, which gives you a great deal of freedom
Moving your sleeping quarters to the roof means that you have much more space in your vehicle, and no need to unpack to set up a comfortable place to sleep
You don't need a place to pitch your tent &#8211; so you can &#8216;camp' anywhere &#8211; even RV parks that do not allow traditional tent camping.
Fast and easy setup, even in the dark, equally fast and easy take down in the morning, even when the weather is wet and cold.
Your vehicle stays cooler because the roof is shaded by the tent.
Your tent also provides ready storage of your bedding and some equipment.
AutoHome tents offer great ventilation and good view
Fewer worries about insects, snakes, wildlife and other things that go bump in the night.
Your tent &#8211; being up off the ground, will collect much less sand and dirt to contend with
Sleeping on rocks or puddles is a thing of the past. Now you can camp anywhere your vehicle takes you &#8211; just park, pop open your tent, and get comfortable
The list goes on, and you are only limited by your imagination.

 

[cchoc]

I have one on my AT Chaser and it's probably my best piece of camping gear after my Engel fridge. I always have a dry, flat place to sleep no matter what the weather and it sets up faster than a full sized ground tent to boot.