Why a RTT vs. a Kamp Rite Tent Cot?

[007]

I'm a big fan of t-top ezi-awn RTT's. I use mine for 1-2 week long trips in Montana during the late fall when weather can be brutal.

Its more solid than a conventional wall tent and you can easily heat it for weeks off 20lbs of propane. This drastically extends my camping season in the North. I would never consider going back to ground tents.

 

[Hightechcoonass]

having 3/4 of your camping gear out of the way of top of the car? that is the way to go. I have the tent cot but it is bulky to move around and take lots of room

 

[Rosco862003]

What about a tent got mounted to the roof rack? I've seen this done before and can't for the life of me find it.

 

[Corey]

A guy with an Xterra mounted his camp cot to his rack.
Also on a Jeep too.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18550

 

[Rando]

Obviously this is just my opinion, but I think for just one person I would choose a quality regular tent (or camp cot) over an RTT. From reading and talking to others with RTT's, it seems that they can cause a fairly significant MPG hit if they are mounted above the roof line. So depending on how much you use it, you may want to put it on and take it off between trips, which would be a pain. Speaking from experience as a wildernest owner, having your tent so far off the ground can be a fairly significant liability when it is windy. With a regular tent or campcot, you can pitch it in a sheltered location (even behind your vehicle) if it is going to be a windy night. You can also leave your tent up and go explore during the day which you can't do with an RTT. I know regular tents don't have the 'expedition bling' of an RTT, but with all the money saved you can add some other 'expo bling' such as lots of jerry cans or a highlift jack, or just get yourself an expo sticker and call it good.

 

[Schattenjager]

I had a RTT and LOVED IT !!! Very civilized, roomy, and for long stays it is uber comfortable.

But I sold it.

Now I have a Deluxe (big) Tent Cot and as in Corey's post, I will mount it to the roof with quick disconnects /ratchet straps.

My 'logic:' The RTT is HEAVY and BULKY and is no fun to fold up and stow if you want to explore or make a run for something. God forbid you have an emergency that requires rapid exodus... There is no getting around this. Even the highly desirable Maggiolina takes up a ton of room and the ease of use comes at a very high price. I do love them, however.

The Tent Cot is very light, easy to stow, easy to setup and to this non-finikey camper - is quite comfortable. If I need it on the roof - done. If not - I have the option.

I enjoyed the RTT a lot. I love the convenience and options of the Cot.
:bike_rider:

 

[LandyAndy]

I've been pondering this question now for the past few months and we viewed an Autohome RTT last weekend to help us make our final decision. We've (I've) decided to buy an Autozone RTT for my D2 based on the following factors :

1. We live in active bear (black, brown & griz) country & although being on the roof of the D2 doesn't 'protect' from bear problems it gives more time to react to bears coming into camp at night & take appropiate actions if required. Being on the ground & at nose level isn't my idea of fun or the way to get a good nights sleep, being a city boy now living in the sticks !

2. RTT is easier to pitch on rocky camp sites, in the rain or early spring/fall snow. It provides additional covered cooking space as it'll open over the back of the truck & we'll get the add-on room too for extended trips/stops. Autohome also make a winter cover for the tent.... don't think that any other RTT manufacturers do ?

3. I only do minimal km's during the week (live & work in a very small town) so fuel economy not such a big issue and on trips it's accounted for in the budget. Will keep the tent on the truck during the week for quick Friday night departures straight from work :wings:

4. Material used in the Autohome tent is very thick & the overall construction looks & feels very solid. Cost is high but we're buying a product that we can use for the next 10+ years, so in reality it's a long term investment with low depreciation. I still have a Vango Force10-mk1 tent that belong'd to a relative that's in perfect good order, it was made in the late 60's and has seen many mountains in the Alps. That was very expensive in it's day... still doing it's job though.

4. Last but most important..... It looks so cool with the RTT on the truck

Just my 2c....

 

[outdoorsaddict]

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2031293160054969310NjhtTb?vhost=outdoors

 

[outdoorsaddict]

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2326300590054969310ZsIeVR?vhost=outdoors

 

[Nikson]

as a person with a bit of an experience in using tent-cot,

I would have to say that its really up to each personal preference... really depends on the size of the <crew> and few other things...

I would imagine that RTT will offer you some options like extra head room as well as sleeping for more then just 2.

I've got a double Tent-Cot, and I have to say that I've liked it to the point where I came across a double from Cabellas. Quality is definitely a big difference between the two.

My Tent-Cot has gotten stretch marks on the seams and some parts of it are a bit flimsy and need some "glue" attention after half a dozen of gentle uses (I try to take care of the equipment).

Lucky me, I know the manager of the store where I got mine, so I will be returning it in exchange for store credit that i'll use on something else anyways, but at this point... Cabella's Tent Cot is a better way to go... (as far as tent-cots go)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Not a direct answer to the comparison question but I wrote this to help those on the fence decide if a RTT was for them, might talk you into a Tent Cot or make the RTT seem like the best fit?

Is a Roof Top Tent for me? The RTT Conundrum
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=70805

 

[LilKJ]

I mulled over this whole debate for a looooooooong time... I generally take a few trips each year that are 2-4 weeks each. One of my big concerns with the RTT was the inability to set up a "base camp" and leave it set up while I go play. That's my normal trend and I didn't want something that was going to take 20 minutes each time I had to run to get firewood.... my compromise came with taking the RTT off the roof.

Base Camp Mode

Packed up...

It was the best solution for me and kept a lot of the weight out of the Jeep... I love being able to disconnect and not have an overburdened rig on the trail

 

[bluejeep]

my solution for sleeping 1. More along the lines of the tent cot instead of the RTT

see post #35
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36548&page=4

 

[CSG]

Just as an update, I'm no closer to deciding which way to go than I was in December.

Maybe I shoulda' bought a Sportsmobile...

 

[Ford Prefect]

Obviously there is a lot of personal preference here.

Have you sat, or laid down in either?

For me, my first experience was an Air Force Cot. I am a tall guy, so I was longer than my Cot, I have broad shoulders, so I was also wider than my cot. Now since then I have gotten into several of the different tent cots that I have come across. I find them cramped, and still uncomfortable. I really think that I like the mattress in the RTT better. I also feel that I have more room inside the RTT. I have two kids, so, with the four of us the RTTs on the market include some very nice wide tents, which I speculate can sleep us all as well as our ground tent could.

Never forget, however, there is a very large "bling" factor to the RTT. It makes people oggle your rig, and ask lots of stupid questions.

I once saw a sign that said (to the traveler on this road) "Please put your vehicle into 4x4 now, and lock lockers. Tire deflation is recommended for better traction (No 4x4? That is ok, keep going, this sign is just to make those guys feel like they spent all that money for a reason)"

That is part of it with the RTT. People like to show off how much they spent and they like questions. Obviously this is far from the only reason people buy them, but it is a factor.

Next time you are in the area check out Cruiseroutfitter, he sells them, and I suspect he would be happy to give you a tour of the things.

Last thought. The RTT sets up on uneven terrain better, in my opinion, than would a cot. While digging may be required for a tire a time or two, to me it is not like the leveling needs a cot have.

Oh well, opinions are like breathing. Everyone has them, and they all stink at one time or another.