.
If set on a RTT, my advice would be to not limit yourself to just fold-out types. Fold-out RTTs--as opposed to hard shell pop-ups--take longer to set up and stow back away and have more to tend to in general. Less downsides to a hard shell, in my experience. I see a lot of folks switching to hard shells after having fold-out types.
I chose to go hard shell because of greater stability in big weather and overall ease of setting up and packing up. I have mine on a trailer, though would not hesitate to put it on a vehicle.
I've had mine going on four years. I had it out more than 600 nights pre-pandemic, in all sorts of environments and weather. From multi-week lakeside camping in New England and the mountains of east Tennessee, to overnights in rest areas or along the trail, to camps in the bayous of Cajun country, to ocean beaches and extended stays all along the Mexican border, it has simply been one of the best investments I've made in adventure gear.
My hard shell has weathered the worst of storms, straight-line winds, hurricane rains and baking desert sun and has taken it all in stride. Other than cleaning/lubricating the zippers once a year, I've had no repairs needed or malfunctions of fabric, shell, lifting arms, or latches.
As already mentioned, the more regularly one uses an RTT, the more sense they make. Hard shell RTTs have been in use in Europe since the late 50s for general consumers and travel pros alike. I used to see them in campgrounds when I was a kid in Germany and thought they were clever. The concept has more recently come to America and become popular here, but they've been around for decades.
I bought mine used for just about what your budget is, from a fellow who used it on one trip with his son. It is simple and easy to use, literally goes up in a minute with the release of four latches and stows back away in less than five. I can back country camp with others using ground tents and have mine set up and ready to use while they are still scouting a suitable flat spot free of roots or cactus.
One thing to note with tents these days, is that many of them seem made in the same few factories and then private-labeled with a couple distinguishing features or colors. Some vendors have had absolutely no design or manufacturing input into what they're selling; they're simply ordering wholesale and passing them along with their name sewn on.
The outdoor recreation market is hot right now and a lot of vendors are out of stock or have a long back order list on everything from RTTs to awnings to vehicle mods and parts. Most prices have gone up, too, some considerably.
I'd poke around in the classifieds on all the adventure forums as well as do searches on craigslist in surrounding states. Put the word out on social media that you're looking. There's a ton of adventure gear being sold practically new or lightly used as folks realize it's not quite what they wanted, or have decided to switch to something else because they've changed vehicles or goals, etc.
Pays to shop around, seek friends or showrooms that have them, climb in and out of them, and do all the measuring and weight calcs you need. In general do all your due diligence before making a final choice and plunking down the pesos.
RTTs might not be the right choice for everyone, though having my hardshell RTT has greatly expanded my potential for adventuring, and tremendously reduced the amount of time needed to set up camp, whether for a night or extended stays. Examples of both below. I go a lot more places now, knowing I can set up so quick and easy and don't have to worry about having a level spot large enough and free enough of roots etc for a ground tent.
If I can answer anything else, don't hesitate to DM or ask here.
Good luck with your research and final choice!
View attachment 667260
...
View attachment 667258
...
View attachment 667259
...
View attachment 667263
...
. If you're moving daily, some folks don't like to deal with the cover/straps/etc., especially if they're wet from a rain.
