Experience of Sleeping in a RTT?

[Titanpat57]

I had two RTT's ....both on top of the trailer.

First one was very basic, ladder not enclosed. Second was enclosed ladder....enclosed changing room was even nicer. You can't beat sleeping "up" period...it's that cool. But I think it's better suited for the younger crowd.

After spending three times as many nights in a hard sided camper, I'm going to stick with this.

 

[deeve]

I was thinking that I do not have to mount the tent so high on the truck. Might make getting in and out easier if it's lower.

 

[Rugy]

Sleeping in the RTT has always been quick and easy = wonderful.
First time we used the tent was at Mogfest in Sheridan OR. Arrived near midnight after meeting Kevin from Wagon Gear in Eugene Oregon.
We had been on the road driving North from LA for 13 hr. Deployed the James Baroud tent and were in bed in less than a two minutes.
Best sleep we had in ages. Like Frank above states one minute up two to three minutes down is a great feature.

 

[JLee]

Has anyone here used an RTT and also a serious ground tent (Oztent RV series, Tentipi Safir, etc)? I completely understand the hatred of the bendy pole assembly (I recently did that for a week and I was just about done), but that can be entirely alleviated by choice of a different type of tent. I am weighing the merits of both -- a hard top RTT would be amazing for poor weather, but the ability to stand up inside a tent is also really nice to have.

 

[deeve]

Interesting thoughts. Having more room to carry a bigger ground tent could be a good alternative maybe.

 

[Christophe Noel]

You are over thinking it.
RTT is way more comfortable than a ground tent.

I don't think so. I use both, definitely see the advantages to each types of shelters, but the overall comfort is a wash to me. In fact, I find there are more pad options that offer greater ground comfort than the mattresses in most RTTs. I don't think one style has a clear advantage overall, but maybe to some users.

I generally dislike the weight of the RTT, the setup can be a hassle, mostly covers, and getting in/out while not difficult, is not as easy as just walking out a tent door.

 

[deeve]

I think for me, my biggest complaint about a ground tent is the crawling in
And out, and around inside. My knees are kinda jacked and "walking" on my knees isn't very good for me. Maybe the key is one I can walk into?

 

[Christophe Noel]

I think for me, my biggest complaint about a ground tent is the crawling in
And out, and around inside. My knees are kinda jacked and "walking" on my knees isn't very good for me. Maybe the key is one I can walk into?

That is an understandable complaint. We use a Big Agnes Big House 6 tent from time to time. I can stand and even walk around in it. It's like a circus tent. But, I can pitch it by myself in just a few minutes.

 

[deeve]

I suppose a RTT has some crawling in though as well, but with a padded base, which I bet is nice.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I suppose a RTT has some crawling in though as well, but with a padded base, which I bet is nice.

I don't know if this will be of any use, but you might give it a read. I did my best to be as objective as possible.

http://expeditionportal.com/head-to-head-hard-shell-vs-soft-shell-roof-top-tents/

What I like most about my RTT is the ability to camp on any surface. That to me is the single biggest reason to use it. I don't have to hunt and peck for good ground. My least favorite thing about it is the size, bulk, and difficulty getting it on and off the truck, which is a royal pain.

 

[Trikebubble]

I purchased a CVT Mt. Shasta this past winter and we've used it a half dozen times so far.
For me, it's more like camping in a grown up tree fort and less like sleeping in an actual tent. I love the darn thing, the comforter and pillows stay in it and it just gets folded up. The Wife bought a 1" memory foam topper which makes a lot of difference, comfort wise. Her porta-potti can sit in the annex and offer her some privacy for those midnight pee-breaks. Even our two dogs love the RTT. I like the idea of being up off the ground, away from critters and the damp and cold ground too.

If none of that helps sell a rooftop tent, it is by far the single best conversation piece I have ever owned. It draws the curious like flies to well, you know. Ha.

 

[brentbba]

I've got mine on a trailer. Eezi-Awn that's designed for trailer top. Did the ground tent for years and years. Did the sleeping in the back of the truck too. Tent sleeping included Thermarest on the ground, air mattress and cot. Of those the cot was the best...until I got the RTT. Super comfortable. I weigh 210 and don't have an issue with the mattress being uncomfortable. On the contrary, I love it.

You mentioned your knees getting kind of shot. Both mine have been replaced. Reminds me that the Eezi-Awn showed up a week after my first knee replacement! Man I couldn't wait to get it on the trailer and get out camping!!! No issue getting in and out of the tent. Ladder is somewhat shorter than a RTT on top of a vehicle tho at only about 60" off the ground. It's held up in howling desert wind storms that blew over an almost indestructible Springbar too!

 

[herecomestony]

Nice!

Best night's sleep ever and it puts a smile on my face. It's like sleeping in a tree house with great air flow. I have added extra padding besides the pad in my Tepui. Much faster to open up and close vs. a ground tent. Plus, with my last ground tent, I had gone to cots, which I've also eliminated all that extra stuff.

I'll note that my RTT is on a box trailer so not as far up in the sky. But easy enough to get in and out of of.

It's looks very cozy!

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

what do you guys do when your wife or you have to pee in the middle of the night?

 

[deeve]

Thanks Frenchie! good info on the RTT. I like the idea of the hardtop, but it IS a quite a bit more. I may go with a softtop first and see how it goes.