Where the RTT is still advantageous is that you won't have to find a way to carry it along. It will also let you store your bedding inside, and includes a mattress in lieu of sleeping pads or cots that you would need with a ground tent, saving precious room inside the vehicle. In the event of rain, packing away a wet RTT is far preferable than stowing a wet and muddy ground tent. With no part of the tent touching the ground, cleaning consists of wiping the feet over the ladder off when you pack it down.
The tent model makes a substantial difference. The soft-shell folding tents take more time than a hard-shell wedge tent. The trade off is, the the folding tents are more affordable, and offer more room, while the wedge tents cost more, but simplify setup and teardown.
Setup time isn't bad at all once you get the steps down. You'll learn where the necessary hand and foot holds are on your vehicle for accessing the cover and extending the ladder. When that is practiced enough to become a reflex, then you've reached the true time.
I just referenced and old video of mine. Not hurrying, it takes me 2 minutes to undo the outer straps, pull the cover while undoing the inner straps, extend the ladder, unfold the tent, tuck the mattress cover out of the way, verify the jaw is locked, and adjust the ladder. Add maybe another 30 seconds to install the spring rods for the rain fly on the main opening. It's not required, but it makes access much easier. Tent setup is at 2:23. I added some time because I'd done the outer straps before the segment. You'll need to add time depending on how many windows you want open and what you want in the tent with you.
There are a few things to ask yourself when considering a rooftop tent. Are you comfortable climbing around on your vehicle a bit to open and close it? Are you and those you travel with comfortable climbing down a ladder in the dark to go pee at night? Are you okay with losing 1-2 mpg and adding some weight to the roof of your vehicle? Will you use it enough to justify the cost?
The combo below is what I put together back in 2015. I've enjoyed cruising the trails and camping as long as I've been driving, but being able to sleep comfortable and clean indefinitely was life-changing. I now have over 150 nights in this Smittybilt tent. That averages out to about $6 a night. It has survived everything I've thrown at it, and was no worse for the wear after the wreck that took my FJ from me. The best way to find out if a rooftop tent works for you may just be to get one and try it yourself!
