Looking for input on RTT vs tent

[milo12]

I have never used a RTT.

I am considering what benefits a RTT has over a regular tent. The only thing that stands out to me is that it is quicker to deploy. Being off the gound would be nice if it is rocky or wet.

I ask because I have a crazy idea. I have a full size long bed truck. I have a cover over the bed that creates a platform that could be used for a tent. Here is the cover I have.

http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/products_tc.asp

It can hold 1600 lbs.

The thing I am wondering is why spend big bucks for a RTT when I can just put a regular tent on the bed cover? In fact if I made a couple panels that flipped out I would have a flat space 18 feet wide and 8 feet long. That seems plenty big to put a tent on.

I found this tent that can be erected in less than 1 minute.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=JZGTVLFLMH4RRLAQBBJCCN3MCAEFGIWE?id=0054660518226a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0520102&cm_ite=0054660518226a&_requestid=142772&_requestid=148241&_requestid=90671

Check out the video. As far as tents go it is expensive. But I think it is worth the convenience.

So would that be a reasonable alternative to a RTT?

Any obvious problems?

 

[Connie]

One advantage that a RTT has over the one from Cabelas is that the RTT already has a mattress in it and the bedding can be stored inside of it, but the advantage of your plan is that the tent you are looking at, you can stand up in. (I personally would spend the few extra hundred dollars for the RTT, but I'm not a good judge because I am already one of the converted)

 

[Paul R]

I'm not a good judge because I am already one of the converted)

:sombrero: Count me among the converted.

You might be able to make a pretty big platform but by the time you get the tent, mattress, bedding, boards, support legs and ladder, you'll have quite a bit of gear to carry and quite a bit of setup time. The thing I love about our RTT is that it only takes a few seconds to pop open and we are ready to crawl in for the night and it is all in one package. My wife really loves being off the ground away from any little critters. It would be hard to go without one in the future unless we were camping away from the truck.

That being said if you think the platform will be a better solution for you then go for it

 

[Corey]

If you want to stick with the platform, here is a very quick tent.
http://www.airzonerecreation.com/
It sets up via air.

I am partial though to RTTs.

There are a lot of cool truck setups that have RTTs on them.

 

[Hltoppr]

There are other factors. Actually, I think the ground tent you are looking at was used by Roseann and Jonathan at the 2008 Expedition Trophy, and I was impressed with it.

I love RTTs, but recently went from a Hannibal to an OZTent RV-5. With the addition of my 2 year old, I couldn't have a toddler 7.5 feet up in the air in a RTT....so a ground tent became a better option.

-H-

 

[Paul R]

I love RTTs, but recently went from a Hannibal to an OZTent RV-5. With the addition of my 2 year old, I couldn't have a toddler 7.5 feet up in the air in a RTT....so a ground tent became a better option.

-H-

I have heard others talk about ditching the RTT for a ground tent because of children too. I can obviously see if the door is open then it would be important to be extremely careful, but are you worried about your child wiggling against the side and falling through in the night, or what is your concern with it? Just curious.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I sleep better 6' up in the air in bear country. Also nice to have 360 degree visibility.

 

[ColinTheCop]

I bought mine for a 3 week trek around Iceland, and fitted it to a similar bed cover as yours.

The reason I went for mine, was the time option. The group I was travelling with camped somewhere new every night. It was just so much easier setting up and putting away than a ground tent.

It was a lot more cash to pay for my laziness, but on reflection it was worth it and when you've finished a longs days driving and need to get cooking it was just so much easier to unzip the cover and flip it open.

And all the bedding stores inside, which is another bonus.

 

[toyota_jon]

to take this question a little bit further in the future i'd like to get a RTT, however i'm wondering how well the soft top Eezi-awn would hold up compared to the magnolia with the hard top. i'm concerned that on some of the tight trails with lots of tree's that i might tear a soft one. any thoughts?

 

[ShearPin]

I've been out a few nights in my Roof Tent - Ezi Awn. I am 6'3 and share it with my wife and growing 2 year old. Prior I spent a number of nights in ground tents and was skeptical about the design. Mainly - the ezi-awn appeared to lack ventilation and enough fly overhang to keep dry.

In reality - I've always found a breeze on top of my 110 in our hot and humid Canadian summers. In addition, in contrast to most ground tents, the Canvas material and mesh window design makes for a shaddy place for kids and adults to nap mid-afternoon.

I've also found the fly shape and window shades allow all windows and door areas to stay open during even heavy rains. I've often cursed putting flys on ground tents on a hot night threatening rain. Always stayed dry and cool in the ezi-awn.

In cold weather - being off the ground means warmer temps. The three of us stayed cozy on one particular night where there was frost the next morning. With my ground tents I'd never snuck out for piss and felt the warmer temperature difference the minute I snuck back into the tent.

Also, as mentioned, set up is quick, easy, and entertaining for kids. On our most recent trip the area we stopped was marked with rocks and tree roots protruding from the soil. Roof tent's take the issue out of searching for a flat spot and trying to pry the odd stone out. I stop and let the truck roll and settle in neutral and flip it open.

Regarding kids - we passed my daughter up and down in the past. This last trip she was climbing the ladder with help. Our biggest problem, once inside, is calming her down. The location of the metal poles and rigid tent construction is sturdy enough that, while I'd never leave her alone while she's running around and shaking the walls, I don't worry while she sleeps if I am in earshot.

Another plus of being off the ground - I chased a racoon away from the ladder our first night out with our daughter. She was almost 1 years old. Had it been nosing around the door to our ground tent it would have taken some convincing to get my already nervous wife out until the daughter was much older.

Anyways - some disjointed thoughts (I am doint two things at once). Next season the zippers will be an issue. Using some paracord through the zipper end I've found it easy to secure the zippers closed in a manner that is quick to open if need be...

Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

 

[milo12]

Thanks for the input.

I had not considered the fact that the bedding is already in a RTT. That seems to be a nice convenience factor.

I like that inflatible tent. Wonder how it holds up in wind?

My plan is to have the base of the tent permanently attached to the flip out platform. That way you just flip it out, put up a couple support struts and pop up the tent. No stowing or unstowing the tent.

The main driving feature of the ground tent is the standup height. A RTT seems more like only a place to sleep. Like those little japanese sleeping berths at hotels. I am looking for more of a Motel 6 setup. Not fancy but functional. I want to be able to sit inside, read, play on the computer, eat, change my clothes etc. If the weather gets lousy it would be nice to have a comfortable spot to wait it out. It will be the 2 of us and 2 dogs. She likes the comfort and privacy of the camper so I need to keep that in mind.

I now have a large popup camper. I would like to keep as much convenience as I can while losing the size and weight of the camper. I have seriously considerd a FWC but if I can come up with a lighter tent solution I can live with the loss of luxury (I think). I don't go out if the weather is bad so I think a tent is doable. Of course I will need to equip the truck with extra batteries, a water tank and water heater to approach a reasonable level of comfort.

 

[Nullifier]

Old thread brought back LOL! I guess so far mostly the easy of set up has been discussed. However those of you that have made the jump will need to advise me. My only experience with a rtt was with a campa trailer on the baja run 2 years ago. I can say however that it was great for what we were doing on that trip. Drive all day set up camp eat sleep hit the trail. However in most of my trips I like to stay at a "base camp" and then use the truck to explore the area daily. So aside from having to deal with tents and quick awnings do you guys load up all your other gear daily as well?

I guess what is nice about my Oztent is that I can set up everything in the tent and screen room then leave it for the day without having to set up camp everyday. I love the thought off a RTT for several reasons but this seems like a large pita to me if you camp like I do.

 

[FlyingWen]

I dragged my feet for 2 years on this issue before giving Wil the go ahead to get a RTT. It was expensive.

I have to say that it is, Hands Down, the best mod we have on the Taco (IMO). It has paid for itself in comfort, convenience, and warmth.
We have the Eezi-Awn 1600 and sleep us, plus Flyingbaby and could easily get one more kid and maybe a dog in there.

 

[cydonia-jacc]

I would also like to keep this thread going. I am trying to decide between the Oztent and a RTT. I'm hoping to purchase in the next 6 months. I love the idea of the RTT but then I have to leave the canoe behind. Also, I keep imaging arriving at a destination early perhaps in the rain. I have two young boys and I can't imagine us hanging out inside a RTT for hours before going to sleep. The Oztent reminds me of a smaller version of the canvas tents we use for week long hunting trips minus a wood burning stove. When the weather turns nasty we would hang out inside and play cards. It's probably a false notion on my part but I like the security of sleeping on the roof especially with kids in the wilderness. :camping:

 

[JIMBO]

:arabia: Sorry, I don't have a use for an RTT

I would also like to keep this thread going. I am trying to decide between the Oztent and a RTT. I'm hoping to purchase in the next 6 months. I love the idea of the RTT but then I have to leave the canoe behind. Also, I keep imaging arriving at a destination early perhaps in the rain. I have two young boys and I can't imagine us hanging out inside a RTT for hours before going to sleep. The Oztent reminds me of a smaller version of the canvas tents we use for week long hunting trips minus a wood burning stove. When the weather turns nasty we would hang out inside and play cards. It's probably a false notion on my part but I like the security of sleeping on the roof especially with kids in the wilderness. :camping:

I have a hatch tent, that I've used with my Xterra

Without my vehicle

Or an AIRZONE tent on top my TENTRAX

You can have any kind of tent, it all depends on your NEEDS, I wouldn't have an RTT, because, well, for my camping, there's to many negatives, for the use of a RTT

I guess you can call the AIRZONE tent I have, a RTT, but it's JUST for sleeping and has no framework, goes up in less than a minute, has a FULL rain flap and will stand any winds, I may encounter

It weighs maybe 4 lbs and doesn't take up any appreciable space in my trailer



Good luck:shakin: :gunt: JIMBO