Ok, sounds like you are going out in PNW weather.
I think you also need to factor in the cold. One thing that RTTs do is they can extend your camping season. I personally camp in the winter, the crowds here in California are a little unnerving.
I've had several RTTs, everything from the ancient Air Camping tent, to the Maggiolina, even used a Hannibal once. I currently have a Columbus, because I'm headed into the SouthEast in summer, high humidity and lots of thunderstorms. I'm also very biased toward the AutoHome tents, I know them well, but pretty much all the RTTs these days are good, you really can't go too far astray. Some may fit your personal needs better than others.
A couple thoughts, you will want an awning of some sort. I always think it is a good idea to mix and match. I think MSR and Keltys are really good values. I'm not a big fan of the dedicated RTT awnings, too confining for the way I camp. I like to be able to move my awning and I like them really big so I can put it up over a table or have it go to the ground in high winds. It can always shelter the RTT if you need it to.
If you are going into cold weather, like below freezing, the Maggiolina is pretty hard to beat. I was with a buddie in the Copper Canyon in the winter, I had my folding fabric OverCamp and he had a Maggiolina. I froze with two sleeping bags, he was comfortable with one. I will try to borrow one if I'm headed out in really cold weather.
If you go with a folding fabric tent, make sure the ridge poles are insulated. I always get a little condensation in them and the Hannibal I used had condensation on the ridgepoles and it dripped on me all night, really annoying, but otherwise a good tent. Some of the folding tents have winter hoods that will turn them into four season tents, never tried one but look good for really nasty weather.
Folding tents tend to be a little more of a pain to close in the morning. There isn't usually a way to dry them, just scrape the ice off. My hands tend to get really cold so I'll just throw the cover on, drive a little to warm up and then cinch down the cover better when I warm up. The Maggiolina wins hands down here, you just thump on the outside fabric and the water flicks off and then close. I would always stop later if it is sunny to air out the tent. Opens fast so easy to do on a break. When it is wet, you will get water in the tent. A feature of the Columbus and Maggiolina is that they have channels under the mattress for the water to collect in. Even if your mattress gets wet, it isn't bad because the water will drain out. If you look under the mattress, you will see a little water always collecting down there. In best of conditions, you will get some condensation forming in cold weather, even though the base is insulated. I was able to get this mesh to put under the mattress that allows a little air to flow, really makes a huge difference in comfort. I'm curious to see how well it works out in the high humidity in the southeast.
You really can't go wrong with any of them because you can adapt them to your needs. After I said all these rational reasons on how to choose a tent, I need to mention this, sometimes you don't always have a choice. I have a Columbus, for my wife, she thinks the folding tents are camping, she doesn't camp, she like to have her quilt and stuff. She doesn't like the Maggiolina because in the middle of the night she has to get up and go. It is easier for her to put on her pants because it has a lot of headroom. I have a Columbus because she will come with me, simple decision.
Rich H
