RTT and kids
- Thread starter TXscout
- Start date
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Given how much space my kids take up not sure how the 4 of you would use a single RTT. We quickly moved to a large ground tent and it helps to have the kids in a cot given its a fixed space for them to sleep vs an entire floor in a tent. LOL We moved to a LifeTime Tent trailer to get off the ground. So today we have two queen sized beds with a 4x6 floor between them. Even now my youngest nearly does laps around the queen sized bed and drives his older sister nutz. Very tempted to get cot bunk beds to define the sleeping space so my kids sleep better.
When they are older I can see us moving to a FWC camper set up and putting the kids in a ground tent or RTT on the top of a gear trailer housing the slide out kitchen etc.
When they are older I can see us moving to a FWC camper set up and putting the kids in a ground tent or RTT on the top of a gear trailer housing the slide out kitchen etc.
Finlay
Triarius
My wife and I sleep in the RTT with our two 60lb dogs. We have a CVT Rainier, which is a decent amount of space - cozy without being uncomfortable. (I'm 6'4" and she's 5'9", so we aren't tiny little people, either).
There are logistics involved, though. Getting the dogs in and out requires hoisting them in and out, and of course, there is the muddy feet and such. I actually think this would be easier with toddlers/small children.
Point is, I wouldn't hesitate to take my toddler kids camping in an RTT. No matter what you choose, it is a bag of compromises anyway.
Swordsedge
New member
I have the Tepui Kukenam XL Ruggedized on top of a JKUR. The Wife, our 2 year old son, and myself have sleep in it without any issues. All of us love it and will only sleep on the ground when we are backpacking. We do have another boy on the way and are still planing on staying up on top of the Jeep when camping. When the first was still little, we just keep him in the car seat up in the tent when we sleep at night. Still had enough room for another person. The only thing we have worried about is when the 2 boys are older I'll have to build a trailer and get another RTT.
When camping in bear country my wife now prefers the RTT, especially after having a bear rub up against out ground tent and I had to punch it through the tent and start yelling to get it to go away. I would also get a tent fan to keep the air moving around on those hot nights.
When camping in bear country my wife now prefers the RTT, especially after having a bear rub up against out ground tent and I had to punch it through the tent and start yelling to get it to go away. I would also get a tent fan to keep the air moving around on those hot nights.
ducktapeguy
Adventurer
How old are the kids? Just went camping with the whole family this weekend with a 5 year old and 2 year old, and all 4 of use slept in a Tepui Autana. Was a little cozy inside, but doable. I didn't think we would all fit, so I brought the annex along as backup and also had a spare mattress inside the car but we didn't use it.
Even the 2 year old can climb up the ladder without help, but I always watch them when coming down. It's a little more trouble to get them up there when they're sleeping, but still can be done by one person. I use a mini carabiner to lock the zippers at night when they go to bed so the younger one can't open it and fall out.
Even the 2 year old can climb up the ladder without help, but I always watch them when coming down. It's a little more trouble to get them up there when they're sleeping, but still can be done by one person. I use a mini carabiner to lock the zippers at night when they go to bed so the younger one can't open it and fall out.
Easy
My kid has a bunk bed. Really no difference, the RTT is likely safer.
She sleepwalks down her bunk bed ladder all the time. It takes almost no time for a kid to develop the muscle memory to negotiate a ladder.
Plus... And most importantly... The RTT is like the coolest fort a kid could ever have! Sometimes she asks to have it set up in the driveway just to play!
Do it and enjoy many happy nights.
My kid has a bunk bed. Really no difference, the RTT is likely safer.
She sleepwalks down her bunk bed ladder all the time. It takes almost no time for a kid to develop the muscle memory to negotiate a ladder.
Plus... And most importantly... The RTT is like the coolest fort a kid could ever have! Sometimes she asks to have it set up in the driveway just to play!
Do it and enjoy many happy nights.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
We have been camping with our kids in our RTT since my twins were small. They are 6 now so it's not much of a concern any more but depending on the tent model you have you can have them sleep in the annex like others have suggested. We started out with a Tepui Autana and my wife and I slept in the upper part of the tent and our 4 kids slept in the annex. No risk of them falling from the annex since they'd be on the ground, yet they're still enclosed and near you. The reality is that even if you all slept in the main sleeping area, the likelihood of small kids waking up and finding their way to the ladder and falling out without waking parents is pretty slim.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
My 6yr old was doing some sleep walking last night though she's not in a bunk bed if she continues doing that for sure won't be doing bunk beds for a while at the cabin. She was pretty mobile but clearly not registering where she was going and not aware of her surroundings. I could see the potential for broken bones with that sort of thing. RTT is probably pretty safe given your zipped in I think the biggest challenge is just space. We end up using just about every inch of space in our little life time tent trailer, between sleeping space, clothing etc. I could see the Annex being a must have for sure given you can stow your bags and change in the annex etc. If your running a hatch type vehicle truck with bed cap or 4runner etc I could see tossing the kids in the back of the truck with the annex off the back giving you that added sleeping space etc.
we have been using a roof top tent with our little one since she's 2.. initially she needs a little help getting in and out of the tent but after a few trips she can go up and down by herself.. works pretty well for the 2.5 years we have this tent, we do make a point of not getting in and out of the tent unless it's time for bed, and that door should be zipped all the time (but this one is for keeping the bugs out mostly)..
I'm selling my rtt (due to financially irresponsible purchase of an airstream) but we have a 1 year old and 3 year old and have had zero problems, we are just watchful when necessary. I wouldn't consider it more dangerous than having children that young around an open fire or a nearby stream, they all require vigilance. The kids love it. It's like a tree house you take camping. It's nice to have an easy set up with little kids as well.