RTT or Offroad Trailer w/RTT?

[mph]

Help me decide...I am deciding between a RTT and roof rack or a getting a small offroad trailer w/rtt. I have a 99 LC 100 series. I orginally thought that an offroad trailer with an rtt would be ideal for my family (wife and child).

However, I am now thinking that maybe I should try to get by with a nicer roof rack and a rtt. Don't mind pulling a small trailer...However, I do like the fact of not pulling one better.

Any thoughts? Advice? Experience?

Thanks!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Why not just use the factory roof rack?

 

[syke]

The wife and I spent about a year with a trailer and rtt behind the jeep. It worked great in every aspect except going backwards. For us and the areas we like to explore, backing up would be a real challenge. The final straw was a shelf road that required us to make a looooong backing exercise. The wife asked if we could put the tent on the D1. Done!
Sold the trailer.

YMMV
Good luck.

 

[upcruiser]

Towing a trailer has never been appealing to me so I have been running a tent on my 80. When travelling solo I remove the second row seats and install a sleeping platform that I built. I don't really dig having the rtt on the roof all the time due to the drag, the added height, etc. They are just a pain to take on and off and requires a second person. Another plus obviously is that a rack is cheaper than a trailer. Also with the trailer, you can still haul things on the roof of the Cruiser. Being able to haul a canoe or kayaks is important to me and with an RTT on the truck you loose that ability.

 

[upcruiser]

Oh, one more benefit of the rtt on the roof, the ability to use a changing room under it....

This gives you a place to hang out and cook in foul weather. It's key in my opinion, especially if you are living out of the vehicle for any amount of time.

 

[mph]

Yeah....bringing toys is important to me too. My wife and I love to ride! I am afraid that if we went with rtt on top of car; we would loose the ability to bring our bikes. I am going to check out a rack on the back of the car though...

Great thoughts...

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Don't mind pulling a small trailer...However, I do like the fact of not pulling one better.

This is the point that I'm at too. I owned and operated quite the profitable lawn care company when I was in highschool and first year of college. I pulled a trailer 7 days a week... even to school. Can I efficiently and effectively pull a trailer down a trail and back it up if necessary? Yes.... but do I want to.... not really.

I think we're foregoing the RTT idea and going with an investment in an Oztent. I think it might be a little more flexible too. Out in the desert? Lets set up the 30 second tent for lunch to get out of the sun... Jungles of guatemala? Lets setup the 30 second tent and get out of the bugs/rain.

 

[mph]

I will look into the OZ tent...I was looking at RTT because of the mattress and more comfortable sleeping arrangements.

This is the point that I'm at too. I owned and operated quite the profitable lawn care company when I was in highschool and first year of college. I pulled a trailer 7 days a week... even to school. Can I efficiently and effectively pull a trailer down a trail and back it up if necessary? Yes.... but do I want to.... not really.

I think we're foregoing the RTT idea and going with an investment in an Oztent. I think it might be a little more flexible too. Out in the desert? Lets set up the 30 second tent for lunch to get out of the sun... Jungles of guatemala? Lets setup the 30 second tent and get out of the bugs/rain.

 

[taz223]

This is something we have been going back and forth about for a while. We currently have a very nicely setup trailer, complete with awnings and RTT, along with on-board water, electric, etc. It is very convenient to be able to pull that thing anywhere and set it up for camp, especially with the extra storage room that it brings for gear. Thus far, on all the trips we've taken, the most inconvenient part of having the trailer is having to pull it with the fabulous JKU transmission. On mild trails, its honestly not very noticeable (unless you have to turn around as others have mentioned). On rougher trails, especially steeper climbs, you certainly notice that it is there, but it is not necessarily a hindrance, nor has it stopped us from being able to complete a trail as of yet. I like the ability to be able to take it somewhere, set it up, and if we need to run to town or take a side trip we can leave camp set up and not have to break down the entire camp.

Another benefit to me versus having it on the top of the Jeep is, as others have mentioned, with it being on the trailer, I never have to worry about taking it off of the top of the Jeep when its not in use. I haven't ever had it on the roof of the Jeep to compare, but I'm fairly certain the miles per gallon pulling the trailer would be pretty close to the same as having the RTT and gear up on top of the Jeep dragging wind. A final huge thing for us is having the trailer allows us to carry almost all of our camping gear in the trailer, along with firewood, etc. When we go on a trip, typically we have our dog with us in the backseat, and in another few months we'll have a carseat in the back as well. With our current set up, the only gear we carry inside the Jeep is our ARB fridge, food, and any personal items we may need for the road.

I think ultimately, the decision about whether to use a RTT on the vehicle or to pull a trailer really depends on your personal needs. If you have plenty of room in your rig for all your passengers, gear, etc., then having the RTT on the roof would be fine. If you need the ability to haul your cargo elsewhere, then a trailer is the way to go.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

We're looking at these:

Cabela's Deluxe Camp Bed – 30" x 68" x 3"

We'll likely use cots in conjunction with the bed. More setup time, but in general, its more flexible.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have yet to meet a women that likes a RRT...just say'n

 

[Captjeep]

I've got one of the cabelas deluxe camp beds waiting for me at the house along with their deluxe tent cot and a truck bedz air mattress. Hoping to try out everything next weekend. I've got 10 family members coming to Texas from PA for a week so it gave me a great excuse to buy some cool gear! All the reviews on the camp bed were extremely positive. Hope theyre right!

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I have yet to meet a women that likes a RRT...just say'n

I know of a few, but I'm slightly immersed in the industry.

My wife's concern is dealing with the kiddos (an infant and a 6 year old) up in the RTT. Especially if someone has to go potty in the middle of the night.... She'd be much more favorable of an RTT on a trailer though.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I know of a few, but I'm slightly immersed in the industry.

My wife's concern is dealing with the kiddos (an infant and a 6 year old) up in the RTT. Especially if someone has to go potty in the middle of the night.... She'd be much more favorable of an RTT on a trailer though.

Exactly kids falling out, dogs not able to get in, climbing up/down a 7' ladder in the middle of the night, and getting dressed and undressed laying down are the top reasons I hear why IH8RTT.

 

[Mr. Leary]

I usually keep my RTT on my trailer. Its great for longer trips and i prefer to tow than have all that stuff on the roof. For shorter trips, i usually dont even bring the RTT at all.

I have looked into other options, such as the double tent cot and oztent, but they arent right for my needs.

Having the tent up there causes two problems. Horrible fuel economy (and in Texas we have to drive a long time to get places), and poor handling on off camber terrain. I can drag my little trailer through much nastier stuff than i would attempt with a top heavy truck. I have only encountered the dreaded back up once, anx i would have been backing up either way, just took longer.

So for me its really a question of whether i bring the trailer or not. With the trailer comes the RTT and the full kitchen. Without it i am in a ground tent with my small kitchen in the back of the truck.

My wife loves the RTT, and you really start to appreciate it right about the third night out, when a good nights sleep and comfort becomes a trip enjoyment multiplier.

My rambling .02