Why Roof Top Tent

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I've thought about the Different RTTs, but I'm afraid that they would be to much trouble, with setup/setdown each day, with all the boats and equip. I carry on my jeep top--

I just use my trailer airtent and a ground airtent for either basecamp, or camp move and a big basecamp tent if we're staying-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO !

 

[xCSx]

Best option is to find a way to sleep in the car/truck itself

 

[F5driver]

Ok I'll say it. RTT is great but the ladder seriously sucks.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Best option is to find a way to sleep in the car/truck itself

I did that for one trip around CO (2 weeks) I didn't want the trailer, because we were staying in a different spot each night, running Black Bear Pass (no trailers allowed and a One Way trail at the descent) Worked well for me, as it was just me, and I had the XJ at the time.

With the wife and kid(s) with, then the RTT w/annex is the way to go for us.

I often wonder if anyone has come back to bad news at basecamp?

I never have yet, at least not any bad news from 2 legged critters. :coffeedrink:

Stay outside of Moab every year for a week, gone almost every day from sun up until dinner time or later.

Spent time in CO/WY/SD using the trailer as base camp, as well as close to 20 years of bird hunting up north here, leaving tents, trailers, portable kitchens, etc set up while gone all day hunting.


Knock on wood, we've never had any theft or vandalism from humans.


4 legged critters now, that's a different story!:elkgrin:

 

[pikdiesel]

I love my set up of RTT on my homemade trailer. I can set up camp and forget about it.
It is not difficult to setup/take down tent, but the annex room can take some time to get properly set up.

I don't know if you have tented on the ground much, but there is a huge difference being off the ground during rain/snow.
Another reason is the added space for gear in your rig. All of your sleeping gear is now on your roof!

Here is a few pics of my set up.
BTW...CVT tents are the bees knees!

 

[hornytoad]

RTT or not to RTT

to the OP

my wife and I decide not to to use a RTT and will probably always camp that way. Personally I have always been a sleep on the ground type of guy, in 20+ years of camping I have only had water in a tent once, and had an altercation with raccoons and javalinas in eastern TX that tore up some coolers when we were not at camp.

For fair weather truck/car camping we use a huge beast of an REI ground tent with a queen size Kelty air mattress (both items found at a REI scratch and dent sale). This fits the wife and I and our dog with tons of space left over for weather related gear. I can stand in the tent and for the most part it hold up OK. Set up takes 10-15 min. Break down takes 20min.

For winter camping we have an Marmot expedition tent that doubles as our backpacking tent. Handles all weather, wind and temperatures.
10 min set up, 15 min take down.

Now RTT do have their place in carnivore county or having to camp in muddy/rocky terrain. If I was going to set one up I would attach it to a trailer so I could set up camp and then go exploring. But that's just me.

Good luck with your choice and take the family camping !

 

[kai38]

For me it depends on the type of trip I'm taking.
If it's an off road event like the up coming Thrill on the Hill where we will be camped and taking off every morning on trail rides I'll put the RTT on top of my M416 and leave it at camp every morning. If its a trip where we will be moving on every morning like doing the Mojave RD,Arizona Strip etc I will use it on top of my FJ Cruiser.
Good thing about the trailer I can bring more gear to be very comfortable in camp with, but have narrowed down gear when taking just the FJ.
FJ or trailer the RTT is set up fast and put away just as fast when its time to move on. While out wheeling I really don't care for the RTT up top.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Food for thought?
Is a Roof Top Tent for me? The RTT Conundrum

 

[kraqus]

I am new to the RTT world and I love mine.
I have the same opinion as the OP hence the reason I am getting a trailer soon......




Benny

 

[Corey]

My opinion on them.
http://backcountry-camping-gear-reviews.blogspot.com/p/faq-on-roof-top-tents.html

Also I am the opposite from some here.
I setup base camp and leave my tent up the entire time instead of packing each day and moving.
Maybe that will change if I take a much longer vacation.
I like to stay at one spot for several days and explore the area via bike or on foot, but I am mainly out there to get away from the city and to just relax in the outdoors.

 

[Cody1771]

RTT's dont lend themselves to the "base camp" type setup very well, they exel however in situations like overlanding when you are constantly moving from one spot to another. when i had one i had a tent and an RTT depending on the type of trip it was, definatly cant replace a good 8 person tent that you can stand up in with an RTT, and if your not moving take the time to set up the bigger tent

 

[Corey]

After using ground tents for close to 50 years, I could never go back to one since owning my Maggiolina.
Much more comfortable, and I sleep a lot better.

True, you cannot stand up in them, but the extra comfort and not tracking in dirt makes it all worth it to me.
Especially knowing that the bedding is all in place already, and leaves more room in the rig.

 

[The Swiss]

There is nothing wrong with a ground tent. Did ground-tent-camping for years. But I really love my RTT:

• Fast to deploy and pack up
• Regardless the ground, tent is fairly clean when packing up
• Sleeping off the ground, away from soggy soil and away from all pine cones and rock that used to love to congregate right under my sleeping spot
• Good mattress (really important once your age passes the 40 year threshold)
• Bedding stays in RTT

As said above, if it is the better option to have the RTT on the vehicle itself or on a trailer really depends on your style of camping. I had both and for me for the kind of traveling I do right now, RTT on trailer works great. Keeps stuff and weight out of the Jeep.

On a side note regarding weight to all people who are thinking to set up their vehicle with roof rack, roof tent, fridge and plan on carrying kitchen sink and everything else with ‘em: Before spending lot's of money, invite your 4 heaviest friends you have, pile them up in your vehicle, go for a drive over twisty mountain roads and see if you like how your vehicle handles …

 

[Containerized]

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned in the thread: A lot of this has to do with climate. In the Pacific Northwest or somewhere else damp, I can see a RTT having huge advantages over a traditional ground tent. For the travel we do, it's better to use ground tents (rain is rare and brief, theft/people/animals less of an issue than in America purely due to low population density of both animals and people, etc.). Ground tents are also slightly more versatile in that you may want to put the vehicle somewhere a little away from camp for a variety of reasons. And, of course, the ability to use the vehicle without breaking camp is a huge plus for us.

 

[Corey]

Good point on the dampness here in the PNW.
I have lost count of how many times in the past when the weather said no rain and it ended up pouring on trips.
No worries with the RTT anymore.