Why Roof Top Tent

[4runnerteq]

All good discussion. I really like the thought of a tear drop camper as well. Not only do they just seem really cool. They also look like a great alternative to any kind of tent. Although they do seem really pricy as well. Will be sticking with tent for now.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I think much of this depends on the vehicle. When I had and Eezi-Awn RTT on my Discovery, I thought it was a ginormous hassle. It was just high enough off the ground I had to climb up on my Disco a dozen times to get it fully deployed, and another dozen times to get it stowed. Seriously, it was step up on the tire, fiddle, step down, go to the next tire, step up, fiddle, step down.... I also really disliked the added weight on my roof. Didn't feel unsafe, but it did feel weird.

I guess I don't mind the ground tent. I'm a buyer for an outdoor store, so I literally buy outdoor gear for a living. I guess I just chose my tents carefully as well as all the goodies that go in them. I also like a shelter that's useful for more than just laying down. This is why many RTT users have awnings.

I won't say that setting up a ground tent is any quicker or easier than setting up an RTT, I'll just say that in my situation the RTT was anything but "Eezi." Kind of a PITA, actually.

 

[4runnerteq]

I think it would be for me too. One time I thought I wanted a bike rack on the roof. Heck, 4 inches of lift and 33s, who's gonna climb up there and get em down for me. If its just me I put the mountain bike in back with rear seats folded down. More than one I use the hitch mount rack

 

[hoser]

Well, there should be a distinction between the RTT's. The Autohome Columbus/Maggiolina/airtop is much faster to put away than the Eezi-awn clamshell types... probly about half the time. Use goose-down bedding and pillows and bedding can be kept in the autohomes easily. A little bit of bedding in the clamshell type increases time to fold away.... and the cover is another hassle.

 

[Corey]

That is one of the reasons I went with the Maggiolina.
What could be easier than this?
Putting it down takes a bit longer, but I can do it in a few minutes, and no ladder needed.
I just leave the rear door open to climb up on the rear bumper, and I can stand on my sliderz too as I work my way around.

Having all the bedding in place with this type of tent was another plus I looked at before deciding on what brand to go with.

 

[spressomon]

There are just too many personal variables for any tent whether ground or RTT to be universally considered best for all (IMO of course ). Its great to finally have considerable choices/selection in the marketplace regardless though.

The flip style RTT's were nothing but a PITA for us. The covers at roof height are a pain to deal with especially if raining or windy when putting them on. The covers eventually wear out; in windy conditions you better be a very sound sleeper or put the ear plugs in; bedding gets folded in half but you have to be careful to not bunch it up during the fold up process. The interior size of the fold-over style RTT sure was nice though in all but c-c-c-old climes and its nice for on-roof space conservation too as it does leave a portion of the roof for other cargo as bad a COG location as it is anyway. And they're anything but aero on your roof.

Unfortunately sleep systems apart of camping from a motored rig is a little like a golf or fly fishing hobby: You almost need a quiver of tents if your travels are so varied in application. There were trips where our former Kimberely Kamper was supreme; there are trips where sleeping (solo) in the back of my LC with my dogs is better; and there are trips where the Columbus is just plain better (faster, frees up some interior space since all sleeping related equipment is on the roof). But not one of all we've owned was perfect or universally applicable to all our travels.

A one size fits all sleeping system for everyone's uses seems to be a compromise at best. But we of the motorized campers/explorers are not unique in this perspective compared to most other hobbies...

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: ASTUTE-words of wisdom !

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[chicken corners]

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

Lots of good info.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Lots of good info.

Glad you enjoyed it. I've taken some light ribbing from some fellow tent vendors asking me why I almost do a better job at talking people out of RTT's rather than into them... the truth is they are not for everyone and I don't want to sell them as such. For those that do fit the uses and features of a RTT, they rock. I spent at least 5-7 days in mine each month and I can't think of a better option.

 

[FishPOET]

I like having options and my RTT is one of many options for accommodations for the evening. I will be leading a trip in October over 100 miles of dirt with 2 different camp locations. This is where the RTT excels.

I tried using the RTT as a base camp one time. It was a pain to take down and set up each day. More than likely I won't be using the RTT as a base camp again.

Adding to Kurt's great thread of pros and cons. Top of the list of cons for me: No matter how much you invest....It is still just a tent. Whether it is on a trailer or on a vehicle, wind can make a night unsleepable. In a large gathering with close neighbors like Overland Expo or Rendezvous, late night noisy neighbors can be a problem. Also a con; When mounted on a vehicle is the suspension of the vehicle exaggerates minor body movements.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Adding to Kurt's great thread of pros and cons. Top of the list of cons for me: No matter how much you invest....It is still just a tent. Whether it is on a trailer or on a vehicle, wind can make a night unsleepable. In a large gathering with close neighbors like Overland Expo or Rendezvous, late night noisy neighbors can be a problem. Also a con; When mounted on a vehicle is the suspension of the vehicle exaggerates minor body movements.

That is a great one, thanks for tossing that out there. To expand on that... sometimes camping where your car is means your camping right next to everyone. In some primitive places its not always entirely easy to get a secluded tent site when attached to your rig whereas a ground tent can be hauled around the corner out of the traffic. Again great point, I think I'll add that to future RTT article revisions.

 

[BretEdge]

We use a combination of a RTT and a base camp tent. Which one we use depends on how we'll be camping. If we're staying somewhere for a while we'll set up a gi-normous base camp tent. More often than not, we're on the move which makes the RTT more convenient. I can deploy mine in 3 minutes. It takes about twice that to stow it. Last summer we spent two weeks touring the Oregon coast. We moved to a new spot almost every night and the RTT made life so much easier than it would have been with a regular tent.

Bottom line: Both types of tents have advantages and disadvantages. Decide what kind of camping you do most often and purchase a tent accordingly.

 

[jonharis]

I purchased my camper because 90% of the camping I do is basecamping. We typically will spend 2-3 nights in one spot and go out during the day. A lot of that was due to the arrival of out children and we have become a little more content to not try to push our daily mileage to the limit. Most of the time that I'm with people with RTTs they either have to get up earlier than me or I end up waiting for them. To me it doesn't make sense to have one unless you intend to move locations every night. They also add weight and height to your truck. I know a couple people with Autohome RTTs and I feel that they are your best bet as far as speed/ease of use and interior space. If It was just me or just me and my wife and we were putting the miles on I would get one in a heartbeat. For now the trailer suits us well and will go anywhere I want to take it.

 

[jrfromafar]

I studied this roof top tent idea - I like it - those Maggiolinas are nice but I can't get away from the look - it looks like a giant coffin!

I went the cheapskate route on the rooftop tent - my own home built platform & tent pitched on the ground & tossed up on the platform! Not quite as portable, takes about 10 minutes to rig up, but it cost me less than $50 - & I don't have to worry about theft, plus, I have the option of pitching it on the ground if I find a nice spot, and that frees up my vehicle.

IWFM

... It works for me

 

[Mark Harley]

I went the cheapskate route on the rooftop tent - my own home built platform & tent pitched on the ground & tossed up on the platform! Not quite as portable, takes about 10 minutes to rig up, but it cost me less than $50 - & I don't have to worry about theft, plus, I have the option of pitching it on the ground if I find a nice spot, and that frees up my vehicle.

Me Too!
I made a Poor man's RTT a deck mounted on my trailer and a cheap 7 x 7 dome tent.
I will try this out for for mow and save for a large family sized RTT in the future.