Why are RTT's so expensive?

I understand there are a little more complexities and materials involved in making a roof top tent, but some of them really get expensive. Has anyone ever just laid a piece of aluminum sheet or fiberglass across some bed crossbars and used a regular tent on their truck tied down with ring bolts? Seems like a more frugal solution.

 

Have you ever seen one in person? May answer your question.

 

Yes, they're nice, bu that's kind of like if Toyota only made the Tacoma Pro, and saying "Yeah it's expensive, but have you seen it?" as a justification for not making an SR, SR5, and the other TRD's. Can't some manufacturer make lower end less expensive models?

 

have you seen the price on quality ground tents??

easily spend 1k on a hilleberg and those are hands down the best on the market if you want something that can withstand some serious wind!!!

rtt would fold over in serious wind, but then again prob couldn't even reach those areas with a truck anyway...

 

I hear ya. I would love to have one, just can't justify the cost per amount of time I would use it.
There are some companies that make slightly less expensive models. There are sometime group buys that happen here too.

 

I hear you, but again, not everyone buys or could afford a tent like that. It would be awesome if someone just made a platform you could lay across some crossbars with tiedown points for a typical 2 person sized tent.

 

you mean like this??

 

Yes, something like that. Did you make that? It's a pretty good design.

 

You know....I did see that someone made one kinda like you are thinking.
Let me look around.
Not exactly like @uurx just posted.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-rtt-for-those-on-a-budget.478273/

 

lol no I just found this off google

after using both ground and roof tents, I actually prefer my ground tents, there are perks for using either one though for sure

in my eyes ground tents are far more versatile and way more cost effective

but i do have one of each

 

The reason for a RTT is to have a fast setup with bedding all in place. You just aren't going to achieve those goals with something that has a Coleman build quality. If you want something with that kind of build quality and slow setup, why not just pitch a ground tent?

 

Just to keep a little more distance from snakes and such, and the cold ground.

 

Wut.

RTTs are offered in different sizes, depending on how big it is and what options they offer will reflect on its asking price. Different brands may also price them differently.

Misleading title. Instead of complaining about how you can't fork out enough for a RTT like how I can't fork for a useless yeti cooler you should've titled it "cheaper alternatives to a RTT"

 

pelican is better than yeti just watch the bear proof videos!!!


lol

 

This is in part why Yakima has just gotten in the market and is offering a RTT at a lower price point. Theirs uses lighter "tent" materials as opposed to thicker canvas found on CVT, Tepui, etc.

 

I wouldn't say it's misleading, while we did discuss alternatives, I also mentioned that cheaper ones can be made by manufacturers. Surely someone could make a no-frills rtt that would be more affordable.

 

OMG this is perfect!!! I've been looking at these tents recently, and as I was going through this thread, I was thinking of how to rig one of them to a set of bed bars.....then you posted the link lol

 

I sleep in ground tents, easy to set up, cost efficient, and I off road/camp in 3 different vehicles. Plus, my sons barrow my camping gear. Here is a 4 day off road trip. Good times my friends.

 

Checking it out on their site.
This is one of the pictures used to show it: