Roof Top Tents - A fad?

I wouldn't want a RTT especially while rock crawling lets say .. Chicken Rock Dusy Irsham trail , Cadillac hill or little sluice Rubicon trail

 

dammit.

I should have waited on buying all that stuffs.. lol

 

I can return my ground tent to REI and get one right away if I have an issue. Be out camping that night for the most part. I think since this is still a cottage industry of manufacturers, outside of a few that could be counted on one hand, these people should be backing their products up with at least a year warranty, 2 or more really. If I am helping you grow your ridiculously niche business, you should want me happy. The ultralight camping cottage manufacturers bend over backwards for customer service, any cottage industry should do the same. Not a complaint or any experience, just a standard I guess. What's Smitty or ARB offer? Match them.

 

Cottage industry isn't manufactured in China by large companies.

 

As for snow camping and ground insulation to keep warm , pine boughs under a tarp for your tents keeps you nice and warm

 

I have camped out of ground tents, hammoks, shelters, bivys, tarp, out in the open....you name it. My RTT is my favorite, then hammock (just ordered a new Warbonnet!) I have NEVER regretted the rtt, best investment ive ever made. And No, its not just a fad, the ppl that call it just a fad dont own one. They have been around for many years and will be around for many, many more. If you are planning on family camping you cant beat it.

 

I have owned 4 rtts and I currently own two. I sleep in them as comfortably as my own bed. It stores easy, keeps me dry, and I can keep my stuff in it. I've camped the last 10 weekends in a row and Ill camp 3 out of the next 4 weekends. As someone who camps around 70 nights a year its worth it.

 

In 10-15 years, lots and lots of people will be over climbing up over their truck bed.

I'm not saying it can't be done. I've seen old flip pacs and some hammered-on AT Habitats. I have river rat friends that live in gross trailers from the 70's... I'd be interested in seeing a 15 year old canvas RTT that didn't need constant maintenance like it was a piece of farm equipment. Different bolts and tape and zip ties and crap all over the place.

But it depends entirely on your usage and probably environment, too.

Let's get real, most people just like them because they make other people think they're serious about camping, and most people using the family excuse can probably find a tow-behind on craigslist for what they'd spend on a top-of-the-line RTT big enough for 5.

 

When I was a kid we used to go camping with all the families in the scuba diving club when they had large open water dives at Fathom Five. One younger couple had a roof top tent on their Volkswagen Rabbit. Always thought it was cool.

That was over 30 years ago.

 

Unless you actually wheel then you're not towing a camper. You know better

 

I like the idea of a RTT, but $$$. I just use the bed of my truck. It is just the wife and myself. Minimal set up, off the ground, somewhat safe from critters, easy tear down. I would like a small trailer, teardrop.

 

Could be a fad, but I'd possibly consider one if all I did was go out, explore, and camp. But as I'm also out hunting, hauling wood, etc., so it would not work for me. Last thing I want to do at 3:30 in the morning when I'm trying to head out to my jump off point for my hike into a glassing spot to hunt is to break down my sleeping quarters before I head out.

Depending on situation and weather, I'm mostly now either on a cot under the stars (or perhaps a tarp if rain is a possibility), or in a tent with a portable big buddy heater for colder weather. Plenty cozy. For extended trips I used to take out my Jayco Baja, but just haven't bothered with it the last few years. I can keep every bit cozy, comfortable, and warm in a tent.

The quickest set up that gets me off the ground and out of the weather I have for solo weekend trips is this set up:



Cabelas double tent cot. Pull it out of truck, unfold it, open it up, throw in sleeping pad, sleeping bag and a pillow, and I can pull up to camp and be out of the truck and in the cot ready for sleep in a couple minutes. Love it for quick weekend hunting or scouting trips when I'm pulling into camp late at night after driving for hours and have only a few hours to sleep before it's time to get up and go chase critters.

Camper also (hardly used anymore) and tent for extended trips of more than a couple days.




And my current go-to set up. Though the tent has seen better days and will be replaced next month with a Kodiak flex bow canvas tent.

 

Family. Wheel. Camp. That's a lot for most, not all. Also, who's taking the family out on actual wheeling adventures, and reading this thread? We both know better.

 

Yes. I like.

 

If you're wheeling hard and frequently, you aren't running an RTT either. Too much weight up high and packing up camp to wheel sucks ass every day. On a trailer, I can get an RTT though.

 

I ground tent. Cheap, fast setup and take down.

 

not sure we do actually